College Crunch

Visual effects artists are responsible for creating and delivering visual products. These artists may work for television production departments, the motion picture industry, animation firms, or the video game industry. He or she is in charge of designing products to illustrate a particular script or plot to match what is actually viewed on a screen. Visual effects artists utilize many forms of software including 3D animation, specialized computer programs, and design programs. Artists may work as part of a team, and often collaborate with production staff, scriptwriters, make up departments, camera operators, web designers, and software programmers.

The requirements to become a visual effects artist vary depending on the position sought, and the particular industry. The most common requirement is a minimum of an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, computer animation, or other related field. Other recommended skills include: strong computer background, programming skills, experience with graphics software, special effects experience, creative ability, the ability to work as part of a team, script writing experience, and adequate communication skills. This field is expanding and has a projected growth rate of about 17% over the next five years.

The typical average salary of an experienced visual effects artist is about $43,500 per year.