Is Animation Right For Me?

Deciding whether animation is a good career match for you is largely subjective and will depend on several key factors, including your artistic and creative background, your interest in working with motion graphics tools and software, and your ultimate career aspirations. Although a career in animation isn’t a good match for everyone, those with a passion for creating moving art and bringing stories to life visually will likely find animation to be an exciting and rewarding career path. Before committing to an animation-related professional path, though, there are several important considerations to weigh, including the type of work environment you thrive in, your familiarity with animation software, your artistic abilities, and how you hope to use your training. Read on to learn more about each of these factors.

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. 

Why Become an Animator?

If you’re an artistic individual with a flair for creating visually engaging stories, becoming an Animator is an excellent career path. Animation skills are useful in many professional roles that extend well beyond film and TV. These professionals also exercise their creative muscles in roles like Game Developers, VFX Artists, Medical Animators, or Mathematical Animators, where they create 3D moving images. Those with a background in animation can work as Multimedia Animators, which involves using various types of software to design and animate images, as well as how the objects they create should move and how their surrounding environment should change. They may also wish to pursue a career in 3D design in fields like engineering or architecture, where they have the opportunity to transform basic images into colorful 3D designs with lifelike characteristics such as depth. Animation skills are also useful for careers in motion graphics design, which combines 2D and 3D animation skills with graphic design principles.

Animation-related career paths provide an excellent platform for individuals to use their creative license daily. This diverse field presents many opportunities for creative people to pursue a range of artistic projects and endeavors, none of which are the same. Because many professions and industries seek out those with a background in animation, those who know how to work with computer animation tools like Toon Boon or Adobe Animate have a good amount of job flexibility regarding the types of projects they can explore. Animators may opt for traditional animated entertainment projects, video game design, digital advertising, or VR design. This range of opportunities ensures that Animators with the proper training can always find job opportunities.

What Training is Needed to Become an Animator?

The following sections will take a closer look at some of the core skills you’ll need if you’d like to pursue an animation career.

Knowledge of Animation Software & Applications

Most Animators are skilled with multiple applications and software, including Adobe Animate, Blender, Autodesk Maya, Cinema 4D, and Toon Boon.

Adobe Animate

Adobe Animate is a popular 2D animation software used to create traditional cartoons. This tool helps users work with many techniques, including puppet, hand-drawn, and frame-by-frame animation. Animate users can also import a character from another illustrator and work with it in Animate. This platform is used by everyone, from animation novices to professionals. Animate is included as part of the Adobe Creative Cloud (CC).

Blender

Those interested in exploring a free animation tool can work with Blender. This open-source application is available to anyone interested in creating animations and doesn’t require any financial investment to use. Blender has animation, casting, modeling, video production, composing, and video game creation applications. Blender provides users with a useful toolkit and Cycles, which is a built-in route tracing engine. Cycles helps users create lifelike images and scenes. This tool is popular among Animators because it provides a relatively straightforward user experience. It provides 3D drawing and painting tools, as well as a text editor.

Autodesk Maya

Another widely used animation tool is Autodesk Maya. This 3D animation tool has applications for modeling and motion graphics, creating realistic characters, using simulation to render lifelike effects, and creating data visualizations. Autodesk Maya is a go-to for creating bigger effects, including battle scenes and sweeping landscapes. In addition to helping with these large-scale tasks, this software also allows Animators to focus on minute details, including how to create fabric, water, and realistic hair. This app has a range of plugins that can be used to create displays and projects. It also includes a screenshot editor. It is regularly updated to include new tools and features. Major animation studios like Disney use Autodesk Maya, as do novice Animators who are just starting. 

Cinema 4D

Cinema 4D is a popular 3D animation software used for texturing, modeling, animating, lighting, and visual effects. This tool is used by beginners and professionals alike because of its customizable layout and accessible, intuitive interface. Cinema 4D has applications for animating 3D objects within live-action footage and making 3D images appear 2D. 

Toon Boom

Toon Boom is a widely used software used for animation and storyboarding. Both small studios and major animation companies work with this software to produce TV series, movies, advertisements, and games. Toon Boon has many features, including compositing and effects tools, as well as a true 3D environment in which multiple camera moves and 3D elements can be incorporated. It’s often used for single or hybrid-technique projects. Toon Boon is considered the global standard, which is why many major TV, film, and game content creators like Amazon, Fox Television Animation, and Disney Television Animation all work with it. 

Specialized Knowledge

In addition to familiarity with animation software, another consideration prospective Animators must make is if they will need to specialize in a specific medium to perform their job. Some Animators focus on one medium, such as video games, TV shows, or animated movies. Others devote their efforts to creating a particular sort of imagery, such as backgrounds or scenery. Those who work with video games are involved entirely with the look, layout, and feel of the game. It’s important for each individual interested in working as an Animator to determine which type of animation they want to explore and develop the skills needed to do so.

Storytelling

The art of telling a good story is a must for Animators. These professionals regularly weave together auditory and visual elements in service of crafting a compelling narrative. Storytelling requires a range of skills, including knowledge of characters, plot, and emotional impact. These elements are developed as part of the animated sequence in a film, TV show, or video game. Animated storytelling is a specific kind of storytelling capable of transcending cultural boundaries, bringing universal themes to life, and conveying strong emotions to viewers of all ages and from all backgrounds. Visual storytelling is also a powerful tool for setting the mood, establishing the setting, and developing characters. Some of the core storytelling techniques Animators regularly use involve:

• Hooking viewers as early on as possible.
• Varying the storytelling pace.
• Incorporating elements that resonate with the audience and making them care about the story and empathize with the characters.
• Integrating surprises throughout to keep audience members interested.
• Favoring showing over telling.
• Ending with a strong and impactful scene or series of scenes.

Communication Skills

Animators should also have well-developed communication skills since they’ll need to work as part of a team on various projects. They also must regularly adapt to any criticism and feedback on their work that’s provided by clients or coworkers and apply suggestions to their animations. This iterative process often requires several rounds of back-and-forth to get an image or scene perfect. On a daily basis, Animators sometimes have to provide regular updates to clients on their project status and any milestones they’ve reached. They must also communicate the challenges they’re working through and if they’re still on schedule to complete the project on the agreed-upon timeline. Strong interpersonal skills are essential to help them perform these tasks. Clear communication is also essential because it helps Animators create clearly written content, actively listen to others at meetings or when completing projects, and keep all necessary parties informed of progress.

Creative & Artistic Mindset

Pursuing a career in animation requires much more than technical training. Animators must also have skills in drawing and illustration to share ideas and create new character designs and scenes. Additionally, a strong dose of creativity is also essential for generating new ideas and developing unique animations. 

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 graduate 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.

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.