Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between senior interactive designers and design directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a senior interactive designer and a design director. Additionally, a design director has an average salary of $132,823, which is higher than the $115,989 average annual salary of a senior interactive designer.
The top three skills for a senior interactive designer include sketch, user experience and interaction design. The most important skills for a design director are sketch, human centered design, and product design.
| Senior Interactive Designer | Design Director | |
| Yearly salary | $115,989 | $132,823 |
| Hourly rate | $55.76 | $63.86 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 46,598 | 48,337 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
Senior interaction designers are part of a team focusing on the best customer experience. The designers learn how to establish and maintain an enjoyable experience with their team in the company. They simplify complicated products and user flows. It is their job to make these products beneficial, easy to use, accessible, and intuitive. They team up with several product managers, designers, and engineers. Also, the research on competitive products and realize their competitive edge over corporate products and services.
A design director spearheads and oversees design projects in a company or organization. They typically have the authority to lead the creative and design teams, make significant decisions, delegate responsibilities, set goals and schedules, manage budgets and resources, and direct the project's cycle from planning to execution. They also coordinate with clients and solve issues when any arise. Additionally, a design director leads and encourages teams to reach goals, all while implementing standards and policies, developing new ones when necessary.
Senior interactive designers and design directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Interactive Designer | Design Director | |
| Average salary | $115,989 | $132,823 |
| Salary range | Between $81,000 And $164,000 | Between $82,000 And $212,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Proenza Schouler | |
| Best paying industry | Internet | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a senior interactive designer and a design director in terms of educational background:
| Senior Interactive Designer | Design Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between senior interactive designers' and design directors' demographics:
| Senior Interactive Designer | Design Director | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 74.9% Female, 25.1% | Male, 60.0% Female, 40.0% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 Percentage | 13% | 13% |