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Digital designer vs motion graphics designer

The differences between digital 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 a digital designer and a motion graphics designer. Additionally, a digital designer has an average salary of $72,987, which is higher than the $62,558 average annual salary of a motion graphics designer.

The top three skills for a digital designer include sketch, digital marketing and graphic design. The most important skills for a motion graphics designer are animation, style frames, and cinema.

Digital designer vs motion graphics designer overview

Digital DesignerMotion Graphics Designer
Yearly salary$72,987$62,558
Hourly rate$35.09$30.08
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs61,10944,960
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age3838
Years of experience1212

What does a digital designer do?

A digital designer is an individual who is responsible for creating digital assets for multimedia and graphic projects that can include mobile applications, video games, and interactive displays. Digital designers must collaborate with project managers, design teams, and content experts to interpret the team's concepts into a design that will deliver an effective user experience. They must be experts in using computer software and applications to create digital designs and convert data to a graphical interface such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Digital designers must also have a bachelor's degree in graphic design or fine arts.

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.

Digital designer vs motion graphics designer salary

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

Digital DesignerMotion Graphics Designer
Average salary$72,987$62,558
Salary rangeBetween $46,000 And $114,000Between $44,000 And $87,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaWashington
Best paying companyLyftApple
Best paying industryAutomotiveTechnology

Differences between digital designer and motion graphics designer education

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

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

Digital designer vs motion graphics designer demographics

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

Digital DesignerMotion Graphics Designer
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 60.0% Female, 40.0%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 digital designer and motion graphics designer duties and responsibilities

Digital designer example responsibilities.

  • Manage various clients and projects as a sole proprietor, specializing in creative design, animation, and illustration.
  • Use ASP.NET and XML to automate common workflow tasks due to extremely high volume of designs to be create.
  • Manage website redesign including copywriting and updating all website content.
  • Work in SharePoint, Dreamweaver, HTML5, CSS, wireframes, storyboards, and WordPress.
  • Create weekly HTML email campaigns to generate a marketing presence and drive traffic to their social media and web sites.
  • Make clickable prototypes using InVision.
  • 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

Digital designer vs motion graphics designer skills

Common digital designer skills
  • Sketch, 12%
  • Digital Marketing, 7%
  • Graphic Design, 7%
  • Digital Design, 6%
  • Adobe Creative Suite, 5%
  • UI, 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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