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.
Visual information specialist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real visual information specialist resumes:
- 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.
- Develop and maintain the agency s SharePoint site.
- Test Citrex server as well as other windows applications as needed.
- Produce custom graphics, animation, audio, video and interactivity for engaging online experiences.
- Prepare PDF files so they can be place and view on various government web sites.
- Monitor successful completion of backup jobs and taking necessary actions using SQL backtrack whenever they fail.
- Design logos, create maps, brochures, special event flyers, programs, tickets, user manuals.
- Create and produce posters, flyers, illustrations, publications and artwork for numerous digital and print projects.
- Train in a format of XML using the companies software and start in a new project with a small team.
- Develop logical and physical data models, SQL reporting techniques, data retrieval and validation processes, views, and reports.
Visual information specialist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 15% of Visual Information Specialists are proficient in Photography, Video Production, and Adobe Creative Suite. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Computer skills, and Creativity.
We break down the percentage of Visual Information Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Photography, 15%
Coordinated and directed all training of the Digital Imaging Center personnel in photography and digital imaging techniques.
- Video Production, 7%
Directed and operated the video production and video teleconferencing facilities for NORAD/USSPACECOM.
- Adobe Creative Suite, 7%
Created banners, Posters, Save the Date cards using Adobe Creative Suite Master Collection.
- Adobe Photoshop, 6%
Trained staff in digital imaging software including Adobe PhotoShop, Image Ready, Illustrator, InDesign, and Acrobat Pro.
- Adobe Indesign, 5%
Use Microsoft Word and Adobe Indesign for literature production.
- Web Pages, 5%
Designed and implemented internal and external web pages and applications.
Common skills that a visual information specialist uses to do their job include "photography," "video production," and "adobe creative suite." You can find details on the most important visual information specialist responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a visual information specialist to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "graphic designers must be able to perceive their work from their consumers’ point of view to ensure that the designs convey the client’s message." Additionally, a visual information specialist resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "accomplished executive planner, editor, coordinator and graphic designer supporting the g-5, strategy and analysis office. "
Computer skills. Many visual information specialist duties rely on computer skills. "most graphic designers use specialized graphic design software to prepare their designs.," so a visual information specialist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways visual information specialist responsibilities rely on computer skills: "experience in electronic publishing techniques and computer software programs in preparation of visual materials for reproduction and printing. "
Creativity. This is an important skill for visual information specialists to perform their duties. For an example of how visual information specialist responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "graphic designers must be able to think of new approaches to communicating ideas to consumers." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a visual information specialist: "led the creative concept design of visual communications used in video productions and photography. ".
Time-management skills. For certain visual information specialist responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "time-management skills." The day-to-day duties of a visual information specialist rely on this skill, as "graphic designers often work simultaneously on multiple projects, each with a different deadline." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what visual information specialists do: "produced media for a variety of forums: websites, powerpoint, video, audio under tight deadlines. "
Artistic ability. A commonly-found skill in visual information specialist job descriptions, "artistic ability" is essential to what visual information specialists do. Visual information specialist responsibilities rely on this skill because "graphic designers must be able to create designs that are artistically interesting and appealing to clients and consumers." You can also see how visual information specialist duties rely on artistic ability in this resume example: "give close attention to detail using color, layout, typography, lighting effects to create original artistic graphic products. "
Communication skills. Another skill commonly found on visual information specialist job descriptions is "communication skills." It can come up quite often in visual information specialist duties, since "graphic designers must communicate with clients, customers, and other designers to ensure that their designs accurately and effectively convey information." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day visual information specialist responsibilities: "photograph all internal and external corporate events to use for internal and external communications as well as social media sites. "
The three companies that hire the most visual information specialists are:
- The Container Store12 visual information specialists jobs
- BAE Systems6 visual information specialists jobs
- Booz Allen Hamilton2 visual information specialists jobs
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Compare different visual information specialists
Visual information specialist vs. Freelance designer
Freelance designers are creative, independent contractors who create visual and graphic designs for their clients. They develop text and illustrated versions of brands, messages, and communications with strong visible influence with their clients. Typical activities include networking, seeking projects, and negotiating prices to their customers. They manage client proposals, develop concepts, present solutions, and ensure the timely completion of projects. Freelance visual and graphic designers are creative, self-motivated as well as result and deadline oriented.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a visual information specialist are more likely to require skills like "video production," "web pages," "animation," and "visualization." On the other hand, a job as a freelance designer requires skills like "sketch," "art direction," "website design," and "design concepts." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
The education levels that freelance designers earn slightly differ from visual information specialists. In particular, freelance designers are 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a visual information specialist. Additionally, they're 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Visual information specialist vs. Designer
A designer is someone who creates a master plan of the look or workings of something before it will be made. It could be tangible or intangible objects, products, procedures, laws, events, games, graphics, services, and even experiences. Designers are creative thinkers with a great eye to configure the skeletal and structural properties of the targeted output. They work in several fields, such as fashion, architecture, web graphics, and user experience. In spite of the variety of professionals in the design industry, all of them are artistic, passionate, inspiring, and emotionally connected to their projects and brands.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real visual information specialist resumes. While visual information specialist responsibilities can utilize skills like "photography," "video production," "web pages," and "animation," designers use skills like "sketch," "customer service," "html css," and "javascript."
Designers may earn a higher salary than visual information specialists, but designers earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $87,754. On the other hand, visual information specialists receive higher pay in the government industry, where they earn an average salary of $68,116.designers earn similar levels of education than visual information specialists in general. They're 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Visual information specialist vs. Web graphic designer
A web graphic designer specializes in the aesthetics and functionality of a web platform, software, and other applications. They are primarily responsible for building a platform that adheres to the subject's purpose and the client's preferred theme while prioritizing an easy-to-use and navigate interface. They must conduct regular testing and maintenance on the platform to ensure its efficiency and significance to the brand involved. Furthermore, a web graphic designer may work independently or work for a company, usually within a team setting.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from visual information specialist resumes include skills like "video production," "animation," "visualization," and "visual materials," whereas a web graphic designer is more likely to list skills in "wordpress," "website design," "html css," and "email campaigns. "
Web graphic designers earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $56,507. Comparatively, visual information specialists have the highest earning potential in the government industry, with an average salary of $68,116.Most web graphic designers achieve a similar degree level compared to visual information specialists. For example, they're 1.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Visual information specialist vs. Graphic designer
Graphic designers are visual communicators who create graphic ideas to deliver a message through art and images which inspire, inform, and motivate consumers with the use of computer software, especially Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign or by hand. They have the ability to design stunning illustrations that are easily understood, even without a lot of thinking or based on the demand of their clients. It is very crucial to them as well to be flexible and to stay on top of the design trends. They create websites, posters, packaging, logos, advertising, and marketing materials, depending on the nature of the business.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between visual information specialists and graphic designers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a visual information specialist might have more use for skills like "photography," "video production," "animation," and "visualization." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of graphic designers require skills like "typography," "brochures," "design concepts," and "art direction. "
Graphic designers enjoy the best pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $59,067. For comparison, visual information specialists earn the highest salary in the government industry.The average resume of graphic designers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to visual information specialists. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 2.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.2%.Types of visual information specialist
Updated January 8, 2025
