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Concept artist vs motion graphics designer

The differences between concept 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 a concept artist, becoming a motion graphics designer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a concept artist has an average salary of $85,713, which is higher than the $62,558 average annual salary of a motion graphics designer.

The top three skills for a concept artist include storyboards, maya and animation. The most important skills for a motion graphics designer are animation, style frames, and cinema.

Concept artist vs motion graphics designer overview

Concept ArtistMotion Graphics Designer
Yearly salary$85,713$62,558
Hourly rate$41.21$30.08
Growth rate5%3%
Number of jobs3,59644,960
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age4038
Years of experience212

What does a concept artist do?

The job of a concept artist is to make visual representations of creatures, characters, environments, vehicles, and other artistic assets. You should know about the design and how to create one that needs to blend well with any creative project. Your typical job includes drawing or painting these creative assets and providing references for any ideas you need to illustrate. The general qualifications needed to become a successful concept artist include illustration skills, design understanding, and knowledge of Photoshop.

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.

Concept artist vs motion graphics designer salary

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

Concept ArtistMotion Graphics Designer
Average salary$85,713$62,558
Salary rangeBetween $56,000 And $130,000Between $44,000 And $87,000
Highest paying CityNovato, CASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateNevadaWashington
Best paying companyMetaApple
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between concept artist and motion graphics designer education

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

Concept ArtistMotion Graphics Designer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common majorGraphic DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Concept artist vs motion graphics designer demographics

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

Concept ArtistMotion Graphics Designer
Average age4038
Gender ratioMale, 74.3% Female, 25.7%Male, 78.4% Female, 21.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 7.7% White, 67.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%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 Percentage11%13%

Differences between concept artist and motion graphics designer duties and responsibilities

Concept artist example responsibilities.

  • Create many MEL scripts to help automate routine daily tasks and improve overall productivity.
  • Rig character for animation in Maya.
  • Create pitches for new and old IP.
  • Sketch concept art for an online game
  • Design & animate VFX for mobile games!
  • Prepare 3D models for production using Maya 3d.
  • 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

Concept artist vs motion graphics designer skills

Common concept artist skills
  • Storyboards, 8%
  • Maya, 8%
  • Animation, 7%
  • Sketch, 6%
  • Art Direction, 6%
  • Graphic Design, 5%
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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