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What does a Technical Artist do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted Expert
Rev.Henry Parker

Technical artists are employees with an artistic streak and an in-depth knowledge of programming. They are usually employed to work on video games and other related media. They are expected to understand the technical aspects of both sides of the project: the art and the system behind it. They are involved in the creation of storyboards, art palettes, and animation schemes. They are also involved in the creation of the codes and programs to make the video game work. As such, they know how to balance the needs of both sides. They should be able to determine the feasibility of various elements in the project.

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Technical artist responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real technical artist resumes:

  • Manage Unity3D assets for game prototype.
  • Write tools in Maxscript, MEL, javascript, python, and vbscript to automate repetitive processes.
  • Create 2D / 3D art assets for PC and PlayStation 3 video games.
  • Fill numerous roles as needed from UI & FX, to environment art, implementation, and tool authoring.
  • Design, develop and support software tools for animation production pipeline.
  • Write tools in Mel for the art team.
  • Design and animate various FX for Samsung NFL commercial.
  • Utilize Photoshop and Zbrush for texture mapping and normal mapping.
  • Animate and render various atmospheric FX for a Nike commercial.
  • Solve various issues with import animations and provide MEL tool scripts.
  • Work with Autodesk for Maya API tools-development and resolving Maya bugs.
  • Script cinematic cutscenes, boss fights and player interactions using Lua.
  • Spearhead UX prototyping and development for majority of projects work on.
  • Assemble functional menus and implement designs for the front-end and in-game UI.
  • Create particle VFX for environments and game assets using in-house particle tool.

Technical artist skills and personality traits

We calculated that 17% of Technical Artists are proficient in Python, Animation, and C++. They’re also known for soft skills such as Artistic talent, Communication skills, and Computer skills.

We break down the percentage of Technical Artists that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Python, 17%

    Created scripts and tools using C# and Python.

  • Animation, 10%

    Designed, developed and supported software tools for animation production pipeline.

  • C++, 8%

    Implemented and debugged code in large code base with ActionScript & C++.

  • Unity, 7%

    Provided key insight into Unity technology and capabilities.

  • MEL, 6%

    Created tools to assist all Maya dependant departments in creation of pipeline ready assets using MEL.

  • Game Development, 4%

    Experience with rigging characters such as biped, quadruped, creatures, facial rigs, and robotics for game development.

"python," "animation," and "c++" are among the most common skills that technical artists use at work. You can find even more technical artist responsibilities below, including:

Artistic talent. The most essential soft skill for a technical artist to carry out their responsibilities is artistic talent. This skill is important for the role because "animators and artists should have artistic ability and a good understanding of color, texture, and light." Additionally, a technical artist resume shows how their duties depend on artistic talent: "maintained a record of musical artists and of other talent profiles on myspace, youtube and other social networking sites. "

Computer skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of technical artists is computer skills. This skill is critical to many everyday technical artist duties, as "many special effects artists and animators use computer programs or write programming code to do most of their work." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "created vehicle models, terrain environments for a computer based training module using the torque game engine. "

Time-management skills. For certain technical artist responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "time-management skills." The day-to-day duties of a technical artist rely on this skill, as "the workdays required by most studio and game design companies can be long, particularly when there are tight deadlines." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what technical artists do: "assisted lead modeler, texture assets used for animation, met goals and deadlines. "

Creativity. Another common skill required for technical artist responsibilities is "creativity." This skill comes up in the duties of technical artists all the time, as "artists and animators must be able to think creatively to develop original ideas and make them come to life." An excerpt from a real technical artist resume shows how this skill is central to what a technical artist does: "design complex graphics and animation, using independent judgment, and creativity. "

Most common technical artist skills

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Compare different technical artists

Technical artist vs. Associate designer

An Associate Designer helps in developing sketches on paper and in graphic design software. They usually are supervised by the junior staff and interns.

The annual salary of associate designers is $33,922 lower than the average salary of technical artists.Even though technical artists and associate designers are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require ui, prototyping, and facebook in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, technical artist responsibilities require skills like "python," "animation," "c++," and "c #." Meanwhile a typical associate designer has skills in areas such as "customer service," "design projects," "human centered design," and "space planning." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Associate designers earn the highest salaries when working in the retail industry, with an average yearly salary of $61,366. On the other hand, technical artists are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $103,118.On average, associate designers reach similar levels of education than technical artists. Associate designers are 2.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Technical artist vs. Freelance designer

Freelance designers are creative, independent contractors who create visual and graphic designs for their clients. They develop text and illustrated versions of brands, messages, and communications with strong visible influence with their clients. Typical activities include networking, seeking projects, and negotiating prices to their customers. They manage client proposals, develop concepts, present solutions, and ensure the timely completion of projects. Freelance visual and graphic designers are creative, self-motivated as well as result and deadline oriented.

On average, freelance designers earn a $33,432 lower salary than technical artists a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Technical artists and freelance designers both require similar skills like "javascript," "facebook," and "user interface" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that technical artist responsibilities requires skills like "python," "animation," "c++," and "c #." But a freelance designer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "adobe illustrator," "photography," "art direction," and "website design."

Average education levels between the two professions vary. Freelance designers tend to reach similar levels of education than technical artists. In fact, they're 2.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Technical Artists in the next 3-5 years?

Rev.Henry ParkerRev.Henry Parker LinkedIn Profile

Fine Arts, Arkansas Baptist College

They are immerging technologies in the area of virtual communication, digital arts, and virtual music collaboration.
One company making inroads is "Audiomovers." They have developed a VST for digital audio workstations (DAW) with low latency across the web. This allows real-time listening and recording virtually.

Technical artist vs. Motion graphics designer

A motion graphic designer specializes in producing artworks used in television, film, and web. Their responsibilities often revolve around submitting within a deadline, attending creative meetings, collaborating with fellow designers, following directives from clients, producing trial designs, and editing them in adherence to senior designers or clients' recommendations. There are also instances when a motion graphic designer must manage documentation, address inquiries and concerns, and report to higher-ranking personnel. Furthermore, one may choose to work for a company or independently.

On average scale, motion graphics designers bring in lower salaries than technical artists. In fact, they earn a $28,134 lower salary per year.Using the responsibilities included on technical artists and motion graphics designers resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "animation," "vfx," and "ui.rdquo;

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, technical artists are more likely to have skills like "python," "c++," "c #," and "unity." But a motion graphics designer is more likely to have skills like "style frames," "filmmaking," "cinema," and "video content."

Motion graphics designers earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $66,825. Technical artists earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $103,118.motion graphics designers typically earn similar educational levels compared to technical artists. Specifically, they're 1.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Technical artist vs. Junior designer

A junior designer is an entry-level professional who is responsible for creating high-quality designs according to the requirements of clients. Under the supervision of senior designers, junior designers must understand project requirements and projects and use various techniques to create drafts, models, and prototypes. They collaborate with team members to pitch in creative ideas and produce final design solutions that can include banners or logos. Junior designers must also take on specially design tasks and use feedback from other designers to improve.

Junior designers tend to earn a lower pay than technical artists by an average of $37,343 per year.While their salaries may vary, technical artists and junior designers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "facebook," "user interface," and "adobe photoshop. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between technical artists and junior designers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a technical artist might have more use for skills like "python," "animation," "c++," and "c #." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of junior designers require skills like "graphic design," "revit," "design projects," and "construction drawings. "

Junior designers enjoy the best pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $55,726. For comparison, technical artists earn the highest salary in the technology industry.In general, junior designers hold similar degree levels compared to technical artists. Junior designers are 3.2% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of technical artist

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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.

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