Multimedia Artists and Animators

Most multimedia artists and animators use their computer skills as well as their artistic abilities to produce computer and video games that may entertain, test, and even teach players. Artists and animators work as part of a team that develops a concept for a game, its rules, various levels of play, and its story from beginning to end. Depending on the size of the company they work for and the project they are working on, artists and animators may be responsible for working on one specific game aspect, such as texture (that is, creating the textured look for each object in the game), or be responsible for working on several game aspects, such as character building, environment, and motion. Since its early days, when Pong was all the rage, the gaming industry has grown into a multibillion dollar field and it can offer a fun, continuously changing, and rewarding environment in which to work. Other multimedia artists and animators work in the motion picture and television industries, advertising, and computer design services. There are 71,600 multimedia artists and animators employed in the United States.

Salary Range

$25,000 to $100,000+

Minimum Education Level

Bachelor's Degree

Certification/License

None

Outlook

About as Fast as the Average

Personality Traits

Artistic

Creative

Technical

Career Ladder

Art Director or Animation Director

Lead Artist or Lead Animator

Experienced Multimedia Artist or Animator

Entry-Level Multimedia Artist or Animator