Animator Career

professional-tablet-2Animators are artists who create two or three-dimensional images that depict objects in motion on video, film, computers, or another form of electronic media.

Story development, editing, cinematography, and directing are sometimes applied to develop storyboards depicting animation flow and mapping out characters and key scenes. The final animations are used in products or creations like commercials, music videos, movies, computer games, and television.

Computer Animator Career Assessment

Take our Animator career assessment. This 30 question quiz let’s you know if you’re cut out for a career as a computer animator by analyzing your abilities, skills, and interests.

1. Can you or are you interested in creating 2-D or 3-D images showing objects in motion using computer modeling software?

2. Can you or are you interested in designing complex graphics and animation?

3. Can you or are you interested in making objects appear lifelike using light to give the illusion of motion?

4. Can you or are you interested in applying story development to animation to create storyboards?

5. Are you OK learning how to handle budgeting and assist with production coordination?

6. Do you have or would you be interested in gaining knowledge of communication techniques and methods?

7. Do you have or are you interested in gaining knowledge of design techniques involved in the creation of technical plans, blueprints, and models?

8. Do you have or are you interested in gaining knowledge on the theory and techniques required to create visual arts?

9. Do you have knowledge of the structure of the English language including the spelling of words and grammar?

10. Are you OK learning about electronic equipment, computer software, and programming?

11. Can you give your full attention to what others are saying?

12. Can you understand written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents?

13. Can you use logic and reasoning to approach problems?

14. Do you have good time management skills?

15. Can you adjust your actions in relation to the actions of others?

16. Do you have the ability to see details at close range?

17. Do you have the ability to communicate information in speaking so others will understand?

18. Do you have the ability to listen and understand information giving to you through spoken words and sentences?

19. Do you have the ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in the written format?

20. Do you have the ability to imagine how something will look before you create it?

21. Are you OK using computers and software to program, enter data, or process information?

22. Are you OK thinking creatively throughout your workday?

23. Are you OK keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge over time?

24. Are you OK communicating with people outside your work organization?

25. Can you observe and obtain information from all relevant sources?

26. Are you OK using email every day at work?

27. Are you comfortable having face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams as much as every day or at least weekly?

28. Can you work indoors nearly each and every day?

29. Are you OK making telephone calls on most days?

30. Do you like having the freedom to make the decisions?

Animation Snapshot

Computer animators tend to work in office settings. Much of the day will be spent using a computer or meeting with clients or colleagues working on the same project.

Here are further details on a career in animation (statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Onet Online):

$63,970

is the average earnings for animators per year.

6%

increase in employment between 2014 and 2024

62%

have a Bachelor’s degree in the animation field.

Animation Education

Many colleges and universities offer animation degrees. In addition to the traditional associates and bachelor’s degrees, technical schools also offer certifications in animation and 3-D modeling. Like many art careers, a portfolio is an important factor used to gauge the skill level of the animator as well as past employment and experience.

Animator Job Outlook

Demand for multimedia artists and animators is expected to grow 6% between 2014 and 2024.  The popularity of mobile devices will help drive this growth.

Animation Salaries

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for multimedia artists and animators is $63,970 a year, with the opportunity to earn nearly $100,000 a year. Self employed animators have a wider range in salaries.

Animator Duties

Animators typically gain employment in the video game industry, advertising, or motion pictures. They use computer software to form animated images or special effects. Animators typically work a 40-hour work week, but may need to spend evening and weekend time in order to meet deadlines.

Animator Career

Becoming an animator requires special skills and abilities as shown below:

Animator Skill Set:Required Abilities:Tools Used by Animator:Typical Work Activities:
•Active Listening
•Reading Comprehension
•Critical Thinking
•Time Management
•Coordination
•Judgement & Decision Making
•Complex Problem Solving
•Speaking

•Near Vision
•Oral Expression
•Writting Comprehension
•Oral Comprehension
•Visualization
•Problem Sensitivity
•Written Expression
•Digital Cameras
•Graphics Tablets
•Personal Computers
•Pressure Stylus

•Using Computers
•Creative Thinking
•Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
•Communicating with Clients

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