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Visual merchandiser vs graphic design assistant

The differences between visual merchandisers and graphic design assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a graphic design assistant has an average salary of $40,835, which is higher than the $38,037 average annual salary of a visual merchandiser.

The top three skills for a visual merchandiser include customer service, ladders and sales floor. The most important skills for a graphic design assistant are graphic design, CAD, and sketch.

Visual merchandiser vs graphic design assistant overview

Visual MerchandiserGraphic Design Assistant
Yearly salary$38,037$40,835
Hourly rate$18.29$19.63
Growth rate10%3%
Number of jobs74,35154,021
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4038
Years of experience-12

What does a visual merchandiser do?

A visual merchandiser is responsible for arranging product displays at retail outlets, attracting customers to purchase the items. Visual merchandisers should be updated with the latest trends in the market to prioritize retail displays and floor plans. They must also be knowledgeable on product information to assist customers with their inquiries and concerns. Visual merchandisers should be creative in setting up the uniformity of the store's visuals within the budget goals. The designs must be appealing enough to drive the customers around the premises, potentially generating revenues and increasing profitability.

What does a graphic design assistant do?

Graphic Design Assistants help graphic designers in creating art, fulfilling orders, and managing the studio. They may be budding graphic designers looking for industry experience or creative professionals interested in getting into the graphic designing industry. They should be familiar with the different tools and concepts involved in graphic design. Graphic Design Assistants help lead graphic designers to complete different activities. They may assist by lining, coloring, rendering, and adding finishing touches to the designs. They may also be in charge of packaging physical art and booking shipments to buyers. Graphic Design Assistants should be able to showcase their creative prowess. They are welcome to pitch in designs, critique art, and provide input.

Visual merchandiser vs graphic design assistant salary

Visual merchandisers and graphic design assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Visual MerchandiserGraphic Design Assistant
Average salary$38,037$40,835
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $53,000Between $28,000 And $58,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew York
Best paying companyRHGoogle
Best paying industryRetailFinance

Differences between visual merchandiser and graphic design assistant education

There are a few differences between a visual merchandiser and a graphic design assistant in terms of educational background:

Visual MerchandiserGraphic Design Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorSpecialized Sales And MerchandisingGraphic Design
Most common college-University of Pennsylvania

Visual merchandiser vs graphic design assistant demographics

Here are the differences between visual merchandisers' and graphic design assistants' demographics:

Visual MerchandiserGraphic Design Assistant
Average age4038
Gender ratioMale, 27.3% Female, 72.7%Male, 29.4% Female, 70.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.8% Asian, 5.3% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%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 Percentage17%13%

Differences between visual merchandiser and graphic design assistant duties and responsibilities

Visual merchandiser example responsibilities.

  • Manage backroom/stock room inventory by organizing pallets, stacking and storing product inventory.
  • Provide support to all meeting and VTC rooms.
  • Merchandise mens, ladies, kids, and accessories departments.
  • Operate audio board, PowerPoint, camera, and video switcher.
  • Assist outside vendor merchandisers (NIKE) with execution of planograms.
  • Assist with prop development and production for the 5 NYC flagship stores.
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Graphic design assistant example responsibilities.

  • Administer company website using PHP coding and manage Instagram/Facebook profiles.
  • Approve lab dips, embroidery size and placement, strike offs, screen prints, and appliques.
  • Supervise production staff that used embroidery machines.
  • Produce: technical drawings, illustrations, animations, PowerPoint presentations and relate graphics for organization.
  • Design PowerPoint presentations with sound/video; replace low-resolution images with high-resolution images in presentations and client proposals.
  • Coordinate photography orders with vendors at direction of creative staff and negotiate image license contracts to maximize company profits.
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Visual merchandiser vs graphic design assistant skills

Common visual merchandiser skills
  • Customer Service, 25%
  • Ladders, 17%
  • Sales Floor, 10%
  • Store Management, 6%
  • Drive Sales, 6%
  • Kids, 5%
Common graphic design assistant skills
  • Graphic Design, 14%
  • CAD, 6%
  • Sketch, 5%
  • Adobe Illustrator, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 5%

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