Are you wondering what kind of jobs can you get with an animation degree? Well the gaming industry and digital advertising is booming at the moment and if you are looking at future growth jobs for graduates with an animation degree, this post share just a few of many potential jobs you can bag with an animation degree…
If you have a knack for animation is then you know how rewarding it can be to work in a growing industry especially at the moment where the gaming and digital advertising is growing tremendously.
With so many online universities providing training in animation, there is no excuse why you can not start building your career from today.
And if you are wondering what a day in the life of a graduate animator looks like, well, most of their jobs include the procedural and conceptual designing, drawing, story-boarding, making layouts and preparations of photographic sequences that are then integrated into the multimedia and gaming products.
In short, it is a way in which photos are manipulated to appear as moving images.
Generally, the effect of the animation is achieved by a rapid succession of sequential images that minimally differ from each other, apart from short films, featured films, animated gifs and other media dedicated to the display of moving pictures, animation is as well user for motion graphics, video games and special effects.
Types of animation
There are five types or genres of animation available and we shall break down each one of them to you:
1. Traditional animation
Traditional animation is also known as cel animation. This version of animation is pretty old than all types of animation, with this type, the animator draws every frame to create the animation sequence, similar to what Disney did in the old days. If you’ve ever had or seen a flip book, then you may understand what cell animation is. In flip-books sequential drawings are screened quickly one after another to create the illusion of movements.
The history of this type of animation can be traced back to 5000BC, in the form of art found on a pottery bowl in depicting a goat leaping. In recent years traditional animation is being done mostly on computers by using a tablet.
- 2D Vector-based animation
This type of animation refers to traditional hand-drawn animation and also to computer vector animation. This type of animation is also called computer generated 2D animation because it uses computer technologies or interpolation to have the images moving. - 3D computer animation
This type of animation is the most popular nowadays and works completely different from traditional animation, this one is more similar to playing with puppets while traditional animation requires you to be an excellent artist.
In 3D animation, characters are modeled in the computer program and then fitted with a skeleton that allows the animator to move the models, the characters body parts are always present in 3D animation and are always taken into consideration, this is not the same case with traditional animation.
3D animation started back in 1995 with You Story directed by John Passenger, 3D animation wasn’t new at that time because it was used in computer games, TV commercial and movies but Toy Story was the first feature-length computer-animated film, re-imagining that animation industry.
3D animation looks for realistic and has led to studios combining high-level computer processing with advanced motion capture, this then led to films such as Lord of the rings with both animations and real people.
- Motion graphics
This type of animation is all about logos, explainer videos, app commercials, television promos or even film opening titles. It involves intimating images, texts or video clips using keyframing that are tweeted to make smooth motion between frames. - Stop motion
This refers to any animation that uses objects that are photographed in a sequence to create the illusion of movement. Objects in stop motion have to be moved inch by inch and this makes stop motion animation a very long process. The different types of stop animation are claymation, puppets, cut-out, silhouette, action figures, and pixelation.
Are you thinking of studying animation and are wondering what types of jobs will be available for you once you graduate? If you are then you’ve definitely come to the right place, below we have listed the 10 best animation jobs for graduates.
1. Animator
To get this job position you need a degree in computer graphics, art or a related field in order to have an impressive portfolio of work and to also have the required skills.
Other animators prefer to work by drawing and painting by hand and then translating the resulting images into computer programs.
Duties of animators
- You’ll be working with other teams of animators and artists to create movies, games or visual effects
- You’ll be developing storyboards that map out key scenes in animation
- You’ll be editing animations and effects on the basis of feedback from directors, other animators, game designers and clients in general.
- You’ll be using computer programs and illustrations to create graphics and animation, you’ll also be researching upcoming projects to help create reality designs or animations.
2. Graphic Designer
To get this job position you’ll need a degree in graphic designing or related field.
Graphics designers are individuals who combine art and technology to communicate ideas through images and the layout of websites and printed pages, they create visual concepts using computer software and also develop the overall layout and production design for different applications such as magazines, corporate reports e.t.c
Duties of a graphic designer
- You’ll be meeting with clients or the art director to determine the scope of a particular project
- You’ll be using digital illustrations, photo-editing software and layout software to create designs.
-You’ll be creating visual elements such as logos, original images, and illustrations that help deliver the desired message - You’ll be Designing layouts and select colors, images, and typefaces to use
- You’ll be designing concepts to clients or art directors
- You’ll be Incorporating changes recommended by clients or art directors into final designs
- You’ll be reviewing designs for errors before printing or publishing them
3. 3D Artist
Employers in need of a 3D artist will require that you have a bachelor’s degree, and they also look for individuals who have a good portfolio of work and strong technical skills. If you study and get a bachelor’s degree in fine art, computer graphics, animation, or a related field, then this job position is for you.
Duties of a 3D artist
- You’ll be using computer programs and illustrations to create graphics and animation
- You’ll Work with a team of animators and artists to create a movie, game, or visual effect
- You’ll be Researching upcoming projects to help create realistic designs or animations
- You’ll be Developing storyboards that map out key scenes in animations
- You’ll be Editing animations and effects on the basis of feedback from directors, other animators, game designers, or clients
- You’ll be Meeting with clients, other animators, games designers, directors, and other staff (which may include actors) to review deadlines and development timelines
4. Graphic Artist
Graphic artists do exactly what graphic designers do, meaning for this job position you will also need a bachelor’s degree in graphic designing or any related field such as a degree in animations.
This talent of graphic designing is important to marketing and selling products and is a critical component of brochures and logos. Therefore, graphic designers, also referred to as graphic artists or communication designers, often work closely with people in advertising and promotions, public relations, and marketing.
Duties of a graphic artist
- You’ll be meeting with clients or the art director to determine the scope of a particular project
- You’ll be using digital illustrations, photo-editing software and layout software to create designs.
-You’ll be creating visual elements such as logos, original images, and illustrations that help deliver the desired message - You’ll be Designing layouts and select colors, images, and typefaces to use
- You’ll be designing concepts to clients or art directors
- You’ll be Incorporating changes recommended by clients or art directors into final designs
- You’ll be reviewing designs for errors before printing or publishing them