27-1014.00

Special Effects Artists & Animators

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.

Career Cluster:Arts, Entertainment, & Design
Job Family:Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
Job Zone:Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Industry:Information
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Technology Tools

Adobe Creative Cloud softwareAdobe IllustratorAdobe InDesignAdobe PhotoshopAJAXAdobe After EffectsApple macOSAutodesk AutoCAD Civil 3DCC#C++Extensible markup language XMLFigmaHypertext markup language HTMLJavaScriptjQueryMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft PowerPointCascading style sheets CSSMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft VisioMicrosoft WordAdobe AcrobatPythonTrimble SketchUp Pro

Key Tasks

  • Design complex graphics and animation, using independent judgment, creativity, and computer equipment.
  • Create basic designs, drawings, and illustrations for product labels, cartons, direct mail, or television.
  • Participate in design and production of multimedia campaigns, handling budgeting and scheduling, and assisting with such responsibilities as production coordination, background design, and progress tracking.
  • Implement and maintain configuration control systems.
  • Script, plan, and create animated narrative sequences under tight deadlines, using computer software and hand drawing techniques.
  • Create two-dimensional and three-dimensional images depicting objects in motion or illustrating a process, using computer animation or modeling programs.
  • Develop briefings, brochures, multimedia presentations, web pages, promotional products, technical illustrations, and computer artwork for use in products, technical manuals, literature, newsletters, and slide shows.
  • Make objects or characters appear lifelike by manipulating light, color, texture, shadow, and transparency, or manipulating static images to give the illusion of motion.
  • Apply story development, directing, cinematography, and editing to animation to create storyboards that show the flow of the animation and map out key scenes and characters.
  • Assemble, typeset, scan, and produce digital camera-ready art or film negatives and printer's proofs.
  • Convert real objects to animated objects through modeling, using techniques such as optical scanning.
  • Create pen-and-paper images to be scanned, edited, colored, textured, or animated by computer.
  • Use models to simulate the behavior of animated objects in the finished sequence.

Skills

Active Listening
72%
Reading Comprehension
69%
Critical Thinking
69%
Speaking
56%
Active Learning
53%
Writing
53%
Judgment and Decision Making
53%
Time Management
50%
Complex Problem Solving
50%
Monitoring
50%
Persuasion
47%
Systems Analysis
47%
Coordination
47%
Social Perceptiveness
47%
Learning Strategies
47%
Instructing
44%
Service Orientation
44%
Systems Evaluation
44%
Negotiation
41%
Management of Personnel Resources
35%
Operation and Control
31%
Mathematics
28%
Operations Analysis
28%
Programming
28%
Operations Monitoring
25%
Management of Material Resources
22%
Equipment Selection
22%
Management of Financial Resources
22%
Technology Design
22%
Quality Control Analysis
19%
Troubleshooting
3%
Science
3%
Repairing
0%
Installation
0%
Equipment Maintenance
0%

Knowledge

Computers and Electronics
99%
English Language
85%
Design
81%
Communications and Media
78%
Customer and Personal Service
74%
Sales and Marketing
72%
Telecommunications
61%
Engineering and Technology
55%
Production and Processing
54%
Geography
50%
Administration and Management
49%
Fine Arts
47%
Administrative
45%
Mathematics
37%
Education and Training
30%
Law and Government
29%
Personnel and Human Resources
26%
Psychology
24%
Economics and Accounting
21%
Sociology and Anthropology
19%
Public Safety and Security
18%
Foreign Language
15%
Mechanical
13%
Biology
12%
History and Archeology
11%
Transportation
11%
Philosophy and Theology
10%
Physics
8%
Therapy and Counseling
7%
Medicine and Dentistry
4%
Building and Construction
4%
Food Production
0%
Chemistry
0%

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Abilities

Oral Comprehension
78%
Visualization
75%
Oral Expression
75%
Written Comprehension
75%
Near Vision
72%
Deductive Reasoning
66%
Problem Sensitivity
66%
Visual Color Discrimination
66%
Speech Clarity
63%
Written Expression
63%
Originality
63%
Fluency of Ideas
60%
Information Ordering
60%
Inductive Reasoning
56%
Speech Recognition
53%
Category Flexibility
50%
Selective Attention
50%
Far Vision
47%
Perceptual Speed
44%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
44%
Mathematical Reasoning
44%
Flexibility of Closure
44%
Finger Dexterity
41%
Time Sharing
38%
Speed of Closure
38%
Number Facility
35%
Control Precision
35%
Manual Dexterity
31%
Memorization
28%
Depth Perception
25%
Wrist-Finger Speed
25%
Auditory Attention
22%
Hearing Sensitivity
22%
Rate Control
22%
Reaction Time
19%
Trunk Strength
16%
Multilimb Coordination
13%
Response Orientation
13%
Dynamic Strength
6%
Spatial Orientation
0%
Speed of Limb Movement
0%
Extent Flexibility
0%
Night Vision
0%
Sound Localization
0%
Stamina
0%
Static Strength
0%
Explosive Strength
0%
Peripheral Vision
0%
Gross Body Equilibrium
0%
Glare Sensitivity
0%
Dynamic Flexibility
0%
Gross Body Coordination
0%

Work Activities

Thinking Creatively
96%
Working with Computers
96%
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
94%
Getting Information
89%
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
84%
Processing Information
77%
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
76%
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
75%
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
71%
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
63%
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
62%
Analyzing Data or Information
61%
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
61%
Scheduling Work and Activities
60%
Developing Objectives and Strategies
56%
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
55%
Developing and Building Teams
53%
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
52%
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
52%
Training and Teaching Others
51%
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
50%
Coaching and Developing Others
48%
Controlling Machines and Processes
48%
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
48%
Communicating with People Outside the Organization
43%
Documenting/Recording Information
43%
Performing Administrative Activities
40%
Assisting and Caring for Others
37%
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
36%
Selling or Influencing Others
36%
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
34%
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
33%
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
30%
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
28%
Handling and Moving Objects
27%
Monitoring and Controlling Resources
24%
Staffing Organizational Units
22%
Performing General Physical Activities
13%
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
13%
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
10%
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
10%

Work Context

E-Mail

How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?

100%

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

90%

Spend Time Sitting

How much does this job require sitting?

89%

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?

87%

Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?

87%

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

86%

Time Pressure

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

86%

Frequency of Decision Making

How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

83%

Freedom to Make Decisions

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

82%

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

82%

Duration of Typical Work Week

Number of hours typically worked in one week.

80%

Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers

How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?

78%

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

77%

Telephone Conversations

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

77%

Level of Competition

To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?

70%

Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?

67%

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?

67%

Deal With External Customers or the Public in General

How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?

66%

Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities

How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?

65%

Consequence of Error

How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?

53%

Physical Proximity

To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?

53%

Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

How much does this job require making repetitive motions?

49%

Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?

45%

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

40%

Health and Safety of Other Workers

How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?

32%

Conflict Situations

How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?

29%

Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions

How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?

29%

Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People

How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?

28%

Work Schedules

How regular are the work schedules for this job?

27%

Degree of Automation

How automated is the job?

26%

Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment

How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)

25%

Written Letters and Memos

How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?

25%

Public Speaking

How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?

24%

Spend Time Standing

How much does this job require standing?

18%

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment

How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?

15%

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions

How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

15%

Spend Time Walking or Running

How much does this job require walking or running?

11%

Outdoors, Under Cover

How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?

7%

Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures

How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?

6%

Exposed to High Places

How often does this job require exposure to high places?

5%

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?

5%

Exposed to Contaminants

How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

4%

Exposed to Hazardous Conditions

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?

4%

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?

3%

Exposed to Hazardous Equipment

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?

2%

Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions

How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?

1%

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings

How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?

1%

Exposed to Whole Body Vibration

How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?

1%

Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body

How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?

1%

Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles

How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?

1%

Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance

How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?

1%

Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling

How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?

1%

Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection

How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?

1%

Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People

How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?

0%

Exposed to Disease or Infections

How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?

0%

Exposed to Radiation

How often does this job require exposure to radiation?

0%

In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment

How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?

0%

Education

Bachelor's degree

0%

Some college, no degree

0%

High school diploma or equivalent

0%

Interests

Artistic

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,

100

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t

45

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum

37

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f

30

Enterprising

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis

29

Social

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

19

Work Styles

Innovation
95%
Attention to Detail
78%
Intellectual Curiosity
67%
Achievement Orientation
65%
Adaptability
63%
Dependability
57%
Perseverance
57%
Self-Confidence
55%
Tolerance for Ambiguity
55%
Initiative
48%
Stress Tolerance
40%
Cooperation
32%
Optimism
25%
Self-Control
22%
Integrity
21%
Leadership Orientation
20%
Empathy
7%
Social Orientation
4%
Sincerity
3%

Work Values

Independence
78%
Achievement
67%
Working Conditions
64%
Recognition
56%
Relationships
56%
Support
39%

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