Also known as: 2D animator, 3D animator, stop-frame animator
What you'll do
Animators bring drawings and computer generated characters to life on screen.
Where you could work
You could work in a creative studio, in an office or from home.
Working hours
35 to 40 hours per week
Skills you'll need
- knowledge of media production and communication
- design skills and knowledge
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- thinking and reasoning skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- the ability to work well with your hands
- to be flexible and open to change
- knowledge of the fine arts
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become one
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- working towards this role
- specialist courses run by private training providers
College
You could do a college course that will teach you some of the skills you'll need to get started as a junior animator. Courses include: Level 3 Diploma in Creative and Digital Media; Level 3 Diploma in Games, Animation and VFX Skills; Level 3 Diploma in Art and Design
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
The following higher apprenticeships may be relevant to this role:
- Level 4 Junior animator; Level 4 Junior 2D artist (visual effects); Level 4 Junior VFX artist (generalist); Level 7 Storyboard artist
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
- You may find it useful to do some related voluntary or paid work. To find work experience vacancies you could contact: broadcasting companies; advertising agencies; animation studios; computer games companies
- You could start as an animation 'runner' and work your way up to: digital painter; inbetweener; assistant animator; animator
- These courses are usually offered by film schools, regional screen agencies and private training providers.
Career path and progression
- With experience, you could progress from animator to lead animator and animation director.
- You could also work for larger animation studios, games developers, interactive media designers or video post-production firms.
- You might decide to freelance or start your own studio.
More information
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