Animators bring computer generated characters to life on screen. If you want to use your imagination, and have creative skills like drawing or modelling, this job could be perfect for you. To create an image that communicates with your audience, you’ll need patience and the ability to concentrate so that your work is accurate and has detail. You’ll also need good computer skills.

Artistic talent is highly valued within the animation industry and you can still become an animator based on self-taught skills and experience. It is becoming more common for new animators to begin their careers by taking an animation or art-related course to develop their skills before looking for work.

You could specialise in one of the following animation techniques:

• 2D hand-drawn or traditional
• 2D computer-generated
• 3D computer-generated imagery (CGI)
• stop-frame, stop-motion or model animation.

Producing an animation involves many stages and processes. This can include generating ideas in the development stage to building models during production, and editing the final piece in post-production. Each stage can involve several specific tasks carried out by different people. For example:

• directors and producers create ideas, plan the project and find funding
• production designers create the look
• storyboard artists take the script or ideas and show the story in a visual way
• layout artists draw how each shot will look
• digital painters touch up colours
• animators and modellers follow the storyboard and use computer or stop-frame animation to create movement and personality
• texture artists 'paint' colour and texture onto digital models to make them lifelike
• compositors join the different layers of animation
• editors add the soundtrack and produce the finished piece.

Working on a smaller project might mean that you are involved with several of these jobs, especially during the production stage. On large or long-running productions, you could be part of a team of animators and assistants working on one stage for several weeks, months or even years.

Key skills:

• creativity and imagination
• good drawing or modelling skills
• patience and concentration
• acting skills to bring characters to life
• accuracy and attention to detail
• the ability to take direction
• good computer skills, preferably including graphics and animation software
• communication and presentation skills
• the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• good teamwork skills.

To become an animator, you will need skills in drawing, modelling or using computer animation packages. Some animators are self-taught, but many start by taking an animation or art-related course to develop their skills before looking for work.

Several colleges and universities offer HNDs, foundation degrees, degrees and postgraduate courses in animation. The most useful courses include practical skills and work placements. To do a degree, you will usually need five GCSEs (A-C) including maths and English, plus three A levels. Check with course providers for exact entry requirements as these may vary and other qualifications may be accepted.

It’s useful to have a good mix of creative and technical skills in animation. You could also start in the industry with qualifications in other relevant subjects such as:

• illustration
• graphic design
• computer programming
• model making or sculpture
• 3D design
• maths or physics
• multimedia design.

You would often start as an animation studio runner. You don't need qualifications to work in this role, although many people who start at this level are graduates. You could then progress to junior roles like storyboard assistant, digital painter, inbetweener or assistant animator.

Source: https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk