Special Effects Artists and Animators – Creative Careers Studio

Special effects artists and animators spend their days designing and creating visual effects for film, television, or video games, using tools like CGI, practical effects, or digital animation. They collaborate closely with directors and other creatives to bring imaginative concepts to life, often working long hours to meet tight deadlines and achieve high-quality results.

Quiz Matches

What kind of personality tends to excel in this career?

Ideas

Creations

How much this role requires you to be outspoken and in the spotlight.

Independent

Collaborative

How often you’ll have to work with others

Introvert

Extrovert

How often you’ll be coming up with big ideas versus making ideas reality.

Routine

Variety

How much your tasks change day by day

Screen Time

How much of your day is spent working at a desk on a computer.

Average Salary in SC

$51,380

Education Level

4 year degree recommended

Alternate Titles

3D Animator
3D Artist
Animator
Artist
Digital Artist
Graphic Artist
Motion Graphics Artist
Multimedia Producer

More Details

Skills

Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Speaking
Active Learning

Activities

Thinking Creatively
Working with Computers
Communicating with Colleagues
Getting Information
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Work Styles

Attention to Detail
Cooperation
Integrity
Achievement/Effort
Adaptability/Flexibilty

Professional Associations

ACM SIGGRAPH
American Film Institute
Association for Computing Machinery
Comic Art Professional Society
National Association of Schools of Art and Design

Related High School Courses

Art and Design Courses
Introduction to Art
Drawing and Painting
3D Design Technology and Animation Courses

Digital Art Graphic Design
Animation

Computer Science Media and Communication Courses
Media Production

Visual Communication Other Useful Courses
Art History
Creative Writing
Mathematics (geometry, trignometry)

College Majors to Consider

Animation
Character Animation
Computer Science
Digital Arts
Digital Media
Film And Media Studies
Fine Art
Game Design
Graphic Design
Illustration
Motion Graphics
Production Design
Sequential Art
Visual Effects

Jobs, Internships, Apprenticeships

Jobs
Freelance Animator
Assistant at a Local Production Studio
Theater Production Crew
Retail Job at a Craft or Hobby Store

Internships
Animation Studio Internship
Post-Production Internship
Game Development Internship
Film Production Internship

Apprenticeships
Special Effects Makeup Apprenticeship
Model-Making Apprenticeship
3D Animation Apprenticeship
VFX Apprenticeship

Other Learning Opportunities
Online Courses and Tutorials
Create a YouTube Channel or Portfolio
Join a School or Community Film Club
Participate in Film and Animation Competitions

Profile of the SC Graduate

Express Ideas
Use Sources

Learn more about the Profile of the SC Graduate here.

Explore creative careers