Animator
Animators bring drawings and computer generated characters to life on screen.
Also known as: 2D animator, 3D animator, stop-frame animator
- Typical hours35 to 40 a week
What you'll do
As an animator, you could:
- discuss instructions from the storyboard artist and animation director
- visualise how to animate storyboard and script ideas
- create characters and scenes by hand or using animation software
- add lighting, shading, colour, texture and special effects
- use motion capture methods to create expressions and lifelike movements
- use stop-motion techniques to film physical 3D models
- combine several layers of animation to create the final production
Working environment
You could work in a creative studio, in an office or from home.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- knowledge of media production and communication
- good art and design skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- thinking and reasoning skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- the ability to work well with others
- to be flexible and open to change
- the ability to organise your time and workload
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become a animator
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
You may have an advantage when looking for jobs if you choose a course that includes a work placement.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 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 a trainee animator.
Courses include:
- creative and digital media
- games, animation and VFX skills
- creative art and design
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do a higher or degree level apprenticeship with a production studio, such as:
- Junior Animator Level 4
- Junior VFX Artist or Assistant Technical Director Level 4
- VFX Artist or Technical Director Level 6
- Storyboard Artist Level 7
Entry requirements
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
Work
You could start as an animation runner with a company and with further training, work your way up to a digital painter, assistant animator, then 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 .
Other routes
You could take a 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.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could:
- become a lead animator or animation director
- work for a large animation studio, games developer, interactive media design business or video post-production company
- become a freelance animator
- open your own animation studio
Career tips
You'll need to create a showreel and animation portfolio to highlight your best work and ideas.
Put your work on your own blog, website or video-sharing website to make it easy to find for employers.
Guides for this industry
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