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The differences between animation artists and graphic design specialists 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 specialist takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an animation artist has an average salary of $80,929, which is higher than the $55,925 average annual salary of a graphic design specialist.
The top three skills for an animation artist include animation, maya and character animation. The most important skills for a graphic design specialist are graphic design, adobe creative suite, and visualization.
| Animation Artist | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $80,929 | $55,925 |
| Hourly rate | $38.91 | $26.89 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 3,822 | 49,055 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| 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.
A graphic design specialist utilizes their artistic expertise in creating imagery and designs that convey a particular message. Their responsibilities revolve around liaising with clients to determine their needs and goals, developing concepts and subjecting it for client approval, and revising designs as necessary. In a company setting, a graphic design specialist may work with a team, coordinating with them while sticking to budgets and deadlines. Furthermore, as a team member, it is essential to report to managers or supervisors, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
Animation artists and graphic design specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Animation Artist | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Average salary | $80,929 | $55,925 |
| Salary range | Between $52,000 And $125,000 | Between $38,000 And $80,000 |
| Highest paying City | Las Vegas, NV | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | Washington |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Berkshire Hathaway |
| Best paying industry | Media | Technology |
There are a few differences between an animation artist and a graphic design specialist in terms of educational background:
| Animation Artist | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| 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 specialists' demographics:
| Animation Artist | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Average age | 40 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.4% Female, 23.6% | Male, 50.0% Female, 50.0% |
| 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% |