Animation

Animation Career Overview

Animators are responsible for bringing a character to life, whether on paper, the big screen, or the Net. Animation involves graphic design and multimedia manipulation and requires someone who shows visual creativity, a passion for drawing, a comprehensive understanding of the world of multimedia computer programming, and the appropriate post secondary education.

Animation can lead to a career in a variety of fields including film, advertising, television, video gaming and the Internet. Most animators can also be classified as computer animators or multimedia artists. Animators will draw by hand as well as use computer programs to create their 2D and 3D characters and manipulate movement and motion.

Animation Career Education & Training

There are several post secondary routes you can take when it comes to becoming an animator. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most companies will look for employees who possess either associate degrees or bachelor degrees in graphic design, computer animation, media arts, and animation or fine arts. In fact, in the BLS Occupation Employment, Training and Earnings, reports show that 58% of all current multimedia artists and animators possess at least a bachelor’s degree. This number is expected to increase as technology advances and the significance of education becomes more and more essential.

Certification in specific computer programming and Web design can also help you understand the technological side of animation, especially if you are planning on working in Web development. Courses in art history and theory, marketing and advertising, graphic design, communications, computer programming, and multimedia technology will help in animation careers.

Those interested in animation should have a passion for drawing. They should be able to work under minimum supervision, stay motivated, and be creative. As an animator you will need to work with several people, including layout artists and animator directors, and thus you need to be communicative and organized. A good animator will possess excellent visual aesthetic, a keen eye for consumerism, and an advanced level of technological understanding.

Animation Career & Salary Outlook

Animators, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, can expect a yearly salary of $62,380. This is an incredible $10,000 annual increase from the average reported wages in 2003. The annual wage increase is expected to continue as the animation world becomes more advanced and technical.

Those in the video and motion picture industries, as well as specialized designed services, can expect the highest salaries. The top 10% of animators made over $100,000 in 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. According to Payscale.com, those with less than one-year experience can still expect over $50,000 per year, with adequate training.

Animators and multimedia artists can look forward to a promising future, especially with the escalation of the technological age. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an additional 30,000 jobs, or a 26% increase in animator employment opportunities by 2016. For those with computer animation experience and advanced degrees, positions as head animator and animation director will most certainly be in reach.

Animation Career Fields & Specializations

A degree in animation qualifies you to work in fields in computer specialization, network system and data communication, graphic design, and computer information science.

According to the Arizona Department of Education, some animators take positions as digital artists, special effects animators, film modelers, motion graphic artists, lighting artists, storyboard artists, layout artists, conceptual artists and character riggers among many other titles. Animators can expect to work for both small and large companies, including publishing companies, advertising agencies, and gaming firms. Many animators are hired on a freelance or contractual basis and, essentially, work for themselves.

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