How to Prepare for a Career in Animation

According to the United States Department of Labor's 2008-2009 Occupational Handbook, the job outlook for animators is expected to grow 10 percent between 2006 and 2016. The median annual wage for animators is approximately $35,000 for entry-level positions and well over $100,000 for seasoned animators. To enjoy a lengthy and rewarding career in animation, artists must create complex characters. This requires more than drawing and technical skill. Animators must be creative thinkers and excellent storytellers, and they must know how to create characters using print, digital screens and computers.

Instructions

1. Enroll at a reputable college or university (see Resources), such as Virginia College, Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Miami International University of Art & Design or Anthem Institute, that offers instruction across a variety of animation types including 2-D and 3-D images. Other schools, such as the Los Angeles Film School, teach only computer animation.
   Most companies that hire animators require the artist to have a bachelor's degree in the field. Take courses on color and composition, life drawing, storyboarding, software instruction and major motion-picture making. For example, Pixar and Disney (see Resources), creators of "Toy Story" and "The Princess and the Frog," use storyboards or hand-draw images to construct their films. Then the artists add color and texture to the drawings.

2. Consider using animation software such as Instructables, Pencil and Toon Boom (see Resources) to create hand-drawn and digital animation images. Set aside five to six hours a day to practice designing cartoons, real-life characters and animated objects using pencil and computer software. Two-D animators typically spend the day designing storyboards with hand-drawn images.
   Think about taking an acting or improvisation class at your local community college. Knowledge about the acting field can help teach you how to bring your hand-drawn and computerized characters to life.

3. Include copies of your most polished drawings, cartoon storyboards, paintings and computerized images in your portfolio. Add a short video of an animated film you created characters for. Place a watermark on each of your drawings to set your work apart, especially if you plan on placing your art on the Internet. Consider building a website and uploading your watermarked images online so that potential employers can view your material. Include your contact information on each page of your website as well as the specific types of animation you specialize in.

4. Sign up to become a member of associations such as The International Animated Film Society (see References), Canadian Animation Producers Association, The Association of Canadian Editorial Cartoonists and Animation World Network. Attend conferences and seminars offered by the associations, such as the International Animation Festival of Brazil, the Society for Animation Studies Conference, Anima Mundi and the University of Manchester's Animation and Automation Conference. When you submit your application to attend upcoming events, ask about contests at the conferences where you can submit your material. Often winning or placing as an honorable mention in a contest at a large conference will get you significant exposure. Carry your portfolio to association events. If asked, share your portfolio with event organizers or employers who attend the conferences. Exchange business cards with other attendees. Networking with other animators will keep you aware of current industry job openings.

References

• Pixar Process
• Disney animation
• International Animated Film Society

Resources

• List of animation schools
• Pencil
• Toon Boom
• Pixar Career Opportunities
• Instructables