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Production designer vs junior designer

The differences between production designers and junior designers 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 designer and a junior designer. Additionally, a production designer has an average salary of $54,760, which is higher than the $53,349 average annual salary of a junior designer.

The top three skills for a production designer include sketch, graphic design and adobe creative suite. The most important skills for a junior designer are sketch, graphic design, and adobe creative suite.

Production designer vs junior designer overview

Production DesignerJunior Designer
Yearly salary$54,760$53,349
Hourly rate$26.33$25.65
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs96,68258,152
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Average age3838
Years of experience1212

What does a production designer do?

A production designer is responsible for monitoring the visual presentation of a media or theatre production, ensuring the set's adherence to the theme, and presenting visual elements according to the production requirements. Production designers research the current industry trends for creative ideas that would attract the audience, creating outstanding visual pictures throughout the production. In most cases, production designers also operate software systems and tools to suggest graphic effects and support the artistic team for deliverables. A production designer develops all visual plans within the budget goals and discusses adjustments to the production management team as needed.

What does a junior designer do?

A junior designer is an entry-level professional who is responsible for creating high-quality designs according to the requirements of clients. Under the supervision of senior designers, junior designers must understand project requirements and projects and use various techniques to create drafts, models, and prototypes. They collaborate with team members to pitch in creative ideas and produce final design solutions that can include banners or logos. Junior designers must also take on specially design tasks and use feedback from other designers to improve.

Production designer vs junior designer salary

Production designers and junior designers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Production DesignerJunior Designer
Average salary$54,760$53,349
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $82,000Between $43,000 And $65,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASanta Rosa, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaAlaska
Best paying companyMetaNike
Best paying industryInternetTechnology

Differences between production designer and junior designer education

There are a few differences between a production designer and a junior designer in terms of educational background:

Production DesignerJunior Designer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common majorGraphic DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Production designer vs junior designer demographics

Here are the differences between production designers' and junior designers' demographics:

Production DesignerJunior Designer
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 55.4% Female, 44.6%Male, 50.4% Female, 49.6%
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 designer and junior designer duties and responsibilities

Production designer example responsibilities.

  • Manage website redesign including copywriting and updating all website content.
  • Migrate HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and XML content from outside sources into content management system.
  • Edit existing PowerPoint slides to enhance the corporate message.
  • Create 3D files and renderings for packaging using SolidWorks and KeyShot.
  • Hire by Collins as a design liaison between Collins and Facebook design teams.
  • Develop and maintain company website and social presence on Facebook, LinkedIn and other networks.
  • Show more

Junior designer example responsibilities.

  • Manage the website and twitter page, write the blog posts and attend numerous fashion shows and sample sale rooms.
  • Coordinate REVIT teaching for inner office/branches.
  • Utilize PowerPoint to create furniture, lighting and final material selection presentations for client meetings.
  • Create PowerPoint templates to be used by clients or other upper management in proposals or live shows.
  • Sketch new designs (by hand and computer aid) add colors and make updates to carry-over styles as necessary.
  • Develop residential designs using Revit.
  • Show more

Production designer vs junior designer skills

Common production designer skills
  • Sketch, 11%
  • Graphic Design, 10%
  • Adobe Creative Suite, 9%
  • Digital Marketing, 4%
  • HTML, 4%
  • Adobe Indesign, 4%
Common junior designer skills
  • Sketch, 10%
  • Graphic Design, 9%
  • Adobe Creative Suite, 8%
  • Revit, 5%
  • Design Projects, 5%
  • PowerPoint, 4%

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