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Special effects artist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical special effects artist skills. We ranked the top skills for special effects artists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 22.6% of special effects artist resumes contained animation as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a special effects artist needs to be successful in the workplace.

11 special effects artist skills for your resume and career

1. Animation

Here's how special effects artists use animation:

Composited animation and added effects for "Nate the Great" TV series for PBS
Create two-dimensional and three-dimensional images depicting objects in motion or illustrating a process, using computer animation or modeling programs.

2. Maya

Maya, also known as Autodesk Maya, is a software and a graphics application used to create 3D models, effects, and assets intended for use in such 3D products as video games, films, architectural plans and models, and other, often interactive, pieces of media. Maya has, since the late 90s, become a standard and one of the core tools in the film and video game industries, has become a part of the primary learning curriculum in schools devoted to these crafts, and has been used in many famous movies, such as Lord of the Rings.

Here's how special effects artists use maya:

Set aside our Maya pipeline to use 3DS MAX.
Composed reference material and tutorials for utilizing Maya with the Elemental proprietary game engine.

3. Graphic Design

Graphic design is the art of making visual content to communicate messages. Designers apply different page layout methods and visual hierarchy by using letters and pictures to meet the need of end-users. Most companies use graphic design to sell their product or services and to convey complicated information by using infographics.

Here's how special effects artists use graphic design:

Created innovative graphic design projects for high profile external Coca-Cola customers.
Trained new artists, developed new properties/projects, graphic design, administrative tasks.

4. VFX

Visual effects or, as it is known more often, VFX is a term used to describe the special imagery as well as the process of creating and applying said effects onto a visual piece of media, such as a photograph, a video, or a film. VFX is used in filmmaking to replace activities, actions, settings, objects, and animals that would otherwise be too expensive or dangerous or otherwise difficult to work with, create, or use.

Here's how special effects artists use vfx:

Initiated transition to VFX GUI which greatly improved efficiency.
Trained KS art team in VFX and to mentor with technical expertise and art guidance.

5. Motion Graphics

Here's how special effects artists use motion graphics:

Collaborated with graphic designers and editors to develop motion graphics and animations for entire show packages.
Delivered motion graphics and high resolution 3D assets for interactive prototypes and creative business proposals.

6. FX

Here's how special effects artists use fx:

Lead FX artist in creation, development, and implementation of particle flow and rigid body simulations to production pipeline.
Provided image consulting and life coaching services as well as provided beauty and FX makeup.

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7. CG

CG stands for computer graphics. Computer graphics deals with creating images with the assistance of computers. Computer graphics is an essential technology in digital photography, films, video games, cell phone and computer display, and many exclusive applications.

Here's how special effects artists use cg:

Synchronized files with animators and compositors Created / enhanced particle effects and hair styling / simulation for lead CG character
Worked extensively with CG supervisors in developing motion graphic content within feature films.

8. Prosthetics

Here's how special effects artists use prosthetics:

Document and report all damaged masks, costumes and prosthetic applications as a result 0f daily wear and tear.
Applied touch-ups to actors while acting, and properly removed prosthetic masks after shifts.

9. Feature Film

A feature film is a film with a playing time long enough to be deemed the main or the soul movie to fill a program. The term feature film was first used for the main, full-length film in a cinema program that included a short film and sometimes a newsreel. The notion of how long a feature film should be varies according to time and place but most feature films are between 75 and 210 minutes long.

Here's how special effects artists use feature film:

Worked on feature film projects such as Fat Albert and Jester Till.
Proposed Custom Character Designs for Feature Film Projects.

10. Unreal Engine

Unreal Engine refers to a software framework responsible for several well-known video games, such as Fortnite, Borderlands 3, and Hellblade. This software excels in 3D rendering and realistic animation for video games, making it one of the most popular game engines for game developers today. This framework can also be used to develop 3D renderings of still spaces, such as potential apartment furnishings and completed construction sites.

Here's how special effects artists use unreal engine:

Worked with startup game studio on various titles, Made particle effects, Coded in Unreal Engine BluePrinting.
Worked in a team to create 3D Environments in Unreal Engine for a virtual reality simulation.

11. Sound Effects

Here's how special effects artists use sound effects:

Evaluated Sound Effects Libraries and delivery systems. "
Record needed sounds, or obtain them from sound effects libraries.

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List of special effects artist skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a special effects artist resume and required skills for a special effects artist to have include:

Animation
Maya
Graphic Design
VFX

Motion Graphics
FX
CG
Prosthetics

Feature Film
Unreal Engine
Sound Effects

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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