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3d modeler vs graphic designer

The differences between 3d modelers 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 modeler, becoming a graphic designer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a 3d modeler has an average salary of $75,946, which is higher than the $49,450 average annual salary of a graphic designer.

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

3d modeler vs graphic designer overview

3D ModelerGraphic Designer
Yearly salary$75,946$49,450
Hourly rate$36.51$23.77
Growth rate5%3%
Number of jobs1,24545,625
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age4038
Years of experience212

What does a 3d modeler do?

A 3D modeler is responsible for designing project models by utilizing various software applications and computer tools to represent high-quality digital content that would help the team and clients visualize the object. 3D modelers work closely with the design team to evaluate ideas and identify its feasibility scope on an enhanced digital view, giving them the ability to adjust and revise structures as needed. A 3D modeler must have excellent technical and critical-thinking skills to understand the clients' specifications and recommend solutions through graphics analysis.

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 modeler vs graphic designer salary

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

3D ModelerGraphic Designer
Average salary$75,946$49,450
Salary rangeBetween $50,000 And $114,000Between $34,000 And $69,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateNevadaMassachusetts
Best paying companyAppleMeta
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between 3d modeler and graphic designer education

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

3D ModelerGraphic Designer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorAnimationGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

3d modeler vs graphic designer demographics

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

3D ModelerGraphic Designer
Average age4038
Gender ratioMale, 81.4% Female, 18.6%Male, 49.8% Female, 50.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% 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 modeler and graphic designer duties and responsibilities

3d modeler example responsibilities.

  • Manage design collaboration and storyboard creations.
  • Partner with clients and a team of engineers to create detail and effective, multimedia training and sales aids.
  • Lead FX artist in creation, development, and implementation of particle flow and rigid body simulations to production pipeline.
  • Establish project direction and concepts, develop character designs and storyboards, and coordinate art assets from the project team.
  • Refine 3d concepts for production and rapid prototyping
  • Sketch technical drawings for architectural drawings and client presentations.
  • 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 modeler vs graphic designer skills

Common 3d modeler skills
  • Animation, 10%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 7%
  • Visualization, 7%
  • Texture, 6%
  • UV, 5%
  • Auto CAD, 5%
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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