What is a graphic designer?
Graphic designers use visual elements to communicate ideas, information and messages. They work with text, photos, colors, photos, shapes, lines and graphics to create unique designs.
A graphic designer is typically responsible for creating the look and feel of visual pieces such as:
- Logos
- Websites
- Brochures and sales collateral
- Social media posts
- Advertisements
- Signs
- Posters and flyers
- Magazines, annual reports and other publications
- Books
- Business cards and company stationary
- Trade show materials
- Infographics
Many graphic designers work in marketing. In this context, the designer creates and maintains your company’s brand identity. They specify the colors, fonts, image styles and other elements that define the visual brand and apply those standards across various marketing materials.
Some graphic designers specialize in a single area or function. For example, they might work in packaging design, publication layout or with the visual aspects of technical documentation. Other common specialties include user interface design, motion graphics, educational design and advertising.
Read more: Graphic Designer Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications
What is an illustrator?
An illustrator is an artist who creates original images. They work in various settings and industries, creating two-dimensional graphics for:
- Children’s books
- Portraits
- Medical drawings
- Greeting cards
- Industrial graphics
- Marketing graphics
- Logos and brand identity
- Products and packaging
- Fabrics
- Print and digital publications
An illustrator might work with various teams, including marketing, sales and product development. If your company manufactures heavy machinery, you might need an illustrator to create drawings for instruction manuals, training videos, sales presentations and marketing materials.
Because illustration is a highly specialized and artistic role, these professionals often work on a contract basis. Others may work in design studios, handling projects for multiple clients.
Read more: Illustrator Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications
Similarities between graphic designers and illustrators
Graphic designers and illustrators work with visual imagery. Both roles are responsible for interpreting creative briefs, creating initial visual designs and incorporating feedback into subsequent iterations. They typically support sales and marketing objectives, producing imagery that promotes a company and its products or services.
Depending on the business, the duties of an illustrator and graphic designer may overlap. For example, in a small company, the graphic designer might also create simple illustrations. An illustrator might also design logos and other visual identity elements, particularly if they contain complex vector artwork.
Graphic designers and illustrators may work on-site, hybrid or remotely. Both jobs involve communication and collaboration, but the meetings can occur through email, phone calls or video conferencing.
Differences in illustrator vs. graphic designer jobs
Although they may occasionally work on the same projects, illustrators and graphic designers typically assume different roles in a company. When deciding whether to hire an illustrator vs. a graphic designer, consider the nuances that separate them.
Responsibilities
In general, graphic designers typically have a broader scope of responsibility than illustrators.
Graphic designer duties may include:
- Building a brand identity guide
- Designing print and digital graphics and layouts
- Aligning designs with overall marketing goals and priorities
- Analyzing website, advertisement and sales data to adjust designs and layouts
- Coordinating with illustrators, photographers, videographers and writers to create content
- Incorporating feedback in different design iterations
- Working with printers on file preparation and delivery
- Understanding and integrating industry trends
Illustrator responsibilities often include:
- Creating a visual concept and color palette
- Sketching initial concepts
- Refining designs into draft illustrations
- Adjusting illustrations based on feedback
- Transforming illustrations into vector assets
- Coordinating with graphic designers and marketing employees
Pay
Graphic designers and illustrators typically have a difference in pay. According to Indeed salary data, the average annual salary for a graphic designer is $62,249, while the average salary for illustrators is $53,989.
Tools
Graphic designers work primarily in the digital space. They may start with a hand-drawn sketch, but it’s typically translated into its final form using a software program. Many graphic designers have a working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe After Effects, Canva, Sketch and GIMP.
Some illustrators work with traditional materials, such as pencils and markers,, and photograph or scan their work into a digital format. Others work entirely with digital programs, such as Adobe Illustrator and Procreate, often using an iPad and an Apple Pencil or a digitizer tablet and stylus for digital drawing. This is a common approach for professionals who make scalable vector images.
Graphic designer vs. illustrator: Which to hire
The decision of whether to hire an illustrator vs. a graphic designer depends on how your company operates.
When to hire a graphic designer
If you run a small business, you might hire a graphic designer to join the marketing team. You may need a generalist who can design everything from brochures to social media posts.
In a medium or large business, graphic designers often have a more limited scope of work. You could hire an employee to take ownership of a specific task, such as designing company publications, advertisements or packaging.
Read more: How to Hire a Graphic Designer
When to hire an illustrator
You might hire a full-time illustrator if your company frequently uses custom illustrations and vector graphics in:
- Custom prints
- Product designs
- Merchandise
- Technical documentation
- Corporate presentations
- Marketing campaigns
- Sales collateral
- Publications
Individual illustrators often have distinct styles. Make sure you choose a candidate whose visual aesthetic suits your project or company.
FAQs about an illustrator vs. graphic designer
Do you need graphic designers and illustrators?
You might hire an illustrator and a graphic designer if you have the workload to support both positions. This may happen if your company relies heavily on illustrations for its product line.
For example, if you produce stationary, you might hire an illustrator to create the prints and images that appear on products. You might also need a graphic designer to design advertisements, an online store, catalogs, social media images and other marketing materials.
Are there alternatives to hiring a full-time employee for graphic design or illustration?
If your small business doesn’t have the budget for a full-time graphic designer or illustrator, consider hiring on a contract basis. Both types of professionals are well-represented in the gig economy, so it’s possible to find freelancers and independent contractors. Just be sure to write a detailed creative brief and provide examples of the style you want to achieve.
This strategy works best for one-off or occasional projects. If you need a more affordable option for ongoing marketing support, consider a part-time graphic designer. Using the same designer may make it easier to maintain a continuous brand aesthetic.
