How to Become an Animator

From Saturday morning cartoons to commercials to major Hollywood productions, animators have become permanent fixtures in pop culture and entertainment. They bring the impossible to life. They create reality out of nothingness. They give flight to wild fantasies and dreams. If you're looking for an exciting job with a tremendous amount of creativity, you should seriously consider joining the ranks of animators.

What do Animators do?

Animators basically draw numerous still frames in sequence so as to create a lifelike, moving representation of a story, character or idea. Traditionally, animators used pencils, markers and other mediums to achieve this effect, but increasingly, they have started to embrace computer technology and Computer Animation.

Training for Animators

Maybe you are already quite skilled with a pen. However, you'll quickly discover that pure talent is not enough in today's competitive animation industry. The stakes are high as companies vie for visibility and market share. Thus, you'll probably need to attend animation school if you're serious about this career.

During animator training you'll master areas such as 2D and 3D art, storyboards, consumer psychology, character development, and other related fields. In addition, you'll have to master the latest software and computer programs as these will vastly improve your overall productivity.

Job prospects for Animators

The U.S. Department does not make specific predictions about animators, but one can safely assume that job prospects are pretty favorable given our increasing reliance on computer technology and high-end graphics.

Believe it or not, animation is oftentimes cheaper and faster than conventional methods of taping and filming. If you are handy with a pencil, know how to sell a product, and can use the latest software, there should be plenty of work for you in the coming years.