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Production artist vs 3d artist

The differences between production artists and 3d artists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a production artist, becoming a 3d artist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a 3d artist has an average salary of $74,721, which is higher than the $61,870 average annual salary of a production artist.

The top three skills for a production artist include graphic design, adobe photoshop and adobe creative suite. The most important skills for a 3d artist are animation, unity, and zbrush.

Production artist vs 3d artist overview

Production Artist3D Artist
Yearly salary$61,870$74,721
Hourly rate$29.75$35.92
Growth rate3%5%
Number of jobs59,1033,978
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Average age3840
Years of experience122

What does a production artist do?

A production artist is responsible for managing digital content, meeting clients' standard specifications and requests for successful project completion. Production artists must have computer proficiency, especially on utilizing various software tools and applications to create illustrations and layouts. They also work closely with the creative team, cooperating in brainstorming sessions to ensure the consistency for each assigned task. A production artist should be keen on details, adjusting outputs as needed to maintain the highest quality for the actual presentation.

What does a 3d artist do?

A 3D Artist uses complex software to develop graphics and animations for use in various media, such as video games, television shows, and multimedia presentations. They often work in teams, dividing project workloads in accordance to strengths.

Production artist vs 3d artist salary

Production artists and 3d artists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Production Artist3D Artist
Average salary$61,870$74,721
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $94,000Between $47,000 And $116,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonNevada
Best paying companyAppleMeta
Best paying industry-Utilities

Differences between production artist and 3d artist education

There are a few differences between a production artist and a 3d artist in terms of educational background:

Production Artist3D Artist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common majorGraphic DesignAnimation
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Production artist vs 3d artist demographics

Here are the differences between production artists' and 3d artists' demographics:

Production Artist3D Artist
Average age3840
Gender ratioMale, 57.2% Female, 42.8%Male, 83.9% Female, 16.1%
Race ratioBlack 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, 4.3% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.1% Asian, 7.6% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage13%11%

Differences between production artist and 3d artist duties and responsibilities

Production artist example responsibilities.

  • Manage print jobs, design, copywriting.
  • Produce and code HTML emails that are browser/email client-friendly, as well code landing pages in CSS.
  • Code web pages with HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and WordPress.
  • Update and maintain CMS website.
  • Work almost daily in the mac studio.
  • Submit sketch approvals to USDA for their review.
  • Show more

3d artist example responsibilities.

  • Create many MEL scripts to help automate routine daily tasks and improve overall productivity.
  • Write tools in Maxscript, MEL, javascript, python, and vbscript to automate repetitive processes.
  • Create high poly characters, props, and environments using organic and hard surface techniques in Zbrush and Maya.
  • Generate programs for CNC punch press.
  • Help team create nodes for nuke.
  • Contract as a 3D visualization designer & animator.
  • Show more

Production artist vs 3d artist skills

Common production artist skills
  • Graphic Design, 12%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 9%
  • Adobe Creative Suite, 7%
  • Adobe Illustrator, 7%
  • Adobe Indesign, 5%
  • Production Art, 5%
Common 3d artist skills
  • Animation, 13%
  • Unity, 11%
  • ZBrush, 6%
  • Game Engine, 5%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 4%
  • Concept Art, 3%

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