Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between motion graphics artists and freelance 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 a freelance designer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a motion graphics artist has an average salary of $67,079, which is higher than the $57,260 average annual salary of a freelance designer.
The top three skills for a motion graphics artist include video production, animation and cinema. The most important skills for a freelance designer are sketch, CSS, and HTML.
| Motion Graphics Artist | Freelance Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $67,079 | $57,260 |
| Hourly rate | $32.25 | $27.53 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 4,288 | 45,914 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| 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.
Freelance designers are creative, independent contractors who create visual and graphic designs for their clients. They develop text and illustrated versions of brands, messages, and communications with strong visible influence with their clients. Typical activities include networking, seeking projects, and negotiating prices to their customers. They manage client proposals, develop concepts, present solutions, and ensure the timely completion of projects. Freelance visual and graphic designers are creative, self-motivated as well as result and deadline oriented.
Motion graphics artists and freelance designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Motion Graphics Artist | Freelance Designer | |
| Average salary | $67,079 | $57,260 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $103,000 | Between $39,000 And $83,000 |
| Highest paying City | Providence, RI | - |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | - |
| Best paying company | Amazon | - |
| Best paying industry | Media | - |
There are a few differences between a motion graphics artist and a freelance designer in terms of educational background:
| Motion Graphics Artist | Freelance Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Animation | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between motion graphics artists' and freelance designers' demographics:
| Motion Graphics Artist | Freelance Designer | |
| Average age | 40 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 85.6% Female, 14.4% | Male, 48.0% Female, 52.0% |
| 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% |