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The differences between animation artists and graphic design assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an animation artist, becoming a graphic design assistant takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an animation artist has an average salary of $80,929, which is higher than the $40,835 average annual salary of a graphic design assistant.
The top three skills for an animation artist include animation, maya and character animation. The most important skills for a graphic design assistant are graphic design, CAD, and sketch.
| Animation Artist | Graphic Design Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $80,929 | $40,835 |
| Hourly rate | $38.91 | $19.63 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 3,822 | 54,021 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 40 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
Animation artists or animators are skilled professionals who create multiple images that form animation, which can be seen in movies, commercials, television programs, and video games. To produce those illusions of movements, animation artists must use several animation software such as Maya, AfterEffects, and Photoshop. They must collaborate with graphic designers and editors to create animations for the entire show. Animation artists must also create high-quality animations by producing expressive characters that can portray a wide range of emotions.
Graphic Design Assistants help graphic designers in creating art, fulfilling orders, and managing the studio. They may be budding graphic designers looking for industry experience or creative professionals interested in getting into the graphic designing industry. They should be familiar with the different tools and concepts involved in graphic design. Graphic Design Assistants help lead graphic designers to complete different activities. They may assist by lining, coloring, rendering, and adding finishing touches to the designs. They may also be in charge of packaging physical art and booking shipments to buyers. Graphic Design Assistants should be able to showcase their creative prowess. They are welcome to pitch in designs, critique art, and provide input.
Animation artists and graphic design assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Animation Artist | Graphic Design Assistant | |
| Average salary | $80,929 | $40,835 |
| Salary range | Between $52,000 And $125,000 | Between $28,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Las Vegas, NV | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | New York |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | |
| Best paying industry | Media | Finance |
There are a few differences between an animation artist and a graphic design assistant in terms of educational background:
| Animation Artist | Graphic Design Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Animation | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between animation artists' and graphic design assistants' demographics:
| Animation Artist | Graphic Design Assistant | |
| Average age | 40 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.4% Female, 23.6% | Male, 29.4% Female, 70.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 7.7% White, 66.9% 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 Percentage | 11% | 13% |