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Special effects designer vs animation artist

The differences between special effects designers and animation artists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a special effects designer and an animation artist. Additionally, an animation artist has an average salary of $80,929, which is higher than the $71,523 average annual salary of a special effects designer.

Special effects designer vs animation artist overview

Special Effects DesignerAnimation Artist
Yearly salary$71,523$80,929
Hourly rate$34.39$38.91
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs54,3143,822
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

Special effects designer vs animation artist salary

Special effects designers and animation artists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Special Effects DesignerAnimation Artist
Average salary$71,523$80,929
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $125,000Between $52,000 And $125,000
Highest paying City-Las Vegas, NV
Highest paying state-Nevada
Best paying company-Microsoft
Best paying industry-Media

Differences between special effects designer and animation artist education

There are a few differences between a special effects designer and an animation artist in terms of educational background:

Special Effects DesignerAnimation Artist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorGraphic DesignAnimation
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Special effects designer vs animation artist demographics

Here are the differences between special effects designers' and animation artists' demographics:

Special Effects DesignerAnimation Artist
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 64.1% Female, 35.9%Male, 76.4% Female, 23.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.0% Asian, 7.6% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 7.7% White, 66.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between special effects designer and animation artist duties and responsibilities

Special effects designer example responsibilities.

  • Modify SRV-1 source code using JavaScript software to attain tracking at any instantaneous time.
  • Develop handbags from initial sketch through final product including material sourcing, development of prototypes, sampling and technical specifications.
  • Provide additional support with occasional photo and video shoots, video editing and animation.

Animation artist example responsibilities.

  • Edit video, write copy for television, radio, and web-base commercials while managing the scheduling of all studio employees.
  • Start using CSS for layout.
  • Produce storyboards and illustrations for film and print projects.
  • Use of HTML for webmastering and occasionally design ad campaigns.
  • Streamline workflow from legacy files to new creation in various multimedia softwares.
  • Work on various TV commercials consisting of animating, compositing, video editing, and VFX.
  • Show more

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