Digital Art Career Pathways and Salaries

Looking Forward to making a career in the Digital Arts Field? If yes, then explore the different fields of Digital Art and the average annual salaries.

Sun Jun 5, 2022

Digital Art Career Pathways and Salaries

Digital Art is one of the fastest-growing segments in the recent few years and more and more budding artists are becoming a part of the field. However, when it comes to making a career in the field, a large proportion of these artists are unaware of the career options available in this field, and they are unaware of the average annual salaries of the field. If you too are one of those individuals who lack the complete knowledge of the Digital Art Space, then you are at the right place. This article takes you through the work of different Digital Artists and what their average salaries are. Read till the end to know more about each of the sub-fields of Digital Arts.

Different Jobs and Salaries in the Digital Art Space

A digital artist may work on different kinds of projects based on which they are categorized. These categories include Graphic Designer, Web Designer, Motion Designer, Multimedia Designer, Video Game Designer, Visual Effects Artist, 3D Artist, 2D and 3D Animator, Art Director and Creative Director. Let us understand more briefly about them.

Graphic Designer

The works of a Graphic Designer include communicating the message or presenting the products in front of the audience by using colors, illustrations, layouts, etc. They also create product packaging, logos, print materials and websites.

Graphic designers work either with brands and companies as in-house staff or either as freelancers and provide their services to the clients and earn on a project basis.

Software skills required are: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator

Average Annual Salary: $47, 072 (USD)

Motion Designer

Motion designers are the ones that create movies, TV and the web which include advertisements, trailers, snippets, title sequences, etc. Their expertise lies in using visual effects, cinematic tools and techniques and animation.

Motion designers are different from graphic designers since graphic designers work on creating static work while motion designers create animations that involve movement.

Software skills required are: Adobe After Effects, Graphic Design, Design (Typography & Color Theory), 2D/3D Animation, Video Editing

Average Annual Salary: $60,397 (USD)

Web Designer

Web designers work on creating and deploying websites and webpages with different visual components including images and videos. Web designers develop a website either by using computer languages or by hosting on CMS platforms like WordPress and Wix.

Software skills required are: Adobe Photoshop, HTML5, Graphic Design, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)

Average Annual Salary: $52,296 (USD)

Multimedia Designer

Creating presentations, infographics, reports, case studies and other tools to educate people and promote their companies are some of the works of a Multimedia Designer. Before developing these, a multimedia designer has to discuss and understand the requirements and then come up with creative presentations, infographics, etc.

Software skills required are: Adobe Photoshop, Graphic Design, Adobe After Effects, Video Editing

Average Annual Salary: $55,013 (USD)

Video Game Designer

These are the ones responsible for the formatting and designing of video games. They are the creators of the storyline, scenes, characters, levels and everything else you see in a video game. They not only require the creativity and storytelling skills but also technical knowledge.

Software skills required are: C# Programming Language, Game Design, User Experience Design

Average Annual Salary: $66,501 (USD)

Visual Effects Artist

VFX artists are responsible for creating photoreal and digitally generated imagery. To become a VFX artist one needs to have the skills to integrate effects into the live-action in the movies, TV and games. With the use of features of VFX software, they create creatures, stunt doubles and crowds.

Software skills required are: Autodesk Maya, 3D Animation, SideFX Houdini, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects

Average Annual Salary: $62,668 (USD)

3D Artist

The role of a 3D artist involves creating three-dimensional models of the environment, products and many other things. They have their expertise in creating photo-realistic materials, rendered images and lighting to use in marketing and advertisements.

Software skills required are: 3D Rendering and Animation

Average Annual Salary: $55,889 (USD)

2D and 3D Animator

The role of a 2D animator involves creating storyboards, backgrounds, creatures, etc for for an animation of two dimensions. They are often called character designers, storyboard artists and animators.

A 3D animator creates motion animations for movies and TV and video games. They are also responsible for giving special effects and their expertise lies in creating humans, objects, 3D backgrounds and landscapes.

Software skills required to become a 2D animator are: Adobe After Effects, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator

Average Annual Salary of a 2D animator: $50,505 (USD)

Software skills required to become a 3D animator are: Cinema 4D, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, Blender

Average Annual Salary of a 3D animator: $53,643 (USD)

Art Director

An art director creates works with their own individual voice with a vision of clients. They are responsible for creating works with art and design that start a conversation among the audience. They re primarily concerned with the aesthetic parts of a design.

Software skills required are: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Branding, Graphic Design, Design

Average Annual Salary: $70,291 (USD)

Creative Director

A creative director is responsible for strategizing and planning the artworks, scenes of movies and shows, developing pitches, etc to come up with a look and feel of the work. They have a better understanding of the requirements and limits of a project and thus they work accordingly.

Software skills required are: Graphic Design, Design, Branding, Project Management, Team Leadership

Average Annual Salary: $90,389 (USD)

What’s the right career choice in the Digital Art space for you?

Well, the career choice belongs only to you, it is your right to decide what career you want to pursue. However, before taking a step forward make sure to decide upon the career choice in the field of Digital Art that interests you and the kind of work you enjoy, else it will not take long to turn into a burden.

Mansi Soni

An India based writer and co-author of "Words That Were Never Said" loves travelling and reading literature.