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The differences between graphics 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 graphics illustrator and a motion graphics designer. Additionally, a graphics illustrator has an average salary of $64,943, which is higher than the $62,558 average annual salary of a motion graphics designer.
The top three skills for a graphics illustrator include adobe photoshop, graphic design and adobe indesign. The most important skills for a motion graphics designer are animation, style frames, and cinema.
| Graphics Illustrator | Motion Graphics Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $64,943 | $62,558 |
| Hourly rate | $31.22 | $30.08 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 2,854 | 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 |
A graphics illustrator is an artist that is skilled in drawing, painting, digital illustration, art history, and sometimes marketing. Your job as an illustrator is to create a visual representation of an idea or associated text. Unlike a graphic designer, a graphic illustrator does a lot more drawing, product package design, book illustrations, and graphic novels. As a graphics illustrator, you may be required to lead lots of projects that deal with advertising design and publishing initiatives. In addition to that, you may be expected to produce mockups, wireframes, prototypes, and design specifications.
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.
Graphics illustrators and motion graphics designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Graphics Illustrator | Motion Graphics Designer | |
| Average salary | $64,943 | $62,558 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $101,000 | Between $44,000 And $87,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Uber Technologies | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a graphics illustrator and a motion graphics designer in terms of educational background:
| Graphics 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 graphics illustrators' and motion graphics designers' demographics:
| Graphics Illustrator | Motion Graphics Designer | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 52.9% Female, 47.1% | 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% |