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Special Effects Artists and Animators

Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media (27-1014)

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.

At a Glance

Special Effects Artists and Animators earns a median of $99,800/yr with +1.6% projected growth. Typical entry: Bachelor's degree. Top skills: Computers and Electronics, Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates, Thinking Creatively.

Median Annual Wage

$99,800/yr

Projected Growth (2024-34)

+1.6%

Annual Openings

5

Typical Education

Bachelor's degree

Skills & Requirements

Skills (4)

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

3.9
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

3.8
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

3.8
Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

3.3

Knowledge (7)

Computers and Electronics

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

5.0
English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

4.4
Design

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

4.2
Communications and Media

Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

4.1
Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

3.9
Sales and Marketing

Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

3.9
Telecommunications

Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

3.5

Abilities (14)

Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

4.1
Visualization

The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

4.0
Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

4.0
Written Comprehension

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

4.0
Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

3.9
Problem Sensitivity

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

3.6
Visual Color Discrimination

The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.

3.6
Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

3.6
Written Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

3.5
Originality

The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.

3.5
Speech Clarity

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

3.5
Information Ordering

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

3.4
Fluency of Ideas

The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).

3.4
Inductive Reasoning

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

3.3

Technology (33)

Microsoft Word

Category: Word processing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Windows

Category: Operating system software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Visio

Category: Process mapping and design software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft PowerPoint

Category: Presentation software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Office software

Category: Office suite software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Excel

Category: Spreadsheet software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
jQuery

Category: Object or component oriented development software | Hot Technology

4.5
JavaScript

Category: Web platform development software | Hot Technology

4.5
Hypertext markup language HTML

Category: Web platform development software | Hot Technology

4.5
Figma

Category: Graphical user interface development software | Hot Technology

4.5
Extensible markup language XML

Category: Enterprise application integration software | Hot Technology

4.5
Cascading style sheets CSS

Category: Web platform development software | Hot Technology

4.5
C

Category: Development environment software | Hot Technology

4.5
Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D

Category: Computer aided design CAD software | Hot Technology

4.5
Apple macOS

Category: Operating system software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe After Effects

Category: Video creation and editing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Trimble SketchUp Pro

Category: Graphics or photo imaging software | Hot Technology

4.5
UNIX

Category: Operating system software | Hot Technology

4.5
Python

Category: Object or component oriented development software | Hot Technology

4.5
PHP

Category: Web platform development software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe Illustrator

Category: Graphics or photo imaging software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe Creative Cloud software

Category: Graphics or photo imaging software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe Acrobat

Category: Document management software | Hot Technology

4.5
AJAX

Category: Web platform development software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe Photoshop

Category: Graphics or photo imaging software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe InDesign

Category: Desktop publishing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Unreal Technology Unreal Engine

Category: Development environment software | In Demand

4.0
Autodesk 3ds Max

Category: Video creation and editing software

4.0
Autodesk Maya

Category: Graphics or photo imaging software | In Demand

4.0
Maxon Cinema 4D

Category: Video creation and editing software

4.0
Unity Technologies Unity

Category: Development environment software | In Demand

4.0
SideFX Houdini

Category: Graphics or photo imaging software | In Demand

4.0
Adobe Premiere Pro

Category: Video creation and editing software

4.0

Work Activities (14)

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

4.8
Thinking Creatively

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

4.8
Working with Computers

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

4.8
Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

4.6
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

4.3
Processing Information

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

4.1
Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

4.0
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

4.0
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

3.8
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

3.5
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

3.5
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

3.5
Analyzing Data or Information

Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

3.4
Scheduling Work and Activities

Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

3.4

Careers with Overlapping Skills

These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.

Explore Key Skills

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