How to Become an Animator?: A Comprehensive Journey

May 28, 2024May 28, 2024 Harshita Arya

Animators are multimedia artists who create designs or models that simulate movement, often to tell a story or provide information. They play a crucial role in the entertainment, advertising, and gaming industries. With the expansion of CGI (computer-generated imagery) and VFX (visual effects) use in various industries, there has been a rise in lucrative job opportunities for animators.
If you have a creative mind and are interested in working with design tools, pursue a career in animation. Read this guide on how to become an animator and explore the roadmap and career options. Learn about the must-have skills and different career paths to choose from in the animation field.

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How to Become an Animator: A Career Roadmap

An animator creates designs that bring ideas, stories, and characters to life. This career path offers opportunities in various fields, such as film, television, video games, and advertising. Before you explore the different career paths in the animation field, check out the steps that you can take to get started on your journey to become a professional animator.

1. Self-Analyze and Identify Your Interests

Becoming a professional animator is a journey filled with creativity, passion for design, and imagination. The animation field offers various specializations like motion graphics, storyboarding, illustration, visual animation, character animation, etc. Each of the specializations demands different training, skills, and working knowledge of tools. Choose a niche that interests you after you have mastered the fundamentals of animation.

To determine your area of interest, ask yourself questions, such as:

What type of animation excites me the most (e.g., 2D, 3D, stop-motion)?
Do I enjoy creating characters and storyboarding?
Am I interested in working in film, video games, television, or advertising?
What are my current artistic skills, and how can they be applied to animation?

Reflecting on these questions can help you identify the area you are passionate about and become skilled enough to explore potential career paths in the animation field.

2. Choose the Right Course

Pursuing the right course will assist you in building a solid understanding of design fundamentals, the art of sketching characters, and more. A course will also equip you with technical skills and offer opportunities for networking and professional growth. Most animation-related programs cover essential topics, such as drawing, sketching, character design, modeling, motion physics, storytelling, and more.

Here are a few top universities offering degree programs in animation and related fields in India:

a) Asian Academy of Film and Television (AAFT)

The institute provides courses in the following fields:

B.Sc. in Animation and Visual effects
B.Sc. in Game Design & Development
M.Sc. in Animation and VFX
M.Sc. in Game Design and Development

b) Whistling Woods International, Mumbai

This premier institute offers the following 4-year duration courses in the animation domain:

B.Des. in Animation
B.Des. in Game Design

c) National Institute of Design

The NIT offers the following courses:

B.Des. in Animation Film Design
M.Des. Animation Film Design

d) Maya Academy of Advanced Creativity (MAAC)

The MAAC offers the following courses in animation:

Advanced Program in 3D Animation Design
Advanced Program in Visual Effects Film Making
Advanced Program in Interactive Game Design Plus

3. Develop Creative and Technical Skills

Possessing creative ability is vital to becoming a good animator. On the other hand, technical skills are necessary to execute these ideas effectively. Here are some of the important skills that an animator should possess:

Drawing and sketching
Storyboarding
2D and 3D animation techniques
Proficiency in animation software like Adobe Animate, Autodesk Maya, and Blender
Understanding of motion physics and timing
Attention to detail and visual storytelling

4. Enroll in Courses to Upskill

Specialized courses can help you stay updated with the latest trends, tools, and technologies in animation. These courses can also enhance your skill set. Additionally, completing courses and earning certifications can strengthen your resume and allow employers to see you as a suitable candidate.

By enrolling in short-term courses, you can upskill yourself and pursue your interest in animation. The Internshala platform offers various short-term courses related to the field of animation which you can pursue:

Animation Course
Digital Art Course
Adobe Illustrator Course
Graphic Design Course
UI/UX Design Course with Placement

5. Build a Portfolio

A portfolio is a collection of your best work and is essential for showcasing your skills to potential employers. An impressive portfolio should demonstrate your range of abilities and include various animation projects.

A well-crafted portfolio can make a significant difference in your job search. You can build a strong portfolio by following these tips:

Highlight your best work first
Include a variety of styles and techniques used in your work to showcase versatility
Include a brief description of your role in the project and the tools used for each task
Continuously update your portfolio with new and improved work

6. Gain Experiential Learning

Experience is crucial in the animation industry. Practical experience helps you hone your skills, learn new techniques, and build a solid career path. It can help you work on all these areas and become a professional animator.

You can gain experience in the animation domain through the following ways:

Pursue an Internship: Start by pursuing internships in animation. You can work with corporate companies, film productions, or animation studios.
Seek Freelance Work: Look for freelance animation opportunities on platforms like Internshala, Upwork, or Fiverr. Starting with small projects can help you build a client base, gain practical experience, and earn income while honing your skills.
Create Your Short Projects: This allows you to experiment, develop your style, and build a portfolio showcasing your skills. Start with simple concepts and gradually increase the complexity as you gain experience.
Animation Contests: Participating in animation contests can push you to create your best work and potentially gain recognition from industry professionals.

Must-Have Skills to Become an Animator

Animators should be proficient in creating high-quality animations and visual effects. Here are the essential skills you need to become an animator and thrive in this industry:

Creativity: Animators need a high level of creativity to develop engaging characters, storylines, and visuals.
Artistic Ability: A strong foundation in drawing and an understanding of color, texture, and composition are crucial for creating visually appealing and polished animations.
Technical Skills: Proficiency in animation software such as Adobe After Effects, Maya, and Blender is vital. Animators must be comfortable using these tools to create 2D and 3D animations. Understanding computer-generated imagery (CGI) and VFX skills can also be beneficial.
Attention to Detail: Animating requires meticulous attention to detail to ensure continuity and consistency throughout the project. Small details in movement, color, and timing can significantly impact the overall quality of the animation.
Communication Skills: Good business communication skills are essential for animators as they often work in teams. They need to effectively convey ideas, understand feedback, and collaborate with directors, writers, and other team members to achieve the project’s vision.
Storytelling Skills: Understanding the principles of storytelling helps animators create animations that are not only visually appealing but also narratively engaging. This includes developing characters, plot points, and settings that resonate with the audience.
Problem-Solving Skills: Animation can be complex and challenging. Animators need strong problem-solving skills to address technical issues, implement feedback, and find creative solutions to bring their ideas to life.
Adaptability: The animation industry is constantly evolving with new technologies and trends. Being adaptable and willing to learn new skills and software is crucial for staying relevant and competitive.

Exciting Career Paths in Animation with Salary

The domain of animation and special effects offers diverse career opportunities, each requiring unique skills and creativity. The following are the different career paths in animation that include information on key tasks and average salaries.

1. Game Designer

Game designers are the creative visionaries behind video games. They develop the game’s characters, objectives, obstacles, levels, settings, and storylines. They collaborate with various professionals, including programmers, artists, and other designers, to bring their concepts to life.

What They Do: