What it takes to become a computer animator

What it takes to become a computer animator

Author: Justin Grover

Computer animation is an amazing breakthrough in technology. It has come a long way and still has so very far to go. Computer animation is becoming more and more a part of our lives. It is also a field that is becoming increasingly diverse. New methods and technologies are popping up faster than pimples on a teenager. It takes constant training to stay current with all of the developments.
Personal Qualities
What qualities does a person need to be a successful computer animator? First they need to technically creative. By this I mean that they need to be able to be creative even though much of what they do it very technical. Many people tend to get bogged down by the technical aspects of computer illustration and animation. A good computer animator is very talented technically but is still very creative. This is a hard mix to achieve.
A computer animator is also intelligently innovative. Most people love new technologies and new techniques, however, most people don't always understand how to use them. It is like when someone gets a brand new hammer and they want to use it for everything, because it is new, instead of using it the best way possible. If you can master the technique and use it effectively and wisely then you are intelligently innovative.
Qualifications
The skills of a computer animator can be divided into hard tangible skill and soft intangible skills. Both are very important. Hard skills include knowledge of the programs required such as Adobe Illustrator, Flash, 3D Studio Max, Adobe Photoshop, Swish, Rhino, CAD, Adobe After Effects, and Light Wave to name a few. These skills are important and often more technical. They put you in a position to get hired.
Equally important are the soft skills. These include all your artistic skills. They are called soft skills because they are more difficult to measure. However, they are very important as they will determine how long you will be employed and how successful your career is. Hard skills are great to get a job, soft skills are important for keeping one.

Where computer animators work
The most obvious place for computer animators to work is at Pixar. However, there are a lot more opportunities available. There are lots of animation studios like Pixar. Some of them cater to entertainment while others cater more to the business world. Universities also employ computer animators for their curriculum. Some of the big advertising agencies are starting to hire computer animators for their interactive divisions. As time progresses more and more opportunities will open up and the field will become even better than it is now.


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