Animator

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• specialist training courses

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or a degree in:

• animation
• art and design
• computer games development
• animation production
• visual effects

It might be useful to choose a course which includes practical skills and offers a work placement.

Entry requirements:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You could do a college course to get some of the skills you'll need to become an animator. Courses include:

• Level 3 Diploma in Creative and Digital Media
• Level 3 Diploma in Games, Animation and VFX Skills
• Level 3 Diploma in Creative Art and Design

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You might be able to get into this work by doing a Higher Apprenticeship, such as:

• Junior Animator Level 4
• Junior VFX Artist or Assistant Technical Director Level 4
• Storyboard Artist Level 7

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Work

You could start as an animation runner and work your way up to a digital painter, assistant animator or animator.

Volunteering

Employers value work experience so it's important to get as much as you can. To find work experience or volunteering opportunities, you could contact:

• broadcasting companies
• advertising agencies
• animation studios
• computer games companies

You can also find out more about the different ways to get work experience .

OtherRoutes

You could take a short training course in animation or animation software to get some practical animation skills.

These courses are usually offered by film schools, regional screen agencies and private training providers.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Skills:

• 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
• the ability to work well with others
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
• excellent verbal communication skills
• active listening skills
• the ability to read English
• knowledge of English language
• leadership skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to organise your time and workload
• concentration skills
• a good memory

What you'll do:

Animators bring drawings and computer generated characters to life on screen.

Your day-to-day tasks will depend on the type of animation you're doing.

You could:

• visualise how to animate storyboard and script ideas
• draw by hand or use animation software to create characters and scenes
• add lighting, shading, colour, texture and special effects
• use motion capture methods to create expressions and movements that are lifelike
• use stop-motion techniques to film 3D models
• combine several layers of animation to create the final product

Location : You could work in a creative studio, in an office or from home.

Salary:

Starter : variable
Experienced : variable

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

35 - 40 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends occasionally

Career Path:

With experience you could:

• become a lead animator or animation director
• work for a large animation studio, game developer, interactive media designer or video post-production company
• become a freelance animator
• start your own animation studio