Overview
Responsibilities
T-A-S-K
Education
Income & Employability
Video Resources
Related Careers

Description

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.

Interests

Work Values

  • Independence
  • Achievement
  • Working Conditions

Learn More about Work Values

Work Styles

  • Attention to Detail
  • Cooperation
  • Integrity
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Adaptability/Flexibility

Learn More about Work Styles

Tasks

  • 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.
  • Create two-dimensional and three-dimensional images depicting objects in motion or illustrating a process, using computer animation or modeling programs.
  • Make objects or characters appear lifelike by manipulating light, color, texture, shadow, and transparency, or manipulating static images to give the illusion of motion.

Work Activities

  • Thinking Creatively
  • Working with Computers
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Getting Information
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Detailed Work Activities

  • Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
  • Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Technology Skills

  • Graphics or photo imaging software
  • Video creation and editing software
  • Development environment software
  • Web platform development software
  • Computer aided design CAD software

Abilities

  • Oral Comprehension
  • Oral Expression
  • Visualization
  • Written Comprehension
  • Near Vision

Skills

  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Speaking
  • Active Learning

Knowledge

  • Computers and Electronics
  • English Language
  • Design
  • Communications and Media
  • Customer and Personal Service

Most Common Education Level

The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.

Certificates

Certificate name

Adobe Dreamweaver CS5

Certifying Organization

Adobe Systems Incorporated

Type

Product/Equipment

Certifying Organization

Adobe Systems Incorporated

Type

Product/Equipment

Certificate name

Adobe InDesign CS6

Certifying Organization

Adobe Systems Incorporated

Type

Product/Equipment

Certificate name

Adobe Digital Publishing

Certifying Organization

Adobe Systems Incorporated

Type

Product/Equipment

Certificate name

Adobe Lightroom 5 ACE

Certifying Organization

Adobe Systems Incorporated

Type

Product/Equipment

Income Percentile

The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.

Income PercentileAnnual Income
Low (10%)$59,342
Median (50%)$90,690
High (90%)$137,020

Income by Experience

This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).

ExperienceIncome
Entry Level $64,433
Mid Level $91,501
Senior Level $103,013
Expert Level $125,464

Employability

There are currently 73,300 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 76,400 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 4%.

The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.

Projected Job Growth of 4%

Related Careers

The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.

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