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Motion graphics artist vs graphic designer/production

The differences between motion graphics artists and graphic designer/productions 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 graphic designer/production takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a motion graphics artist has an average salary of $67,079, which is higher than the $48,619 average annual salary of a graphic designer/production.

The top three skills for a motion graphics artist include video production, animation and cinema. The most important skills for a graphic designer/production are graphic design, adobe photoshop, and adobe illustrator.

Motion graphics artist vs graphic designer/production overview

Motion Graphics ArtistGraphic Designer/Production
Yearly salary$67,079$48,619
Hourly rate$32.25$23.37
Growth rate5%3%
Number of jobs4,28895,831
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age4038
Years of experience212

What does a motion graphics artist do?

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.

What does a graphic designer/production do?

A Graphics Designer in production is the person in charge of designing and interpreting ideas pointed out by the client or the company. The graphics designer must use market standard applications and techniques to produce attention-grabbing designs intended to market a product, service, or company. Graphic designers are an integral part of a company's digital marketing, especially over the internet. The graphic designer must have a good eye for style, typesetting, and the use of colors.

Motion graphics artist vs graphic designer/production salary

Motion graphics artists and graphic designer/productions have different pay scales, as shown below.

Motion Graphics ArtistGraphic Designer/Production
Average salary$67,079$48,619
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $103,000Between $35,000 And $67,000
Highest paying CityProvidence, RIMenlo Park, CA
Highest paying stateNevadaMaryland
Best paying companyAmazonOptimum Nutrition
Best paying industryMediaTechnology

Differences between motion graphics artist and graphic designer/production education

There are a few differences between a motion graphics artist and a graphic designer/production in terms of educational background:

Motion Graphics ArtistGraphic Designer/Production
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorAnimationGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Motion graphics artist vs graphic designer/production demographics

Here are the differences between motion graphics artists' and graphic designer/productions' demographics:

Motion Graphics ArtistGraphic Designer/Production
Average age4038
Gender ratioMale, 85.6% Female, 14.4%Male, 57.0% Female, 43.0%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage11%13%

Differences between motion graphics artist and graphic designer/production duties and responsibilities

Motion graphics artist example responsibilities.

  • Lead team of motion designers which include brainstorming, mood boards, creation of mock-ups and presentations to clients and stakeholders.
  • Work on VFX motion graphics project.
  • Design in-house graphics, VFX and animations for broadcast and internal marketing.
  • Generate custom compression for video material post on YouTube for game promotion.
  • Collaborate with product team and UX/UI design team to make UI animations and motion graphics.
  • Create a character using Maya 3D modeling software for a commercial project with a financing company.
  • Show more

Graphic designer/production example responsibilities.

  • Manage production of products; custom banners, t-shirts, satin flags, from concept to final product.
  • Manage various publications including catalogs, catalog inserts, brochures, mailers and advertising material.
  • Develop and update conference materials, including PowerPoint presentations, posters, handouts, badges, table tents, and folders.
  • Produce corporate identity systems and collateral print materials, print advertising, product/capabilities brochures, direct mail and newsletters.
  • Produce daily, weekly and monthly newsletters in both print and HTML.
  • Create cleaner HTML email templates and help others within the group improve their HTML skills.
  • Show more

Motion graphics artist vs graphic designer/production skills

Common motion graphics artist skills
  • Video Production, 16%
  • Animation, 16%
  • Cinema, 9%
  • Adobe Creative Suite, 5%
  • Premiere Pro, 4%
  • Video Content, 4%
Common graphic designer/production skills
  • Graphic Design, 14%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 9%
  • Adobe Illustrator, 8%
  • Art Direction, 6%
  • Adobe Indesign, 5%
  • Signage, 5%

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