Graphic Artist vs. Graphic Designer: Understanding the Difference

Key takeaways

Graphic artists work in both traditional and digital mediums, while graphic designers specialize in commercial and visual design. Explore key facts:

• Graphic artists earn a median total salary of $57,000, compared to graphic designers, who earn $64,000 [1, 2].

• Graphic artists may create printed designs or book covers, while graphic designers typically design magazine layouts and develop branding guidelines.

• You can further your graphic artist or graphic design career by exploring degree or certificate programs.

Explore the skills, educational requirements, work environments, salary differences, and job outlooks that set graphic designers and graphic artists apart. Afterward, consider enrolling in the Adobe Graphic Designer: Design that Demands Attention Professional Certificate. In as little as four months, you’ll have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with Photoshop and Illustrator to create polished, professional designs that stand out. Upon completion, you can add this shareable credential to your resume or LinkedIn profile.

What does a graphic artist do?

A graphic artist is a creative professional who produces visual material to communicate emotions, stories, and other messages to audiences. Graphic artists work in traditional and digital media and rely on artistic principles that may be abstract or novel.

Whether producing fine art or cartoons, graphic artists are artists. They often use software, digital photography, hand drawings, painting, collage, and other creative tools to create many different kinds of projects, including:

• Book covers

• Still or moving images and storyboards for film or television

• Printed designs for home decor or clothing

• Backdrops for animation or video games

• Art for advertisements

What is graphic art?

Graphic art, a subcategory of fine art, encompasses any form of visual artistic expression, including painting, drawing, photography, and printmaking. Graphic art is typically produced on a flat surface and is often characterized as expressive, imaginative, and creative.

What does a graphic designer do? 

Graphic designers are also commercial artists, but they combine visual and text-based content to meet clients' needs. Graphic designers ensure readability and aesthetically pleasing layouts of material using a set of best practices that allow for effective communication strategies.

Graphic designers understand complementary color palettes, optimum use of white space, readable fonts, and visual hierarchy that naturally attracts the eye to the information clients want their viewers to see. The seven principles of graphic design inform their work:

• Pattern

• Contrast

• Emphasis

• Balance

• Scale 

• Harmony

• Rhythm and movement

With these design principles and best practices in mind, graphic designers work with an in-depth understanding of a brand and its elements, including text, logos, images, and illustrations. 

As a graphic designer, you may create:

• Flyers

• Digital banners 

• Print advertisements

• Posters 

• Magazine layouts

• Branding guidelines, such as font designs and logo creation

Graphic artist vs. graphic designer: What skills set these two professions apart?

Graphic artists and graphic designers have slightly different skill sets. Graphic designers must determine the clearest and most aesthetically pleasing way to present words and images within a specified space. They use problem-solving skills to encourage viewers to interact with the product.

On the other hand, graphic artists focus more on communicating feelings than solving problems. They are more like storytellers who create a narrative and are less driven by specific rules.

Additionally, while graphic artists can work in the same companies as graphic designers, artists may be more likely to work as freelancers. Designers may work more within a creative team that includes copywriters, editors, and creative managers who execute marketing strategies. Graphic artists more often work separately from a team.

What are the differences in educational requirements?

While graphic artists and graphic designers can teach themselves skills through apprenticeships, self-study, or years of practice, aspiring professionals are likely to have post-secondary degrees or certifications.

Degrees

Graphic designers tend to have bachelor’s degrees in graphic design or a related arts field. Coursework may include classes in:

• Studio art

• Principles of design

• Computerized design

• Printing techniques

• Website design

• Commercial graphic production

• Marketing

• Writing

• Business

Read more: What Is a Bachelor’s Degree? Types, Cost, and Application Requirements

Graphic artists may be self-taught but can also have a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, graphic arts, or fine arts. They can specialize in a specific area, such as design, illustration, or photography, and may take classes in:

• Animation

• Video graphics

• Digital arts

• Drawing

• Game and interactive media design

Certifications and training

As a graphic designer, it’s important to be knowledgeable about design principles and the latest computer software used in the industry. A Professional Certificate like Meta’s Social Media Marketing can provide the tools for creating and managing effective advertising campaigns on social media. A Specialization like the California Institute of the Arts Graphic Design Specialization is a good option for gaining the skills to work in interface design, motion graphics, and editorial design.

As a graphic artist, you can enhance your skills with training, focusing on the marriage of creative practice and generative AI with Adobe’s Graphic Designer Professional Certificate or the AI for Creative Work Specialization from the University of Michigan. And, since a graphic artist is a storyteller, you might consider Good With Words: Writing and Editing Specialization, also from the University of Michigan.

Both types of professionals must create a strong portfolio for potential employers or freelance clients to review. If you’re an aspiring graphic artist or designer, online training and specialization programs can be good ways to build a collection of work that demonstrates your skills and talents.

Additionally, graphic designers and artists can benefit from seeking an Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) certification. This shows that you're proficient in Adobe's suite of Creative Cloud apps, including Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Animate, After Effects, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and InDesign.

Work environment 

Artists tend to work more independently, but the work environment will vary based on the client and employment situation. Graphic artists may work in a studio with different art supplies and media, depending on what they’re producing. They may also work for graphic design firms, publishing houses, or advertising agencies.

Graphic designers are frequently part of a robust creative team in a collaborative agency, working at a computer, either in an office or at home. They may work for companies focusing on print, television, animation, and other media.

Employment for both may be full-time, part-time, or contract, and the assignments may be short-term or long-term. Professionals in these creative roles often must juggle many projects at once.

How much does a graphic artist make? 

According to Glassdoor, graphic artists make slightly lower salaries on average—$57,000 a year [1]—than graphic designers, who make $64,000 a year on average [2]. This figure includes base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation. Salaries can vary based on the city and the type of agency. You’re more likely to have a higher salary if you work for an advertising agency in a metropolitan center than for a printer in a small town.

Graphic artist job outlook: Is graphic arts a good career? 

Between 2024 and 2034, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts 2 percent growth for graphic designers and graphic artists [3]. This means an average of 20,000 graphic designer job openings will be available annually during the forecast period [3]. 

Strengthen your graphic art and design skills

Interested in furthering your career? Subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter, Career Chat, for weekly tips and trends. Then, explore free, digital resources:

• Watch on YouTube: 3 Career Paths After Getting Your Adobe Content Creator Certificate

• Find a career path: Graphic Design Career Paths: Explore Roles & Specializations

• Expand your design vocabulary: Graphic Design Terminology

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