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Publications designer vs graphic designer

The differences between publications designers and graphic 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 publications designer and a graphic designer. Additionally, a publications designer has an average salary of $56,121, which is higher than the $49,450 average annual salary of a graphic designer.

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

Publications designer vs graphic designer overview

Publications DesignerGraphic Designer
Yearly salary$56,121$49,450
Hourly rate$26.98$23.77
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs46,01045,625
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age3838
Years of experience1212

Publications designer vs graphic designer salary

Publications designers and graphic designers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Publications DesignerGraphic Designer
Average salary$56,121$49,450
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $82,000Between $34,000 And $69,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateVirginiaMassachusetts
Best paying companyRowland PublishingMeta
Best paying industryRetailTechnology

Differences between publications designer and graphic designer education

There are a few differences between a publications designer and a graphic designer in terms of educational background:

Publications DesignerGraphic Designer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorGraphic DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Publications designer vs graphic designer demographics

Here are the differences between publications designers' and graphic designers' demographics:

Publications DesignerGraphic Designer
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 39.8% Female, 60.2%Male, 49.8% Female, 50.2%
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 publications designer and graphic designer duties and responsibilities

Publications designer example responsibilities.

  • Manage website redesign including copywriting and updating all website content.
  • Assist with all in-house product photography, setting up and styling shots for catalog and advertising use.
  • Design the inner spreads of both books, and complete the typesetting.
  • Revamp the photo studio for better lighting and overall quality of the photography.
  • Provide extensive digital photography for various projects.
  • Maintain and update current manuals for all equipment produce in-house and identify areas for improvement in existing literature.
  • Show more

Graphic designer example responsibilities.

  • Lead the transition from paste-up, typesetting, pasting up page layout to digital ad/page building and web printing.
  • Design new template for magazine as well as ads, flyers, brochures, and cards for a variety of events.
  • Plan the development of a social networking site website using HTML, CSS, PHP, and a WordPress management system.
  • Compose and create daily advertisements for national automotive dealerships utilizing typography and design concepts while adhering to corporate brand standards.
  • Follow style guide requirements to maintain brand integrity with specific treatments of photography, typography, graphic elements and team/sponsor/arena logos.
  • Create UI kit for the website.
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Publications designer vs graphic designer skills

Common publications designer skills
  • Graphic Design, 20%
  • Adobe Indesign, 14%
  • Adobe Creative Suite, 13%
  • Publication Design, 9%
  • Art Direction, 9%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 8%
Common graphic designer skills
  • Adobe Creative Suite, 6%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 6%
  • Adobe Illustrator, 6%
  • Typography, 5%
  • Brochures, 5%
  • Design Concepts, 5%

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