What Qualifications Do You Need to Be an Animator?
The need for animators in the United States will grow 14 percent from 2008 through 2018, making it the fastest-growing field for artists and related workers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Growth in the demand for animators will create an estimated 11,200 new jobs in the field during that time frame. Competition for jobs in animation is high; only those who are extremely qualified are likely to find work in the field despite the numerous opportunities.
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Education
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Post-secondary education is generally necessary to work as an animator in the United States. The majority of animators, roughly 62 percent, have a four-year bachelor's degree, according to the Occupational Information Network. Approximately 20 percent have some college experience, such as completing a post-secondary certificate or diploma program. An additional 19 percent hold two-year associate's degrees. More than 135 private and public regionally accredited colleges and universities in the United States offer certificate, associate, bachelor's and master's degrees in animation, reports "The College Board's 2011 Book of Majors."
Experience and Portfolios
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Employers of animators typically look for professionals who have experience in the field to fill open positions. Many degree programs include internships as part of their curricula, allowing students to gain work experience while earning their degrees. Often, prospective animators begin their careers working as assistants in the animation departments of production companies before gaining jobs as full animators. When looking for jobs, animators must have a portfolio that displays the quality and type of work that they have produced. Many college programs feature portfolio reviews as part of their degree requirements to help students prepare a professional representation of their work to assist them in finding jobs.
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Knowledge of Software and Other Technology
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Animators typically need the ability to use computers as much of the work for animated features and shorts is done entirely or partly through their assistance. Among the types of computer programs that animators must have a working knowledge of are graphics programs such as Adobe Illustrator and Corel Painter, as well as computer-aided drafting software like AutoDesk. Other software used by animators includes video editing, Web platform and development, photo imaging and development environment programs. In addition to knowledge of computers, animators must understand how stop-motion photography works, particularly if they intend to work in traditional animation rather than the computer-generated specialty.
Other Skills
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For success in the field, animators must possess other skills and abilities. To develop characters and scenery, artistic skills, such as painting and drawing, are necessary. Animators often work on one part of a scene, such as one character, or an element in the background, such as lighting. Collaboration between animators is necessary to create a unified finished product, and this cooperation requires oral and written communication skills as well as active listening abilities. Often, animators present their work in formal meetings, making public speaking skills important as well.
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