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Game artist vs graphic design assistant

The differences between game artists 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 game artist, becoming a graphic design assistant takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a game artist has an average salary of $86,932, which is higher than the $40,835 average annual salary of a graphic design assistant.

The top three skills for a game artist include animation, maya and sketch. The most important skills for a graphic design assistant are graphic design, CAD, and sketch.

Game artist vs graphic design assistant overview

Game ArtistGraphic Design Assistant
Yearly salary$86,932$40,835
Hourly rate$41.79$19.63
Growth rate5%3%
Number of jobs5,04054,021
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4038
Years of experience212

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 graphic design assistant do?

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.

Game artist vs graphic design assistant salary

Game artists and graphic design assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Game ArtistGraphic Design Assistant
Average salary$86,932$40,835
Salary rangeBetween $56,000 And $133,000Between $28,000 And $58,000
Highest paying CityLas Vegas, NVNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNevadaNew York
Best paying companyAmazonGoogle
Best paying industryStart-upFinance

Differences between game artist and graphic design assistant education

There are a few differences between a game artist and a graphic design assistant in terms of educational background:

Game ArtistGraphic Design Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorGraphic DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Game artist vs graphic design assistant demographics

Here are the differences between game artists' and graphic design assistants' demographics:

Game ArtistGraphic Design Assistant
Average age4038
Gender ratioMale, 70.0% Female, 30.0%Male, 29.4% Female, 70.6%
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, 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 game artist and graphic design assistant 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

Graphic design assistant example responsibilities.

  • Administer company website using PHP coding and manage Instagram/Facebook profiles.
  • Approve lab dips, embroidery size and placement, strike offs, screen prints, and appliques.
  • Supervise production staff that used embroidery machines.
  • Produce: technical drawings, illustrations, animations, PowerPoint presentations and relate graphics for organization.
  • Design PowerPoint presentations with sound/video; replace low-resolution images with high-resolution images in presentations and client proposals.
  • Coordinate photography orders with vendors at direction of creative staff and negotiate image license contracts to maximize company profits.
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Game artist vs graphic design assistant skills

Common game artist skills
  • Animation, 15%
  • Maya, 11%
  • Sketch, 8%
  • UI, 8%
  • Unity, 7%
  • Concept Art, 5%
Common graphic design assistant skills
  • Graphic Design, 14%
  • CAD, 6%
  • Sketch, 5%
  • Adobe Illustrator, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 5%

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