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Visual Effects Artist Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Graphic Designer

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$70K - $87K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Digital Media, Fine Arts, Marketing, or ... After Effects, or comparable video/motion tools strongly desired. * Experience designing and ...

Video Editor

Virginia Beach, VA · On-site

$53K - $56K/yr

... visual stories and high-quality content for The 700 Club Features Department ... This role requires strong technical expertise, artistic vision, and the ability to thrive in a fast ...

Lead creative direction - Drive the visual strategy for SharePoint sites, web content, and graphic ... Bachelor's degree in Communications, Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Communication Design, Software ...

Senior Graphic Designer

Glen Allen, VA · On-site

$60K - $83K/yr

The successful candidate is a visual storyteller who demonstrates excellent creative and ... Arts related field of study or equivalent experience * Experience with Premiere, After Effects ...

Senior Graphic Designer

Glen Allen, VA

$60K - $83K/yr

The successful candidate is a visual storyteller who demonstrates excellent creative and ... Arts related field of study or equivalent experience * Experience with Premiere, After Effects ...

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Visual Effects Artist information

See Virginia salary details

$36.2K

$106.9K

$151.2K

How much do visual effects artist jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for visual effects artist in Virginia is $106,903.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,700.00 and $150,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Is a Visual Effects Artist?

As a visual effects artist, your job is to create special effects for the film industry to portray visuals or action sequences that are too difficult or too costly to film. Your primary responsibilities center on consulting with clients, supervisors, and other artists to create visual effects (VFX) to their specifications. Your job duties include using computer animation software programs and working with the various production departments to meet the film’s needs. You need creativity and imagination to work as a visual effects artist, and you must be proficient with animation, graphic design, and visual effects computer programs.

What are Visual Effects Artists?

Visual Effects Artists are professionals who create imagery and effects that cannot be achieved during live-action filming. They use computer software and other digital tools to design, animate, and composite visual elements such as explosions, weather effects, creatures, and set extensions. Visual Effects Artists work closely with directors and other production staff to seamlessly blend these effects into movies, television shows, commercials, and video games. Their work enhances storytelling by bringing imaginative and realistic visuals to the screen.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Visual Effects Artist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Visual Effects Artist, you need a solid background in digital art, animation, and computer graphics, often supported by a degree in visual effects or a related field. Mastery of industry-standard software such as Adobe After Effects, Autodesk Maya, Houdini, and familiarity with compositing and rendering engines is crucial. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong teamwork and communication skills help artists stand out in collaborative production environments. These skills ensure the creation of high-quality, believable visual effects that enhance storytelling and meet project requirements.

What is the difference between Visual Effects Artist vs Motion Graphics Designer?

AspectVisual Effects ArtistMotion Graphics Designer
Required CredentialsPortfolio, degree in film, animation, or related fieldPortfolio, degree in graphic design, animation, or related field
Work EnvironmentFilm, TV, advertising, post-production studiosAdvertising agencies, media companies, digital agencies
Industry UsageSpecializes in integrating CGI and effects into live-actionCreates animated graphics for videos, presentations, and branding

While both roles involve digital artistry, Visual Effects Artists focus on integrating CGI and effects into live-action footage, often working in film and TV post-production. Motion Graphics Designers create animated graphics for various media, emphasizing branding and visual communication. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the digital media industry.

What are some common challenges Visual Effects Artists face when working on collaborative projects?

Visual Effects Artists often work closely with directors, animators, and other post-production professionals, which can present challenges in maintaining a unified creative vision and meeting tight deadlines. Balancing technical limitations with artistic goals, adapting to rapidly changing feedback, and ensuring seamless integration of effects into live-action footage are frequent hurdles. Strong communication skills and flexibility are essential to effectively collaborate and deliver high-quality results within project constraints.
What are the most commonly searched types of Visual Effects Artist jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Visual Effects Artist jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Visual Effects Artist jobs in Virginia? For Visual Effects Artist jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What are popular job titles related to Visual Effects Artist jobs in VA? For Visual Effects Artist jobs in VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Visual Effects Artist job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,903 per year, or $51.4 per hour.
Adjunct Faculty - Animation and Motion Design

Adjunct Faculty - Animation and Motion Design

Regent University

Virginia Beach, VA • On-site

$100/hr

Part-time

Posted 18 days ago


Regent University rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

254th of 611 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Adjunct Faculty - Animation and Motion Design
Job no: 50000453
Work type: Part time
Location: Virginia Beach
Categories: Faculty & Adjunct, School of Communications & the Arts
The Department of Film & Media Arts at Regent University's School of Communication and the Arts invites applications from experienced animation and digital media professionals to join our adjunct faculty. We are building a pool of skilled instructors and will select candidates whose backgrounds best serve our students, so whatever your area of expertise within the craft, we encourage you to apply.
Disciplines and Delivery Formats
Teaching opportunities are available at the undergraduate level, at Regent's campus in Virginia Beach on-campus. We are actively seeking instructors with professional experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • 2D & 3D Animation
  • Character Animation
  • Storyboarding & Visual Development
  • Motion Design
  • Compositing
  • Visual Effects (VFX)
  • Digital Modeling, Texturing, and Look Development
  • Lighting and Rendering
  • Animation Pre-Production and Pipeline Development
  • Cinematography for Animation
  • Editing and Post-Production
  • Visual Storytelling and Narrative Development
  • Interactive Media and Emerging Technologies

Whether your background is in feature animation, television animation, motion graphics, commercial production, visual effects, game cinematics, virtual production, or a combination of these fields, we want to hear from you. We value depth of industry experience and a genuine passion for mentoring the next generation of Christian storytellers.
Expectations include 1) a dedication to Christ-centered teaching and learning; 2) a record of or potential for academic scholarship; 3) the ability to teach undergraduate-level courses; 4) facility with online instructional technology; and 5) a willingness to embrace the College and University Identity and Mission statements and subscribe to a statement of Christian faith.
Salary: $100/credit hour/student up to $3,000 per course
Please submit your CV, a brief statement of teaching philosophy, and any relevant professional credits along with your application.
Regent University does not discriminate in employment in its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, age or veteran status. For full Non-Discrimination Policy click here.
Benefits
Not eligible for benefits
#LI-DNI
Advertised: 08 Jun 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 08 Jun 2027 Eastern Daylight Time
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