Design managers are in charge of design teams. They oversee the day-to-day operations in the design department. These managers are project managers who delegate team member assignments. Some design managers may also hire staff, conduct performance assessments, and order design resources.
Design managers may work with other departments in large organizations. They coordinate with product, sales or marketing teams to create the right product presence, design, or logo. Design departments are integral to the success of a product as consumers often are attracted to a product or judge its quality based on its outward appearance, labels and other design elements.
Functions of a Design Manager may include:
•  Attending, hosting or coordinating department meetings
•  Collaborating with other departments
• Delegating and Reviewing team assignments
•  Developing, preparing, analysing and reviewing budgets and other financial reports
• Conducting team training on new business guidelines or design developments
•  Guiding and motivating fellow employees
• Creating innovative designs, drafts, or presentations
•  Meeting customer expectations
• Ensuring design quality and that design directives are followed

• Technical knowledge of the design process
• Be creative and innovative
• Effective supervisory and organizational skills
• Be able to lead teams
• Be able to motivate self and team members
• Be able to resolve issues in a timely manner
• Be flexible and dependable
• Be able to work in multifaceted working environments
• Be able to produce quality projects consistently
• Be able to efficiently communicate in both written and oral

Design managers must possess at least a first degree. This degree should be from a design related field such as graphic design.