It’s no wonder if you wish to get started with 3D animation. Today, the animation is used in almost every game, music video, web series, movie, corporate explaining video, and much more. And getting paid to create videos and films… Well, that’s a nerd’s dream job! No one knows what to expect when one enters a 3D animation career pathway. However, it won’t be wrong to say that one might feel quite overwhelmed!
But don’t worry; through this blog, we will discuss animation, various jobs and roles in this field, and much more. In short, it will be the career guide that you have always wanted! So, without further ado, let us begin!
Who Is An Animator?
Whether you go for student counseling sessions or ask a professional working in the field, they’ll tell you a secret: beginners might not be able to draw well, but they still can go for this amazing career field. Yes! You heard that right; you don’t need any drawing skills for 3D animation job roles.
Many statistics show that 30% of the students applying for the animation course can draw well. However, 20% of students learn to draw eventually as they become interested in the field.
So, don’t think that animation is not the field for you. Also, don’t give up by just saying that you are creative enough or you can’t draw.
That being said, some other attributes will help you in the long run. Take a look at them!
- Technical Proficiency
As an animator, you will be working across various programs/ applications. Thus, you must be well-versed with Photoshop, Blender, ZBrush, etc.
- Creative 3D Thinking
Thinking creatively can sound tricky, but it is integral for having an animation and modeling skill set. However, you can practice and enhance your creative power. For instance, try imagining a cube and then steadily spinning it around. Can you witness the corners? The perspective? Try sketching or drawing it out! Doing mental exercises like these will help you in the long run!
- Effective Communication Skills
Good communication and a calm temperament greatly serve your career and make you a positive person. Of course, you can hide behind the screen and create amazing stuff, but you still have to work in a team. This is why being open, humble, respectful, and honest will help improve how you work in a group, thus managing your anxiety better!
- Organizational Skills
3D animators can multitask to handle numerous aspects of an animation project, i.e., from color management to lighting to the background of motion graphics. Thus, organizational skills are crucial for accomplishing goals and efficiently managing time!
Tips To Begin Your 3D Animation Career
First things first, animation includes a lot of skills that you can get via a soft skill training program. Therefore, you can apply for such programs and make your animation journey much more rewarding.
Before we go on discussing the steps, take a look at the non-animation roles we all hear about:
- Character Modeler
- Lighting Artist
- Layout Artist
- Asset Modeler
- Rigging Artist
- CG Supervisor
- Rendering Artist
- Background Artist
- Compositor
- CG Supervisor
Now, let’s come to how you can begin your career as a 3D animator. Below are the steps!
- Earn A Degree
In order to become a 3D animator, the primary step is first to earn a bachelor’s degree. A degree in animation, like a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Design, etc., can help you progress in your career quite smoothly. These degrees include elements like graphic designing, art, video game design, etc., to help you fast-track your career.
However, during the course of your degree, you master the core techniques of animation as industries prefer hiring individuals who have complete skill and expertise in the field. Even if you don’t have a degree, try being proficient in technicalities, and who knows, you might just get selected!
- Create A Portfolio
Many companies hire animators with excellent portfolios to showcase to the managers when it comes to recruitment. Your portfolio must represent your style, artistry, technical abilities, and so on. Moreover, it should also convey your knowledge and proficiency in the field.
Thus, to become a suitable candidate for the role, you must tailor your portfolio based on the job you are applying for. For instance, if a manager asks to showcase motion graphics, fill your portfolio with videos instead of images!
- Gain Relevant Experience
After completing a bachelor’s degree, you will obviously work in an entry-level position. However, as you gain relevant experience, you advance to higher levels. Thus, during the course of your degree, work in paid or unpaid internships. This will give you hands-on experience working in the corporate culture, thus making you skilled at different job responsibilities.
In addition, to have more experience, you can also work as a freelancer for various organizations and institutions.
- Build A Strong Professional Network
To get a part-time, full-time, or freelancing position, it is vital to have a network with professionals working in the creative industry. Interestingly, many companies hire 3D animators either through referrals or word-of-mouth.
In such scenarios, having a strong professional network can help you win recommendations for job roles in animation. But what’s the easiest way of building a strong network?
Well, you can do this by being a part of the animation association, thus connecting with professionals who share the same passion and goals as yours!
- Upgrade Your Skills
In this era of digitization, the design tools & techniques might change. Therefore, employers prefer hiring applicants who constantly improve their skill set to have an edge over other candidates.
Interestingly, recruiters in the animation industry often use new technologies to satisfy their consumer’s needs & demands. So, the ability of the applicant to adapt to a fast-paced, changing work environment is vital for any job role that one applies to!
- Create A CV
A CV enlisting your skills, expertise, qualification, and experience is vital to get relevant job offers. In addition, mention the internships or any certifications you have gained alongside the animation degree.
You can even share your links in the CV of your portfolio so that a manager can gauge your skills.
An important thing to note is to check the job description before you hit the ‘apply’ button. Explore what is expected and then proceed with the application. This will make your CV ATS, i.e., application tracking system compliant.
Finally, you can upload your CV into different job portals and apply for numerous positions.
Wrapping Up!
There you have it! Now you know how you can begin your career as a 3D animator and what prerequisite skills you need for the smooth sailing of your journey.
Being an animator might be a complex career path, but it’s gratifying. What can anyone ask for if one is earning through his/ her passion!?
Now you tell us – what’s your reason for becoming an animator? Share with us in the comments section!
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