Animator Related Career Paths

Animation is a broad design field that includes many prospective career paths that focus on 2D or 3D animation. If you’re interested in pivoting into a different career path entirely or searching for an animation job that has some key differences from your current position, many great employment options are available around the US. Read on to find out more about the various professional possibilities and how to decide which one’s right for you.

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, and 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.

Career Paths in Animation

According to Zippia, there are currently over 7,000 Animators working in the US. 

Animation jobs take many forms. Some focus broadly on 2D or 3D animation, whereas others are more specialized and deal with storyboarding, gameplay, visual layout, or cleanup. In the following sections, several animation-related career paths will be explored so you can learn more about each professional role and the responsibilities associated with it.

2D Animator

2D Animators are hired to create traditional cartoons and anime. In this type of animation, characters and backgrounds are hand-drawn, then scanned into a computer and arranged in layers to create the illusion of movement. The 2D animation process requires developing a storyboard, backgrounds, characters, story sequence, and timeline. Unlike traditional animation, which requires each frame to be hand-drawn, 2D animation allows for repeat use of the same image. 

2D Animators perform a range of daily tasks, including collaborating with clients, writers, and directors about how the stylistic elements are being executed with animation, creating rough sketches, choosing color palettes, making models and illustrations, and setting up exposure sheets. They also ensure that voiceover and audio tracks are synched with visual elements. Most of these professionals work with a combination of basic and advanced tools. Depending on the type of animation they’re creating, 2D Animators may prefer to work with a pen and paper, puppets, clay, flipbooks, or paint and cels. They also must be skilled with various software, such as Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects, toon Boom Harmony, Flash, and Freehand. According to Glassdoor, in the US, the average salary for a 2D Animator is $75,000-$85,000.

Gameplay Animator 

Those interested in putting their animation training to use in video game design can do so by pursuing a career as a Gameplay Animator. These professionals use techniques like motion capture and keyframing to bring digital humans, vehicles, props, and creatures to life in video games. Gameplay Animators are hired to assist with character performance and gameplay. They also implement non-player behaviors and character movements that are controlled by AI. Those who work in this field often collaborate closely with Game Programmers and Designers to establish initial character movements that adhere to technical constraints. In order to do so, they must maintain large libraries of character movements, which can be tweaked and used as animation cycles for each character.

Succeeding as a Gameplay Animator requires knowledge of programming language, Maya, 3D animation, and game development. These professionals must also be well-versed in camera animation, body mechanics, shot contiguity, facial animation, cinematic framing, and the game production pipeline process. According to Glassdoor, the average yearly salary for a Gameplay Animator in the US is $76,000-$86,000.

Storyboard Artist

Those with a flair for telling a good story may wish to explore the career path of a Storyboard Artist. These professionals are essential visual storytellers who work with written scripts and help them evolve into 2D images. These images can be created by hand or computer and are created to map out the essential actions and scenes in the movie or show. They become a visual guide indicating how the animated feature will ultimately play out. Storyboards are widely used in film, TV, video games, and advertising. A strong storyboard does more than show the logical progression of action being established; it also conveys the emotional impact of the story. Storyboard Artists generally focus on pre-production tasks like timings, camera angles, and sequence points of view.

Those who want to pursue a career as a Storyboard Artists should be skilled artists who can draw a range of people, environments, and objects. They must also have strong visual storytelling skills. To succeed as a Storyboard Artist, it’s important to have training in 2D animation and to possess soft skills like a collaborative mindset. In addition to working with pen and paper, these professionals also regularly use software like Toon Boon Harmony, Photoshop, and Illustrator. US-based Storyboard Artists earn approximately $97,000-$107,000 a year, according to Glassdoor.

Cleanup Artist

If you’re interested in putting your animation skills to use transforming rough sketches into polished line drawings, a career as a Cleanup Artist is a good option. These individuals refine the rough sketches that were created during the concept stage and elevate them into polished line drawings. This involves using a solid line to trace over keys to ensure the original sketch’s essence is maintained. Cleanup Artists typically need to have a background in illustration and must be precise and accurate with their art. These professionals often work closely with Animators and Designers to create key images. They work with body language and visual cues to depict a character’s attitude. They also define characters’ images from different angles so they’ll look 3D. They are also tasked with ensuring the visual style is consistent throughout the entire show or film.

Cleanup Artists must possess a range of skills that extends beyond illustrating and drawing; they also need to be well-versed in human and animal anatomy and their skeletal frameworks. On a daily basis, these individuals use both basic and advanced tools, such as Toon Boon harmony, paper and pen, and Lightbox for tracing. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a Cleanup Artist in the US is $66,000-$76,000 annually.

3D Layout Artist 

3D Layout Artists are hired to determine which virtual camera angle each shot will be filmed from, which includes its angle, movement, point of view, and depth. This process ensures that the elements that are framed will tell the most compelling story possible. 3D Layout Artists work closely with VFX Supervisors and Directors to establish the camera’s look and feel and the appropriate environment for the animated sequence. These professionals provide both the stylistic and technical eye for a shot and establish the form of action that the animation will try to convey. Their daily tasks include positioning characters, interpreting storyboards, determining camera paths within scenes, assembling environments, and experimenting with different camera angles until they find the best shots.

Those who want to work as a 3D Layout artist may not need as much formal animation training as they do experience with rough animation blocking. Basic animation skills can help these professionals as well, but they will also need to acquire a more specialized type of training that includes knowledge of landscapes and environments, anatomy, and filmmaking techniques like choreography, lighting, and cinematography. They work with software like Blender, Maya, D3 Studio Max, Avid, and Toon Boom. According to Glassdoor, 3D Layout Artists who work in the US make $91,000-$101,000 a year. 

How to Decide Which Career is Right for You

Deciding which animation career path is right for you will depend on various factors that are unique to each individual. A good first step is to begin with a self-assessment of your interests and the skills you possess, as well as your professional goals. Breaking down your level of proficiency with different animation techniques, including special effects, motion graphics, 2D, or 3D animation, can help you determine what you’re most qualified to do professionally, as well as if there are any gaps in your skill set you may wish to address to pursue your desired career path. It’s also important to research the different industries in which animation is used, such as advertising, gaming, web design, TV, or film, which can provide a better sense of the career options currently available to aspiring Animators. 

Another great way to decide on a career path in animation is to explore different subgenres through coursework like skills classes or bootcamps. Some individuals may not realize they have a flair for creature or character animation unless they give it a try first. These classes are also a great way to learn to work with specific tools, such as Cinema 4D, Blender, or Autodesk Maya. Internships or volunteer positions can also be a good way to experiment with different types of animation before committing to a career path.

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.