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Game artist vs 3d artist

The differences between game artists and 3d 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 game artist and a 3d artist. Additionally, a game artist has an average salary of $86,932, which is higher than the $74,721 average annual salary of a 3d artist.

The top three skills for a game artist include animation, maya and sketch. The most important skills for a 3d artist are animation, unity, and zbrush.

Game artist vs 3d artist overview

Game Artist3D Artist
Yearly salary$86,932$74,721
Hourly rate$41.79$35.92
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs5,0403,978
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

What does a game artist do?

This individual is tasked with just one thing, and that is to create 2D or 3D art for visual elements in video games. Their task is crucial in the process of creating games. They visualize how a game will look and ensure it comes out exactly that way. They design a few preliminary sketches and develop them according to the general style of the video game. They are required to work on components like characters, textures, vehicles, colors, lighting, objects, and environment.

What does a 3d artist do?

A 3D Artist uses complex software to develop graphics and animations for use in various media, such as video games, television shows, and multimedia presentations. They often work in teams, dividing project workloads in accordance to strengths.

Game artist vs 3d artist salary

Game artists and 3d artists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Game Artist3D Artist
Average salary$86,932$74,721
Salary rangeBetween $56,000 And $133,000Between $47,000 And $116,000
Highest paying CityLas Vegas, NVSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNevadaNevada
Best paying companyAmazonMeta
Best paying industryStart-upUtilities

Differences between game artist and 3d artist education

There are a few differences between a game artist and a 3d artist in terms of educational background:

Game Artist3D Artist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common majorGraphic DesignAnimation
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Game artist vs 3d artist demographics

Here are the differences between game artists' and 3d artists' demographics:

Game Artist3D Artist
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 70.0% Female, 30.0%Male, 83.9% Female, 16.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 7.6% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.1% Asian, 7.6% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between game artist and 3d artist duties and responsibilities

Game artist example responsibilities.

  • Create many MEL scripts to help automate routine daily tasks and improve overall productivity.
  • Work include background art, character design, user-interface design and art, award art, buttons and flash FX.
  • Create 3d models, and texture paintings.
  • Conceptualize the look of different levels and stages for PC games.
  • Model, rig, and texture hero and enemy characters for an untitle project.
  • Ensure that all assets fit the art style of the game and are ready for animation hand off.
  • Show more

3d artist example responsibilities.

  • Create many MEL scripts to help automate routine daily tasks and improve overall productivity.
  • Write tools in Maxscript, MEL, javascript, python, and vbscript to automate repetitive processes.
  • Create high poly characters, props, and environments using organic and hard surface techniques in Zbrush and Maya.
  • Generate programs for CNC punch press.
  • Help team create nodes for nuke.
  • Contract as a 3D visualization designer & animator.
  • Show more

Game artist vs 3d artist skills

Common game artist skills
  • Animation, 15%
  • Maya, 11%
  • Sketch, 8%
  • UI, 8%
  • Unity, 7%
  • Concept Art, 5%
Common 3d artist skills
  • Animation, 13%
  • Unity, 11%
  • ZBrush, 6%
  • Game Engine, 5%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 4%
  • Concept Art, 3%

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