Special Effects Artists & Animators

Also called: 3D Artist (Three-Dimensional Artist), Animator, Artist

Career Cluster: Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications
What 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.
On the job, you would:
  • 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.
Knowledge icon KNOWLEDGE

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

Basic Skills
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • reading work related information
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Abilities Image ABILITIES

Ideas and Logic
  • notice when problems happen
  • use rules to solve problems
Verbal
  • listen and understand what people say
  • communicate by speaking
Personality Image PERSONALITY

People interested in this work like activities that include creating, designing, and making your own rules.

They do well at jobs that need:
  • Innovation
  • Intellectual Curiosity
  • Attention to Detail
  • Achievement Orientation
  • Adaptability
  • Dependability
Technology Image TECHNOLOGY

You might use software like this on the job:

Development environment software
  • Adobe ActionScript
  • C
Graphics or photo imaging software
  • Adobe Creative Cloud software
  • Trimble SketchUp Pro
Video creation and editing software
  • Adobe After Effects
  • YouTube
Education Image EDUCATION

Wizard Logo
Wizard Logo
Wizard Logo
Wizard Logo

bachelor's degree or some college
usually needed
SEARCH ALL PROGRAMS & MAJORS SEARCH COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES
Job Outlook Image JOB OUTLOOK

New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

Salary:
High: $174,630.00
Median: $99,800.00
Low: $57,220.00
FASTEST GROWING JOBS IN VIRGINIA