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What does an animator do?

Animators work with businesses of all sizes to create media, both images and videos, that will tell a story. They’re typically responsible for carrying out tasks like storyboarding, design, and 2D and 3D animation. Animators often use software like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, as well as video software like Premiere Pro or Sony Vegas Studio.

What skills do I need to become an Animator?

The best animators possess several key skills. Freelance animators may specialize in a few areas, while others may work across many types of animation, like special effects, character animation, stop motion, video game design, and 3D modeling. There’s no requirement for animators to have a college education, though some clients on Upwork prefer a degree.

We know that degrees bring a host of core competencies, but they may not fully represent an individual’s skills, especially as an entry-level animator. A bachelor’s degree in graphic design, motion graphics, or other similar fields may be preferred but typically not required. This is especially true if you have relevant experience in 2D animation or 3D animation

Animators benefit from several core skills:

• Creativity. While technical skills are important, the best animators are also highly creative. These multimedia artists and graphic designers can bring fresh, new ideas to animation, creating media that’s unique and intriguing.
• Familiarity with computer software programs. Animators rely on animation software like Illustrator, Photoshop, Sony Vegas, Maya, Autodesk 3ds Max, and Adobe Flash. Familiarity with this software lets an animator easily step into a project and take full advantage of each platform.
• Communication skills and patience. When working as a team member or when working with a client, animators need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively. Patience is also important, especially when working with larger teams or facing a challenging project.
• Time management skills. Animation projects often have tight deadlines. Animators benefit from strong time management skills that help to keep them productive and on task.
• Strong attention to detail. From the complex nature of animation software to the nuance that goes into character modeling, strong attention to detail can take an animator’s work from good to great.
• Storyboarding and storytelling. Storyboarding and storytelling can help to plan out a film, commercial, or other media. These key layouts help animators to avoid unnecessarily reworking their content, saving them time and keeping a whole team working toward the same vision.
• Artistic/drawing ability. Artistic talent plays a key role in animation. A background in fine arts and some natural artistic abilities can strengthen an animator’s work.
• Ability to work with a team. Animators work as members of larger teams, whether they’re hired by production companies or are working on a freelance basis. As a result, teamwork is essential, and the most experienced animators understand how to work collaboratively and make the most of their team members.

Should I get a certification as an animator?

Several graphics design and 3D animation industry certifications are available, and these certifications may help to make you more competitive as an animator. You can find certifications through MOOC and online education platforms such as EdX and Coursera.

If you’re interested in online college, plenty of institutions offer online training in animation and graphic design, including Capella University and Full Sail University.

Some clients may prefer that animators have a college degree in animation or in a relevant field, but many clients place more emphasis on relevant experience than degrees.

What are the job responsibilities of an animator?

Freelance animators are commonly expected to take ownership of many tasks:

• Create and edit the storyboard to client preference
• Create and develop images and/or videos based on client input
• Tweak content based on client feedback
• Deliver finished project files and necessary assets to clients upon completion
• Communicate regularly to ensure clients stay up to date with creation