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Special effects designer vs lead artist

The differences between special effects designers and lead 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 a lead artist. Additionally, a lead artist has an average salary of $83,041, which is higher than the $71,523 average annual salary of a special effects designer.

Special effects designer vs lead artist overview

Special Effects DesignerLead Artist
Yearly salary$71,523$83,041
Hourly rate$34.39$39.92
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs54,3144,799
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

Special effects designer vs lead artist salary

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

Special Effects DesignerLead Artist
Average salary$71,523$83,041
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $125,000Between $53,000 And $128,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-Nevada
Best paying company-Meta
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between special effects designer and lead artist education

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

Special Effects DesignerLead Artist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common majorGraphic DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Special effects designer vs lead artist demographics

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

Special Effects DesignerLead Artist
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 64.1% Female, 35.9%Male, 69.5% Female, 30.5%
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, 4.3% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.0% Asian, 7.6% White, 67.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between special effects designer and lead 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.

Lead artist example responsibilities.

  • Edit video, write copy for television, radio, and web-base commercials while managing the scheduling of all studio employees.
  • Model, texture, light, and render with Maya and proprietary tools.
  • Establish a standard level of quality for asset creation while enforcing efficiency of polygon and texture usage.
  • Create various assets for a number of PC titles.
  • Model, texture and direct outsourcing efforts for 3d environmental assets.
  • Color guides with lights/shadows, perspective, and composition help visually engage the audience in the final animation.
  • Show more

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