Attending meetings and working with other departments to implement creative campaigns are an important part of a graphic design manager's job.
To become a graphic design manager, professionals must first work with a company or advertising agency as a junior graphic designer. During their first two years of their career, most graphic designers perfect the basics of graphic design and build their art portfolio. Acquiring these skills prior to becoming a graphic design manager are important, as management roles focus more on planning, supervising and implementing graphic design elements that are part of large-scale marketing, advertising and creative campaigns.
Function
Graphic design managers are senior-level employees responsible for overseeing the creation of designs, creative concepts and sample layouts. For example, graphic design managers may lead an overhaul of their company's brand by re-designing brochures, signage and websites to conform with new branding guidelines and procedures. It is the graphic design manager's responsibility to ensure that graphics, logos, illustrations and electronic communications adhere to their company's branding policy and quality standards. As an experienced graphic designer, these professionals usually delegate and supervise the activities of less experienced graphic designers. They also manage budgets and coordinate project schedules.
Education
Most grahic design management positions require a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, along with at least two years of work experience as a graphic designer. Courses that help students prepare for a graphic design career include English, art history, studio art, social science and natural science. College internships also help students build portfolios and prepare for graphic design positions. Formal graphic design training is also offered at independent schools of art and design, which award graduates certificates, and associate and bachelor degrees in fine arts.
Skills
Graphic design managers must have strong writing, presentation, interpersonal and creative skills. Creative professionals often work with marketing, advertising and other departments, so it is important that graphic design managers collaborate well with different roles and levels in their organization. Graphic design managers should be analytical and able to solve complex issues using artistic concepts and solutions. Other skills include prioritizing and managing different tasks, and supervising and training junior-level graphic designers.
Salary
The average salary range for a graphic design manager fell between $43,678 and $72,032 according to a May 2010 PayScale report. The report also stated that average bonuses for graphic design manager jobs ranged between $1,012 and $6,024. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that the median annual salary of multimedia artists and animators was $56,330 in May 2008.
Potential
According to the BLS May 2008 "Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition," jobs for marketing and advertising professionals are expected to grow 13 percent during the 2008 and 2018 decade. Demand for marketing and advertising experts will be driven by companies' need to differentiate themselves using creative advertising tactics. In addition, the BLS projects that jobs for artists and related workers will increase 12 percent during the same period. Job growth will be most prevalent in video game, television and film companies that need sophisticated multimedia professionals to create realistic animation and special effects.
