The Career of an Animator


Introduction

If you have ever thought about becoming an animator, then this article is for you. You'll learn everything you ever wanted to know about becoming an animator, where animators work, how much they get paid, what kind of additional in-service training they need, how you can become an animator, some of the dangers involved in the job, when you can expect to retire and how you can make difference in the lives of the people you serve.


What is it like to be an animator?

Being an animator can be difficult when you start working as one. The job is hard to get because the demand is high.


What do animators do?

Animators animate cartoons, animes and animation movies. The way they animate can be different. Some animators work with 3D models and some work with 2D animations.


What do animators do on a typical day?

Animators will work on animation of a movie or a series. They can work many hours just to animate a single character. Normally they will focus on one animation so a typical day in the life of an animator is just working on animating characters, objects, and backgrounds.


Where do animators work?

Animators can work in an office or at home, it depends on the company for whom they are working for.


How can I become an animator?

To become an animator you need to have a base in drawing, 2D and 3D modeling depending on which type of animation you want to do. You'll need to study the various software for animation and modeling to have a chance to become an animator.


How much money do animators make?

An animator who just started working won't make a lot of money, you will need at least 5 years in the industry of animation to have a decent salary, after 10 years you'll earn a big salary. The main reason you start working as an animator is not for money but because you like the job.


What kinds of additional training do animators need?

They need to study software for animation and modeling to master the job of animator. These additional training are useful because you can work in the various branches of the job of animator.


What are the dangers of being an animator?

The dangers of becoming an animator are not getting a job as an animator. The problem about this job is that it has a high demand and the people getting the job are extremely lucky, plus, when you start working as an animator you don't make a lot of money. You become an animator because you like the job and not for the money you make.


What are the chances that animators will be replaced by robots soon?

The chances of the animators getting replaced by robots is high and low at the same time. The reason is that you would need someone to check that the programs of the robot are working properly, and it would cost more than real animators. If they replace it in like 20 years maybe it would be advance enough to take care of itself and make everything without needing human assistance, but it's not going to happen soon.


What age do animators retire at?

There are not really an age to stop animating for example, Walt Disney, he animated cartoons his whole life, so I don't think there is an age to stop animating.


Conclusion

I am studying in Multimedia Integration to become an animator myself. My main reason is because I like to draw, and I always had a passion about the animation in video games. I decided that I would work in 2D animation in pixel art. It's not the most paid job, but I think you should choose your job because you like what you are doing and not for how much you are doing.


More by this author

Introduction link: https://smart-jays-blog.blogspot.com/2022/02/about.html#comments

Glossary link: https://smart-jays-blog.blogspot.com/2022/02/multimedia-integration-glossary.html

Screencast link: https://smart-jays-blog.blogspot.com/2022/03/blog-post_9.html


Sources and RADARS ratings

Source: https://www.princetonreview.com/careers/7/animator

Rationale: to inform or educate

Authority: personal testimony

Date: recently published

Accuracy: probably true

Relevance: relevant for this document

Sources: no sources cited


Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animator#:~:text=An%20animator%20is%20an%20artist%20who%20creates%20multiple,of%20fields%20including%20film%2C%20television%2C%20and%20video%20games.

Rationale: to inform or educate

Authority: peer-reviewed wiki

Date: still relevant

Accuracy: probably true

Relevance: relevant for this document

Sources: cites sources


Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animator#:~:text=An%20animator%20is%20an%20artist%20who%20creates%20multiple,of%20fields%20including%20film%2C%20television%2C%20and%20video%20games.

Rationale: to inform or educate

Authority: research journal

Date: still relevant

Accuracy: probably true

Relevance: relevant for this document

Sources: no sources cited


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