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The differences between animation artists and motion graphics designers 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 motion graphics designer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an animation artist has an average salary of $80,929, which is higher than the $62,558 average annual salary of a motion graphics designer.
The top three skills for an animation artist include animation, maya and character animation. The most important skills for a motion graphics designer are animation, style frames, and cinema.
| Animation Artist | Motion Graphics Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $80,929 | $62,558 |
| Hourly rate | $38.91 | $30.08 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 3,822 | 44,960 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| 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 motion graphic designer specializes in producing artworks used in television, film, and web. Their responsibilities often revolve around submitting within a deadline, attending creative meetings, collaborating with fellow designers, following directives from clients, producing trial designs, and editing them in adherence to senior designers or clients' recommendations. There are also instances when a motion graphic designer must manage documentation, address inquiries and concerns, and report to higher-ranking personnel. Furthermore, one may choose to work for a company or independently.
Animation artists and motion graphics designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Animation Artist | Motion Graphics Designer | |
| Average salary | $80,929 | $62,558 |
| Salary range | Between $52,000 And $125,000 | Between $44,000 And $87,000 |
| Highest paying City | Las Vegas, NV | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | Washington |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Media | Technology |
There are a few differences between an animation artist and a motion graphics designer in terms of educational background:
| Animation Artist | Motion Graphics Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Animation | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between animation artists' and motion graphics designers' demographics:
| Animation Artist | Motion Graphics Designer | |
| Average age | 40 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.4% Female, 23.6% | Male, 78.4% Female, 21.6% |
| 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% |