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3d specialist vs visual artist

The differences between 3d specialists and visual artists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a 3d specialist and a visual artist. Additionally, a visual artist has an average salary of $81,873, which is higher than the $78,890 average annual salary of a 3d specialist.

The top three skills for a 3d specialist include visualization, maya and revit. The most important skills for a visual artist are animation, maya, and visual development.

3d specialist vs visual artist overview

3D SpecialistVisual Artist
Yearly salary$78,890$81,873
Hourly rate$37.93$39.36
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs5287,209
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

3d specialist vs visual artist salary

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

3D SpecialistVisual Artist
Average salary$78,890$81,873
Salary rangeBetween $55,000 And $112,000Between $52,000 And $127,000
Highest paying CityLas Vegas, NVSparks, NV
Highest paying stateNevadaNevada
Best paying companyGap Inc.NVIDIA
Best paying industry--

Differences between 3d specialist and visual artist education

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

3D SpecialistVisual Artist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorArchitectureFine Arts
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

3d specialist vs visual artist demographics

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

3D SpecialistVisual Artist
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 80.2% Female, 19.8%Male, 59.5% Female, 40.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.1% Asian, 7.6% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 7.8% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between 3d specialist and visual artist duties and responsibilities

3d specialist example responsibilities.

  • Design outdoor lighting rigs, create camera animation, manage rendering and compositing of multi-layer cinematics.
  • Utilize Maya to create 3D models for high-end rendering and realtime visualization.
  • Design and develop interactive presentations including corporate Internet site, PowerPoint presentations, and other multimedia marketing materials.
  • Design and develop interactive presentations including corporate Internet site, PowerPoint presentations, and other multimedia marketing materials.

Visual artist example responsibilities.

  • Edit video, write copy for television, radio, and web-base commercials while managing the scheduling of all studio employees.
  • Design creative materials, including advertisements, media kits, logo and promotional materials for several collaborative projects.
  • Model, texture and integrate 3D mesh FX with 3DSMax
  • Modele and shade 3D facial replacements and simulate smoke effects in Maya.
  • Design texture sheets and unique materials and shaders for particles and mesh FX.
  • Used Maya and Photoshop to create matte paintings and landscape environment using modeling and camera projection techniques.
  • Show more

3d specialist vs visual artist skills

Common 3d specialist skills
  • Visualization, 51%
  • Maya, 14%
  • Revit, 12%
  • Animation, 9%
  • Vray, 5%
  • Solidworks, 4%
Common visual artist skills
  • Animation, 15%
  • Maya, 11%
  • Visual Development, 9%
  • Visual Effects, 7%
  • VFX, 6%
  • Motion Graphics, 5%

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