Animator

Animators create imaginary worlds for films, television and computer games. They use drawing, modelling or computer graphics to make pictures and models come to life to entertain and/or inform people.

Also known as:

2D animator
3D animator
Cartoonist

Work activities

Animators make pictures and models come to life to entertain and/or to inform people. There are three main types of animation:

Drawing/painting.
Modelling.
Computer games graphics.

Animators usually work on one project at a time. Each project can take anything from a few weeks to more than a year to complete, depending on how complex it is. The amount of involvement and creative input an animator has on each project will vary. For example, an animator who is an employee of an animation studio will work for a director and the work will be a team effort. Animators usually follow a storyboard. This is a series of rough sketches/images, which tell the story that the animator is bringing to life. The story isn’t always fiction – it could be a documentary or a game, for example. In some cases, the characters in the story are based on real people or animals, but in others, the animator uses their imagination to invent characters.

Computer animation has a wide range of uses, including computer games, websites, film and television. It is used not only to make cartoon images, but also to put real people, animals, buildings and machines in films. For example, a computer animator might be asked to create a whole crowd for a film scene. In drawing and modelling, the animator is aiming to produce characters, which, when filmed can produce the illusion of movement. To do this, still shots (photographs) are taken of each bit of movement every two frames of film (sometimes every single frame) and then played at normal speed. As many as 25 separate drawings or model positions may need to be photographed to produce one second of movement on film. In drawing, the animator’s job is to do outline drawings of the characters, taking each one through the range of movements and expressions needed. Then the drawings are usually passed on to assistant animators, who tidy up the drawings and add the in-between drawings in order to make smooth movement. Model-making animators use plasticine, fabric and a wide variety of other materials to make models of characters. Like drawing animators, the model makers may just work on the characters, but they are also often involved in designing and making sets for the models.

Personal qualities and skills

As an animator, you need:

A creative mind and a strong visual imagination.
An eye for detail and good colour vision.
The ability to draw, make models and/or use computer graphics software.
Patience and stamina – the work is painstakingly detailed and you may need to work long hours to meet deadlines.
The ability to take direction and accept constructive criticism.
Good interpersonal skills, if you have contact with clients.
Some acting skills, or knowledge of acting – to help with character movement.

Some animators work freelance or set up their own companies. To do this, you will need substantial experience as an animator, as well as good business sense.

Pay and opportunities

Pay rates for animators depend on the type of production they work on, duration of the project and whether they are employed or self-employed.

You can expect to work between 35 and 40 hours per week. Late finishes and work at weekends may be required, especially as deadlines approach.

Opportunities for animators occur with employers in towns and cities throughout the UK. However, many opportunities are in London and the South East where most media agencies are based. Employers include computer games companies, broadcast production companies, advertising agencies, design studios and firms involved in electronic publishing.

Self-employment opportunities occur for experienced animators to work freelance or set up their own companies. Consultancy and fixed-term contract work may be available.

What’s happening in this area?

The creative media industry is expected to grow at a faster rate than the wider economy in the coming years. Job competition is very high, however, there are too many potential new recruits leaving education and looking for work.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised:

On industry job boards.
On employers’ websites.

Entry routes and training

There is no set entry route into this job, though many new entrants have a degree, foundation degree or HND in animation. You could study pure animation or consider alternative courses including:

Animation production.
Computer games development.
Visual effects.

The industry body, ScreenSkills has a list of accredited university courses on its website.

A number of apprenticeships are available:

Junior animator (level 4 / higher)
VFX artist or technical director (level 6 / higher)
Storyboard artist (level 7 / higher)

You will need to build up a portfolio, including a showreel of your work, whichever route you choose. With some experience or qualifications under your belt, you could apply for a trainee placement through ScreenSkills. A first job in the industry may be as a runner, assisting at an animation studio.

Once you are working, you will develop your skills by learning from other animators or attending training courses. It is important to keep up to date with developments and new techniques used in the animation industry. This might include learning the software packages that are commonly used.

With experience and business skills, animators become directors or set up their own business.

Qualifications

The usual requirement for entry to a degree course in animation is:

Three A-levels.
Five GCSEs usually including English and maths.

Qualifications in art, design and technology, and technical subjects such as IT are useful. Other qualifications, such as an Edexcel (BTEC) level 3 National qualification or the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma could also be considered. Entry to degree courses can also be gained through successful completion of an arts foundation course.

To get onto a higher or degree apprenticeship, you will need GCSEs in English and maths, although you may be able to complete these alongside your programme.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Relevant skills and abilities, gained while working at a studio or in a production company, will be an advantage.

If you don’t have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course (e.g., Access to Art and Design) could be the way in. No formal qualifications are usually required, but you should check individual course details.

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