15
jobs advertised
£18,000
estimated starting salary
£30,000
estimated salary
Looking for a career that’s always moving? You should become an Animator…
Animators create collections of images in order to make them into moving, animated sequences. Their work is used for a variety of platforms and purposes – from adverts, films, TV, and computer games, to music videos and websites.
An Animator’s role could involve using a variety of creative techniques to reach the end product, including drawing by hand or using digital software to create computer-generated animations, along with models or puppets.
General duties for an Animator could include:
- Gathering concepts from clients or a director
- Creating storyboards to represent the narrative
- Producing aesthetically pleasing sketches and illustrations
- Animating images with the appropriate timing, pace, and movement in mind
- Using technical software (e.g. Maya, Flash, After Effects) to assist with animation
- Working with other members of the team to compose layers (e.g backgrounds, FX)
- Presenting designs and communicating ideas
If you want to become an Animator, you’ll need to be creatively minded, artistic, and good at drawing.
As animating will be your day-to-day, you’ll also need to have an interest in animation and its aesthetics, whether it’s collecting every single Pixar film or spending your Saturdays watching back-to-back episodes of Pokemon.
But remember, although knowing every single line to Finding Nemo off by heart is a good place to start, becoming a great Animator also relies on your technical ability and communication skills.
Other key skills and attributes for an Animator include:
- An excellent eye for detail
- Good team working ability
- An aptitude for good storytelling
- Flexibility
- Patience and commitment
- An ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
Junior Animator
Up to £12,000
Animator
Up to £18,000
Senior Animator
Up to £30,000
Working as an Animator is great for me, and I genuinely couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I love bringing different characters to life, and it allows me to use my creativity in a unique way. Whether I’m putting together a storyboard, sketching the sequence frame-by-frame, or animating them digitally – each task involves a lot of patience, imagination, and technical ability. And although long hours are common when deadlines are near, it’s all worthwhile when I get to go home and show my finished work to my kids – they’re my biggest fans.
Get qualified
You’ll usually need proven experience in animation to become an Animator. This could come in the form of a degree, other relevant/similar qualifications, or previous work experience. However, it is possible to start from the bottom as an Animation Studio Runner, where you’ll gain the skills needed to progress upwards.
In a hurry to get qualified? reed.co.uk has over 5,000 courses you can enrol on today.
Learning doesn’t always have to come at a cost. Huge discounts available on courses right now.
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