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3d artist vs graphic designer

The differences between 3d artists and graphic designers 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 designer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a 3d artist has an average salary of $74,721, which is higher than the $49,450 average annual salary of a graphic designer.

The top three skills for a 3d artist include animation, unity and zbrush. The most important skills for a graphic designer are adobe creative suite, adobe photoshop, and adobe illustrator.

3d artist vs graphic designer overview

3D ArtistGraphic Designer
Yearly salary$74,721$49,450
Hourly rate$35.92$23.77
Growth rate5%3%
Number of jobs3,97845,625
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
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 designer do?

Graphic designers are visual communicators who create graphic ideas to deliver a message through art and images which inspire, inform, and motivate consumers with the use of computer software, especially Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign or by hand. They have the ability to design stunning illustrations that are easily understood, even without a lot of thinking or based on the demand of their clients. It is very crucial to them as well to be flexible and to stay on top of the design trends. They create websites, posters, packaging, logos, advertising, and marketing materials, depending on the nature of the business.

3d artist vs graphic designer salary

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

3D ArtistGraphic Designer
Average salary$74,721$49,450
Salary rangeBetween $47,000 And $116,000Between $34,000 And $69,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateNevadaMassachusetts
Best paying companyMetaMeta
Best paying industryUtilitiesTechnology

Differences between 3d artist and graphic designer education

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

3D ArtistGraphic Designer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorAnimationGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

3d artist vs graphic designer demographics

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

3D ArtistGraphic Designer
Average age4038
Gender ratioMale, 83.9% Female, 16.1%Male, 49.8% Female, 50.2%
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 designer 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 designer example responsibilities.

  • Lead the transition from paste-up, typesetting, pasting up page layout to digital ad/page building and web printing.
  • Design new template for magazine as well as ads, flyers, brochures, and cards for a variety of events.
  • Plan the development of a social networking site website using HTML, CSS, PHP, and a WordPress management system.
  • Compose and create daily advertisements for national automotive dealerships utilizing typography and design concepts while adhering to corporate brand standards.
  • Follow style guide requirements to maintain brand integrity with specific treatments of photography, typography, graphic elements and team/sponsor/arena logos.
  • Create UI kit for the website.
  • Show more

3d artist vs graphic designer skills

Common 3d artist skills
  • Animation, 13%
  • Unity, 11%
  • ZBrush, 6%
  • Game Engine, 5%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 4%
  • Concept Art, 3%
Common graphic designer skills
  • Adobe Creative Suite, 6%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 6%
  • Adobe Illustrator, 6%
  • Typography, 5%
  • Brochures, 5%
  • Design Concepts, 5%

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