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Graphic Design vs Animation: Eligibility, Subjects, Salary and Career Opportunities

Graphic Design focuses visuals; Animation brings stories alive through motion.
UniList Desk

Updated Feb 2, 2026 | 11:54 PM IST
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If you are exploring a creative career in the creative arts, you may have wondered about the fields of Graphic Design and Animation. Both involve the intersection of art and technology, but they result in very different types of work. Graphic Design is centered on the creation of visual elements that convey information, while Animation is the use of motion to breathe life into ideas and stories.
This article will tell you about the basics of Graphic Design and Animation, what you will study in Graphic Design or Animation, the types of jobs you can get with Graphic Design or Animation, and how much money you can make with Graphic Design or Animation, which is especially useful for students who live in India.

What Are These Fields?

Graphic Design is about showing people things in a way that they can understand. When you do Graphic Design, you make pictures, logos, posters, and layouts that look good on paper or on a computer screen. Graphic Design is used to make things look nice for people to see in magazines, on the internet, or on billboards.
Animation is really about making things move and telling a story. It is like magic that makes pictures come alive. People use tools and methods to make this happen, such as using 2D and 3D techniques. Animation is what brings these visuals to life and makes them interesting.

Eligibility Criteria

For both fields, you need to finish your 10+2 in any stream from a school board. Some colleges might also want to see a portfolio of your work or some basic creative skills that you have.

Core Subjects You Study

Graphic Design subjects include:
  • Visual communication
  • Typography
  • Branding & layout
  • Digital tools (Photoshop, Illustrator)
Animation subjects include:
  • 2D and 3D animation
  • Storyboarding & character design
  • VFX basics
  • Software like Maya, Blender, or After Effects

Career Opportunities

Graphic Design Jobs:
  • Graphic Designer
  • UI/UX Designer
  • Brand Identity Specialist
  • Visual Designer
Animation Jobs:
  • 2D/3D Animator
  • Motion Graphics Artist
  • VFX Artist
  • Storyboard Artist
Both of these fields let you work as a freelancer or start your own creative studio. You can do freelancing in these fields. You can start your own creative studio in these fields.

Salary Expectations

Graphic Design and Animation salaries depend on skill level, experience, and company size. Entry-level jobs usually start modestly, but pay grows with experience.
Graphic Design:
Freshers: Rs 2.5 L – Rs 5 L per year
Mid-level: Rs 6 L – Rs 10 L per year
Animation:
Entry-level: Rs 3 L – Rs 6 L per year
With experience or specialisation (VFX, 3D): Rs 8 L – Rs 15 L+ per year
People who have jobs like Animation Director or Creative Lead can earn a lot more money. Jobs like Animation Director or Creative Lead pay well because they are very important.

Top Government Colleges in India

If you want to learn without spending a lot of money, think about these universities that are run by the government or are well known for being good:
For Graphic Design / Visual Communication
National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad – Very prestigious for design fundamentals.
College of Art, Delhi – Focuses on fine art and design applications.
Government College of Fine Arts, Chennai – Offers traditional and modern design education.
For Animation / Multimedia
Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University, Hyderabad – Animation and design degrees.
Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune – Strong focus on film and media production skills.
Many universities, such as state universities with design and media departments, also offer a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Design in Animation. This is really good because it gives animation students exposure to the field of Animation.

Which One to Choose?

If you really like making things look good, like the way a website or a poster is set up, and you are into creating brands and making pictures, then Graphic Design is the thing for you. Graphic Design is about visual layouts and digital art. You get to do a lot of work in Graphic Design, like branding and digital art, which is really cool.
If you really like things that move and have stories behind them, and you want to make characters come alive, then you should choose Animation. Animation is about movement and storytelling, and it is so much fun to make characters come alive in Animation.
Both fields have scope in advertising, digital media, gaming, film and TV, and tech industries. The right choice depends on your interest and where you see yourself working.

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