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What is a lead designer and how to become one
Firstly, lead designers consult with clients to determine their needs and define design specifications. They work with the design team to plan and implement visual designs and concepts as required by clients. Periodically, they inform clients about the status of the project, including design recommendations and adjustments. Generally, they create prototypes, features, and specifications for the clients. Their duties include overseeing various design projects, research and analysis, and assessing the performance of implemented designing strategies. Also, they maintain the quality and the creativity of design projects.
Applicants are required to have a bachelor's degree in design or a related field. You must have a great design portfolio to showcase your creativity. You must also have experience in a similar role. Key skills include analytical, attention to detail, negotiation, communication, and persuasion skills. Lead designers make an average salary of $88,812 per annum. This ranges between $51,000 to $154,000.
What general advice would you give to a Lead Designer?
Dr. Sarah Satterfield Ph.D.
Department Chair Visual and Performing Arts, Professor of Music and Humanities, College of Central Florida
Avg. Salary $110,001
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth Rate 3%
Growth Rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.37%
Asian 10.42%
Black or African American 3.42%
Hispanic or Latino 10.63%
Unknown 4.99%
White 70.17%
Genderfemale 26.79%
male 73.21%
Age - 37American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 37Stress level is moderate
7.1 - high
Complexity Level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work Life balance is poor
6.4 - fair
Lead Designer career paths
Key steps to become a lead designer
Explore lead designer education requirements
Start to develop specific lead designer skills
Skills 
Percentages Sketch 13.63% User Experience 5.95% Architecture 5.26% UI 4.96% Design Solutions 4.69% Complete relevant lead designer training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New lead designers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a lead designer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real lead designer resumes.Gain additional lead designer certifications
More About CertificationsLead designer certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific lead designer certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.
The most common certifications for lead designers include Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ) and AutoCAD Certified Professional.
Research lead designer duties and responsibilities
- Lead development of HTML5, CSS3 and mobile platform prototypes.
- Lead team in fit meetings and collaborate with TD on sketch updates.
- Lead & design all creative content stemming from apparel design to web identity.
- Prepare HTML, CSS and JavaScript coding guides and best practices, and implement, enforce through peer code reviews.
Get lead designer experience
Generally, it takes 6-12 months to become a lead designer. The most common roles before becoming a lead designer include designer, graphic designer team lead and senior designer.Prepare your lead designer resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your lead designer resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a lead designer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose From 10+ Customizable Lead Designer Resume templates
Build a professional Lead Designer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Lead Designer resume.
Apply for lead designer jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a lead designer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How Did You Land Your First Lead Designer Job
Are you a Lead Designer?
Share your story for a free salary report.
Average lead designer salary
The average Lead Designer salary in the United States is $110,001 per year or $53 per hour. Lead designer salaries range between $78,000 and $154,000 per year.
What Am I Worth?
How do lead designers rate their job?
Lead Designer reviews
There is so much to like about working as Graphic Designer ... the seeing how all the elements of words, space, colors, visuals (photos, graphics, charts,...) come together on a page...sharing info with others to learn and use
When working with others who can not make up their minds as deadline approaches nor take responsibility and blames others for their own "misdoings".
What I like most about a designer is doing work with Fonts designing projects designing
Let there be thousands of graphic designers
It is something I enjoy! Something I’m good at! Something I could do as hobby and get paid for
That I don’t get to do it more often
Updated January 8, 2025
