How do I become an animator?

The most important skill of an animator is the ability to draw, model or use puppets in a way that creates the illusion of movement. Whatever your route into the industry, you need to learn how to do this. It’s useful to have a degree in animation too. This will give you the opportunity to learn the software and animation techniques. However you do it, practice and hone your animation skills and create your own portfolio to show off your work.

At school or college: You can take A-levels or Highers in fine art, art and design, graphic design, or film studies. Or you might want to take any of the following Level 3 vocational qualifications:

- BTEC National Diploma/Extended Diploma in Art and Design

• UAL Applied General Diploma/Extended Diploma in Art and Design
• NCFE Applied General Certificate in Art and Design
  
  If you want to go straight into a job or apprenticeship, the following Level 3 vocational qualifications will equip you:
  
  - BTEC National Diploma in Graphics
• UAL Diploma/Extended Diploma in Art and Design
• OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma in Art and Design (Graphic Design)
  
  Get an apprenticeship:
  
  An apprenticeship is a job with training, employment so it’s a great opportunity to earn as you learn. See if you can find an apprenticeship a junior animator. Check out What’s an apprenticeship? to learn more about apprenticeships and find an apprenticeship to learn how to find one in your region, or approach companies directly.
  
  Build a portfolio: Learn animation and video editing software, experiment with practical stop-motion and start creating work that you can show to admissions tutors or employers. Create your own short film or films. This is essential. Go to build your to learn how. Watch Screenskills’ advice on animation showreels and CG Spectrum - College of Digital Art and Animation’s student showcase YouTube video for help and inspiration.
  
  Get a degree: A degree in animation or a related useful field, especially if it’s a degree that will offer you opportunities to do work experience. Have a look at ScreenSkills’ list of recommended courses and select one in animation or design. We recognise courses with our ScreenSkills Select award where they offer training in the relevant software, dedicated time to building a portfolio and have strong links with the animation industry.
  
  Draw, model, paint and illustrate: Practise creating the illusion of movement with drawings or models, with a focus on anatomy. Be aware of weight and timing when drawing from live subjects (or videos of them). Carry a sketchbook around with you. Observe and draw wherever you can.
  
  Get work experience: Contact animation companies and ask if you can do work experience. You can also volunteer to use your animation skills to help small businesses, schools, employment not-for-profit organisations or community groups. Ask if you can enhance the look of their websites or produce an animation for them. This isn’t advisable if the organisation already does its own animation, but if you find one where you think you can help, do ask.
  
  Take a short course: On the ScreenSkills website, we have a list of animation training courses that we either fund, support or have quality-marked.
  
  Network: Use social media as a free platform to present your work and to get exposure. Get to know people in the animation industry by attending events. Research specific animation professionals you admire to see what public events and forums they will be attending and try to go to these. Meet producers and animators and ask them questions about their work. Offer to provide them with your professional contact details and try to stay in touch with them. Go to how to network well to learn how to do this.
  
  Search for jobs: Research animation companies you’d like to work for. Go to their websites and check if they are advertising for junior roles. Even if they aren’t, send in your CV and showreel and ask them to bear you in mind for future roles. Keep looking on job websites too. ScreenSkills offers some advice from professionals on how to approach animation and VFX employers.
  
  You might also be interested in…
  
  Animators are employed in a range of different industries. Have a look at being an animator in the games industry or an animator in VFX.