What Do Multimedia Artist or Animator Do?
Occupation 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.
List of Multimedia Artist or Animator Job Duties
- 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.
- Create pen-and-paper images to be scanned, edited, colored, textured, or animated by computer.
- Script, plan, and create animated narrative sequences under tight deadlines, using computer software and hand drawing techniques.
- 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.
- Assemble, typeset, scan and produce digital camera-ready art or film negatives and printer’s proofs.
- Implement and maintain configuration control systems.
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What Every Multimedia Artist or Animator Should Know
These are the skills Multimedia Artists and Animators say are the most useful in their careers:
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.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Production Assistant
- Computer Graphic Artist
- Multimedia Technician
- Multimedia Specialist
- Interactive Designer
Job Outlook for Multimedia Artists and Animators
In the United States, there were 73,700 jobs for Multimedia Artist or Animator in 2016. 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. The BLS estimates 6,600 yearly job openings in this field.

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.
Salary for a Multimedia Artist or Animator
The typical yearly salary for Multimedia Artists and Animators is somewhere between $40,870 and $124,310.

Multimedia Artists and Animators who work in Connecticut, Washington, or District of Columbia, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Multimedia Artists and Animators in different U.S. states.
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
Becoming a Multimedia Artist or Animator
Learn what Multimedia Artist or Animator education requirements there are.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Multimedia Artist or Animator?

Where do Multimedia Artists and Animators Work?

Below are examples of industries where Multimedia Artists and Animators work:

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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