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3d artist vs visual designer

The differences between 3d artists and visual 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 visual designer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a visual designer has an average salary of $86,495, which is higher than the $74,721 average annual salary of a 3d artist.

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

3d artist vs visual designer overview

3D ArtistVisual Designer
Yearly salary$74,721$86,495
Hourly rate$35.92$41.58
Growth rate5%3%
Number of jobs3,97846,815
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
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 visual designer do?

A visual designer is someone who creates designs for a variety of platforms such as Internet and intranet sites, games, and wearables. The duties of visual designers depend on the specific project or industry in which they are working. Duties include creating user-centered interaction models, working with information technology and business teams to resolve complex issues, and designing logos, icons, and infographics. The qualifications to become a visual designer include possessing strong problem-solving, communication, and negotiation skills and obtaining a bachelor's degree in design.

3d artist vs visual designer salary

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

3D ArtistVisual Designer
Average salary$74,721$86,495
Salary rangeBetween $47,000 And $116,000Between $51,000 And $143,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Bruno, CA
Highest paying stateNevadaCalifornia
Best paying companyMetaByteDance
Best paying industryUtilitiesStart-up

Differences between 3d artist and visual designer education

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

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

3d artist vs visual designer demographics

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

3D ArtistVisual Designer
Average age4038
Gender ratioMale, 83.9% Female, 16.1%Male, 53.1% Female, 46.9%
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 visual 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

Visual designer example responsibilities.

  • Design, project manage, and build retail stores from sketch to completion.
  • Manage website redesign including copywriting and updating all website content.
  • Produce and deliver HTML5, CSS3 and graphical items.
  • Design team brand and logo for organization.
  • Provide approved design in HTML5 to web developer for publishing.
  • Utilize expertise in Photoshop CS6, HTML5/CSS, Squarespace, and JavaScript.
  • Show more

3d artist vs visual designer skills

Common 3d artist skills
  • Animation, 13%
  • Unity, 11%
  • ZBrush, 6%
  • Game Engine, 5%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 4%
  • Concept Art, 3%
Common visual designer skills
  • Sketch, 19%
  • Visual Design, 8%
  • Graphic Design, 5%
  • UI, 5%
  • User Experience, 4%
  • Visualization, 4%

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