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Also called: Computer Animators
 Duties and Responsibilities
Animators create moving images and special effects for feature films, television commercials, short features computer games and videos. They draw by hand. They use computers to create the large series of pictures (sequential drawings) which, when photographed and transferred to film or tape, then projected at a specific speed, form the animated cartoons seen in movies and on television. They produce a series of sketches, may make a model, and do layout for animated films. In addition, they may create background layouts, moods and color patterns. Animators usually begin by doing 2-D drawings which are scanned into the computer, edited, colored, textured, and motion added.
Tasks include: They may also prepare successive drawings of special effects, such as wind, rain, and fire. Animation also has applications in marketing and advertising. Specialties
Personal Characteristics
Personal characteristics will aid you in being successful. These abilities may be natural and can be improved by using them.
High ability to:
Ability to:
Demonstrate:
Work Environment
This section reflects the physical activities and physical demands that most people working in this occupation engage in during the course of a workday. However, these occupations often can be performed by those with disabilities when provided with appropriate adaptations.
Workers are assigned to a production unit. Work is performed in a studio or office that is well-lighted and ventilated. There is frequent exposure to odors from glues, paint, and ink. The work may be continuous for large periods of time. Some overtime is needed to meet deadlines. When working by contract, much time will be spent selling your own services. Tools used: Animators use the computer and other electronic tools and media to speed up the drawing process. They use a variety of computer software packages to complete their work. Animators will also use illustration scanners and image manipulation tools. They may also be sitting at a computer for long periods. Associated EUREKA Occupations
California Pay and Outlook
Job availability for any occupation is subject to change depending on the nation's economic strength, global economics, unexpected political events, and natural disasters. You should become aware of current events and how they may impact your career.
CALIFORNIA PAY: Pay varies widely and depends on experience, specific job duties, geographic location, and the reputation of the Animator. Well-established Animators may earn more than salaried workers. Freelancers have the potential to earn very high pay. Pay is similar to Technical Illustrators. 3-D Animators earn the highest pay.
Occupational Employment Statistics Survey ( OES ) data for 1998: OES category Artists and Related Workers(34035)
OES category Artists and Related Workers(34035)
America's Career InfoNet. Search for California in wages and trends: http://www.acinet.org/acinet/ CALIFORNIA EMPLOYMENT: Jobs are concentrated near larger cities, such as the Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay Area. Other Animator jobs are found in Florida. Occupational Employment Statistics Survey ( OES ) employment projections to 2008: OES category Artists & Related Workers(34035)
CALIFORNIA OUTLOOK: Job availability for any occupation can change with the nation's economic strength, global economics, unexpected political events, and natural disasters. Become aware of current events and how they may impact careers. Determine when you will be entering the labor market. Think ahead. Demand for jobs can change quickly, always check local newspapers, periodicals, and websites. View news from all over the world. Make an informed decision about your future career. It is very difficult to find a job without experience. Employers are always looking for people with outstanding ability. Animators must gain recognition and a reputation in their field. Experience and recognition is needed to land the job you want. Turnover in most areas is low. Those with computer skills will be in greater demand. Feature animation is increasingly becoming important in the film industry. Employers are looking primarily for people with experience and talent in movement and motion studies. People coming out of school with animation knowledge and skills need experience. Experience is offered in training programs. Occupational Employment Statistics Survey ( OES ) growth projections through 2008:
CALIFORNIA EMERGING OCCUPATION: This section refers to occupations that are determined to be emerging in the California economy. This occupation is emerging through the year 2008 because many opportunities are created by technological innovations, shifting of markets or regulations. There are job opportunities for creative and talent people. National Pay and Outlook
Job availability for any occupation is subject to change depending on the nation's economic strength, global economics, unexpected political events, and natural disasters. You should become aware of current events and how they may impact your career.
NATIONAL PAY: Pay is similar to Technical Illustrators and other Visual Artists
Occupational Employment Statistics Survey (OES): This occupation is included in the OES category Drafters
America's Career InfoNet. Search for national wages and trends by state: http://www.acinet.org/acinet/ NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT: (When available, the OES number represents data collected by the Occupational Employment Statistics(OES) Survey, for the Office of Employment and Unemployment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.) OES 34035: By 2008, in the broad occupational category of Artists and commercial artists, including Animators, 388, 000 are projected to be employed with 143, 000 openings due to growth and separations between 1998 and 2008. NATIONAL OUTLOOK: Job availability for any occupation can change with the nation's economic strength, global economics, unexpected political events, and natural disasters. Become aware of current events and how they may impact careers. Determine when you will be entering the labor market. Think ahead. Demand for jobs can change quickly, always check local newspapers, periodicals, and websites. View news from all over the world. Make an informed decision about your future career. The future demand for animators is expected to be strong. Currently, there is a high demand for skilled applicants with artistic and creative talent and computer skills. The growth of the use of Computer Graphics Imagery (CGI) will continue to increase demand. There is usually strong competition for both salaried and freelance work. The field is seen as glamorous and has an exciting image. The industry is unpredictable, however. A lot of animation is being done overseas which could impact job opportunities in this country. OES 34035: Faster than average growth is projected through 2008 for Artists and commercial artists including Animators. INTERNATIONAL OUTLOOK: Because this is a broad-based industry, it is expected to continue to grow worldwide. International Pay and Outlook
Job availability for any occupation is subject to change depending on the nation's economic strength, global economics, unexpected political events, and natural disasters. You should become aware of current events and how they may impact your career.
Benefits
Benefits vary by industry. Self-employed workers do not receive benefits that are usually provided by employers. There are opportunities for self-employment where income can fluctuate because of changing of business conditions. Some workers may be represented by collective bargaining. Government employment offers a benefits package which may change when there are budgetary cuts and which may include paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, health insurance, and a retirement plan.
Preparation
Employers prefer applicants with a college degree in fine art, graphic design, or visual communication. Employers usually want people with talent and demonstrated drawing ability. Some employers offer on-the-job training once an applicant has completed their education. It takes from two up to four years to learn the necessary skills to do the job. Technical and computer training should be part of your education. Several community colleges offer instruction. Some colleges and universities and art or design schools offer programs of study. Some offer course work in animation. Most offer courses in art, graphics design, and technical illustration. College course work should include : animation design, character animation, color, computer image-making hardware and software, design, drafting, graphic rendering techniques, kinetic figure studies, motion graphics (experimental animation), operation of animation cameras, perspective.
A training program (13 to 15-weeks) is offered by the Walt Disney World, Feature Animation Department in Florida and California. This training program offers applicants an opportunity to learn the animation process. This is an entry-level position that may lead to employment with Disney. Applicants may request the requirements of a portfolio review from which trainees are chosen. Applicants must submit a portfolio of their life drawings, quick sketches, and observational sketches. Selection for this training program depends entirely on the strength of the portfolio review. Write : Walt Disney Company (407) 560-4968 (Feature Animation Department) It will be important to continually update your skills by learning about new tools and techniques. Educational Programs
High School Courses Recommended
It is a good idea to see a counselor about graduation requirements at your high school. Courses you take will vary depending on your career goals. All high schools do not offer the same courses. Course titles may be different at each school. Some courses offered at your high school may be Regional Occupational Program/Center courses. Skills
Talent is essential. You should have a basic understanding of form and knowledge of the art of moving a character. You should have familiarity of background art and layout. Knowledge of computer design software and techniques is essential. It is important that you be excited about animation.
Associations
Most occupations have a related association. Currently, EUREKA has no associations listed for this occupation. If you find an association, write and ask for helpful career information. Include a stamped, self-addressed envelope with your request.
Tips
It is a good idea to be an active member of a professional organization in order to stay current with trends, tools, and techniques.
Those without experience should consider volunteering and interning to build marketable skills. Your ideas are important. Present your ideas to other people and to companies. However, don't give your ideas away free. You may want to copyright and/or patent them in the long run. You should also review your employment contract with your employer so that you both have a good understanding of what ideas are yours and which are theirs. Places to Work
EMPLOYERS: Motion picture and television, film makers, video makers, advertising firms making commercials, printing and publishing companies, art design studies, manufacturers of electronic games, the Internet, design firms, commercial art and reproduction firms and multimedia employers. Some work on geography, in architecture, in the medical and legal industries and in education for interactive products. Some are self-employed or freelancers. Some work on a contract basis.
FINDING THE JOB: Inexperienced workers can sometimes get referrals from their schools. They also learn about jobs through friends, ads in newspapers, trade journals, and professional associations. Some workers find employment through private employment agencies, the Employment Development Department (EDD), or by applying directly to employers. Employers usually want job seekers to submit resumes and samples of their work. A portfolio is essential. The strength of your portfolio can get you a job. A portfolio of your work on diskette, CD-ROM, video tape, of in an interactive format will help your work be noticed. CalJobs. Search for job openings in California: http://www.caljobs.ca.gov America's Job Bank. Use the Keyword search for National and State job openings: http://www.ajb.dni.us/seeker/? INDUSTRIES: Industry information contains California, national, and international information and includes size, hiring practices, and outlook.
For more information, see:
Bibliography
Use these resources to get more information. These resources are the latest editions available. They may be found in a school library, career center, or public library. Many of them have websites.
Dictionary of Holland Occupational Codes. Third Edition, Gary D. Gottfredson and John L. Holland, PAR Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc., 1996. (AES) Dictionary of Occupational Titles, U. S. Department of Labor, fourth edition, revised 1991. MAJOR Occupations:
California Occupational Guide , Employment Development Department, Number
Search their Website: http://www.calmis.cahwnet.gov/htmlfile/subject/guide.htm The Complete Guide for Occupational Exploration , JIST Works, Inc., 1993 edition.
ISCO-88 International Standard Classification of Occupations (Revised), International Labour Office, Geneva, Switzerland, 1990.
Military Careers, U. S. Department of Defense, 1995-98 edition.
Search the Military Career Guide online: http://www.militarycareers.com Occupational Outlook Handbook , U. S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training.
Search their Website: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocoiab.htm These publications are the latest editions available. They may be found in a school library, career center, or public library. Many of these publications are also found on Internet websites. Local Information
San Francisco Bay Area Region
Occupational Employment Statistics Survey(OES) employment and growth projections between the seven year period 1997-2004. The OES job category is listed with the OES number. Some EUREKA occupations are covered by more than one OES category.
Central Valley
Occupational Employment Statistics Survey(OES) employment and growth projections between the seven year period 1997-2004. The OES job category is listed with the OES number. Some EUREKA occupations are covered by more than one OES category. Plumas County information is in the Northern California region.
Northern California
Occupational Employment Statistics Survey(OES) employment and growth projections between the seven year period 1997-2004. The OES job category is listed with the OES number. Some EUREKA occupations are covered by more than one OES category. Lake County information is in the Central Valley region.
Central Coast
Occupational Employment Statistics Survey(OES) employment and growth projections between the seven year period 1997-2004. The OES job category is listed with the OES number. Some EUREKA occupations are covered by more than one OES category.
Desert Region
Occupational Employment Statistics Survey(OES) employment and growth projections between the seven year period 1997-2004. The OES job category is listed with the OES number. Some EUREKA occupations are covered by more than one OES category.
Southern Coast Region
Occupational Employment Statistics Survey(OES) employment and growth projections between the seven year period 1997-2004. The OES job category is listed with the OES number. Some EUREKA occupations are covered by more than one OES category.
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