How Do I Become An Animator?

by Amanda Fornecker

Animators breathe life into your favorite cartoon characters

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How do I become an animator?
Animators generally need at least a bachelor's degree. Some animators choose to advance their education with master's degrees. No matter what degree you decide to pursue, most animator students end up with a degree in fine arts. Students working toward becoming animators may also major in fields such as art and design to get a broad understanding of this artistic field. An animator's portfolio is generally paramount in what animator jobs a person can secure. With this portfolio, animator students can showcase what they have learned through their animator school curriculum or at an animator internship. The animator's portfolio will include various sketches, computer-generated projects, and other pieces that may prove the talents they have developed throughout their learning process. After a while in the field, animators will develop their own style and become known for that style of animation. It is with this experience that advancement in the animation field will come. Animator jobs may be tough to come by, but you can certainly become a successful animator through hard work, determination, and of course, time. Animator schools give students the jumping off point to get where they want to go.

What will I learn in animator school?
Animator schools can be found at traditional colleges and universities in art and design programs. There are also specialized career schools that dedicate themselves to the teaching of this particular art field. Looking for those that meet your criteria are certainly important, as is the accreditation status of the school. A school that has been accredited in animator programs will certainly have a regulated and relevant animation program that will help boost your potential to find the best animator jobs. Coursework within an animator program can typically include classes in English, the sciences, and art and design. With this type of diverse background, animators will be equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to make a decision on what they want to specialize in. The most important and exciting part of an animator program, however, is the art and design part. Through classroom instruction and real-world practice, animator students really get to learn what they've come to animator schools for. Computer graphics and visual arts courses are certainly helpful and get to the heart of an animator's job. You'll also learn about the different types of animators that exist. For instance, there are medical animators, animation teachers for children, and many others. Finding your niche at animator schools will be helpful in creating your eventual success.