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The differences between visual designers and motion graphics designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a visual designer and a motion graphics designer. Additionally, a visual designer has an average salary of $86,495, which is higher than the $62,558 average annual salary of a motion graphics designer.
The top three skills for a visual designer include sketch, visual design and graphic design. The most important skills for a motion graphics designer are animation, style frames, and cinema.
| Visual Designer | Motion Graphics Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $86,495 | $62,558 |
| Hourly rate | $41.58 | $30.08 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 46,815 | 44,960 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A visual designer is someone who creates designs for a variety of platforms such as Internet and intranet sites, games, and wearables. The duties of visual designers depend on the specific project or industry in which they are working. Duties include creating user-centered interaction models, working with information technology and business teams to resolve complex issues, and designing logos, icons, and infographics. The qualifications to become a visual designer include possessing strong problem-solving, communication, and negotiation skills and obtaining a bachelor's degree in design.
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.
Visual designers and motion graphics designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Visual Designer | Motion Graphics Designer | |
| Average salary | $86,495 | $62,558 |
| Salary range | Between $51,000 And $143,000 | Between $44,000 And $87,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Bruno, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | ByteDance | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Start-up | Technology |
There are a few differences between a visual designer and a motion graphics designer in terms of educational background:
| Visual Designer | Motion Graphics Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between visual designers' and motion graphics designers' demographics:
| Visual Designer | Motion Graphics Designer | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.1% Female, 46.9% | Male, 78.4% Female, 21.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 10.4% White, 70.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 10.4% White, 70.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 13% | 13% |