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Associate designer vs motion graphics designer

The differences between associate designers and motion graphics designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both an associate designer and a motion graphics designer. Additionally, a motion graphics designer has an average salary of $62,558, which is higher than the $56,770 average annual salary of an associate designer.

The top three skills for an associate designer include sketch, CAD and customer service. The most important skills for a motion graphics designer are animation, style frames, and cinema.

Associate designer vs motion graphics designer overview

Associate DesignerMotion Graphics Designer
Yearly salary$56,770$62,558
Hourly rate$27.29$30.08
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs47,57144,960
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age3838
Years of experience1212

What does an associate designer do?

An Associate Designer helps in developing sketches on paper and in graphic design software. They usually are supervised by the junior staff and interns.

What does a motion graphics designer do?

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.

Associate designer vs motion graphics designer salary

Associate designers and motion graphics designers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Associate DesignerMotion Graphics Designer
Average salary$56,770$62,558
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $80,000Between $44,000 And $87,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateWashingtonWashington
Best paying companyAppleApple
Best paying industryRetailTechnology

Differences between associate designer and motion graphics designer education

There are a few differences between an associate designer and a motion graphics designer in terms of educational background:

Associate DesignerMotion Graphics Designer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common majorGraphic DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Associate designer vs motion graphics designer demographics

Here are the differences between associate designers' and motion graphics designers' demographics:

Associate DesignerMotion Graphics Designer
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 34.8% Female, 65.2%Male, 78.4% Female, 21.6%
Race ratioBlack 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%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 Percentage13%13%

Differences between associate designer and motion graphics designer duties and responsibilities

Associate designer example responsibilities.

  • Create & manage PPC advertising campaigns and perform basic SEO maintenance to improve web traffic.
  • Select all fabrics and trims, develop styles from first sketch through production, manage sample room, and extensive fittings.
  • Develop marketing and brand awareness initiatives through social media outlets; create and manage company Facebook and Houzz profiles.
  • Design print collateral such as brochures and promotional products
  • Establish new grade rules in PLM.
  • Operate POS & other computerize cash registers.
  • Show more

Motion graphics designer example responsibilities.

  • Lead team brainstorming sessions to solve creative problems.
  • Lead team of motion designers which include brainstorming, mood boards, creation of mock-ups and presentations to clients and stakeholders.
  • Train & supervise newly appoint employee in achieving realistic looking effects and help integrating the effects in compositing with cg elements.
  • Design and build interactive digital content for musicians including photography, video and custom HTML, CSS & JavaScript development.
  • Create brochures, fliers, posters, and other print materials for conferences, special events, and non-profit functions.
  • Code flash banners with XML, HTML, and ActionScript.
  • Show more

Associate designer vs motion graphics designer skills

Common associate designer skills
  • Sketch, 10%
  • CAD, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Design Projects, 4%
  • PowerPoint, 4%
  • Space Planning, 4%
Common motion graphics designer skills
  • Animation, 23%
  • Style Frames, 15%
  • Cinema, 7%
  • Adobe Creative Suite, 4%
  • Sketch, 4%
  • Video Content, 3%

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