Q&A for How to Become an Animator

It's never too late, and you're still very young. Go for it if you want to.

2D needs more shading/contrast to make it pop out. It also requires you to draw frame by frame, and there needs to be a lot of frames in order to make the animation smooth. 3D can look strange at times (ever see those poorly done 3D cartoon animations?), and you need to know how curves work. But, it doesn't require drawing frame by frame, as a 3D model can be dragged around and moved to create a sequence of film.

You can certainly begin the journey to become one. Start learning everything you can about animation and practice, practice, practice. Eventually, when you're a little older, you'll be in a good position to get a job as an animator.

Nobody ever stops being a failure. Failing is the best way for us to learn to do better next time. At no point in your animating career should you ever reach a point where you cannot continue to improve.

The average salary of an animator in the United States was $63,970 in 2015. Of course, salaries vary based on education level, skill level, location, employer, and other factors.

You could take an art class. Anyone can become decent at drawing, but it takes practice.

No, anyone can become an animator. You can keep practicing and try to find some classes to take if you are interested in that but you can become an animator regardless of whether or not you went to an art high school.

If you think AE is better then go with that.

You can use programs to make animation online.

No, but using a computer will definitely be the easiest route to becoming an animator.

Practice your drawing skills more. Remember, every animator and artist went from not being good at drawing to a professional. Even professionals still practice their drawing skills. If you really want to be an animator, don't give up on it just because your not very good at drawing. Practice makes perfect.

Make a YouTube channel! There is a whole community on YouTube dedicated to young animators!

Get your iPad or iPhone and download Stop Motion Studio. Then buy a tablet stand so the movie doesn't shake all over the place. Then take tons of pictures on Stop Motion Studio and you're done!

It depends on your skill. If you are good at art (drawing skills), then 2D will be good for you, whereas if you're better with computers, you should try 3D.

If you're in charge of the whole project or doing it alone, you'll get to create the story to go along with the animation.

I would say that it’s possible, but in terms of a career it might be a little harder. These days that sort of thing gives you a leg up getting a job, that and experience. You could try making a YouTube channel and start there, a lot of animators on places like Cartoon Network, Pixar, and Nickelodeon had their videos and ideas greenlit through a previous audience on YouTube. It’s extremely rare, though. I would maybe take an anatomy class at the very least to make sure your proportions, movement, and poses are accurate and to a certain extent “realistic.” After all, movement is what animation is all about.

Yes, you can get a degree in animation no matter where you live. Some programs are offered online, while others are offered at local colleges and universities. Check into both options to see which best suits your needs.

No, you probably don't, but it depends on your art style. If you have a 2 in 1 laptop, that would be a good substitute.

ToonBoom or Animate CC 2019 are some of the best programs out there. They are even used by some popular animators! Tutorials exist for these programs.

If you feel really passionate about becoming an animator, you should strive to make more money. Get another job or start a fund.

No, you need a program. Most animators use animation programs to help bring their drawings into animations. There are free programs for animation, like Blender.

Just keep drawing and animating. If you have a project or story you’re passionate about, don’t hesitate to start it on your own. Build up a portfolio of animations and art you made, and try out new concepts and ideas. Post some of your animations to YouTube if you like.

You can get a job as animator with any degree, or none at all. Just study the principles of animation and spend at least an hour per day practicing developing animation, perhaps consider taking a course in animation or specific animation software. Your aerospace engineering degree would lend itself very well to the realistic design of spaceships and stations, understanding of planetary orbits, and many other factors that could make an outstanding basis for science fiction or an animated space- or aircraft-related documentary series. This will be a unique talent you can bring to animation studios, one that could give you the advantage over other applicants.

It all depends on what you prefer. Sure, 3D may be harder to master than 2D for some, but if you prefer making 3D, then do that. Same works vice versa. Watch some 2D/3D films and think about which you prefer animation wise.

The top animation school in the U.S. is the California Institute of the Arts. Other notable schools for animation includes the Ringling College of Art and Design (Florida), Savannah College of Art and Design (Georgia), and the University of Southern California.

Not at all! There are many animation jobs that don't require 3D animation as a prerequisite.