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The differences between graphic designer/illustrators 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 graphic designer/illustrator and a motion graphics designer. Additionally, a motion graphics designer has an average salary of $62,558, which is higher than the $45,124 average annual salary of a graphic designer/illustrator.
The top three skills for a graphic designer/illustrator include adobe illustrator, adobe photoshop and logo design. The most important skills for a motion graphics designer are animation, style frames, and cinema.
| Graphic Designer/Illustrator | Motion Graphics Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $45,124 | $62,558 |
| Hourly rate | $21.69 | $30.08 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 44,853 | 44,960 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
As a graphic designer or illustrator, your job involves working with images to create visual displays for clients. If you work as a graphic designer, you may be required to create layouts using computer software. As a graphic illustrator, your job responsibility may revolve around drawing or painting images and uploading them to make digital copies. As a graphic designer/ illustrator, your job duties revolve around understanding the needs of your clients and being able to identify your target audience.
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.
Graphic designer/illustrators and motion graphics designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Graphic Designer/Illustrator | Motion Graphics Designer | |
| Average salary | $45,124 | $62,558 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $63,000 | Between $44,000 And $87,000 |
| Highest paying City | Mountain View, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Apple | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a graphic designer/illustrator and a motion graphics designer in terms of educational background:
| Graphic Designer/Illustrator | Motion Graphics Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between graphic designer/illustrators' and motion graphics designers' demographics:
| Graphic Designer/Illustrator | Motion Graphics Designer | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 60.1% Female, 39.9% | Male, 78.4% Female, 21.6% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 Percentage | 13% | 13% |