Animators and Multimedia Artists

Career summary

#4/9/19 lh

In general, animators and multimedia artists work for:

• Advertising companies
• Movie and video industry
• Computer design firms

They create the animated effects in films, TV shows, video games, and commercials. They may also develop images and designs for product labels, brochures, and presentations. They also help design websites.

Animators and multimedia artists use their judgment and creativity to design complex graphics and animation. They create images that are three-dimensional (3D) by working with light, color, and shadow. Animators and multimedia artists also make images appear to have texture to make the image look as real as possible. In addition, they put several images together to make it appear that the object or character is moving.

Animators and multimedia artists create storyboards by hand to develop the storyline and outline the characters. Storyboards are drawings that show the sequence of the story to be developed on film. They may also integrate photos and digital art into the final design. In addition to working by hand, animators and multimedia artists use computer software and equipment.

Animators may use models to simulate how an animated object will look and act in the final product. They may also create images on pen-and-paper, scan them into a computer to add sound and color.

Related careers

This career is part of the Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communications cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Art Directors
• Cartoonists
• Drafters
• Film and Video Editors
• Fine Artists
• Graphic Designers
• Page Layout Workers
• Producers and Directors
• Sketch Artists
• Web Developers

Military careers

• Graphic Designers and Illustrators

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to animators and multimedia artists.

• Design graphics and animation, using judgment and creativity.
• Create two- and three-dimensional images that show objects in motion.
• Use computer equipment and computer animation or modeling programs.
• Make objects and characters look lifelike by using light, color, and shadow.
• Create storyboards for animation. Map out key scenes and characters.
• Produce camera-ready art and proofs.
• Create designs and drawings for advertising purposes.
• Script and create animated sequences.
• Draw and develop images that will later be scanned into computers for editing and animating.
• Develop products such as brochures, presentations, and websites for business use.

Common work activities

Animators and multimedia artists perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Use computers
• Think creatively
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Get information needed to do the job
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Process information
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Evaluate information against standards
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Analyze data or information
• Schedule work and activities
• Develop goals and strategies
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Develop and build teams
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Teach others

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, animators and multimedia artists:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a medium level of social interaction. They interact with other artists, but also spend time alone working on their projects.
• Communicate daily by phone, e-mail, and in person. They also write letters and memos, but less often.
• Work as part of a team most of the time.
• Are somewhat responsible for the work completed by others.
• Occasionally are placed in conflict situations.

Physical work conditions

• Always work indoors.
• Work near others, typically in a shared office space.

Work performance

• Make decisions that affect coworkers and clients on a weekly basis. They make most of their decisions without talking to a supervisor first.
• Must be very exact and accurate when working on a project.
• Must meet strict daily deadlines.
• Often repeat the same physical activities, such as using a computer.
• Set some tasks and goals independently, but usually talk to a superior first.

Hours/travel

• Usually work an irregular schedule that varies by projects and deadlines.
• May work part time or full time. However, most work full time, about 40 hours per week or more.

Physical demands

Animators and multimedia artists frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.

It is important for animators and multimedia artists to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand the speech of another person.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for animators and multimedia artists to be able to:

• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Determine the distance between objects.

Skills and abilities

Animators and multimedia artists need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand written information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Perceive and visualize

• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Animation, Video Graphics, and Special Effects
• Game and Interactive Media Design
• Multimedia and Intermedia

Other programs of study to consider

• Art and Fine Arts, General
• Commercial and Advertising Art
• Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
• Graphic Design
• Illustration
• Painting and Drawing
• Web Page and Multimedia Design

Training

To work as an animator or multimedia artist, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• have a bachelor's degree.

Education after high school

Animators and multimedia artists often have a bachelor's degree in art, design, or animation. However, a bachelor's degree is not always required. It is more important that you have creativity and artistic ability. In addition, you must know how to use graphic design software and other multimedia applications.

Formal training helps you develop your talent and skills. Programs in animation provide training in the computer software used in the visual arts. Training programs may also offer internships, where you can gain work experience.

Work experience

Animators and multimedia artists prepare for this work by developing a portfolio. This is a collection of your best work. It demonstrates your skills to clients or employers. A portfolio may include hand drawings, computer images, photos, and short animated clips.

Participating in an internship while in college is excellent preparation for this occupation. An internship helps you build your skills, demonstrate your talent, and make job contacts.

On-the-job training

Beginning animators and artists may receive some on-the-job training. The length of training varies, but may last up to one year. You may spend a brief period in orientation, or you can spend up to a year working with an experienced artist.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Art
• Art History
• Computer Applications
• Drawing and Painting
• Photography

Many animators and multimedia artists are self-employed. If you want to run your own business some day, you should consider taking these courses as well:

• Accounting
• Entrepreneurship
• Introduction to Business

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers prefer to hire animators and multimedia artists who have excellent portfolios. They want to see work that demonstrates the talent and skills they require for the job. Employers also require that applicants have strong computer skills. In addition, employers in the advertising industry prefer animators and multimedia artists who can present their ideas clearly to clients. Some employers may require that applicants have a bachelor's degree and a few years of direct work experience.

Costs to workers

Some workers may choose to join a professional association and pay annual dues.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Multimedia Artists and Animators 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary by area of the country. Wages also vary based on the type of project and the skill of the animator or multimedia artist. Experienced, self-employed animators and multimedia artists can earn much more than those who earn salaries. However, when they are starting out, they can earn much less. Wages tend to be higher in some industries, such as advertising or film.

Full-time animators and multimedia artists usually earn benefits such as sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance. Self-employed animators and multimedia artists must provide their own insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

About 59% of animators and multimedia artists are self-employed.

Major employers:

• Movie and TV production companies
• Software publishers
• Advertising agencies
• Computer software companies

National outlook

Demand for this occupation is growing as fast as average. Most of the growth in this occupation will occur in the movie, television, and video game industries. In addition, growth will occur due to a need for computer graphics in mobile devices.

Although there is increasing need for animation and multimedia, many jobs in this field are sent overseas.

Competition for jobs will be strong because there are many recent graduates who want to work in this occupation. Those who have a broad range of skills or specialize in a highly-specific area will have the best opportunities.

Other resources

Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences 

Artist Trust 
1835 - 12th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98122
866.218.7878
206.467.8734

Association for Computing Machinery SIGGRAPH 

Graphic Artists Guild 
31 West 34th Street, 8th Fl
New York, NY 10001

IEEE Computer Society 
2001 L Street NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036
202.371.0101

International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists, and Allied Crafts of the US, Its Territories, and Canada 
207 West 25th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10001
212.730.1770

International Animated Film Society 

International Game Developers Association 
150 Eglinton Ave. East, Suite 402
Toronto, ON M4P 1E8 Canada

National Endowment for the Arts 
400 - 7th Street SW
Washington, DC 20506
202.682.5400

Showbizjobs.com 

Society for Animation Studies 

The Animation Guild 
1105 North Hollywood Way
Burbank, CA 91505
818.845.7500

Women in Animation 

Writers Guild of America, West - Animation Writers Caucus 

References

Career cluster

• Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communications

Career path

• Artistic

O*Net  occupation

• Multimedia Artists and Animators (27-1014.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed. A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

DOT occupation

• Cartoonist, Motion Pictures (141.081-010) 

Strong Interest Inventory

• Artist

Holland occupational clusters

• Artistic/Investigative/Conventional
• Artistic/Investigative/Realistic

COPSystem

• Arts Professional
• Arts Skilled