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The differences between motion graphics artists and assistant designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a motion graphics artist, becoming an assistant designer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a motion graphics artist has an average salary of $67,079, which is higher than the $52,475 average annual salary of an assistant designer.
The top three skills for a motion graphics artist include video production, animation and cinema. The most important skills for an assistant designer are sketch, tech packs, and adobe illustrator.
| Motion Graphics Artist | Assistant Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $67,079 | $52,475 |
| Hourly rate | $32.25 | $25.23 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 4,288 | 47,598 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 40 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
A motion graphics artist is responsible for conceptualizing digital designs and creating motion pictures according to business requirements and client specifications. Motion graphics artists produce media content and portray the message to the audience through creative multimedia projects. They should also have excellent technical skills in utilizing various software tools and applications. A motion graphics artist works closely with the whole production team for concept brainstorming and adjusting initial layouts as needed to ensure that the plans meet budget requirements and timetables.
Assistant designers act as administrative support to senior designers in creating innovative designs by negotiating with the vendors about the prices of decoration materials. They are keen and up-to-date to the latest fashion and trends by conducting surveys and research. They are exceptionally creative and innovative and have excellent IT skills as they use illustration, typography, and photography layouts in the design process. However, being an assistant designer, career development relies on his/her /her specialism, reputation, and experience depending on how its opportunities are influenced by the company he/she works for.
Motion graphics artists and assistant designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Motion Graphics Artist | Assistant Designer | |
| Average salary | $67,079 | $52,475 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $103,000 | Between $37,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | Providence, RI | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | Washington |
| Best paying company | Amazon | PVH |
| Best paying industry | Media | Construction |
There are a few differences between a motion graphics artist and an assistant designer in terms of educational background:
| Motion Graphics Artist | Assistant Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Animation | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between motion graphics artists' and assistant designers' demographics:
| Motion Graphics Artist | Assistant Designer | |
| Average age | 40 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 85.6% Female, 14.4% | Male, 28.3% Female, 71.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.1% 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 Percentage | 11% | 13% |