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3d artist vs graphic design assistant

The differences between 3d artists 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 artist, becoming a graphic design assistant takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a 3d artist has an average salary of $74,721, which is higher than the $40,835 average annual salary of a graphic design assistant.

The top three skills for a 3d artist include animation, unity and zbrush. The most important skills for a graphic design assistant are graphic design, CAD, and sketch.

3d artist vs graphic design assistant overview

3D ArtistGraphic Design Assistant
Yearly salary$74,721$40,835
Hourly rate$35.92$19.63
Growth rate5%3%
Number of jobs3,97854,021
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4038
Years of experience212

What does a 3d artist do?

A 3D Artist uses complex software to develop graphics and animations for use in various media, such as video games, television shows, and multimedia presentations. They often work in teams, dividing project workloads in accordance to strengths.

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 artist vs graphic design assistant salary

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

3D ArtistGraphic Design Assistant
Average salary$74,721$40,835
Salary rangeBetween $47,000 And $116,000Between $28,000 And $58,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateNevadaNew York
Best paying companyMetaGoogle
Best paying industryUtilitiesFinance

Differences between 3d artist and graphic design assistant education

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

3D ArtistGraphic Design Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorAnimationGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

3d artist vs graphic design assistant demographics

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

3D ArtistGraphic Design Assistant
Average age4038
Gender ratioMale, 83.9% Female, 16.1%Male, 29.4% Female, 70.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.1% Asian, 7.6% White, 67.2% 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 artist and graphic design assistant duties and responsibilities

3d artist example responsibilities.

  • Create many MEL scripts to help automate routine daily tasks and improve overall productivity.
  • Write tools in Maxscript, MEL, javascript, python, and vbscript to automate repetitive processes.
  • Create high poly characters, props, and environments using organic and hard surface techniques in Zbrush and Maya.
  • Generate programs for CNC punch press.
  • Help team create nodes for nuke.
  • Contract as a 3D visualization designer & animator.
  • Show more

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 artist vs graphic design assistant skills

Common 3d artist skills
  • Animation, 13%
  • Unity, 11%
  • ZBrush, 6%
  • Game Engine, 5%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 4%
  • Concept Art, 3%
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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