Animation schools

Which types of jobs are available for those interested in animation?

In Animation Journal, Harry M. Benshoff observes that when people think of animation, they're likely to think of famous Disney films like "Pinocchio" or "Fantasia," created by animators who drew the filmed images by hand. These days, this sort of hand-drawing might be what you do as an animator, but there are many other animation jobs out there. More and more animated films are created through computer technology, and live-action films incorporate animation to create special effects.

Within an animation studio like Disney or DreamWorks, there are several specialized animation jobs. Animation specialists include storyboard artists who create the earliest visual draft of a movie, visual development artists who create the overall look of a film, and the character animators who bring the drawn figures to life. Animators don't just work for big movie studios, though. They are also employed by software companies, video game developers, advertising agencies and other industries.

Wherever you work as an animator, you will likely be part of a team. Coordinating your special expertise with other team members' talents can be challenging and rewarding, as you all harness your individual skills in the service of a common goal. While the work can be painstaking and require an eye for detail, animators enjoy variety, taking on creative work for innovative employers in desirable locations, such as Hollywood, New York, Singapore and Vancouver. Fortune magazine ranked DreamWorks Animation SKG the 10th-best company to work for in 2011.

Formal training required to work in a career related to animation

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a bachelor's degree is generally required for animation careers, although it's also crucial to demonstrate your talent through a sample reel of animation and/or a portfolio of images. A bachelor's degree in animation will require at least four years of study. There are several schools offering different types of degrees in animation. For example, according to the Special Interest Group for Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques (SIGGRAPH), there are over 400 college animation degree programs focusing on computer graphics and related specialties.

Whether your degree is in computer graphics, animation/special effects or a related field, to become an animator you need training in a variety of skills and subjects. Disney lists some of the animation basics:

Drawing
Acting
Design and color
Film
Computer technologies

In addition, animation students typically learn basic analytic and communication skills through a core college curriculum.

The typical career path of someone interested in animation

In addition to enrolling in a school offering animation degrees, Disney recommends seeking out colleges that have relationships with animation companies or film studios. This is because many animation careers begin with internships acquired through studio outreach programs that locate emerging talent. After hiring these promising animators, studios cultivate and promote them.

If you don't seek or find employment at a film studio, you might find yourself among the 60 percent of artists and related workers who are self-employed, according to BLS figures. Animation graduates have the option of pursuing freelance animation jobs or full-time work at a company that uses animators, or do both simultaneously to build a portfolio and a professional reputation.

Job outlook and salary information for those interested in animation

Among all artists and related workers listed by the BLS, animators and multi-media artists have the best 2008 through 2018 predicted growth rate, at 14 percent. The demand for animators has been driven by the recent success of animated films. For instance, The Telegraph reports that the 10 Pixar animated films released between 1995 and 2009 won seven Academy Awards and netted huge returns at the box office, with "Finding Nemo" alone taking in $800 million. The Telegraph cites other animated hits, such as Wes Anderson's "The Fantastic Mr. Fox" and the work of Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki, to make the point that this is a "golden age for animation."

Demand for animators isn't limited to the film industry. The BLS reports that animation jobs will also be plentiful in the professional, scientific and technical services sector.

The 2009 median annual wage of animators was $58,250. The state with the highest concentration of animators, California, also posted the highest mean annual wage in 2009: $76,010. Average salary also varies according to the industry an animator works in, with these being the top five employers:

Motion picture and video: $70,960
Software publishers: $68,320
Computer systems design: $63,140
Specialized design services: $62,890
Advertising and public relations: $57,630

Animation careers offer a means of turning your creative talent into a well-paying career. A college degree in animation can get you started in this growing digital design field.

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Which types of jobs are available for those interested in animation?

In Animation Journal, Harry M. Benshoff observes that when people think of animation, they're likely to think of famous Disney films like "Pinocchio" or "Fantasia," created by animators who drew the filmed images by hand. These days, this sort of hand-drawing might be what you do as an animator, but there are many other animation jobs out there. More and more animated films are created through computer technology, and live-action films incorporate animation to create special effects.