Graphic Design or Animation?

[brody13]

TweetDoes anyone here have a career in either of these? I have been looking alot at both and I am not sure which one I am interested in going into. I am a sophmore at UCF so I don't have to decide for a couple more years, but does anyone know about the base salaries of either or know anything at all? I really wouldn't mind doing either or them as a career, but I wanna know what pays more, can anyone help me out with this?

[Lily]

TweetIs there a reason why you can't learn both?

[brody13]

TweetI'm sure I could, but I can only really get a job in 1. I would minor in one but I am going for my masters, and I don't wanna be in school forever, even though I still have another 5-6.

[lxorl]

TweetI do web design.....

my girlfriend does more graphic design (works for a screen printer)

my brother does annimation.....

Its a cool way to make $$... i just sit and play on a computer all day long.

the money somewhat depends on the area..... I am up in tallahassee, which doesnt pay as well as a more metro area. I made better money just starting out because i lived up near DC. I would assume down in central fla. there would be a lot of options in graphics with disney, universal, and all the other tourist traps. Money also depends on ability... Im ok at what i do, but not so much that big named companies are looking for me. I have found that the only way make good money is

1. be fuc*ing awesome at it! and or be in a good metro area.
2. try and get into the management side
3. own your own business ... freelance

feel free to PM me and pick my brain if you like.

[T-Man007]

TweetIt depends on a lot of things. When the tech industry took a hit we suffered pretty bad here in Colorado Springs. There were so many companies that moved here that we were being called Silicon Mountain. Now, we just have several huge buildings with very few people in them. I know it will eventually come back around. Anyways...I have a friend from church who was out of work for 9 months and he is very very talented at graphic design. But, it's because of our market. People who were once making $40-$60 per hour are now making $15-$25. That's a big drop. Of course, if you go to a place like Atlanta, you will get good pay and have very reasonable living expenses. Atlanta is one of the best places for a small business. It's also the least expensive major city to live in. Homes are much cheaper there than they are here and we only have a little or 1/2 a million people. About 1/8 of metro Atlanta. You should probably take clases in both until you get a good feel for one over the other. Then, just keep dabling in the other in your spare time and if you decide to go that way later it will more like review than having to learn it all over again. I think you would enjoy both. Just think about it, you could be the person who creates the next swoosh logo or you could be one of the people who creates one of those kick ass video games. Either way, both would be fun IMO.

[brody13]

TweetWell, I looked around alot and found a pretty good site that says the median pay is about 20,000 a year more for animation, but it is also alot harder to get into. Well, at least the prerequisits for both majors are the same for 2 years. US median for graphic design is 50,617, where animation is at 56,226. Another site has them at graphic design 35,000 and animation at 60,000. It all depends I guess, kinda wanna be a head director of projects in creating movies or games, where they are closer to 80,000-90,000 with the highest recorded at 220,000. That would be nice.

[lxorl]

Tweetgraphic design starting out is about 25-30K

[supasaiyan99]

TweetBro you go to UCF? I'm out there too! I thought UCF's graphic design department was sponsored by EA (Electronic Arts)? You might want to check into. Also speak to an advisor. They are pretty good at letting you know how the industry is doing.Also forget the national average salary estimates. Go get your free Orlando Snetinal copy from the campus machines and look in the classified section. Look for graphic design and see what jobs they have if any. It'll let you know what people in Orlando, FL are making.

[brody13]

TweetAlright, sounds good to me, just let me know.

[supasaiyan99]

TweetBro check out this article and see if you can talk to someone in the department!

https://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?pa...c2675a02006133

[brody13]

TweetThat's pretty cool, I need to go talk to someone about getting into something like that. Thanks for the site.

[superdog]

TweetComming from someone in Japan I can tell you that Animation is HELLA competitive, maybe not as bad in the states but can`t be that different either. I`ve met a few people who are animators working as bartenders.,,

[lxorl]

Tweetmy brother has been learning the animation software for years...

one thing to keep in mind is, not only do you have to master the software, but you have to be one hell of an artist..... this is where my brother falls short.

also, the real market for animation is in cities like NY, LA... possibly Miami to a lesser degree. I am sure there is a need in orlando as well, just because of disney.

Comming from someone in Japan I can tell you that Animation is HELLA competitive, maybe not as bad in the states but can`t be that different either. I`ve met a few people who are animators working as bartenders.,,

[brody13]

TweetWell, that sucks to hear... Not sure what I am going to do? Anyone know of any art based majors/job careers that make a good amount of money besides these 2?

[supasaiyan99]

TweetYou can always go into web design? I heard of some one getting hired by Volvo on the web development team and they started him out with 70k! Also there was a friend of a friend who used to design the graphics for Channel 9 News (WFTV). He loved it!