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Visual artist vs 3d artist

The differences between visual artists and 3d 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 visual artist and a 3d artist. Additionally, a visual artist has an average salary of $81,873, which is higher than the $74,721 average annual salary of a 3d artist.

The top three skills for a visual artist include animation, maya and visual development. The most important skills for a 3d artist are animation, unity, and zbrush.

Visual artist vs 3d artist overview

Visual Artist3D Artist
Yearly salary$81,873$74,721
Hourly rate$39.36$35.92
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs7,2093,978
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

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.

What does a 3d artist do?

A 3D Artist uses complex software to develop graphics and animations for use in various media, such as video games, television shows, and multimedia presentations. They often work in teams, dividing project workloads in accordance to strengths.

Visual artist vs 3d artist salary

Visual artists and 3d artists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Visual Artist3D Artist
Average salary$81,873$74,721
Salary rangeBetween $52,000 And $127,000Between $47,000 And $116,000
Highest paying CitySparks, NVSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNevadaNevada
Best paying companyNVIDIAMeta
Best paying industry-Utilities

Differences between visual artist and 3d artist education

There are a few differences between a visual artist and a 3d artist in terms of educational background:

Visual Artist3D Artist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common majorFine ArtsAnimation
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Visual artist vs 3d artist demographics

Here are the differences between visual artists' and 3d artists' demographics:

Visual Artist3D Artist
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 59.5% Female, 40.5%Male, 83.9% Female, 16.1%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.1% Asian, 7.6% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between visual artist and 3d artist duties and responsibilities

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

3d artist example responsibilities.

  • Create many MEL scripts to help automate routine daily tasks and improve overall productivity.
  • Write tools in Maxscript, MEL, javascript, python, and vbscript to automate repetitive processes.
  • Create high poly characters, props, and environments using organic and hard surface techniques in Zbrush and Maya.
  • Generate programs for CNC punch press.
  • Help team create nodes for nuke.
  • Contract as a 3D visualization designer & animator.
  • Show more

Visual artist vs 3d artist skills

Common visual artist skills
  • Animation, 15%
  • Maya, 11%
  • Visual Development, 9%
  • Visual Effects, 7%
  • VFX, 6%
  • Motion Graphics, 5%
Common 3d artist skills
  • Animation, 13%
  • Unity, 11%
  • ZBrush, 6%
  • Game Engine, 5%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 4%
  • Concept Art, 3%

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