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.
Visual artist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real visual artist resumes:
- 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.
- Streamline the VFX art request process to avoid some requests getting lose or undelivered in time for release.
- Collaborate cross departmentally to develop VFX with proprietary software.
- Work under time-sensitive deadlines to develop two-minute stories for animation.
- Construct digital sets with different environments and backgrounds for rendering and animation.
- Collaborate with clients to develop creative solutions for a diverse portfolio of communications and marketing projects.
- Edit and create graphics for the boxers opening video and create the main title sequence http: //www.youtube.com/watch? v=ZARk6e6O5w4
- Develop music-arts curriculum, and partner as teaching artist-in-residence at public schools throughout the NYC.
- Create fine art paintings & murals as part of a collective for corporate clients in NYC and all over the USA/world.
- Collaborate with clients to develop creative solutions for a diverse portfolio of communications and marketing projects.
Visual artist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 15% of Visual Artists are proficient in Animation, Maya, and Visual Development. They’re also known for soft skills such as Artistic talent, Communication skills, and Computer skills.
We break down the percentage of Visual Artists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Animation, 15%
Constructed digital sets with different environments and backgrounds for rendering and animation.
- Maya, 11%
Generated motion graphics, matte extractions, and 3d animations for live action educational games utilizing Maya and After Effects.
- Visual Development, 9%
Freelance Visual Development Artist on LEGO 2 - involved with creating concept art, environment and character designs.
- Visual Effects, 7%
Use of expression codes to drive 3D Geometry and particle for visual effects during mobile games development.
- VFX, 6%
Streamlined the VFX art request process to avoid some requests getting lost or undelivered in time for release.
- Motion Graphics, 5%
Created motion graphics on several marketing videos for multiple Fortune 100 companies.
"animation," "maya," and "visual development" are among the most common skills that visual artists use at work. You can find even more visual artist responsibilities below, including:
Artistic talent. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a visual artist to have is artistic talent. Their role and responsibilities require that "animators and artists should have artistic ability and a good understanding of color, texture, and light." Visual artists often use artistic talent in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "recruit and maintain contact with talent for community annual fine arts festival. "
Computer skills. visual artists are also known for computer skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to visual artist responsibilities, because "many special effects artists and animators use computer programs or write programming code to do most of their work." A visual artist resume example shows how computer skills is used in the workplace: "created computer generated, 3 dimensional visual effects for feature film. "
Time-management skills. visual artist responsibilities often require "time-management skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "the workdays required by most studio and game design companies can be long, particularly when there are tight deadlines." This resume example shows what visual artists do with time-management skills on a typical day: "worked under time-sensitive deadlines to develop two-minute stories for animation. "
Creativity. A commonly-found skill in visual artist job descriptions, "creativity" is essential to what visual artists do. Visual artist responsibilities rely on this skill because "artists and animators must be able to think creatively to develop original ideas and make them come to life." You can also see how visual artist duties rely on creativity in this resume example: "install window displays, interior displays, and signage to reflect changes in inventory or promotion. '"
The three companies that hire the most visual artists are:
- Amazon4 visual artists jobs
- Activision Blizzard2 visual artists jobs
- Jacobs Engineering Group
2 visual artists jobs
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Visual artist vs. 3d modeler
A 3D modeler is responsible for designing project models by utilizing various software applications and computer tools to represent high-quality digital content that would help the team and clients visualize the object. 3D modelers work closely with the design team to evaluate ideas and identify its feasibility scope on an enhanced digital view, giving them the ability to adjust and revise structures as needed. A 3D modeler must have excellent technical and critical-thinking skills to understand the clients' specifications and recommend solutions through graphics analysis.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, visual artist responsibilities require skills like "maya," "visual development," "visual effects," and "motion graphics." Meanwhile a typical 3d modeler has skills in areas such as "visualization," "texture," "uv," and "auto cad." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
On average, 3d modelers reach similar levels of education than visual artists. 3d modelers are 2.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Visual artist vs. 3d animator
A 3D animator specializes in designing and developing 3D animation materials, adhering to the program or project's needs. They typically work together with a team of animators and producers in studios or offices. Most of the time, their responsibilities involve performing extensive research, creating drafts and storyboards, consulting with team members and editors, and performing revisions as needed. Furthermore, as a 3D animator, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, visual artist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "maya," "visual development," "visual effects," and "photography." Meanwhile, a 3d animator has duties that require skills in areas such as "storyboards," "visualization," "motion capture," and "game engine." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Average education levels between the two professions vary. 3d animators tend to reach similar levels of education than visual artists. In fact, they're 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for visual artists in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Sarah Satterfield Ph.D.
Department Chair Visual and Performing Arts, Professor of Music and Humanities, College of Central Florida
Visual artist vs. Character animator
A character animator specializes in developing life-like character designs for film, television, advertisements, and video games using special animation software. Their job usually entails understanding project requirements, conducting research, developing drafts and models, adding different effects to enhance designs, presenting designs to lead animators, and performing revisions when necessary. They are also responsible for adhering to deadlines and budgets, producing reports, and solving issues and concerns. Moreover, a character animator usually works in a team setting, which requires an open and transparent line of communication for a successful workflow.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a visual artist is likely to be skilled in "visual development," "visual effects," "photography," and "visual concepts," while a typical character animator is skilled in "character animation," "motion capture," "aaa," and "demo reel."
Most character animators achieve a similar degree level compared to visual artists. For example, they're 1.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Visual artist vs. Animator
The animators are specialized artists who conceptualized ideas from their creative minds with technology applications. Animators cater to different specialties depending on their expertise. They used multiple techniques and tools to create a digital masterpiece. An animator is required to have an excellent time and project management skills to meet deadlines. They should also be detail-oriented and technology savvy to keep up with the latest trend in the digital market. Animators are required to have regular communication with the respective department for the updates or adjustments as needed.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between visual artists and animators, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a visual artist might have more use for skills like "maya," "visual development," "visual effects," and "photography." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of animators require skills like "motion capture," "storyboards," "aaa," and "game engine. "
In general, animators hold similar degree levels compared to visual artists. Animators are 1.5% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of visual artist
Updated January 8, 2025











