Special Effects Artists and Animators

Special effects artists and animators create two- and three-dimensional models, images that appear to move, and visual effects for television, movies, video games, and other forms of media.

Duties

Special effects artists and animators typically do the following:

• Use computer programs and illustrations to create graphics and animation (images that appear to move)
• Work with a team of animators and artists to create a movie, game, or visual effect
• Research upcoming projects to help create realistic designs or animation
• Edit animation and effects on the basis of feedback from directors, other animators, game designers, or clients
• Meet with clients, other animators, games designers, directors, and other staff (which may include actors) to review deadlines and development timelines

Special effects artists and animators often work in a specific medium. Some focus on creating animated movies or video games. Others create visual effects for movies and television shows. Creating computer-generated images (known as CGI) may include taking images of an actor’s movements and then animating them into three-dimensional characters. Other animators design scenery or backgrounds for locations.

Artists and animators can further specialize within these fields. Within animated movies and video games, artists often specialize in characters or in scenery and background design. Video game artists may focus on level design: creating the look, feel, and layout for the levels of a video game.

Animators work in teams to develop a movie, a visual effect, or an electronic game. Each animator works on a portion of the project, and then the pieces are put together to create one cohesive animation.

Some special effects artists and animators create their work primarily by using computer software or by writing their own computer code. Many animation companies have their own computer animation software that artists must learn to use. Video game designers also work in a variety of platforms, including mobile gaming and online social networks.

Other artists and animators prefer to work by drawing and painting by hand and then translating the resulting images into computer programs. Some special effects artists use storyboards or “animatics,” which look like a comic strip, to help visualize the final product during the design process.

Many special effects artists and animators put their creative work on the Internet. If the images become popular, these artists can gain more recognition, which may lead to future employment or freelance work.

Special effects artists and animators held about 57,100 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of special effects artists and animators were as follows:

Many artists and animators work in offices; others work from home.

Work Schedules

Most special effects artists and animators work a regular schedule; however, when deadlines are approaching, they may need to work nights and weekends.

Special effects artists and animators typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer graphics, art, or a related field to develop both a portfolio of work and the technical skills that many employers prefer.

The median annual wage for special effects artists and animators was $99,800 in May 2024.

Employment of special effects artists and animators is projected to show little or no change from 2024 to 2034.

Despite limited employment growth, about 5,000 openings for special effects artists and animators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.