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3d artist vs graphic designer/production

The differences between 3d artists and graphic designer/productions 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/production takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a 3d artist has an average salary of $74,721, which is higher than the $48,619 average annual salary of a graphic designer/production.

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

3d artist vs graphic designer/production overview

3D ArtistGraphic Designer/Production
Yearly salary$74,721$48,619
Hourly rate$35.92$23.37
Growth rate5%3%
Number of jobs3,97895,831
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
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/production do?

A Graphics Designer in production is the person in charge of designing and interpreting ideas pointed out by the client or the company. The graphics designer must use market standard applications and techniques to produce attention-grabbing designs intended to market a product, service, or company. Graphic designers are an integral part of a company's digital marketing, especially over the internet. The graphic designer must have a good eye for style, typesetting, and the use of colors.

3d artist vs graphic designer/production salary

3d artists and graphic designer/productions have different pay scales, as shown below.

3D ArtistGraphic Designer/Production
Average salary$74,721$48,619
Salary rangeBetween $47,000 And $116,000Between $35,000 And $67,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAMenlo Park, CA
Highest paying stateNevadaMaryland
Best paying companyMetaOptimum Nutrition
Best paying industryUtilitiesTechnology

Differences between 3d artist and graphic designer/production education

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

3D ArtistGraphic Designer/Production
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorAnimationGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

3d artist vs graphic designer/production demographics

Here are the differences between 3d artists' and graphic designer/productions' demographics:

3D ArtistGraphic Designer/Production
Average age4038
Gender ratioMale, 83.9% Female, 16.1%Male, 57.0% Female, 43.0%
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/production 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/production example responsibilities.

  • Manage production of products; custom banners, t-shirts, satin flags, from concept to final product.
  • Manage various publications including catalogs, catalog inserts, brochures, mailers and advertising material.
  • Develop and update conference materials, including PowerPoint presentations, posters, handouts, badges, table tents, and folders.
  • Produce corporate identity systems and collateral print materials, print advertising, product/capabilities brochures, direct mail and newsletters.
  • Produce daily, weekly and monthly newsletters in both print and HTML.
  • Create cleaner HTML email templates and help others within the group improve their HTML skills.
  • Show more

3d artist vs graphic designer/production skills

Common 3d artist skills
  • Animation, 13%
  • Unity, 11%
  • ZBrush, 6%
  • Game Engine, 5%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 4%
  • Concept Art, 3%
Common graphic designer/production skills
  • Graphic Design, 14%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 9%
  • Adobe Illustrator, 8%
  • Art Direction, 6%
  • Adobe Indesign, 5%
  • Signage, 5%

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