Special Effects Artists & Animators

Also Called: Animator, Graphic Artist, Illustrator

Bachelor's Degree

usually needed

Not Available
(Students Only)
Match Percentage

$57,090

Entry Salary

Average

Job outlook

What Special Effects Artists & Animators do

Create special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.

  • Design complex graphics and animation, using independent judgment, creativity, and computer equipment.
  • Create basic designs, drawings, and illustrations for product labels, cartons, direct mail, or television.
  • Participate in design and production of multimedia campaigns, handling budgeting and scheduling, and assisting with such responsibilities as production coordination, background design, and progress tracking.
Industry Areas:

Advanced Manufacturing • Automotive & Machine Repair • Information Technology

Training Program Areas:

Drafting • OCT-Only Advanced Manufacturing • OCT-Only Information Technology • Visual Communications

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Electronic Mail
  • Face-to-Face Discussions
  • Spend Time Sitting
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  • Work With Work Group or Team

Tools

  • Graphics tablets
  • Digital cameras
  • Personal computers
  • Pressure stylus

Technology

Graphics or photo imaging software
Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Cloud
Trimble SketchUp Pro
Video creation and editing software
Adobe Systems Adobe AfterEffects
YouTube
Development environment software
C
XML User Interface XUI

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Speaking
  • Active Learning

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
computers and electronics
design
Arts and Humanities
English language
Communications
multimedia
telecommunications
Business
customer service

Education

  • % Bachelor's degree
  • % Some college, no degree
  • % High school diploma or equivalent

Experience

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

What are some related occupations at different educational levels?


Camera & Photographic Equipment Repairers

Educational Level

High School Diploma or Equivalent

 Job Training Match

Audiovisual Equipment Installers & Repairers

Educational Level

Post-secondary, non-degree

 Job Training Match

Camera Operators, Television, Video, & Film

Educational Level

Associate's Degree

 Job Training Match

Special Effects Artists & Animators Currently Selected

Educational Level

Bachelor's Degree

Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary

Educational Level

Advanced Degree

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Advanced Training

There are currently no advanced training opportunities for this career.

ACT & College

  • Abilene Christian University

    Abilene, TX

  • Academy of Interactive Entertainment

    Seattle, WA

Apprenticeships

Earn while you learn. Apprenticeships combines paid training & specialized classes to help workers enter highly skilled occupations. Click here for to locate an apprenticeship near you.

Military

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Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

    • Artistic (Creator)
    • Investigative (Thinker)

Work Styles

  • Attention to Detail
  • Cooperation
  • Integrity
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Dependability

Values

  • Independence
  • Achievement
  • Working Conditions

Abilities

  • Verbal
  • Ideas and Logic

This is what Special Effects Artists & Animators across the country typically make.

$27.45 / hour
$57,090 /year

Entry Level

$47.63 / hour
$99,060 /year

Median Level

$81.53 / hour
$169,580 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Average

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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