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Senior artist vs graphic design specialist

The differences between senior artists and graphic design specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a senior artist, becoming a graphic design specialist takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a senior artist has an average salary of $83,394, which is higher than the $55,925 average annual salary of a graphic design specialist.

The top three skills for a senior artist include maya, animation and AAA. The most important skills for a graphic design specialist are graphic design, adobe creative suite, and visualization.

Senior artist vs graphic design specialist overview

Senior ArtistGraphic Design Specialist
Yearly salary$83,394$55,925
Hourly rate$40.09$26.89
Growth rate5%3%
Number of jobs3,66549,055
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age4038
Years of experience212

What does a senior artist do?

A senior artist has a variety of duties and responsibilities. These include designing all the concept art, online advertising assets, and graphics, designing and creating marketing brochures, invitations, greeting cards, and other materials, and creating the process for different artwork. Additionally, you will be responsible for identifying client objectives and translating them into an efficient multimedia solution. As a senior artist, you are also expected to create original graphics and user interfaces for multimedia projects.

What does a graphic design specialist do?

A graphic design specialist utilizes their artistic expertise in creating imagery and designs that convey a particular message. Their responsibilities revolve around liaising with clients to determine their needs and goals, developing concepts and subjecting it for client approval, and revising designs as necessary. In a company setting, a graphic design specialist may work with a team, coordinating with them while sticking to budgets and deadlines. Furthermore, as a team member, it is essential to report to managers or supervisors, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.

Senior artist vs graphic design specialist salary

Senior artists and graphic design specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior ArtistGraphic Design Specialist
Average salary$83,394$55,925
Salary rangeBetween $54,000 And $128,000Between $38,000 And $80,000
Highest paying CityReno, NVSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNevadaWashington
Best paying companyMetaBerkshire Hathaway
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between senior artist and graphic design specialist education

There are a few differences between a senior artist and a graphic design specialist in terms of educational background:

Senior ArtistGraphic Design Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorGraphic DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Senior artist vs graphic design specialist demographics

Here are the differences between senior artists' and graphic design specialists' demographics:

Senior ArtistGraphic Design Specialist
Average age4038
Gender ratioMale, 71.8% Female, 28.2%Male, 50.0% Female, 50.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.0% Asian, 7.6% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%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 Percentage11%13%

Differences between senior artist and graphic design specialist duties and responsibilities

Senior artist example responsibilities.

  • Lead a team of artists to create a series of space adventure games for the PC.
  • Edit video, write copy for television, radio, and web-base commercials while managing the scheduling of all studio employees.
  • Maintain servers, install software packages for Apple/Mac base computers and maintain editing suites for video and audio production.
  • Design and programme pop-ups using HTML.
  • Mentore team members and conduct Zbrush training.
  • Edit footage, and photography base on authentic styles.
  • Show more

Graphic design specialist example responsibilities.

  • Launch and manage the acquistion, design and catalog for the animation line of liscens products.
  • Lead the development and execution of several overhead presentations, advertising design, brochure marketing, and desktop publishing initiatives.
  • Create presentations from customer direction, including graphics, charts, and animation.
  • Build email campaigns, database selection, HTML presentation and quality assurance of all outbound campaigns.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations for pharmaceutical companies through the process of drug approval in front of the FDA regulatory committee.
  • Assist with the launch of several services, including an HTML newsletter, district YouTube channel and emergency notification system.
  • Show more

Senior artist vs graphic design specialist skills

Common senior artist skills
  • Maya, 12%
  • Animation, 7%
  • AAA, 7%
  • ZBrush, 6%
  • In-Game, 6%
  • VFX, 5%
Common graphic design specialist skills
  • Graphic Design, 19%
  • Adobe Creative Suite, 6%
  • Visualization, 5%
  • PowerPoint, 5%
  • HTML, 4%
  • Brochures, 4%

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