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3d animator vs graphic design assistant

The differences between 3d animators and graphic design assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a 3d animator, becoming a graphic design assistant takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a 3d animator has an average salary of $73,596, which is higher than the $40,835 average annual salary of a graphic design assistant.

The top three skills for a 3d animator include animation, storyboards and visualization. The most important skills for a graphic design assistant are graphic design, CAD, and sketch.

3d animator vs graphic design assistant overview

3D AnimatorGraphic Design Assistant
Yearly salary$73,596$40,835
Hourly rate$35.38$19.63
Growth rate5%3%
Number of jobs57154,021
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4038
Years of experience212

What does a 3d animator do?

A 3D animator specializes in designing and developing 3D animation materials, adhering to the program or project's needs. They typically work together with a team of animators and producers in studios or offices. Most of the time, their responsibilities involve performing extensive research, creating drafts and storyboards, consulting with team members and editors, and performing revisions as needed. Furthermore, as a 3D animator, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.

What does a graphic design assistant do?

Graphic Design Assistants help graphic designers in creating art, fulfilling orders, and managing the studio. They may be budding graphic designers looking for industry experience or creative professionals interested in getting into the graphic designing industry. They should be familiar with the different tools and concepts involved in graphic design. Graphic Design Assistants help lead graphic designers to complete different activities. They may assist by lining, coloring, rendering, and adding finishing touches to the designs. They may also be in charge of packaging physical art and booking shipments to buyers. Graphic Design Assistants should be able to showcase their creative prowess. They are welcome to pitch in designs, critique art, and provide input.

3d animator vs graphic design assistant salary

3d animators and graphic design assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

3D AnimatorGraphic Design Assistant
Average salary$73,596$40,835
Salary rangeBetween $50,000 And $108,000Between $28,000 And $58,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateNevadaNew York
Best paying companyNVIDIAGoogle
Best paying industryMediaFinance

Differences between 3d animator and graphic design assistant education

There are a few differences between a 3d animator and a graphic design assistant in terms of educational background:

3D AnimatorGraphic Design Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorAnimationGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

3d animator vs graphic design assistant demographics

Here are the differences between 3d animators' and graphic design assistants' demographics:

3D AnimatorGraphic Design Assistant
Average age4038
Gender ratioMale, 83.4% Female, 16.6%Male, 29.4% Female, 70.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 14.0% Asian, 7.6% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 10.4% White, 70.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage11%13%

Differences between 3d animator and graphic design assistant duties and responsibilities

3d animator example responsibilities.

  • Manage design collaboration and storyboard creations.
  • Attend pre-production meetings and film shootings to assist directors in vfx shoot execution.
  • Animate in-game characters and cinematic sequences for transmedia projects on iOS and PC.
  • Animate monster truck 3D characters in Maya for a children's programming Youtube channel.
  • Develop episodes from concept to completion (design, color, cleanup, FX, audio editing).
  • Create the game animations for the enemies in the game as well as all VFX that appear in game.
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Graphic design assistant example responsibilities.

  • Administer company website using PHP coding and manage Instagram/Facebook profiles.
  • Approve lab dips, embroidery size and placement, strike offs, screen prints, and appliques.
  • Supervise production staff that used embroidery machines.
  • Produce: technical drawings, illustrations, animations, PowerPoint presentations and relate graphics for organization.
  • Design PowerPoint presentations with sound/video; replace low-resolution images with high-resolution images in presentations and client proposals.
  • Coordinate photography orders with vendors at direction of creative staff and negotiate image license contracts to maximize company profits.
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3d animator vs graphic design assistant skills

Common 3d animator skills
  • Animation, 30%
  • Storyboards, 5%
  • Visualization, 5%
  • Motion Capture, 4%
  • Motion Graphics, 4%
  • Game Engine, 4%
Common graphic design assistant skills
  • Graphic Design, 14%
  • CAD, 6%
  • Sketch, 5%
  • Adobe Illustrator, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 5%

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