Visualizer
Visualizer is a term specifically used in advertising agencies in non-native English speaking countries, Malaysia, Singapore and others. Visualizer is a special position (designed by local advertising agencies) to assist Art directors, in producing quick & good quality artworks for presentation (to please their respective clients). The salary of a Visualizer is very low, an average salary of a Visualizer is less than half (sometimes quarter) of the salary of an Art Director.
Visualizer & Art Director
Local advertising agencies usually hire 3-5 young Visualizers (mostly fresh from local art colleges) and train them years to create quick attractive artworks, exploring their talents of drawing, sketching, coloring, designing skills, etc, and usually those who have stronger command of English (most coming from English schools) would be promoted to become Art Director and later on as Creative Director, whereas the 'non-English educated' ones, (weak in verbal communication skills especially English) would continue as Visualizer, illustrator or as Graphic designer.
To meet the deadline
The competition of advertising agencies is fierce. Usually the servicing department wanted to please the wealthy clients, sometimes they agreed to have the presentation done in less than 24 hours, therefore the deadline of presentations in advertising agencies is very challenging and tight. Visualizers must produce quick artworks and sometimes need to work overnight.
To understand more about non-native English, please read Manglish, Singlish and Rojak Language.