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Video game animator vs senior artist

The differences between video game animators and senior 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 video game animator and a senior artist. Additionally, a senior artist has an average salary of $83,394, which is higher than the $81,133 average annual salary of a video game animator.

The top three skills for a video game animator include animation, motion capture and maya. The most important skills for a senior artist are maya, animation, and AAA.

Video game animator vs senior artist overview

Video Game AnimatorSenior Artist
Yearly salary$81,133$83,394
Hourly rate$39.01$40.09
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs2,8863,665
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 80%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

What does a video game animator do?

This is a multimedia artist and animator with a specialty in video games. They use a combination of arts and technology to create special effects, interactive animated images, and an environment for video games. They are expected to work alongside other departments to ensure that all visual artwork meets the specifications of clients. They are responsible for researching trends in video game animation, as well as statistics and techniques. Additionally, they may have to compile briefs and reports and even present your ideas and research findings before potential investors.

What does a senior artist do?

A senior artist has a variety of duties and responsibilities. These include designing all the concept art, online advertising assets, and graphics, designing and creating marketing brochures, invitations, greeting cards, and other materials, and creating the process for different artwork. Additionally, you will be responsible for identifying client objectives and translating them into an efficient multimedia solution. As a senior artist, you are also expected to create original graphics and user interfaces for multimedia projects.

Video game animator vs senior artist salary

Video game animators and senior artists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Video Game AnimatorSenior Artist
Average salary$81,133$83,394
Salary rangeBetween $48,000 And $135,000Between $54,000 And $128,000
Highest paying City-Reno, NV
Highest paying state-Nevada
Best paying company-Meta
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between video game animator and senior artist education

There are a few differences between a video game animator and a senior artist in terms of educational background:

Video Game AnimatorSenior Artist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 80%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorAnimationGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Video game animator vs senior artist demographics

Here are the differences between video game animators' and senior artists' demographics:

Video Game AnimatorSenior Artist
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 81.4% Female, 18.6%Male, 71.8% Female, 28.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 7.7% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.0% Asian, 7.6% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between video game animator and senior artist duties and responsibilities

Video game animator example responsibilities.

  • Lead a team of artists to create the art and animation for motion comics aspects of the show.
  • Provide technical support in Autodesk Maya.
  • Work with engineers to develop process, using Maya.
  • Lay out and optimize UV's for realtime rendering.
  • Direct, texture, animate, and provide VFX for a visually provocative commercial.
  • Create UV maps and unique and/or tiling textures in various styles for game assets.
  • Show more

Senior artist example responsibilities.

  • Lead a team of artists to create a series of space adventure games for the PC.
  • Edit video, write copy for television, radio, and web-base commercials while managing the scheduling of all studio employees.
  • Maintain servers, install software packages for Apple/Mac base computers and maintain editing suites for video and audio production.
  • Design and programme pop-ups using HTML.
  • Mentore team members and conduct Zbrush training.
  • Edit footage, and photography base on authentic styles.
  • Show more

Video game animator vs senior artist skills

Common video game animator skills
  • Animation, 36%
  • Motion Capture, 26%
  • Maya, 23%
  • Unity, 5%
  • Character Animation, 4%
  • Photoshop, 3%
Common senior artist skills
  • Maya, 12%
  • Animation, 7%
  • AAA, 7%
  • ZBrush, 6%
  • In-Game, 6%
  • VFX, 5%

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