Special Effects Artists and Animators
What do they 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.
Also known as:
3D Animator (Three-Dimensional Animator), 3D Artist (Three-Dimensional Artist), Animation Producer, Animator, Artist, Digital Artist, Graphic Artist, Graphics Specialist, Illustrator, Media Producer, Motion Graphics Artist, Multimedia Artist, Multimedia Producer, Multimedia Specialist
Employment of Multimedia Artists and Animators is projected to grow 4 percent from 2018 to 2028, more slowly than average compared to all occupations.
Projected Employment Rankings For Virginia:
-
4.3%
Percent Change
Ranks #22 in job growth rate -
130
Annual Projected Job Openings
Ranks #14 in net job growth
Select Type of Degree:
Majors that prepare Special Effects Artists and Animators:
- Digital Arts (2,894)
- Drawing (319)
- Game and Interactive Media Design (1,992)
- Graphic Design (8,028)
- Intermedia/Multimedia (792)
- Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation (843)
★ Number of granted degrees for degree type, All, is listed after the major.
- Doctorate or Professional Degree (1.6%)
- Master's degree (13.4%)
- Bachelor's degree (43.6%)
- Associate's degree (8.2%)
- Some college, no degree (18.9%)
- High school diploma equivalent (11.6%)
- Less than high school diploma (2.7%)
Percent of workers in this field
★ You’re seeing education information for Special effects artists and animators(1) because we don’t have information for Special Effects Artists and Animators. Please note the information may not be the same for both occupations.Colleges with the most graduates that become Special Effects Artists and Animators:
- Savannah College of Art and Design
- Academy of Art University
- Full Sail University
- University of Central Florida
- Southern New Hampshire University
- The University of Texas at Dallas
Best colleges for Special Effects Artists and Animators:
- School of Visual Arts
- Maryland Institute College of Art
- Ringling College of Art and Design
- Pratt Institute-Main
- Savannah College of Art and Design
- Art Center College of Design
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People in this career often have these skills:
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
People in this career often know a lot about:
- Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
- English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
- Communications and Media - Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
- Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- Sales and Marketing - Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
People in this career often have talent in:
- Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
- Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
- Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
People in this career often do these activities:
- Create computer-generated graphics or animation.
- Develop artistic or design concepts for decoration, exhibition, or commercial purposes.
- Coordinate logistics for productions or events.
- Draw detailed or technical illustrations.
- Construct distinctive physical objects for artistic, functional, or commercial purposes.
- Prepare production storyboards.
This page includes data from:
Career data: O*NET 26.3 Database
by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (“USDOL/ETA”). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA
Occupation statistics: USDOL U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics
Videos: CareerOneStop, USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development
