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Computer animator vs motion graphics artist

The differences between computer animators and motion graphics artists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a computer animator and a motion graphics artist. Additionally, a computer animator has an average salary of $81,438, which is higher than the $67,079 average annual salary of a motion graphics artist.

The top three skills for a computer animator include animation, adobe photoshop and motion graphics. The most important skills for a motion graphics artist are video production, animation, and cinema.

Computer animator vs motion graphics artist overview

Computer AnimatorMotion Graphics Artist
Yearly salary$81,438$67,079
Hourly rate$39.15$32.25
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs13,7904,288
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

Computer animator vs motion graphics artist salary

Computer animators and motion graphics artists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Computer AnimatorMotion Graphics Artist
Average salary$81,438$67,079
Salary rangeBetween $59,000 And $111,000Between $43,000 And $103,000
Highest paying CityLas Vegas, NVProvidence, RI
Highest paying stateNevadaNevada
Best paying companyThe Walt Disney CompanyAmazon
Best paying industryTechnologyMedia

Differences between computer animator and motion graphics artist education

There are a few differences between a computer animator and a motion graphics artist in terms of educational background:

Computer AnimatorMotion Graphics Artist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Most common majorComputer ScienceAnimation
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Computer animator vs motion graphics artist demographics

Here are the differences between computer animators' and motion graphics artists' demographics:

Computer AnimatorMotion Graphics Artist
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 86.5% Female, 13.5%Male, 85.6% Female, 14.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 7.7% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.1% Asian, 7.6% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between computer animator and motion graphics artist duties and responsibilities

Computer animator example responsibilities.

  • Lead a team of artists to create the art and animation for motion comics aspects of the show.
  • Design and produce animation and graphics for local television commercials and corporate videos.
  • Facilitate product marketing, in-house video production and YouTube video development.
  • Base on personal interest and curiosity, create and direct group project exploring animation using OpenGL graphics library.
  • Analyze and troubleshoot equipment and software reliability to identify and define problem areas to establish computer and telecommunication performance levels.
  • Analyze and troubleshoot equipment and software reliability to identify and define problem areas to establish computer and telecommunication performance levels.

Motion graphics artist example responsibilities.

  • Lead team of motion designers which include brainstorming, mood boards, creation of mock-ups and presentations to clients and stakeholders.
  • Work on VFX motion graphics project.
  • Design in-house graphics, VFX and animations for broadcast and internal marketing.
  • Generate custom compression for video material post on YouTube for game promotion.
  • Collaborate with product team and UX/UI design team to make UI animations and motion graphics.
  • Create a character using Maya 3D modeling software for a commercial project with a financing company.
  • Show more

Computer animator vs motion graphics artist skills

Common computer animator skills
  • Animation, 62%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 10%
  • Motion Graphics, 9%
  • Character Animation, 8%
  • Autocad, 7%
  • Body Mechanics, 4%
Common motion graphics artist skills
  • Video Production, 16%
  • Animation, 16%
  • Cinema, 9%
  • Adobe Creative Suite, 5%
  • Premiere Pro, 4%
  • Video Content, 4%

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