n the early days of animation, animators put pencil to paper to create two dimensional cartoon characters. With the development of technology that’s advancing every day, animation requires a new set of skills in order to be successful in the business. But these advances in technology have made for more thrilling entertainment and growth in the industry of animation and graphic design.
Nowadays, many aspiring artists find careers in animation. It allows them to use their storytelling, artistic, and technical skills in a way that provides a comfortable living. Instead of working overtime to make their way in the gallery circuit, some of the most talented artists in the world are working as animators in special effects for movies, film characters, advertising, and video games. There are more options for animators now than ever before. But before you start your pursuit of an animation career, it’s important to know the details of the job.
Purpose of an Animator
The purpose of an animator is to create active graphics through digital graphics and computer animation. Modern day animators need extensive computer animation skills in order to work in the industry. Some animators have the freedom to conceptualize the characters and scenes as well as develop the visual graphics. Others will be asked to create computer animations based on another professional’s designs and ideas. Either way, success as an animator requires the ability to be creative, draw, and collaborate with others.
Benefits of Careers in Computer Animation
Animation is a popular career for its many benefits. One of the greatest benefits of the industry is the increasing demand for skilled and experienced animators.
However, most animators love their job because of its collaborative, creative, and artistic elements. Most artists relish the opportunity to make a living using their talents and animation is a great opportunity to do just that. Animators get to go to work and make up stories and draw pictures. To an outsider, it might seem like an animation career isn’t a “real” job. But as a skilled and experienced animator, you can earn a very comfortable living as well as enjoy a fun career.
Animators also have a variety of employment options. While many animators work for ad agencies and video game producers, there are increasing opportunities for animators in the live-action movie industry. Animation used to be just for Saturday morning cartoons. Now, special effects demand the skills of animators to create realistic sequences for live action films.
Self employment and freelance options are also available to animators. Some animators prefer to be employed as salaried professionals. Others like the freedom and flexibility of freelancing.
Moving up in Graphics and Animation Careers
There is significant advancement potential in the animation business. In fact, advancement is essential if you want to earn a more comfortable income as an animator. Starting animators earn approximately $30,000 annually while experienced animators can earn more than $80,000 annually. Moving up in the business is an important part of your earning power.
Starting animators need time to hone their skills and abilities. With that, starting animators can begin their careers as graphic designers in other industries and move in to animation. They can also start out in the animation industry as assistant designers that merely carry out the animation process as opposed to creating the characters and sequences themselves.
Advancement in the animation business gives professionals more creative control over their projects. Upper level animators will be more involved in the conceptualization of characters, scenes, and project and may oversee a team of people involved in the animation process.
Animation Duties
As an animator, your daily responsibilities can vary significantly. Beginning animators will have less variation in their work day while experienced animators can split their time between brainstorming, animation, and management. Animation duties might include:
- Building models
- Creating story boards
- Designing characters
- Timing movements
- Working with teams and clients
- Using computers and design software
Animators need to have great team work and interpersonal skills in order to collaborate with team members and other creative and design professionals to create characters, design actions sequences, and other projects.
Animator’s Education
The great thing about working in an animation career is that it doesn’t require formal education. The most successful animators are those that have substantial creative and artistic talent. For the most part, artistic ability isn’t something that can be learned in a classroom. However, it is a skill that can be developed in a classroom.
However, education is necessary for careers in animation to develop necessary computer skills. Computer graphics and animation are the basis of the animation field today. You need significant computer animation and graphic design skills to succeed and advance in the industry. However, these skills can be learned through two-year and four-year programs. With your talent and the right education, you can have success as an animator.