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Special effects designer vs visual artist

The differences between special effects designers and visual 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 visual artist. Additionally, a visual artist has an average salary of $81,873, which is higher than the $71,523 average annual salary of a special effects designer.

Special effects designer vs visual artist overview

Special Effects DesignerVisual Artist
Yearly salary$71,523$81,873
Hourly rate$34.39$39.36
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs54,3147,209
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

Special effects designer vs visual artist salary

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

Special Effects DesignerVisual Artist
Average salary$71,523$81,873
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $125,000Between $52,000 And $127,000
Highest paying City-Sparks, NV
Highest paying state-Nevada
Best paying company-NVIDIA
Best paying industry--

Differences between special effects designer and visual artist education

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

Special Effects DesignerVisual Artist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorGraphic DesignFine Arts
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Special effects designer vs visual artist demographics

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

Special Effects DesignerVisual Artist
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 64.1% Female, 35.9%Male, 59.5% Female, 40.5%
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, 4.4% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 7.8% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between special effects designer and visual 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.

Visual artist example responsibilities.

  • Edit video, write copy for television, radio, and web-base commercials while managing the scheduling of all studio employees.
  • Design creative materials, including advertisements, media kits, logo and promotional materials for several collaborative projects.
  • Model, texture and integrate 3D mesh FX with 3DSMax
  • Modele and shade 3D facial replacements and simulate smoke effects in Maya.
  • Design texture sheets and unique materials and shaders for particles and mesh FX.
  • Used Maya and Photoshop to create matte paintings and landscape environment using modeling and camera projection techniques.
  • Show more

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