Animator Career Path

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in animation, you may not be certain what steps to take to establish yourself professionally or what credentials are required to land a job in this field. The following sections will offer some tips on how to get started in animation and the educational background needed for this career path. Additionally, a brief discussion will be provided on the different types of jobs available and how to best prepare for them.

Getting Started

A great starting point for those who are just getting started on their path to becoming an Animator is to do some preliminary research into this field. This may be as simple as a Google search about the animation industry to get a feel for the types of career paths available in fields like TV, film, or video game design. Even though there’s overlap between these fields, it can be helpful early on to narrow down your search to your area of interest and begin looking into career paths that align with your creative and technical skill set. You may opt to attend a free information session on animation at your local library or college to discover more about this profession. You may also wish to conduct informal interviews with anyone you know who works in animation to get a feel for the kind of work they do, the skills they have, and what a typical workday looks like for them.

At this point, you may discover that you lack certain skills needed to get started in animation, including artistic or technical skills. You may want to enroll in a class to learn skills like illustration or storytelling or opt to acquire this training with self-teaching tools like on-demand coursework or YouTube videos. Additionally, you may want to become familiar with one or more software commonly used in animation careers, such as Cinema 4D, Blender, Autodesk Maya, or Adobe Animate. A short skills class, a bootcamp, or even a comprehensive certificate program are excellent options to acquire this necessary technical training.

Another essential component of pursuing an animation career is to compile a professional portfolio. This is an essential component that can open professional doors in various animation-related roles. A strong animation portfolio should include several of your strongest pieces that demonstrate a range of artistic and technical abilities. Most portfolios include more than animated clips; they also situate them in a larger context that explains the creative process behind these illustrations and the decisions you made with each. Some portfolios include storyboards as well. When compiling your portfolio, it’s a good idea to opt for a few (3-5) higher-quality pieces that show you can work with different artistic styles and techniques rather than selecting a greater number of clips that are less developed. Some people use sites like Adobe Portfolio, which is part of Adobe CC and is a great resource for creating a full website that can be shared with potential employers.

Do I Need a Degree to Become an Animator?

Although a degree isn’t necessary to pursue a career in animation, most people enter this field with a college degree in art or visual design. These programs provide students with the opportunity to spend several years fully immersed in their studies. Participants not only receive training in basic animation concepts, but they also learn how to work with the technology and software needed to succeed professionally, including Adobe After Effects or Cinema 4D. 

Some of the most popular undergraduate and degree paths held by those interested in working in animation are:

• Associate’s degree in computer animation
• Bachelor’s degree in animation
• Bachelor’s degree in computer animation
• Bachelor’s degree in the fine arts
• Bachelor’s degree in visual design
• Master’s degree in fine arts.

College and graduate study can be a great way to prepare for a career in animation, but it’s not required for all jobs in this field. Those who don’t have formal college training in animation can still apply for many animation careers. They will need to demonstrate to employers that they can work with core animation apps and software like Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects, as well as apply various animation techniques and theories. These skills can be learned through bootcamps or certificates from providers like Noble Desktop. Additionally, those hoping to land an animation job but don’t have a degree will need strong job application material that will convince a hiring manager they’re as qualified for the role as someone with this degree. This means a very strong demo reel, cover letter, resume, and LinkedIn profile. Job experience is also an asset for those applying without degrees. Some individuals may wish to gain industry experience in animation, either through volunteer work or freelance jobs, before they apply for full-time animation roles.

Internships

Most entry-level jobs in animation will expect candidates to have at least two years of work experience in this field. This may be from internships, volunteer roles, or paid positions. For those who are new to animation, a paid or volunteer internship role is a great way to get your feet in the door, learn the basics of this field, and gain valuable training that can prepare you to excel in a range of creative roles. This hands-on training isn’t just an excellent chance to become familiar with the tools and skills you’ll need as you pursue more senior roles but also to have the opportunity to see what a typical workday is like in this field. Additionally, the projects you complete as part of the internship can be included in your professional portfolio and shared with prospective employers.

Entry-Level Animator Jobs

Once you’ve acquired the technical and artistic training needed to work in Animation, it’s time to apply for an entry-level job. These junior-level roles take many forms, depending on the type of animation and the employer. Some popular entry-level professional paths are:

• Junior-level Motion Graphics Designer
• Junior Media Designer
• Production Assistant
• Junior Digital Content Producer
• Junior Creative Designer
• Junior Visual Information Designer
• Junior 2D/3D Animation Artist

Each of these professional roles varies in the specific job requirements. However, most people will find that they will need training in illustration and basic art and design concepts, as well as knowledge of programs like Adobe Animate, Autodesk Maya, Cinema 4D, or Blender. To apply for these roles, prospective job applicants also will need skills like basic knowledge of animation and motion graphics, 3D modeling, content creation, storyboarding, or video editing.

Mid-Level Animator Jobs

Mid-level Animator jobs typically require that applicants have acquired two or more years of work experience prior to applying. Since these roles are higher ranking than junior-level positions, they may require additional responsibilities, though they typically pay more competitive salaries as well. The following are a few mid-level jobs in animation that are currently available in the US:

• Media Specialist
• Mid-level Animator
• Animation Technical Assistant
• Mid-level Software Developer

These roles typically require applicants to have mid-level artistic and creative training, a collaborative mindset, excellent time management skills, and familiarity with the software and tools needed to create animations. 

Senior Animator Jobs

Senior-level animation roles are typically reserved for those who have acquired three to five years (or more) of professional animation experience. These positions pay competitive salaries and require applicants to possess many of the same skills as entry or mid-level roles, including knowledge of animation tools and software and advanced illustration and artistic skills. They also typically include additional responsibilities, such as team management. Often, those who work in senior animation roles oversee or mentor teams of more junior-level Animators and ensure that the projects they’re working on are being carried out on time and meeting all expectations. These individuals must, therefore, be skilled leaders who are able to clearly communicate, motivate others, and manage interpersonal conflicts as needed. The following are several senior-level animation career paths.

• Senior VFX Artist
• Senior 2D/3D Animation Artist
• Senior UI Designer
• Animation Director
• Senior Narrative Animator
• Senior Concept Artist
• Senior Cinematic Animator
• Key Animator

Another Path: Freelancing

Those interested in securing freelance animation jobs can choose from many of the same career paths they would if they were employed in-house, including those that focus on video game design, digital advertising, medical animation, multimedia animation, or motion graphics design. Because animation is used across industries, this skill set is currently in demand in a range of exciting and creative fields.

Home-based animation jobs are secured on a per-project basis, which means that Freelance Animators must always be on the lookout for new professional opportunities. This requires having a strong resume, an attention-grabbing demo reel that showcases their best animation projects, and an up-to-date LinkedIn profile, all of which are ready to send when a new job appears. Until a steady client base is established, most freelancers must regularly promote themselves and their work to ensure a steady flow of projects. Those with a strong animation background will find many high-paying professional options awaiting them across industries and professions. As Freelance Animators gain experience and client recommendations, they enjoy the creative freedom to decide which projects to pass on and which to tackle. This allows them to tailor their work around what they enjoy doing most, as well as what they’re best at, and avoid projects that don’t feel like they’re a good match. 

Unlike in-house employees, Freelance Animators serve as their own bosses. They can select which animation projects they wish to work on at any time and which they would prefer to pass on. This affords them more creative freedom than those who work in-house and must complete their assigned work. These professionals may opt for one large project, such as a feature-length movie, that takes several months (or even longer) to complete or select several shorter projects that require only weeks. Freelance Animators have the flexibility of choosing when and where they’d like to work. Whether they wish to work on their laptop storyboarding a project at a local coffee shop or do so from the comfort of their own home, the bottom line for Freelancers is that they complete the project they were hired to work on and do so in the timeframe their client has specified. However, with this flexibility comes certain concessions, such as not receiving benefits or paid time off. It’s essentially up to the Freelance Animator to continue finding work and budgeting for variables like healthcare or days off.

How Do I Find an Animator Job?

If you’re searching for animation jobs, the process may feel intimidating at first, especially considering how many entry-level positions are available in this field from employers around the country. Don’t fret, though; many excellent resources are available to help you find open positions at all levels. The following are several useful tips and resources for those who are currently on the job search:

• While it may seem obvious, a good starting place in your job hunt can be through a simple Google search. Typing “animation jobs” is a good starting place to find local job options. Google recently improved its search algorithm and can be an excellent resource for locating jobs since many companies post openings directly on the Google search engine platform.
• Indeed.com is the most widely used job hosting platform around the planet. Each month, 180 million unique visits are made to the site. Regardless of the type of animation career you’re in search of, Indeed can be a great resource for finding promising animation career options. It’s important when using Indeed to remember that since the site is so expansive, the number of people who see each post is potentially very large, which can mean the jobs will be fairly competitive to obtain.
• To browse animation-specific job posts,AnimatedJobs.com is a great resource. This job aggregation site focuses primarily on careers for Storyboard Artists, Concept Artists, 2D Animators, and 3D Animators. Since the site was created to help Animators find specific job posts, it’s a good way to find jobs that focus on industries like gaming or entertainment. Additionally, internships and freelance job postings are also common on AnimatedJobs.com, which makes this platform a great resource for Animators from all different backgrounds who have various experience levels. While far fewer jobs are posted on this site than on Indeed.com, the ones that are listed are much more likely to be relevant to aspiring Animators.
• Even though LinkedIn.com isn’t always thought of as a job aggregation site, it’s primarily a robust networking platform that’s transitioning to include the infrastructure for job aggregation. Those who have a LinkedIn profile may find it useful to search this site for potential job openings. It’s also an excellent resource for networking and building professional connections with other Animators or creative individuals.
• Most people hunting for jobs are already familiar with Glassdoor.com. This major job hosting platform is smaller than Indeed.com but still has many job postings for aspiring Animators. Those seeking animation employment can work with Glassdoor’s data aggregation and job information tools to look up information on the average pay rate for animation careers, the experience level needed to apply for certain positions, or other relevant data points. Similar to Indeed, because of the sheer size of this site, the jobs posted are likely competitive since they are being seen by a vast audience. 

It’s important to remember that when you search for animation jobs, the ones you consider should match your level of experience and your interests. While this may seem like a given, since most job openings today are listed on aggregate sites like LinkedIn or Glassdoor, it’s essential to check the job requirements to ensure the search terms you’re using will help you find a job that fits your needs. It’s also important to check the date the job was posted to ensure it’s not too late to be in the running for the position. 

Learn the Skills to Become an Animator at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop has several exciting educational opportunities available for aspiring Animators at all levels. In Noble’s Video Editing and Motion Graphics Certificate, participants receive comprehensive hands-on training designed to prepare them to pursue a career in motion graphics or video editing. Instruction is provided on core Adobe apps like Cinema 4D Lite, After Effects, Premiere Pro, and Audition. All participants in this program create a professional demo reel that can be shared with prospective employers. This certificate program includes eight 1-on-1 mentoring sessions. Financing options are available.

Those who want to take their motion graphics skills to the next level can do so in Noble’s Motion Graphics Certificate. This intensive program teaches students to create visual effects and motion graphics using Adobe After Effects. Participants study how to make 3D animations using Cinema 4D Lite. Instruction is provided on how to edit videos with Adobe Premiere Pro. This certificate program teaches students how to develop a project from concept into design and ultimately to fully animated graphics. Graduates of this course leave with a demo reel of motion graphics projects that can be shared with future employers to highlight their skills. Five 1-on-1 mentoring sessions are provided as part of this program.

For those who want to focus their training on a specific Adobe application, Noble offers After Effects Bootcamp. This hands-on program takes students from the basics of animation, such as how to navigate the workplace, up to advanced techniques, including green screen removal and motion tracking. An expert instructor with real-world animation experience teaches this project-based course. Tuition includes a bonus 1-on-1 mentoring session that can be used to drill down on difficult bootcamp concepts or for professional development purposes.

All Noble courses include a free course retake for up to one year. Instruction is provided in person in New York City and live online.