Multi-Media Artists and Animators: Career Information

Job Description of Multi-Media Artists and Animators: Multi-media artists and animators create the large series of pictures that form the animated images seen in movies, commercials, television programs, and computer games.

Employment Facts for Multi-Media Artists and Animators: 94,000 people were employed as animators and multi-media artists in 2004.^*

Educational Requirements for Multi-Media Artists and Animators: Although formal training, such as a Bachelor or Master degree in Fine Arts (BFA or MFA) isn't always required, it can help one who wants to work as a multi-media artist or animator develop sought after skills. These programs often include courework in art history, studio art, computer techniques, and core subjects such as English, social science, and natural science.

Other Requirements for Multi-Media Artists and Animators: Multi-media artists and animators, in addition to having artistic talent, must have good listening skills, good time management skills, and good reading comprehension skills.

Job Outlook for Multi-Media Artists and Animators: Employment of multi-media artists and animators is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2014.

Earnings of Multi-Media Artists and Animators: Median Annual Earnings of Multi-Media Artists and Animators was $49,900 (U.S., 2004^*)

Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much multi-media artists and animators currently earn in your city.

A Day in a Multi-Media Artist's and Animator's Life: On a typical day a multi-media artist and animator may:

• Sketch or draw subjects or items;
• Use computer graphics design software;
• Draw storyboards;
• Create art from ideas;
• Prepare artwork for camera or press;
• Write story copy;

*This is the most recent year for which this information is available.

Information courtesy of Bureau of:

• Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Artists and Related Workers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos092.htm (visited October 20, 2006)
• Occupational Projections and Training Data, 2006-2007 Edition, Table IV–1. Occupational Employment And Job Openings Data, 2004–14, and Worker Characteristics, 2004, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/emp/optd/optdtabiv_1.pdf (visited October 20, 2006)
• U.S. Department of Labor (Developed by National O*NET Consortium). O*Net Online, Multi-Media Artists and Animators, on the Internet at http://online.onetcenter.org/link/details/27-1014.00 (visited October 20, 2006).