What is Animator? What does it take to become a professional Animator?

What is an Animator?

Animator is the individual behind 'animation' - the moving images seen in video games, advertisements, music videos, and notably, cartoons. Animation breathes life into static visuals, enhancing storytelling and content delivery.

The work of an Animator includes character design, scenery, objects,... And creating continuous moving images at high speed to form animations. The products are scenes in animated films, video games, TV shows, plastic films, media videos, advertisements, GIF animations, and many similar works.

In this field, Animator is divided into 2 main branches, one is character animation designer, and the other is effects animation designer.

• Character Animator designs movements and expressive performances for characters, synchronizing them with background music and dialogue.
• Effect Animator creates movements for non-human objects, typically machinery, vehicles, and weather effects (rain, flowing water, falling snow, etc.).

Essential Skills for Animators

Becoming an Animator is far from simple as it demands a high level of expertise. To embark on this career path and advance in the animation field, you need the following specialized skills:

Drawing Skills

Today, most animation segments are executed on computers. However, possessing drawing skills is advantageous for becoming a professional Animator. With proficient drawing abilities, you can sketch ideas during project conceptualization or create storyboard panels.

Moreover, drawing skills enable Animators to grasp the structure, shape, and movement of characters, objects, and environments. This understanding is pivotal for creating lifelike and immersive animations.

Software Proficiency

Certainly, a professional Animator needs to have knowledge of and be proficient in graphic software such as Adobe After Effects, Autodesk Maya, etc. Nowadays, animation filmmaking or advertising is carried out using these software applications.

However, the usefulness of tools is only a part; what matters is whether you can master them. To utilize animation tools effectively, Animators need to understand computer languages, features, how to combine operations, and must possess design thinking.

Understanding Cinematography Techniques

To create the most authentic motion scenes, Animators need more than just drawing skills or software proficiency. They also need knowledge of various cinematographic elements such as sound techniques, colors, lighting, composition, aspect ratios, etc.

Understanding Acting

Acting may seem like a skill exclusive to actors. However, if you aim to become a top-tier Animator in a professional environment, you also need to understand acting.

Most people have seen animated scenes where characters appear stiff. This stems from the limitations of animation and the performer's abilities.

For animations to become more lifelike, Animators need to understand how to express emotions of characters and other objects in various situations. This is crucial for conveying emotions in their work.

Animator's Operational Nature

Animators can operate in diverse environments, so the nature of their work is quite varied. However, most designers need to possess creativity, design thinking, specialized skills, and the ability to collaborate with others.

As you may know, animation projects, whether they are cartoons, advertising videos, or electronic game designs, involve the participation of many parties, such as directors, producers, art editors, background artists, and many other Animators.

To complete a project, Animators need to work with all these parties. The nature of the job demands communication skills, smooth coordination, and the ability to listen to feedback and self-assess.

Animator's Modus Operandi

Thanks to the advancement of computer technology, creating animations is becoming increasingly diverse and efficient. Therefore, the working methods and processes of an Animator have changed significantly compared to previous eras. Typically, Animators go through the following workflow:

Step 1: Gathering requirements from clients, including specifications on duration, style, and purpose of the animation project.

Step 2: Scripting and designing. This is where an Animator needs to sketch ideas, develop concepts, and create preliminary designs of characters, scenes, and objects that will appear in the video or film.

Step 3: Creating animation - the main task of an Animator. At this stage, Animators need to use graphic software to create sequences of animations, providing smooth and realistic motion for the designed images.

Step 4: Sound processing, including selecting background music, mixing and combining music with dialogue to synchronize with their animations.

Step 5: Reviewing the work, making adjustments based on client feedback, and completing the project.

Principles of Becoming an Animator

To become a true Animator, you need to adhere to the following principles:

• Learning and honing skills: Continuously enhance your expertise in graphic techniques, utilize computer software, and develop teamwork abilities.
• Regular practice: Alongside learning, consistent practice is essential to gain real-world experience. Undertake your own projects or join suitable company or personal ventures that match your skill level.
• Building a personal portfolio: To secure Animator positions, you must compile a portfolio showcasing sample projects, demos, and relevant documents to demonstrate your proficiency.
• Passion and patience: Any job requires passion to delve deeper into the industry. Moreover, animation demands high levels of concentration and patience.

Hopefully, the information provided here helps you understand what an Animator is and what skills are necessary. If you're passionate about this career, start practicing and honing the required skills from now on.