Special effects artist
Also known as: special effects specialist, digital effects specialist, digital effects artist, special effects animator, special effects technician, special effect image designer
About this occupation
Special effects artists create illusions for movies, videos and computer games. They use computer software.
Essential skills and knowledge
- finish project within budget
- multimedia systems
- follow work schedule
- study media sources
- adapt to type of media
- provide multimedia content
- computer equipment
- analyse a script
- graphic design
- follow a brief
- motion graphics
- create moving images
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Video Game Designers (O*NET 15-1255.01). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Balance and adjust gameplay experiences to ensure the critical and commercial success of the product.
- Devise missions, challenges, or puzzles to be encountered in game play.
- Create core game features, including storylines, role-play mechanics, and character biographies for a new video game or game franchise.
- Solicit, obtain, and integrate feedback from design and technical staff into original game design.
- Conduct regular design reviews throughout the game development process.
- Develop and maintain design level documentation, including mechanics, guidelines, and mission outlines.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Artistic, Investigative, Enterprising
Top skills: Programming, Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making
US median pay: US$104,000 a year (2025), 113,330 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignVery important (4.3)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (4.2)
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyVery important (3.5)
- Media StudiesO*NET: Communications and MediaImportant (3.5)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.3)
- PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyImportant (3.3)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageImportant (3.3)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Web and Digital Interface Designers
- Special Effects Artists and Animators
- Graphic Designers
- Web Developers
- Computer Programmers
- Film and Video Editors
- Software Developers
- Producers and Directors
- Computer Hardware Engineers
- Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.