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.
3d animator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real 3d animator resumes:
- 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.
- Work on a promotional 3D animation for an upcoming product for cognitive psychological development for children.
- Combine efforts with animation and story departments to determine technical limitations and conceptualize props and environments.
- Design and animate character for a ship VR game.
- Maintain the SGI workstations in the video editing department.
3d animator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 30% of 3D Animators are proficient in Animation, Storyboards, and Visualization. They’re also known for soft skills such as Artistic talent, Communication skills, and Computer skills.
We break down the percentage of 3D Animators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Animation, 30%
Contracted animator responsible for all character animation in a short interactive experience in the High Fidelity Environment.
- Storyboards, 5%
Managed design collaboration and storyboard creations.
- Visualization, 5%
Served as acting team lead of the Scene Visualization Team.
- Motion Capture, 4%
Sculpted and refined facial expressions for retargeting facial motion capture data using blend shapes.
- Motion Graphics, 4%
Utilize After Effects for 2D motion graphics work and complete interactive web design for clients.
- Game Engine, 4%
Modeled, animated, and rendered assets for inclusion into a custom game engine.
Most 3d animators use their skills in "animation," "storyboards," and "visualization" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential 3d animator responsibilities here:
Artistic talent. One of the key soft skills for a 3d animator to have is artistic talent. You can see how this relates to what 3d animators do because "animators and artists should have artistic ability and a good understanding of color, texture, and light." Additionally, a 3d animator resume shows how 3d animators use artistic talent: "write mel scripts to facilitate environment modeling and add flexibility to artistic changes. "
Computer skills. 3d animators are also known for computer skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to 3d animator responsibilities, because "many special effects artists and animators use computer programs or write programming code to do most of their work." A 3d animator resume example shows how computer skills is used in the workplace: "directed and produced 3d computer modeling and material mapping, project animation and character choreography. "
Creativity. 3d animator responsibilities often require "creativity." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "artists and animators must be able to think creatively to develop original ideas and make them come to life." This resume example shows what 3d animators do with creativity on a typical day: "provided creative solutions with animation and graphic materials in 3d max. "
Time-management skills. Another common skill required for 3d animator responsibilities is "time-management skills." This skill comes up in the duties of 3d animators all the time, as "the workdays required by most studio and game design companies can be long, particularly when there are tight deadlines." An excerpt from a real 3d animator resume shows how this skill is central to what a 3d animator does: "full project responsibilities from storyboard/concept to final 3d animation, met within required deadlines. "
The three companies that hire the most 3d animators are:
- CACI International2 3d animators jobs
- Arthrex2 3d animators jobs
- RS&H2 3d animators jobs
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Compare different 3d animators
3d animator vs. Graphic designer, marketing
A graphic designer of marketing specializes in developing creative imagery as part of a company's marketing efforts. Their responsibilities typically revolve around coordinating with the marketing team to share insights and strategies, conceptualizing designs in adherence to objectives and deadlines, and preparing presentations. One may also subject designs into various revisions and edits as needed. Furthermore, as a graphic designer, it is also essential to keep abreast of the latest trends and have an understanding of the target audience.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a 3d animator are more likely to require skills like "animation," "storyboards," "visualization," and "motion capture." On the other hand, a job as a graphic designer, marketing requires skills like "brochures," "blog posts," "flyers," and "in-house." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Graphic designers, marketing really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $52,640. Comparatively, 3d animators tend to make the most money in the media industry with an average salary of $91,109.On average, graphic designers, marketing reach lower levels of education than 3d animators. Graphic designers, marketing are 5.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.3d animator vs. Motion graphics designer
A motion graphic designer specializes in producing artworks used in television, film, and web. Their responsibilities often revolve around submitting within a deadline, attending creative meetings, collaborating with fellow designers, following directives from clients, producing trial designs, and editing them in adherence to senior designers or clients' recommendations. There are also instances when a motion graphic designer must manage documentation, address inquiries and concerns, and report to higher-ranking personnel. Furthermore, one may choose to work for a company or independently.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real 3d animator resumes. While 3d animator responsibilities can utilize skills like "storyboards," "motion capture," "motion graphics," and "game engine," motion graphics designers use skills like "style frames," "filmmaking," "video content," and "adobe illustrator."
Motion graphics designers may earn a lower salary than 3d animators, but motion graphics designers earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $66,825. On the other hand, 3d animators receive higher pay in the media industry, where they earn an average salary of $91,109.motion graphics designers earn similar levels of education than 3d animators in general. They're 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.3d animator vs. Web graphic designer
A web graphic designer specializes in the aesthetics and functionality of a web platform, software, and other applications. They are primarily responsible for building a platform that adheres to the subject's purpose and the client's preferred theme while prioritizing an easy-to-use and navigate interface. They must conduct regular testing and maintenance on the platform to ensure its efficiency and significance to the brand involved. Furthermore, a web graphic designer may work independently or work for a company, usually within a team setting.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, 3d animators are more likely to have skills like "animation," "storyboards," "visualization," and "motion capture." But a web graphic designer is more likely to have skills like "wordpress," "css," "website design," and "html css."
Web graphic designers make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $56,507. On the other hand, 3d animators are paid the highest salary in the media industry, with average annual pay of $91,109.web graphic designers typically earn similar educational levels compared to 3d animators. Specifically, they're 4.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.3d animator vs. Interactive designer
An Interactive Designer takes the business product and transforms it into a product that the user interacts with perfectly. They support engineering efforts to develop designs and get the details right.
Types of 3d animator
Updated January 8, 2025
