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Multimedia Artist or Animator

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What is a Multimedia Artist or Animator?

Job Description: Create special effects, animation, or other visual images using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products or creations, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.

A Day in the Life of a Multimedia Artist or Animator

  • Design complex graphics and animation, using independent judgment, creativity, and computer equipment.
  • Script, plan, and create animated narrative sequences under tight deadlines, using computer software and hand drawing techniques.
  • Apply story development, directing, cinematography, and editing to animation to create storyboards that show the flow of the animation and map out key scenes and characters.
  • Assemble, typeset, scan and produce digital camera-ready art or film negatives and printer’s proofs.
  • Create and install special effects as required by the script, mixing chemicals and fabricating needed parts from wood, metal, plaster, and clay.
  • Convert real objects to animated objects through modeling, using techniques such as optical scanning.

Multimedia Artist or Animator Required Skills

When polled, Multimedia Artists and Animators say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

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.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

  • Multimedia Developer
  • Multimedia Technician
  • Motion Pictures Cartoonist
  • Illustrator
  • Production Assistant

Is There Job Demand for Multimedia Artists and Animators?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 73,700 jobs in the United States for Multimedia Artist or Animator. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 6,200 new jobs for Multimedia Artist or Animator by 2026. There will be an estimated 6,600 positions for Multimedia Artist or Animator per year.

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The states with the most job growth for Multimedia Artist or Animator are Utah, Washington, and Georgia. Watch out if you plan on working in South Dakota, Rhode Island, or North Dakota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

What is the Average Salary of a Multimedia Artist or Animator

The typical yearly salary for Multimedia Artists and Animators is somewhere between $40,870 and $124,310.

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Multimedia Artists and Animators who work in Connecticut, Washington, or District of Columbia, make the highest salaries.

How much do Multimedia Artists and Animators make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $60,060
Arizona $63,920
Arkansas $59,610
California $87,960
Colorado $68,160
Connecticut $102,630
District of Columbia $89,210
Florida $62,330
Georgia $62,000
Hawaii $71,300
Idaho $76,040
Illinois $61,440
Indiana $53,780
Iowa $53,430
Kansas $64,280
Kentucky $65,820
Louisiana $60,850
Maine $57,600
Maryland $60,850
Massachusetts $71,210
Michigan $60,140
Minnesota $61,550
Missouri $59,930
Montana $48,900
Nebraska $50,650
Nevada $63,420
New Jersey $79,850
New Mexico $57,280
New York $86,490
North Carolina $74,130
North Dakota $72,550
Ohio $55,670
Oklahoma $53,640
Oregon $72,190
Pennsylvania $68,580
South Carolina $36,270
South Dakota $44,340
Tennessee $64,570
Texas $82,940
Utah $74,450
Virginia $65,430
Washington $90,700
Wisconsin $55,600

Tools & Technologies Used by Multimedia Artists and Animators

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Multimedia Artists and Animators:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Hypertext Markup Language HTML
  • JavaScript
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Python
  • jQuery
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
  • Microsoft Visio
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
  • Extensible Markup Language XML
  • UNIX
  • Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
  • PHP: Hypertext preprocessor
  • C
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
  • YouTube

How do I Become a Multimedia Artist or Animator?

What kind of Multimedia Artist or Animator requirements are there?

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Where do Multimedia Artists and Animators Work?

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The table below shows the approximate number of Multimedia Artists and Animators employed by various industries.

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References:

Image Credit: Szilas in the Budapest Museum of Applied Arts via Public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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