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Visual Design Jobs in Salinas, CA (NOW HIRING)

PT Merchandiser

Watsonville, CA · On-site

$18 - $21/hr

... design and fashion trends to attract customers * Communicate relevant client information that will help increase sales * Provide market intelligence on competitors new product placement, visual ...

Optician

Monterey, CA · On-site

$19 - $24.75/hr

... visual acuity; Ability to analyze and interpret prescriptions and lens design; Ability to measure pupillary distances (distance and near), bifocal, trifocal, and progressive placement; Ability to ...

Senior Planner

Hollister, CA · Hybrid

$94K - $115K/yr

... visual aids in conjunction with staff reports and presentations before hearing boards ... Advanced knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of planning and development design ...

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Visual Design information

See Salinas, CA salary details

$42

$64

$88

How much do visual design jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for visual design in Salinas, CA is $64.73, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50.10 and $77.50 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is visual design?

Visual design is a field focused on the aesthetics and graphical elements of a product, website, or digital interface. It combines principles of graphic design, color theory, typography, and layout to create visually appealing and effective communications. Visual designers work to ensure that interfaces are both attractive and functional, enhancing user experience by guiding attention and conveying brand identity. Their work often overlaps with UI design, but visual design prioritizes the look and feel rather than the structure or usability alone.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a visual designer?

To thrive as a Visual Designer, you need a strong foundation in design principles, typography, color theory, and proficiency with a degree in graphic or visual design. Mastery of tools such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and familiarity with digital platforms or prototyping tools like Figma is essential. Creativity, attention to detail, and excellent communication skills set outstanding visual designers apart. These skills ensure the creation of compelling visuals that effectively communicate ideas, align with brand goals, and engage target audiences.

How do visual designers typically collaborate with other teams during a project?

Visual designers frequently work alongside UX designers, developers, and product managers to ensure that the visual aspects of a product align with the overall user experience and technical requirements. Collaboration often involves participating in design reviews, providing assets, and iterating on feedback from different stakeholders. Clear communication and openness to feedback are crucial, as visual designers must balance creative vision with practical constraints and user needs. This collaborative environment helps ensure cohesive, visually appealing, and user-friendly final products.

What is the difference between Visual Design vs Graphic Design?

AspectVisual DesignGraphic Design
FocusCreating visual concepts, layouts, and user interfaces for digital productsDesigning visual content for print and digital media, including logos, posters, and branding materials
SkillsUI/UX principles, typography, color theory, digital toolsTypography, layout, branding, print production
Work EnvironmentPrimarily digital, web, app interfacesPrint studios, advertising agencies, digital media
Common UsageWebsites, apps, digital productsPrint media, branding, marketing materials

While both roles involve visual creativity, Visual Design primarily focuses on digital interfaces and user experience, whereas Graphic Design emphasizes visual content for print and branding. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or project focus.

Are visual designers in demand?

Yes, visual designers are in demand across various industries such as technology, marketing, and media, as companies prioritize strong visual branding and user experience. The role often requires proficiency in design tools like Adobe Creative Suite and knowledge of user-centered design principles, with job growth expected to continue as digital content expands.

Is visual design a good career?

Visual design is a viable career that involves creating visual content for digital and print media, often requiring skills in graphic design software like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. It offers opportunities in various industries such as advertising, marketing, and technology, with roles ranging from junior designer to art director. Success typically depends on creativity, technical skills, and the ability to adapt to evolving design trends.

What does a visual designer do?

A visual designer creates visual content for digital and print media, including layouts, graphics, and user interfaces. They use design tools like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to communicate ideas visually and ensure aesthetic consistency across projects.

What cities near Salinas, CA are hiring for Visual Design jobs?

Cities near Salinas, CA with the most Visual Design job openings:

Infographic showing various Visual Design job openings in Salinas, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 78% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $134,645 per year, or $64.7 per hour.

Leader of Design - Color & Concepts

Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.

Morgan Hill, CA • On-site

$129K - $225K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 17 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Collaborate with category and product owners to deliver a holistic CMF direction across bike and equipment.

  • Create, develop, and refine design concepts, visual communication, and design documents to articulate inspiration and intent.

  • Mentor the CMF design team and foster an atmosphere of curiosity, innovation, and collaboration.


Job description

Leader of Design - Color & Concepts

Leader of Design, Color & Concepts: Basedin Morgan Hill, CA

This is more than a design role-it's your chance to help define the look and feel of the most innovative, highest-performing bikes in the world. At Specialized, every color, every line, every texture tells a story of innovation, craftsmanship, and performance. As the Leader of Design, Color & Concepts, you'll help shape the visual identity of the bikes ridden by thousands and raced on the biggest stages in the world by the greatest athletes alive. You'll lead the creative vision that captures Specialized's performance DNA through color, material, and finish-bringing emotion, craft, and innovation together in perfect balance. From everyday rides to race-day execution, you'll set the tone for how riders seeand feelperformance.

If you're a detail-oriented creative visionary who thrives on collaboration and is driven by the pursuit of perfection, this is your chance to leave a lasting impact on a brand at the forefront of cycling. Embrace the opportunity to immerse yourself in the work, get hands-on, and help riders around the world enhance their experiences.

HOW YOU'LL MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Design Leadership

  • Collaborate closely with category and product owners to deliver a holistic CMF direction across bike and equipment.
  • Edit and refine products throughout the creation, development, and production process to achieve brand and business objectives.

Team Building

  • Create an atmosphere that fosters curiosity, innovative thinking, and collaboration in the service of delivering best-in-the-world products and experiences.
  • Mentor the CMF design team and be the driving force for our CMF process and output.
  • Attract and develop design talent both inside and outside the company.

Design Responsibilities

  • Create clear design documents that visually communicate and articulate your design inspiration, concept and intent. Successfully share and present each idea to key stakeholders for cross functional alignment and buy in.
  • Inject a modernized and youthful perspective to the use of all color, material, finish.
  • Demonstrate a strong collaborative approach that welcomes feedback and successfully implements into your design work throughout the process.
  • Define ownable textures and elements on product that make it uniquely specialized.
  • Create, develop, and execute new tools across categories that help bring clarity and resolution to challenged conversations.

What You Need to Win

  • Degree in Industrial Design, Graphic Design, or a related field.
  • Proficiency in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite and 3D modeling tools
  • 10 years in Color, Material and Finish or like fields.
  • Strong experience in building brand narratives through material and surface treatments
  • Strong ability to communicate your design intent and vision physically and digitally
  • An online portfolio with specific examples of high-quality design work
  • Ability to bring clarity to complex conversations and product challenges
  • Display and prove Specialized core competencies including curiosity, humility, team-focus, passion, and ownership
  • Excellent at mentoring, collaborating and great interpersonal skills
  • Exceptional visual communication skills and the ability to inspire teams through storytelling
  • Ability to hit stringent deadlines while managing multiple projects
  • Great vision with sensitivity to current trends
  • Friendly, fun, hardworking, nurturing, courteous, and accessible
  • Love bicycles

PAY

Below is a summary of compensation elements for this role at the company if based in the following locations:

California Base Pay Range: ($129,326 - $225,026)

*At Specialized, your base pay is one part of your total compensation package and will depend on your work experience, skills, certification, and location.

BENEFITS

As a full-time, regular teammate, you are eligible for the following benefits, beginning the first of the month following your start date.

Benefits include:

  • Competitive pay with annual performance-based reviews for continued growth and recognition

  • Comprehensive healthcare plan options, including PPO, EPO, HDHP, and HMO (acupuncture and physical therapy included)

  • Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer HSA contributions when enrolled in the High-Deductible Healthcare Plan (HDHP)

  • Dental and Vision plans

  • 401(k) Company Matching up to $5,000 annually with immediate 100% vesting and administrative fees paid for by the company

  • Company-paid Life, AD&D, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Insurance

  • Employee Assistance Program that provides access to individualized mental well-being care

  • Generous Vacation, Sick, Paid Holidays, and Volunteer Time Off

  • 14 weeks of 100% paid leave for birthing parents and 8 weeks of 100% paid leave for non-birthing parents, plus a Specialized bike for your new baby

  • Up to $9,000 annually in Career Development & Degree Assistance

  • Up to $250 annually in Fitness & Wellness Reimbursement

  • Industry Pro-Deal Discounts and Perks

For additional information on benefits and perks, please visit:https://benefits.specialized.com.

We want to increase representation of all races, genders, and body types in the cycling industry and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce where all people thrive. We encourage everyone - especially those from marginalized groups - to apply to our job postings and help us earn the position as the rider's brand of choice. We are always looking for creative, innovative, and passionate people who are eager to contribute to our mission of pedaling the planet forward. Regardless of your qualifications, if you are ready to make a difference, please apply and let us know how you can make an impact at Specialized!

See what we are up to on LinkedIn, Instagram.