Animator

Also known as: 2D animator, 3D animator, stop-frame animator

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

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

35 to 40 hours per week

• 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
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• working towards this role
• specialist courses run by private training providers

You could do a college course that will teach you some of the skills you'll need to get started as a junior animator. Courses include:
Level 3 Diploma in Creative and Digital Media;
Level 3 Diploma in Games, Animation and VFX Skills;
Level 3 Diploma in Art and Design

You'll usually need:

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

The following higher apprenticeships may be relevant to this role:

• Level 4 Junior animator;
  Level 4 Junior 2D artist (visual effects);
  Level 4 Junior VFX artist (generalist);
  Level 7 Storyboard artist

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A
  * to
  
  C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
• You may find it useful to do some related voluntary or paid work. To find work experience vacancies you could contact: broadcasting companies; advertising agencies; animation studios; computer games companies
• You could start as an animation 'runner' and work your way up to: digital painter; inbetweener; assistant animator; animator
• These courses are usually offered by film schools, regional screen agencies and private training providers.

• With experience, you could progress from animator to lead animator and animation director.
• You could also work for larger animation studios, games developers, interactive media designers or video post-production firms.
• You might decide to freelance or start your own studio.

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