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The differences between character animators 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 a character animator, becoming a graphic design assistant takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a character animator has an average salary of $72,126, which is higher than the $40,835 average annual salary of a graphic design assistant.
The top three skills for a character animator include animation, maya and character animation. The most important skills for a graphic design assistant are graphic design, CAD, and sketch.
| Character Animator | Graphic Design Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $72,126 | $40,835 |
| Hourly rate | $34.68 | $19.63 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 416 | 54,021 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 40 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
A character animator specializes in developing life-like character designs for film, television, advertisements, and video games using special animation software. Their job usually entails understanding project requirements, conducting research, developing drafts and models, adding different effects to enhance designs, presenting designs to lead animators, and performing revisions when necessary. They are also responsible for adhering to deadlines and budgets, producing reports, and solving issues and concerns. Moreover, a character animator usually works in a team setting, which requires an open and transparent line of communication for a successful workflow.
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.
Character animators and graphic design assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Character Animator | Graphic Design Assistant | |
| Average salary | $72,126 | $40,835 |
| Salary range | Between $46,000 And $111,000 | Between $28,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | New York |
| Best paying company | The Walt Disney Company | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a character animator and a graphic design assistant in terms of educational background:
| Character Animator | Graphic Design Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Animation | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between character animators' and graphic design assistants' demographics:
| Character Animator | Graphic Design Assistant | |
| Average age | 40 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 74.4% Female, 25.6% | Male, 29.4% Female, 70.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.0% Asian, 7.5% White, 67.6% 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% |