Useful Tips

5 Steps to Becoming an Animator

Step One: Read the Job Description

Animators work primarily in motion picture and video industries, advertising, and computer systems design services. They draw by hand and use computers to create the series of pictures that form the animated images or special effects seen in movies, television programs, and computer games. Storyboards, drawn by animators, also serve as guides to placing actors and cameras on television or motion picture sets. Many multi-media artists model objects in three dimensions by computer and work with programmers to make those images move. 

Step Two: Choose Your Focus and Get Educated

A career in animation requires you hold a bachelor’s degree or other postsecondary training in art or design.Although some with natural talent can sometimes slip by without formal schooling, it is useful to learn the required software that heavily dominates the industry and, as always, an education can make you more appealing among otherwise equally qualified candidates.

That being said, most people in the animation career field earn a bachelor’s degree in fine art or animation.Degree programs in this field include courses in 2D and 3D animation. Students learn how to develop characters and create storyboards and models and those who wish to have a career in animation and other art-oriented jobs need to learn computer graphics as well.

A large part of an animator’s education lies in work experience. Potential animators should participate in internships and work-study programs in order to learn from professionals already working in the field to fine-tune their skills and focus. Successful animators need to possess as high degree of creativity, but also must have a very visual and vivid imagination, pulling inspiration from movies, nature, comics, and fine arts.

An animator must be comfortable experimenting with new ideas and have a basic understanding of geometry; much of working in 3D is dealing with a third axis point.

Additionally, various animators also study anatomy to gain a deeper understanding of how humans and animals move in order to animate their characters in more realistic ways. 

Step Three: Assemble Your Portfolio(s)

Why is an animation portfolionecessary? It’s simple — today’s job market is very competitive. In order to get ahead of the competition and show prospective employers you’re the one they need, you must have samples of your best work for them to view. Some animators will even create an animated film and enter into competitions to increase their visibility in the field, win cash prizes, and boost awareness of their portfolios.

Hard Copy Version
First, you must have a hard copy version of your animation portfolio. This should include copies of your artwork, drawings, and storyboards. Your hard copy portfolio will come in handy when you attend interviews and will give your interviewer the chance to glance at your work. Because you’ll only have stills in this portfolio, you should include a hard copy version such as a CD of examples and a website where they can view your online portfolio.

What your portfolios should include:

A Bio: Include a little bit about yourself, your history, what you studied in school, your favorite sandwich (if you think it will set you apart from the rest), and links to your blog or social communities, FaceBook Fan Pages, or Twitter accounts. Basically, this part of your portfolio should give potential employers a good feel for who you are and what you can bring (personality-wise) to their company.

Examples of your work: This section or sections (if you’ve studied or worked in multiple artistic mediums, create separate tabs) showcase your skills, talents and flair as an artist. This is where you bring your history (or bio) to life. Worked for Pixar? Attended the Academy of Art? Those are great accomplishments to highlight on your resume, but without samples, companies and employers won’t know what you’re really capable of. They’ll want to see samples. Be proud and show off your work!

Resume: This page should include your up-to-date resume, as well as a printer-friendly PDF version.

Contact: This page should include your email, a PO Box address, and links to your blogs or social networking pages such as, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter

Step Four: Know What Employers Want

Demand for multimedia artists and animators will increase as consumers continue to demand more realistic video games, movie and television special effects, and 3D animated movies. Additional job openings will arise from an increasing demand for website development and for computer graphics adaptation from the growing number of mobile technologies. Animators are also increasingly finding work in alternative areas such as scientific research or design services.

Multi-media artists and animators will experience competition. Job opportunities for animators that use less technology, like cartooners, are less in demand and could be hindered they continue to be outsourced overseas. You’d be best off finding an area of animation that you love and keeping in mind what’s in demand and what will pay the bills. Some animators find it productive to work in one field and freelance in another.

Step Five: Get to Work!

Despite the competition, studios, galleries, and individual clients are always on the lookout for artists who display outstanding talent, creativity, and style. Among craft and fine artists,talented individuals who have developed a mastery of artistic techniques and skills will have the best job prospects. And, lucky for you, multimedia artists and animators should have better job opportunities due to a growing industry need and dependence on focused skills you’ll possess.

That being said, multimedia art is a growing field and career advancement is almost guaranteed.