Motion Graphics Designers create the moving type, animation, and special effects that audiences love in films and television shows. The digital tools used are complicated, and the hours can be long, but jobs in motion graphics pay very well. Motion graphics can be a great career for you if you are artistic, love a challenge, and don't mind working long hours on occasion.
Job Outlook for Motion Graphics Designers
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (the BLS), 62,400 people were working as Motion Graphics Designers and Animators in the United States in 2020. Motion graphics is expected to grow by 16% by 2030. This means that 9,900 jobs will be added in the U.S. in the next 8 years.
Most Motion Graphics Designers work in the motion picture and television industry, while a few work in advertising or the marketing departments of businesses. Most Motion Graphics Designers and Animators work in-house with far fewer freelancers than in Video Editing.
Salaries for Motion Graphics Professionals
Many Motion Graphics Designers and Animators start working as Video Editors and move into motion graphics as they gain experience. They mostly work for film and television studios, but a few work for advertising agencies. The the BLS lists Motion Graphics Designers under Special Effects Artists and Animators. The reported median annual wage was $77,700 in May 2020, with a range of $42,390 to $142,750. The employment website Glassdoor.com publishes salaries from voluntary reports and lists the median base salary for Motion Graphics Designers as $67,059 per year.
Salaries Rise with Experience
The base pay for entry-level motion graphics jobs for people with 1 to 3 years of experience is $59,590. That goes up to $65,867 with 4 to 6 years of experience. Senior Motion Graphics Designers with 7 to 9 years of experience make a base rate of $69,881.
Advanced Pay for Advanced Effects
Some job titles pay more than others. Special Effects Artists and Animators who work in the motion picture and television industries make an annual median wage of $92,350. These jobs require experience in advanced effects like rotoscoping, green screen compositing, and Computer Generated Images.
Motion Graphics Designers working for software publishers make $82,330. Motion Graphics Designers working in advertising and marketing make $73,820. Computer systems design pays $69,200. These jobs require experience in 3D animation and creating 2D infographics.
The Larger the Company, the Bigger the Paycheck
It is a fact that larger companies pay better than smaller ones. The numbers vary when you look at individual job advertisements for Motion Graphics Designers listed on the sites. In April 2022, Glassdoor listed a job for a Motion Graphics Designer for NBCUniversal with a salary of $102,653 per year. Stream Companies, an advertising and marketing firm, posted a job with a salary of $45,233, and sports broadcaster ESPN had a job for a Motion Graphics Designer at $68,227 annually. Jobs with large companies often involve creating training and corporate in-house videos and infographic explainer videos.
Best Cities for Motion Graphics Design
Talented Motion Graphics Designers and Animators are always in demand. Here are some of the best cities to find work in the United States.
- New York, New York
- Los Angeles, California
- Chicago, Illinois
- San Francisco, California
- Seattle, Washington
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Austin, Texas
- Portland, Oregon
These are the top ten states for finding motion graphics and animation jobs.
- Washington
- California
- Oregon
- New York
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- Illinois
- Texas
- Pennsylvania
- New Jersey
Freelance Motion Graphics Designers
Many Video Editors work as freelancers, but there aren't as many Motion Graphics Designers who work that way. Some are self-employed contractors, however. Advertised salaries for freelance Motion Graphics Designers are in the same range as for permanent positions.
Getting Hired in Motion Graphics
When it comes to finding a job in the motion graphics field, the most important steps are learning to use digital animation tools, creating a portfolio, and networking.
Creating a Portfolio
More important than a resume or a business card, your portfolio or demo reel shows potential employers what you can do. Your portfolio should reflect your personality and creativity. If you are new to motion graphics, you can start a portfolio with videos you made in your bootcamp or certificate course. You can also include passion projects, examples of motion graphics and animation that you create for fun.
Place your portfolio on a personal website or platform like Behance or Dribbble. Keep your portfolio up to date with samples of your latest jobs. It helps people find you and builds your reputation.
Do Some Networking
Networking is one of the best ways to connect with other Motion Graphics Designers and Filmmakers and find jobs. Most people have difficulty talking about themselves, particularly creative people who tend to be loners and introverts. It's important to make connections with people so they will check out your work and keep you in mind when jobs become available.
Networking is about building relationships with people. This could be in professional settings like conferences, film festivals, or semi-social gatherings. Tell people what you do. If it is a professional gathering, be specific. If it is more social, describe your work in more general terms. It is important to tell people that you are looking for work, but be sure to do it in a natural, friendly way that is not creepy, annoying, or desperate.
Learning Motion Graphics Design
It is easy to learn motion graphics and start a new career by taking courses. There are schools and training programs available offering intensive classes in software and technique. You can choose sessions that meet in-person or online to learn After Effects, Animate, and other relevant software. Some people prefer to attend brick-and-mortar sessions when learning new information, but that isn't always available. Live online classes have a similar set-up with a real-time, remote instructor who can answer questions and take control of your monitor--with permission--to show you how to do things. Training is part or full-time and available weekdays, weeknights, or weekends.
The best way to prepare for a career shift to a technical field like motion graphics is to enroll in a bootcamp or certificate program. These are intensive training courses that run for a few weeks to a few months and will cover motion graphics in much more depth than tutorials can. Another plus of training is that you will leave class with a professional-quality portfolio of sample videos that you can show to prospective employers.
Conclusion
It's easy to learn motion graphics design and start a new career. Check out Noble Desktop's motion graphics courses. Choose between in-person sessions in NYC at Noble's location or sign up for live online motion graphics courses and attend from anywhere. Use Noble Desktop's Classes Near Me to find other courses in motion graphics in your area.