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Alamo Colleges DistrictCareer Explorer

Special Effects Artists and Animators

Part of Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications, in the Visual Arts pathway.

Job zone 4: considerable preparationO*NET 27-1014.00

What the work is

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.

On a typical day

  • Design complex graphics and animation, using independent judgment, creativity, and computer equipment.
  • 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.
  • 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 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.

What it pays

$78,930
Median pay per year, Texas (no San Antonio figure published)
New workers start near $56,020
Experienced workers reach $150,000
  1. $56k10th
  2. $62k25th
  3. $79kMedian
  4. $122k75th
  5. $150k90th
Wage percentiles: 10th $56,020, 25th $62,460, Median $78,930, 75th $121,960, 90th $150,000

Job outlook

U.S. projection, 2024 to 2034.

+2%

U.S. employment change

5,000

openings a year nationwide, from growth and people leaving

57,100

employed nationwide in 2024

Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree

Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

  1. Active Listening3.9
  2. Reading Comprehension4.0
  3. Critical Thinking3.8
  4. Speaking3.5
  5. Active Learning3.4
  6. Judgment and Decision Making3.1
  7. Writing3.0
  8. Monitoring3.3

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

  1. High school or less6%
  2. Some college40%
  3. Associate degree2%
  4. Bachelor's degree53%

Job zone 4, considerable preparation: Usually a bachelor's degree, sometimes a strong associate plus experience.

Alamo programs that lead here

  • Northeast Lakeview
  • Northwest Vista
  • St. Philip's
  1. Digital Art

    Transfer pre-major · Creative & Communication Arts

  2. Digital Arts and Media

    Transfer pre-major · Creative & Communication Arts

  3. 3D Animation

    Degree · Certificate · Creative & Communication Arts

  4. Digital Arts and Media

    Transfer pre-major · Creative & Communication Arts

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