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The differences between graphics specialists 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 specialist and a motion graphics designer. Additionally, a motion graphics designer has an average salary of $62,558, which is higher than the $56,007 average annual salary of a graphics specialist.
The top three skills for a graphics specialist include graphic design, adobe illustrator and adobe photoshop. The most important skills for a motion graphics designer are animation, style frames, and cinema.
| Graphics Specialist | Motion Graphics Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $56,007 | $62,558 |
| Hourly rate | $26.93 | $30.08 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 12,267 | 44,960 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A graphics specialist is an expert at conceptualizing and developing visual art for businesses or individuals, typically for marketing or information purposes. Moreover, there are also opportunities for employment in the web and media industry. As a graphics specialist, their responsibilities include liaising with clients to identify their needs, understanding the purpose and message of the project, developing proposals, coordinating with team members, and conducting revisions as needed, all while adhering to the goals and deadlines set by the client or management.
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 specialists and motion graphics designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Graphics Specialist | Motion Graphics Designer | |
| Average salary | $56,007 | $62,558 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $81,000 | Between $44,000 And $87,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | ZeniMax Media | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a graphics specialist and a motion graphics designer in terms of educational background:
| Graphics Specialist | Motion Graphics Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | 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 specialists' and motion graphics designers' demographics:
| Graphics Specialist | Motion Graphics Designer | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.4% Female, 46.6% | 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% |