What do Animators Do?
Becoming an animator can be an exciting option if you're looking to make a hobby into a career. If you enjoy the arts and want a fulfilling career, animation might just be the field for you. Though animator requirements can vary, it may help if your skillset already includes graphic design or drawing. Different industries use different software programs and techniques, so animator training requirements will also vary depending on the industry you choose. Before choosing an industry, you might want to know the answer to the question, 'What do animators do?'
Animators use animation software and computers to create 2-D and 3-D animation for websites, film, video, gaming, and mobile media. Drawing and sculpting skills still play a role in today's animation, but cutting-edge technology has combined with art to expand the field. Often working from home, some animators are self-employed and must always be on the lookout for new freelance assignments. Others are employed full-time by companies and studios. In either case, work weeks are often long, and animators sometimes work nights and weekends.
Animator Requirements
| Degree Level | Bachelor's degree standard |
| Degree Field | Computer animation, fine art, graphic arts |
| Training | Some employers require on-the-job training in using company specific software |
| Experience | 1 year for entry-level positions; 3 or more years for mid-level or advanced positions |
| Key Skills | Creative, artistic, communication, computer and time-management skills; ability to use animation and video editing software |
| Salary | $75,270 per year (2019 median salary for all multimedia artists and animators) |
| Job Outlook | 4% increase for 2019-2029 (all multimedia artists and animators) |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Animator Education Requirements
If you're just starting college or you're looking to change majors, you might ask, 'What degree do you need to be an animator?' An animator's education typically involves a bachelor's degree in computer animation, fine art, or graphic arts. They're expected to be creative and artistic, with communication and time management skills. They must also have computer expertise and the ability to use animation and video editing software.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for all multimedia artists and animators was $75,270 in 2019. BLS also reports a positive job outlook for multimedia artists and animators with an expected increase of four percent for the years 2019-2029.
How to Become an Animator
As with many jobs, there are many paths you can take when figuring out how to become an animator. Still, there are some key things to consider when it comes to education and training for this position. So, exactly what education do you need to be an animator? And once you graduate, what training is needed to become an animator?
Step 1: Complete Education
Completing a bachelor's animation degree program provides students with valuable art skills and teaches them to be proficient in the technology used in this industry. There are many specialties within the animation field, including gaming, visual or special effects, animation for websites, and animation for film, video, or online. Animator education and training courses touch on basic animation requirements, such as art, drawing, multimedia, 2-D and 3-D animation, and graphics.
Be sure to choose the right program. Students should choose an animator degree program that features courses in the skills that line up with the animator education requirements for their chosen specialty. For example, interactive animation courses required for gaming may not aid the student whose career path is special effects animation for film.
Step 2: Gain Work Experience
Work experience plays a vital part in an animator's requirements. Most employers prefer artists who have experience. Students pursuing their animation education through a degree program can earn on-the-job experience through an internship as part of their graduation requirement. Graduates and animators without a formal education will generally have to work in assistant positions for a while before advancing to full-fledged animation positions. This field also offers many freelance opportunities for varying degrees of skill, providing another means by which the artist can earn valuable job experience. If you're just starting out, consider getting experience with jobs that have similar duties. Some of the basic animator tasks include:
- Creating illustrations and visual effects
- Coordinating with other animators
- Conducting research for inspiration on designs
- Editing animations to comply with visuals
Volunteer to use your animation skills for others. Enterprising animators can find many local opportunities to provide animation services for schools, non-profits, small businesses, or community groups, enhancing their websites or contributing animation for an informational short film. Professional work done as a volunteer service can be used as experience on a resume and in a demo reel.
Step 3: Build a Portfolio
To showcase your animator qualifications, build a portfolio or demo reel. To showcase artistry, creativity, and technical skill, all students should build portfolios or demo reels during the degree program. This portfolio should be edited consistently to include recent work samples as you continue your career. The content should also be relevant to the job you're applying for and should be formatted according to the employer's preference. Most employers require the artist to submit a DVD or a link to a website that contains the demo reel along with his or her job application.
Artists can tailor their demo reels to showcase the style and technical skills required by the position for which they are applying. For example, if you're applying for an animator position in the video game industry, use content that reflects similar work and ideas. But if you are trying to figure out how to become a movie animator and are working towards this goal, you might want to include a variety of content to showcase your skills, depending on the details of the job description. Either way, this step is especially important so that you can stand out from the competition.
Step 4: Maintain Your Proficiency
Animators who want to remain efficient and competitive can do so by attending classes that teach advanced software features and address industry trends. These classes are offered by colleges as well as companies that produce software, including Autodesk and Adobe.
You will want to read trade publications. Publications that cater to the graphics and animation industry are valuable, objective sources of information with reporting on industry trends and new releases of technology. Artists can subscribe to publications that are available in print and online.
Step 5: Consider Graduate Training
Animators looking to further develop their creative and technical skills may enroll in a master's program to prepare for more senior-level positions. Programs such as a Master of Fine Arts in Animation and Visual Effects can help animators develop mastery in the area of storytelling through 2-D and 3-D designs. Further computer animation education also allows animators to gain fresh ideas through collaborative team projects and network with leading animators in the film and game design industries through lectures and workshops.
