If you’re looking for a career that allows you to be creative, give life to fantastical beings, and make around 100,000 or more a year, then animation may be right up your street! In a competitive world in which many young graduates are worried about AI taking up their posts in prospective companies, employment in this sector is projected to grow 8% from 2022 to 2032, which is considerably faster than the average rate for all occupations. This career is ideal for those with strong art skills who are able to bring life to their ideas using not only the right technique but also their unique vision. If you can see yourself working on an animated blockbuster or designing a top-selling game, then read on.
What Studies Do You Need to Become an Animator?
Top studios and game developers usually ask that candidates hold a bachelor’s degree in animation. This qualification entitles you to work as an art director, film and video director, video game designer, animator, graphic design, and more. A bachelor’s degree or a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in animation typically takes four years of full-time study, with the first two years focusing on general education course requirements. If you wish to really hit the spot at the company of your choice, then you may decide to stay on for a master’s degree in animation. This course takes two to three years of full-time study. The exact course length depends on your chosen focus. You can also do shorter animation courses and graduate with a diploma or degree. These range from a three-year Bachelor of Animation to a 40-week Diploma in Animation or even a shorter, 19-week certificate in Creative Media.
Key Skills Involved in Learning to Become an Animator
Just a few subjects you will be focusing on during the education stage include art skills such as drawing, perspective, and proportion. Although you will most probably be using mainly digital tools when you work as an animator, all these skills translate into the online sphere. You will also gain a solid understanding of how animation works, using features like arcs of motion and exaggeration to bring your characters to life. You will also undoubtedly delve into various specialisms depending on the area you wish to work in. These can include video game development, animating for mobile apps, and animation skills for specific products. Once you land your dream job at your chosen company, you will undoubtedly hone specific techniques that you will refine over the years, and add your own vision and ideas to.
There may be a plethora of AI design tools, but these are nowhere near the stage where they can replace real-life artists. If you have a talent for drawing and design, and you’d love to be in a dynamic profession amidst other creatives, then animation could very well be a good career choice. You will need to invest a little time in education, but the growth of this industry indicates that you stand a good chance of working in a renowned and popular profession.
