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Visual information specialist vs graphic designer/production

The differences between visual information specialists 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 visual information specialist and a graphic designer/production. Additionally, a visual information specialist has an average salary of $65,085, which is higher than the $48,619 average annual salary of a graphic designer/production.

The top three skills for a visual information specialist include photography, video production and adobe creative suite. The most important skills for a graphic designer/production are graphic design, adobe photoshop, and adobe illustrator.

Visual information specialist vs graphic designer/production overview

Visual Information SpecialistGraphic Designer/Production
Yearly salary$65,085$48,619
Hourly rate$31.29$23.37
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs66,80295,831
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age3838
Years of experience1212

What does a visual information specialist do?

A visual information specialist is in charge of developing visual materials in adherence to the needs of a company or business. In a company setting, their responsibilities include coordinating with different departments to gather and analyze data, come up with designs and layouts, plan materials based on the purpose and availability of resources, and work together with the creative team. Furthermore, as a visual information specialist, it is essential to maintain active communication with teammates for a smooth and efficient workflow.

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.

Visual information specialist vs graphic designer/production salary

Visual information specialists and graphic designer/productions have different pay scales, as shown below.

Visual Information SpecialistGraphic Designer/Production
Average salary$65,085$48,619
Salary rangeBetween $41,000 And $102,000Between $35,000 And $67,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCMenlo Park, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonMaryland
Best paying companyFood and Drug Law InstituteOptimum Nutrition
Best paying industryGovernmentTechnology

Differences between visual information specialist and graphic designer/production education

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

Visual Information SpecialistGraphic Designer/Production
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorGraphic DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Visual information specialist vs graphic designer/production demographics

Here are the differences between visual information specialists' and graphic designer/productions' demographics:

Visual Information SpecialistGraphic Designer/Production
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 56.0% Female, 44.0%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 visual information specialist and graphic designer/production duties and responsibilities

Visual information specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage content updates and PR/communication material on intranet website and ensure content are visible on mobile phones and tablets.
  • Manage and maintain the organization s online content via a proprietary content management systems (CMS) and social media channels.
  • Manage and utilize extensive internal photography libraries and external resources.
  • Lead the development and execution of several overhead presentations, advertising design, brochure marketing, and desktop publishing initiatives.
  • Administer in house CSS and HTML training for colleagues and coworkers.
  • Develop and deliver proofreading and software training to other word processing operators.
  • 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

Visual information specialist vs graphic designer/production skills

Common visual information specialist skills
  • Photography, 15%
  • Video Production, 7%
  • Adobe Creative Suite, 7%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 6%
  • Adobe Indesign, 5%
  • Web Pages, 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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