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Production artist vs graphic designer/production

The differences between production artists and graphic designer/productions can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a production artist and a graphic designer/production. Additionally, a production artist has an average salary of $61,870, which is higher than the $48,619 average annual salary of a graphic designer/production.

The top three skills for a production artist include graphic design, adobe photoshop and adobe creative suite. The most important skills for a graphic designer/production are graphic design, adobe photoshop, and adobe illustrator.

Production artist vs graphic designer/production overview

Production ArtistGraphic Designer/Production
Yearly salary$61,870$48,619
Hourly rate$29.75$23.37
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs59,10395,831
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age3838
Years of experience1212

What does a production artist do?

A production artist is responsible for managing digital content, meeting clients' standard specifications and requests for successful project completion. Production artists must have computer proficiency, especially on utilizing various software tools and applications to create illustrations and layouts. They also work closely with the creative team, cooperating in brainstorming sessions to ensure the consistency for each assigned task. A production artist should be keen on details, adjusting outputs as needed to maintain the highest quality for the actual presentation.

What does a graphic designer/production do?

A Graphics Designer in production is the person in charge of designing and interpreting ideas pointed out by the client or the company. The graphics designer must use market standard applications and techniques to produce attention-grabbing designs intended to market a product, service, or company. Graphic designers are an integral part of a company's digital marketing, especially over the internet. The graphic designer must have a good eye for style, typesetting, and the use of colors.

Production artist vs graphic designer/production salary

Production artists and graphic designer/productions have different pay scales, as shown below.

Production ArtistGraphic Designer/Production
Average salary$61,870$48,619
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $94,000Between $35,000 And $67,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAMenlo Park, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonMaryland
Best paying companyAppleOptimum Nutrition
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between production artist and graphic designer/production education

There are a few differences between a production artist and a graphic designer/production in terms of educational background:

Production ArtistGraphic Designer/Production
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorGraphic DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Production artist vs graphic designer/production demographics

Here are the differences between production artists' and graphic designer/productions' demographics:

Production ArtistGraphic Designer/Production
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 57.2% Female, 42.8%Male, 57.0% Female, 43.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 10.4% White, 70.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 10.4% White, 70.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage13%13%

Differences between production artist and graphic designer/production duties and responsibilities

Production artist example responsibilities.

  • Manage print jobs, design, copywriting.
  • Produce and code HTML emails that are browser/email client-friendly, as well code landing pages in CSS.
  • Code web pages with HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and WordPress.
  • Update and maintain CMS website.
  • Work almost daily in the mac studio.
  • Submit sketch approvals to USDA for their review.
  • Show more

Graphic designer/production example responsibilities.

  • Manage production of products; custom banners, t-shirts, satin flags, from concept to final product.
  • Manage various publications including catalogs, catalog inserts, brochures, mailers and advertising material.
  • Develop and update conference materials, including PowerPoint presentations, posters, handouts, badges, table tents, and folders.
  • Produce corporate identity systems and collateral print materials, print advertising, product/capabilities brochures, direct mail and newsletters.
  • Produce daily, weekly and monthly newsletters in both print and HTML.
  • Create cleaner HTML email templates and help others within the group improve their HTML skills.
  • Show more

Production artist vs graphic designer/production skills

Common production artist skills
  • Graphic Design, 12%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 9%
  • Adobe Creative Suite, 7%
  • Adobe Illustrator, 7%
  • Adobe Indesign, 5%
  • Production Art, 5%
Common graphic designer/production skills
  • Graphic Design, 14%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 9%
  • Adobe Illustrator, 8%
  • Art Direction, 6%
  • Adobe Indesign, 5%
  • Signage, 5%

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