Animator Job Description

Animators employ graphic design software and specialized animation programs to create the illusion of movement from a series of still images. Early animations, like classic cartoons, used pictures drawn onto transparent celluloid sheets that were photographed. Now, digitally created sequences rely on the same principles to create animations for advertisements, video games, and movies, to name just a few applications. This overview will explain more about what an Animator does, what they typically earn, and how to learn the skills required to land an animation job. 

What is an Animator?

Animators bring characters, objects, and scenes to life by placing images in a sequence that suggests movement. They may use hand-drawn or computer-generated images or a combination of both. Animators are often involved in the full scope of a project, from developing new concepts to designing characters and backgrounds and outlining the animation sequence in storyboards. They begin an animation sequence by creating keyframes, the main points of movement, and then develop the in-between frames that ensure smooth motion. 

Animators usually report to a Creative Director or Animation Director and might also work closely with writers, other artists, and technical staff. On larger projects, Animators may be part of a team assigned specific roles, such as Character Animation, Background Animation, or Special Effects Animator. Animation is often used in movies, television shows, video games, websites, and other media. In the games industry, animators are known as Computer Graphics (CG) or 3D Animators and may collaborate with programmers and artists. In the animation industry, Animators work from a brief provided by the Director or Animation Director and a storyboard developed by the Storyboard Artist. A Special Effects Supervisor, known as an SFX Supervisor, is usually in charge of the special effects team on a film or television production.

The working environment for Animators can vary greatly, depending on their place of employment and current project. Some Animators work in studios as part of a larger team and collaborate closely with other artists and designers. The team-based environment can be fast-paced, with many brainstorming sessions and group meetings. Freelance Animators work more independently and manage their own schedules and client communications. Being an Animator requires a mix of creativity, technical skills, and attention to detail. Animators need to keep up with the latest animation software and techniques, and they must be able to adapt their style to fit different projects. 

Job Requirements

A formal education in a related field is helpful when you want to land a job as an Animator. Many Animators have a bachelor's degree in animation, graphic design, fine arts, or similar subjects. These programs cover important skills like drawing, computer graphics, and animation software. 

Certifications can also boost your chances of landing an animation job. These professional programs focus on the skills you need to stand out in an animation career, such as software or animation techniques. You’ll also need to be adept with the technology most commonly used in the industry, including animation software like Adobe Animate, Maya, or Blender. 

Internships and entry-level positions can provide aspiring Animators with valuable experience and networking opportunities. Connecting with professionals in the industry through social media, animation festivals, or online forums can also help you get your foot in the door. A strong portfolio that shows off your best work is essential to break into this field; this can include personal projects, school assignments, or freelance work that demonstrates your creativity and technical ability. Some self-taught Animators can find work based on the merits of their demo reel.

In addition to formal educational and experiential requirements for animation-related careers, several soft skills are essential to thrive in this field. The first is artistic ability. Animators must have a creative mindset and an artistic vision, which helps them translate ideas from their minds onto the screen. They also must be able to contribute to storytelling efforts in a given project, which requires knowledge of how to combine a compelling narrative with visuals that reinforce it. Attention to detail is another important soft skill for Animators, as this helps create consistency and continuity in a project. Teamwork and collaboration, too, are important for Animators since these professionals often work alongside other team members. Finally, keen organizational skills are a must for Animators since they must maintain a regulated workflow when they’re involved with a project so it will be finished on time.

Job Responsibilities

Animators are responsible for a variety of creative and technical tasks. From initial concept development to final post-production endeavors, Animators are involved in every step of the animation process. The following is a breakdown of the typical responsibilities you might have in an animation job:

• Concept Development: Brainstorm and develop new ideas for animations and storylines.
• Character and Background Design: Come up with detailed designs for characters, scenes, backgrounds, and other elements.
• User Experience: Consider the audience for all animations you create. 
• Storyboarding: Outline the animation sequence with storyboards to visualize the flow of the story.
• Create Keyframes and In-Between Frames: Develop keyframes, which are the main points of movement in the animation, and fill in the in-between frames to ensure smooth transitions and fluid motion. Develop the timing and pacing of motion based on audio requirements.
• Collaboration: Work closely with writers, directors, and other team members to drive the style and feel of the animation.
• Revisions: Incorporate critique feedback by finding optimal solutions and refine animation to get the best quality within the timeline.
• Special Effects: Add special effects to enhance the animation.
• Post-Production: Work on post-production tasks to ensure the final animation is polished and ready for release.
• Technology Capabilities: Stay current with the latest animation software and techniques, such as Autodesk Maya, Blender, Adobe Animate, or Procreate.

Skills

Becoming an Animator requires strong skills in art and technology, as well as the ability to effectively manage projects and timelines. Animators need skills in drawing and illustration to share ideas and create new character designs and scenes, and a strong dose of creativity is essential for coming up with new ideas and developing unique animations. Animators should also have well-developed communication skills since they’ll need to work as part of a team and adapt to criticism and feedback. Time-management skills enable you to manage projects that face tight deadlines and include multiple tasks. 

Animators must also be well-versed in using animation software like Adobe Animate, Maya, Blender, or Toon Boom. Some animation companies have their own computer software that artists must learn to use, or Animators may write their own computer code to create the desired effects. 

Animation professionals often specialize in a specific medium, like animated movies, video games, or television shows, or they may focus on a particular type of imagery, such as scenery or backgrounds. Video Game Artists specialize in creating each video game level’s look, feel, and layout. Animators usually work as part of a team to create their portion of the project, and then the pieces are subsequently joined together in one cohesive animation.

Why Do Businesses Need Animators?

Animators play an integral role in businesses of all types and sizes because they can help increase brand awareness, user engagement, and accessibility of shared content. Those with animation expertise can put a creative edge on advertising by creating animated content that educates audience members about their brand’s values and intentions and leaves a memorable visual impression. The content Animators create is usually accessible to a general audience since it can break down complex information into an easy-to-understand visual format that brings this information to life. Animation is a powerful tool that combines the benefits of storytelling with visually engaging content.

Businesses that incorporate animated videos on their websites are more likely to engage users, so they’ll spend more time on the site. Animated videos can be used to explain the benefits of a service or product and present this information in a way that is more likely to gain the audience’s focus and attention than if these details were conveyed through written content. Another reason why Animators are an asset to their organization is because the content they create can be easily updated without the need to reshoot. Relevant changes in technology will require updating videos to ensure the content they convey is current. With animated video content, Animators can adapt videos to appeal to a more specialized audience or a different audience entirely or work with visuals to tweak the message that’s being conveyed. It’s much more cost-effective and easier to make edits than it would be to reshoot the whole video.

Where Do Animators Usually Work?

Animators work in a diverse range of industries that each offer unique opportunities. One of the largest employers of Animators is the entertainment industry, which includes movie studios, television networks, and video game companies. In these roles, Animators create the characters, backgrounds, and special effects that bring stories to life. The advertising industry is also a major employer since they often need eye-catching animations for commercials, online ads, and social media campaigns. Animated content can grab the audience’s attention and help brands stand out.

Education is also a growing field for Animators. Here, they create animations for instructional videos, e-learning courses, and interactive lessons that make course material more fun and easier to understand. Animators are also employed in web design and app development, crafting animations for websites, mobile apps, and user interfaces. Animation can make digital products more engaging and user-friendly. 

Fifty-eight percent of animators are self-employed. By working independently, they can take on a wide range of projects, which keeps the work exciting and creatively fulfilling. However, freelancing also requires strong self-discipline and business skills. Freelance Animators serve as their own bosses, which means they must manage their own time, find new clients, and handle contracts and finances.

Animator Salary and Job Outlook

Animator salaries can vary depending on your experience, where you live, and the industry in which you work. Fortunately, prospects for Animators are strong, and the job outlook for Animators is expected to grow faster than average over the next decade. The demand for skilled Animators is especially strong in the video game, film, and advertising industries. With the rising popularity of streaming services and the steady demand for video games, there’s an ongoing need for fresh content. Plus, more businesses are using Animators in their marketing and educational content. 

Animators earn an average salary of $89,000 annually, and Software Publishers are the highest-paying industry for Animators, with an average yearly pay rate of $110,000. Salaries for animation jobs vary widely depending on where you live; pay may be as high as $127,000 per year in Portland, Oregon, or start at only $36,000 annually in Charleston, South Carolina. In cities like Los Angeles and New York, which are home to many major film and animation studios, Animators often command peak salaries. Strong tech markets like San Francisco and Seattle also offer competitive pay for animators working in video games or tech industries. 

How Long Does it Take to Become an Animator? 

The length of time it takes to become an Animator varies, depending on the individual, their existing skill set, and their ultimate professional aspirations. The process of learning how to create detailed animated models for technical or creative projects can be time-consuming and involved. While it’s possible to learn the ins and outs of core animation software like Adobe After Effects in as little as a few days or weeks, it takes most individuals much longer to acquire advanced training and animation techniques. It takes most learners over a year to become comfortable using the tools necessary to create even basic digital animations.

Becoming an Animator usually starts with getting the right education, which can take around four years if you pursue a bachelor's degree in animation, graphic design, or a related field. During this time, you’ll learn the skills you’ll need for drawing, storytelling, and using animation software. You should expect to leave school with a robust portfolio, which is essential for landing a job in the industry. Some Animators take shorter courses or attend animation schools focusing on specific career skills. These professional courses can take anywhere from a few months to two years.

Once you’ve finished your education, you’ll need to gain real-world skills. An entry-level position will allow you to hone your technique and grow your portfolio. Some Animators pursue additional training to specialize in a certain field, which may take a few months to as much as a year. If this is your first career position, you might also be learning how to work in a professional environment, work with feedback, and collaborate with your team. You’ll be able to network and build connections in the industry that will help you launch your career. It can take six to eight years from the start of your education for you to become proficient and build a career as an animator. 

Animator vs. Motion Graphic Artist

Animators and Motion Graphic Artists are both visual storytellers, but their focus and techniques differ. Animators create characters and scenes that are part of a narrative, such as in films, TV shows, and video games. They are experts at using detailed movements, expressions, and interactions that bring characters to life. Creating complex movements like running, jumping, or fighting requires a deep understanding of timing and spacing. Perhaps most important, Animators use gestures and expressions to imbue characters with emotion and personality. 

Motion Graphic Artists, on the other hand, create animated graphics and text effects that communicate information or enhance visual content. You often see motion graphics in commercials, explainer videos, title sequences, and user interfaces. Unlike the character animation created by animators, motion graphics are more abstract and design-oriented. Motion graphics may be used for infographics that make data understandable and appealing or for branding and marketing that capture attention and promote a product or service.

While both roles require creativity and technical skills, Animators focus more on character-driven, narrative animation, while Motion Graphic Designers emphasize abstract, design-focused animations for informational and promotional purposes. For either career, you’ll need strong animation skills and design principles, as well as creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to create compelling visual elements. However, you’ll use different tools and techniques to accomplish your goals. Animators often rely on software like Autodesk Maya, Blender, and Toon Boom Harmony to create detailed character animations. Motion Graphic Artists more often use software like Adobe After Effects, Cinema 4D, and Adobe Premiere Pro to create their work. The frame-by-frame technique common among traditional Animators is seldom used in motion graphics. 

Learn the Skills to Become an Animator at Noble Desktop

If you want to learn animation, Noble Desktop has several exciting educational opportunities available for learners at all levels. In Noble’s Video Editing and Motion Graphics Certificate, participants receive comprehensive hands-on training that is intended 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. They also explore 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 program 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.