Job Description
Is your expertise in visual media and graphic design matched only by your tireless work ethic? A role as a Production Artist may be the detail-oriented position that’s right for you.
Production Artists format, render and edit creative collateral for brochures, out-of-home and on-property signage, video, print, social media, billboards, and more. The workhorses of the creative team, Production Artists collaborate with the Art Director and Graphic Designers to bring creative campaigns to life.
A Production Artist must pay attention to every detail to ensure quality standards while producing at a fast pace on a tight schedule. Mastery of creative and technical design tools is essential.
Typical Duties and Responsibilities
- Work closely with Art Directors, Graphic Designers, and Web Developers
- Prep final files to supply specifications for various print and digital formats
- Reformat supplied artwork and photos to project specifications
- Create PDFs for creative and client review
- Retouch, clip paths, and make adjustments to image files
- Collect and store final artwork for potential use in future campaigns
- Produce content on tight deadlines
Education and Background
The position requires a bachelor’s degree in fine art, digital media, graphic design, or a similar field.
Skills and Competencies
- Keen attention to detail
- Strong typesetting, layout, photo editing, and color editing skills
- Proficiency using design tools like Adobe Creative Cloud
- Knowledge of web development languages like JavaScript and HTML
- Strong time management and organizational skills
- Ability to work under tight deadlines
- Excellent communication skills
Compensation
According to Payscale the median annual salary of a Production Artist with
1 Year of Experience:
- Orlando, Florida: $37,000
- Tampa, Florida: $37,000
- Jacksonville, Florida: $38,000
- Miami, Florida: $46,000
- Atlanta, Georgia: $43,000
- Chicago, Illinois: $50,000
- Houston, Texas: $45,000
- Los Angeles, California: $51,000
- New York City, New York: $50,000
- Seattle, Washington: $51,000
- Overall: $44,000
5 Years of Experience:
- Orlando, Florida: $41,000
- Tampa, Florida: $41,000
- Jacksonville, Florida: $42,000
- Miami, Florida: $49,000
- Atlanta, Georgia: $45,000
- Chicago, Illinois: $56,000
- Houston, Texas: $51,000
- Los Angeles, California: $60,000
- New York City, New York: $64,000
- Seattle, Washington: $65,000
- Overall: $55,000
Similar Titles
- Graphic Artist
- Graphic Production Artist
- Digital Production Artist
- Print Production Artist
Career Path
The journey to starting a career in production art often begins with earning a bachelor’s degree in fine art, digital media, or a similar field. Some colleges and universities offer certification programs specializing in skills crucial for any Production Artists. These courses might include focuses in digital imagining, typography, web publishing, and more.
Regardless of education, Production Artist candidates must be highly skilled using professional design programs. A strong portfolio of work and extensive on-the-job experience can get an exceptional Production Artist candidate hired without a college degree.
Position Trends
The line between Graphic Designers’ and Production Artists’ daily responsibilities will continue to blur as creative teams become more nimble in the digital age. Production Artists will keep adding new tools and expertise to their skillsets — such as interactive video and mixed-media platforms — as well as stretching their conceptual and creative muscles.
Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for all Production Artists are expected to grow three percent through 2028. Although available print ad space is shrinking, the rise of digital and social media advertising means companies will need Production Artists to create quality work supporting online campaigns.
Typical Hours
The work hours for a Production Artist are typically from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday in an office setting. However, longer or different hours may, at times, be necessary.
Where You Can Find Jobs
- 4 Corner Resources
- Career Builder
- Glassdoor
- Indeed
- Monster
- Zip Recruiter
Are You Interested in Becoming a Production Artist?
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