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Video game animator vs visual artist

The differences between video game animators 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 video game animator and a visual artist. Additionally, a visual artist has an average salary of $81,873, 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 visual artist are animation, maya, and visual development.

Video game animator vs visual artist overview

Video Game AnimatorVisual Artist
Yearly salary$81,133$81,873
Hourly rate$39.01$39.36
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs2,8867,209
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 80%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
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 visual artist do?

Visual artists are the type of artists that engage their audience through their eyes. This type of artist expresses their feelings in different ways. They can use any material to make their feelings known. Sometimes, they express their feelings using carved wood, digital imagery, and installations from objects they find randomly. They may use water vapor or bee pollen to let the world see their feelings, thoughts, and ideals. They can also choose to work independently or work with studios that produce cartoons, develop games, and have a fixed schedule to work on a project.

Video game animator vs visual artist salary

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

Video Game AnimatorVisual Artist
Average salary$81,133$81,873
Salary rangeBetween $48,000 And $135,000Between $52,000 And $127,000
Highest paying City-Sparks, NV
Highest paying state-Nevada
Best paying company-NVIDIA
Best paying industry--

Differences between video game animator and visual artist education

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

Video Game AnimatorVisual Artist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 80%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorAnimationFine Arts
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Video game animator vs visual artist demographics

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

Video Game AnimatorVisual Artist
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 81.4% Female, 18.6%Male, 59.5% Female, 40.5%
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, 4.4% 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 video game animator and visual 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

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

Video game animator vs visual artist skills

Common video game animator skills
  • Animation, 36%
  • Motion Capture, 26%
  • Maya, 23%
  • Unity, 5%
  • Character Animation, 4%
  • Photoshop, 3%
Common visual artist skills
  • Animation, 15%
  • Maya, 11%
  • Visual Development, 9%
  • Visual Effects, 7%
  • VFX, 6%
  • Motion Graphics, 5%

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