Most animation degree students can point at one of Disney’s films as the major inspiration that led to their decision to pursue animation.

Walt Disney is one of those people that come along to completely change an industry. He is an icon. He is the man behind the mouse.

Walt Disney’s story towards worldwide recognition starts in Chicago, specifically McKinley High School, where Walt started his artistic path. Walt was the cartoonist for the school newspaper, which would become his choice of career after dropping out of high school. Walt found it hard to find work, but his brother Roy Disney found him work at an art studio where Walt would produce advertisements.

It was at this studio that Walt met Ubbe Iwerks, one of his first major business partners. The two established “Iwerks-Disney Commercial Artists” but found trouble almost instantly. Disney left the company to earn money at the Kansas City Film Ad Company where his interest in animation was sparked.

Soon after, Disney set up the “Laugh-O-Gram” studio. His cartoons were popular there but not nearly profitable enough to fund an entire studio. So that studio was shut down as well.

It was when Walt met up with his brother Roy to establish a studio in Hollywood that things took a turn for the better.

Walt had found success with a new series of animated cartoons called “Alice Comedies” and he found himself able to expand his reach. From this period of growth came Oswald the Rabbit and inevitably Mickey Mouse.

The amazing success of Mickey Mouse led to Disney’s growth and in turn, his entry into the film industry. While cartoons had usually been relegated to pre-movie entertainment, Walt saw the potential for more and in 1937; he released Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It was met with wild success and established animation’s place in the movie industry.

Walt Disney’s work not only revolutionized the way animated films were made, with a reliance on cel animation as opposed to cutout animation, but Walt also brought animation into the spotlight. Without his work, animated features may not be as important as it is today. His tireless work in putting together the team he had at The Walt Disney Company led to animation being as relevant as it is today.

Animation degree students owe Walt Disney more than a simple thank you. His work inspires generations of animators and his films have established animation as a viable option for any filmmakers. Animation degree students can also thank him for establishing one of the best animation institutes in the world, CalArts.

Walt Disney was just as much an animation student as you.

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We’ll breakdown the numbers for the average 2D animator salary and for the average 3D animator salary to crown one form the overall champion.

2D Animation Salary*

2D animation salaries vary greatly, based on a variety of factors like experience and studio popularity. 2D animators can make anywhere from $15,401 to $48,936 a year. The average annual salary of a 2D animator is right around $36,632. As of February 6^th 2013, Glassdoor listed a total of 90 2D animation jobs on their website.

3D Animation Salary*

3D animators hold a clear advantage over 2D animators from the get-go. The variations are the same in 3D animation and an average 3D animator can make anywhere from $29,845 to $73,200. The average 3D animator will make $49,214 a year. As of February 6^th 2013, Glassdoor listed a total of 270 jobs on their website.

So what does that all mean for those of you looking to enter the animation industry?

Probably one of the biggest ideas to take away from this for animators is to not specialize. There is a clear advantage for a 3D animation salary in the grand scheme and it’s for good reason. 3D animated films are huge in the movie industry and everyone is trying to get a piece of that success. But at the same time, there are still a number of opportunities within the 2D animation world as well.

The obvious answer to this is to spread yourself out and master both techniques. If you are a 2D or 3D animator exclusively, take this opportunity to enroll in different animation classes. If you are just entering the field, make sure to continue studying at what you do best, but to diversify your lessons.

There is a decline in specialization in nearly every field of work. Journalists have to master writing and film, game developers can tackle almost every aspect of a game’s design process, and animators can handle animation in both 2D and 3D.

With a diverse skill set, you aren’t limited to either 90 or 270 job offers but instead the combined 360. No matter what animation job is offered, you will be able to offer your services and get the big dollar animation salary you were hoping for.

To start down that path today, fill out the form above!

*according to PayScale.com

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Animation is nothing without the animator.

If you are a student looking for a new major, a student looking for their major, or even someone looking to get back into the arts, read on to find out what you can do as an animator.

Animators have a number of jobs, depending on the project. Usually, an animator will be responsible for a certain scene from a film/cartoon/game’s storyboard. They will take it from start to finish, animating the characters and landscape in the scene before handing it off for approval from the director.

Animators work in teams, with each member of the team being responsible for animating a certain segment of the animation. These pieces are then put together to create one cohesive animation.

An animator’s responsibilities change with the format. Film and TV animation is more about character animation and is on the whole a more scene-based experience. Animation in video games is more focused on level design, and with the interactive medium, game animators are responsible for animating an entire explorable world.

2D and 3D animation are two entirely different worlds, as animation degree students are aware. Animators in both fields utilize various pieces of software to create these scenes. Most animation studios have their own proprietary software that works towards their individual goals. Animation degree students should become familiar with as many pieces of software as possible.

It will make the transition process into bigger studios that much easier.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that over the next seven years, most of the jobs in animation will be in the gaming industry. All told, the job market for animators will see an 8% increase between now and 2020, which is slightly slower than average. The rise of mobile devices will also affect the animation industry, but there is some concern with the outsourcing of animation.

The median pay, according to the site, is right around $58,510 a year. They report that acquiring a degree is necessary for getting a job in animation these days as well.

Glassdoor.com has the average salary of animators at around $60,051 a year, with the high somewhere around $79,000. Animation studios are always hiring but the rise of smaller independent companies also should be on the radar for young animators with an animation degree.

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What follows is a list of tips for any young animation student looking at an animation degree or for those interested in the field of animation. These tips apply to anyone looking at a new college or for those looking to switch majors. Everything from what type of techniques you should use to what college activities you should join as soon as you enter college.

1. Always animate.

As an animation student, the key to becoming successful is to never stop animating. Work on flipbooks, make use of your courses animation tools to create side projects, create animated shorts for the internet. Do it all. Getting an animation degree will lead to a number of opportunities to animate, but it can be easy to focus yourself elsewhere and forget why you are at school. Never stop animating!

2. Collaborate and network!

When you enroll in an animation degree program, you may find yourself surrounded by what many consider “competition”. But instead of isolating yourself and fighting off these other animators, come together and collaborate. These other students may end up being your co-workers once you graduate. Learn from them and make connections that may last a lifetime. On top of that, many of the teachers at animation schools are professionals in the industry as well. Make a good impression and you might have a job right after college.

3. More than just art?

Animation students need to realize that an animation degree is a lot more than just drawing and animating. It involves so much more. Animation students should obviously learn as much as they can while in school, but to optimize their chances at getting a job, they should learn about film and acting. Animated films need more than a talented artist, they need talented actors and storytellers to help craft a realistic and relatable experience. Taking classes in acting and directing and other related fields will help them craft these things.

These three tips will help any future animation degree student make the most of their college experience. If you think you could follow these steps easily, enroll as soon as possible and start your path towards a career in animation.

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In this Internet generation, young animators starting out have more than enough available to them to make it big. Beyond being able to find the resources to learn the craft, the Internet provides the biggest audience possible. According to the World Bank, over 74.2% of the population uses the Internet and it would be of no surprise to see those numbers even higher in 2013.

With the proper education and networking, animators can attempt to make a career out of independent animation.

The first step is to find work. Sites like Craigslist and online communities like ConceptArt.org and Newgrounds.com offer plenty of opportunity for the young animation student. People are constantly looking for an animator to give life to their great idea or their voice acting. They take to the Internet to look for artists to work with.

More often than not, these jobs will be for no pay, but it helps you build your portfolio. On top of that, students can use these communities to market themselves as well.

After you’ve built a little bit of a portfolio, you need to reach into your bag of tricks and pull out the most marketable idea you’ve got. The best cartoon idea you’ve got in your head. And start to work on it. At this point, it is possible that you’ve got a little bit of a following. Members of those communities and people you have worked with that were so impressed with what you did and are looking forward to anything else you might do.

Create the cartoon you started thinking of when you decided to become an animator and put everything you can into it. Blood, sweat, tears, and (hopefully) artistic ability. When it’s released, send it everywhere you can. Show your friends, show your friends friends, and upload it to any video sharing website possible. Upload it to all the animation communities you worked with.

Get an audience through social media and do everything you can to showcase your work. If it catches on, the possibilities are endless. Some independent animators, like the internet-famous“Egoraptor” and Harry Partridge (pictured above), create products and merchandise based on their cartoons for sale. Others package their works on DVDs and sell those as well.

The independent world of animation has a number of doors open that are waiting for students to step through. If you are unsure about a career in animation, take classes and see what people think of your work.

You may not even have to get hired by a major company to gain prestige.

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A concept artist’s main task is to create the visual design for something that does not yet exist. They usually work with whoever is in charge of story to grasp an idea about what the developers are looking for artistically. They then create a number of designs based on the description and present them to the creative team. If one of the designs clicks, they move onto another facet of the project. If not, they are given further instruction and they return to the drawing board.

Concept artists are a humongous part of the animation process because their work may dictate the tone of a project. Their stepping stones lead into some of the most iconic designs around. In some ways, one of the most popular characters, Mickey Mouse, saw his own form of concept art in Walt Disney’s initial character, Oswald the Rabbit.

According to indeed.com, jobs on the market today for concept artists can pay up to $68,000 a year. Most concept art jobs are in the world of game design, but the animated film industry is always looking for concept design.

Concept artists can utilize a wide range of art styles in their work. From traditional painting styles to photorealism to abstract, concept artists are able to work within their own limitations and nothing else.

Once a concept is chosen, a concept artist may follow that character’s design all the way to the project’s completion, to ensure that his vision is kept throughout the process.

Animation students will probably use the process of conceptualizing in almost every aspect of their work.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job market of multimedia artists and animators will see an 8% increase over the next ten years. Concept artists will always be in demand as they provide the ground level inspiration for any project that a developer may start.

Any animation degree student at any level will work with concept art at some point in their career. Choosing a career path that focuses on just that requires endless creativity and imagination.

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Myths and assumptions like these can deter an animation degree student from pursuing a career in animation. They can even deter people from attempting to study animation in the first place. Before you throw your chances away, refer to the list below of a few common myths related to pursuing an animation degree.

1. You must be an adept artist to pursue an animation degree. FALSE.

When you enter any field of art, it is always preferable if you have at least a little innate drawing ability, but it isn’t required. There are a number of methods for a student to learn through formal training. On top of that, the animation industry has adapted to the world of technology, so the focus on pure drawing is lessened. That isn’t to say drawing is not important, but if you’re lacking drawing ability is holding you back from an animation degree, don’t worry.

2. Animation degree students sit on computers and animate all day. FALSE.

Animating is obviously a large part of the process when taking animation courses, but it is far from the only thing an animation student will do. Animation students are required to write a number of papers on different topics and they are expected to learn certain aspects of acting to capture facial expression and much more. Animators are storytellers just as much as they are artists and so there are a number of tools they must acquire alongside the pure artistic side when studying towards an animation degree.

3. You must be proficient at every aspect of the animation process. FALSE.

It is always better for a prospective employee to know every step of the animation process, but it doesn’t have to go any further than that. Animators and artists know what they are good at and should stick to that. Expanding your knowledge base is definitely key, but stick to what you do best. When joining a team, you won’t be expected to tackle every step of the process; instead you will focus on one aspect. Animation degree students should learn many things, but focus on what you’re best at.

4. Animation jobs are sparse. All major studios are full and are not looking for new animators. FALSE.

There is no doubting that it is tough to land a job at a major animation studio, but there is never a 0% chance. If you are talented and can showcase that talent to major studios, you can get yourself a job. On top of that, there are a number of smaller media companies that need animation work. The Bureau of Labor Statistics sees a possible 5,500 jobs opening up within the next seven years in the animation realm.

Prospective animation degree students need to stray away from these myths when starting their path towards a career in animation and focus on their passion, bringing characters to life.

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The truth is that an animator’s responsibilities are much larger than simple animation and that there are more opportunities out there for an animator beyond animated films. A career in animation may lead to film, but there is so much more out there for you.

An animator is primarily focused on animating a scene, but what that entails is a lot more than you may think. An animator doesn’t simply animate one character or one facet of a scene; instead, they are in charge of an entire scene. An animator is required to animate and draw the characters in a consistent style with the rest of the team and make sure that his scene fits in well with the other scenes in the film/show. Animators work with nearly every member of the team to get a clear idea of what his work should involve. As such, they are required to have a pretty thorough understanding of the entire process.

There is also a thought that animators are the only ones in these big animation studios. Nothing could be further from the truth. Animation studios feature a wide variety of talent, from writers to film directors. Animators are just one piece of the puzzle, though they are the most integral.

Animators are more than artists, they are directors. They plot out scenes and utilize different “camera” angles to tell the story needed in any particular scene. The job of an animator is a lot more involving than you may realize.

On the other hand, animators are not stuck in the world of animated films. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, between 2010 and 2020, animation jobs in the motion picture and video industries will actually see a loss of about 5%. The demand for animators is on the rise in almost every other field though.

Video game studios are looking to snatch up the next batch of animation degree students for the more complex field of game animation, advertising companies are looking into animation and even the mobile device market is looking for help from animators to produce apps and games on smart phones.

So let’s recap.

MYTH: Animators animate and that’s all they do. FALSE.

MYTH: The animated film industry is the only place for animators. FALSE.

MYTH: Animators are the only ones hired by animation studios. FALSE.

So if you’re a student looking into pursuing an animation degree, worried about not having any room to grow beyond animating constantly, then it is time to face your fears. Animation is growing constantly and anyone with the drive and talent to pull it off will find success in the field.

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Specialty schools that focus in on animation are looking for new ways to teach their students and are looking at industry professionals for new techniques and even teachers.

Gnomon School of Visual Effects hires its teachers almost exclusively out of the various visual effect industries. Industry artists from gaming companies like Blizzard and Naughty Dog stand alongside film artists from DreamWorks and Disney to teach their students.

At the California Institute of the Arts, a number of teachers are hired from Disney itself. Minkyu Lee, a teacher within the Character Animation department at CalArts, has worked on films like Princess and the Frog and Wreck-it-Ralph. Lee even has an Oscar nominated short, most likely produced during his time at CalArts.

Both of these colleges are praised for their use of industry professionals as teachers and it is no wonder why. They provide a unique insight into how to apply the lessons they learn to the professional world, because they are still a part of that professional world. They are able to note the growing trends in the industry, because they are most likely noticing them on a day-to-day business when they are designing games or producing films.

This hiring trend provides a whole new realm of possibility to students dipping their feet into the water.

Students looking for an animation degree have found themselves a whole new field of work without even trying. Animators can look for jobs at these big universities or even at local elementary schools. There are a number of opportunities open with easy-to-use software to teach young kids animation. From websites that offer simple drag and drop animation to programs built to offer a gradual learning curve to young animation students, animation teaching jobs reach further than just the big schools.

The field of animation grows every day. Students are learning from industry professionals, industry professionals are able to share their knowledge while working on big projects, and animation degree holders have a new world of possible jobs.

With jobs in the gaming and film industries, there will be an influx of new students looking to make waves in the animation industry and that provides an opportunity for fresh graduates looking for work.

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Following is a group of the more notable Oscar nominated shorts and the animators behind them.

9 (2005)

If the name sounds familiar for animation students, it is. 9 is the embryonic little brother to the feature film of the same name released in 2009. The short was directed, animated, and written by UCLA graduate Shane Acker. Released in 2005, 9 was developed by Acker while he was studying at UCLA’s Animation Workshop.

Praised by Tim Burton, a CalArts graduate, the short was nominated for the Academy Award in the Animated Short category. It would go on to lose against The Moon and the Son: An Imagined Conversation, but Acker wouldn’t call it a complete loss. 9 won the Gold Student Academy Award, and on top of that, Tim Burton’s praise came with production money and 9 quickly turned into a feature film.

Acker produced a number of short films while at UCLA’s Animation Workshop, but the incredible success of 9 is what brought him into the big leagues.

Departure of Love (2010)

Departure of Love is the labor of love of Ringling College of Art and Design alumna Jenna Bors. Conceived as her senior thesis while at Ringling College, Departure of Love was created using industry software like Maya, Adobe After Effects and Premiere.

The short was inspired by silent films in the 1920’s and the comedies of silent film star Buster Keaton. It features the love story of man and woman, with a silent film twist.

While the film was not nominated for a full-fledged Oscar, it was awarded the 2010 Student Academy Award Gold Medal and the CINE Award of Excellence. The full short is available to watch online, alongside more of Jenna Bors’ work.

Adam and Dog (2012)

The most recent nominee on this list, Adam and Dog is a love letter to the animation days of old. Animated by Minkyu Lee and his team of 27 animators, Adam and Dog features the story of the first dog in existence traveling through the Garden of Eden. Lee and his team utilized a hand-drawn style to produce the short.

Minkyu Lee is not a student of art design per se, but his contributions to the world of animation are still pretty big. Lee not only works at Disney on big projects, but also as a professor at CalArts. Lee teaches Character Animation at the school and has worked on a number of big projects for Disney’s animation studios.

These three animated shorts should serve as inspiration for young animators. The instant success of 9 that brought Shane Acker to Hollywood, the student awards for Departure of Love and Jenna Bors, and the animation teacher extraordinaire behind Adam and Dog. All tales of inspiration for any young student pursuing an animation degree.

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