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A 3D character animator is a professional responsible for creating motion and performances for digital characters in various forms of media, such as films, television shows, video games, and commercials

Originally I wanted to gear my job portfolio towards 3D modeller however, after some research and consideration of the variety of work I had to offer for my portfolio, I think a 3D character animator is more suited for my current material.

The job responsibilities of a 3D character animator typically include:

• Creating and refining character movements, gestures, and performances using 3D computer software (e.g., Maya, Blender, 3ds Max)
• Designing and implementing character rigs, which are the underlying structures that allow characters to move and deform realistically
• Collaborating with directors, producers, and other artists to ensure consistency and quality in character animation
• Meeting deadlines and working efficiently to deliver high-quality animation within a given timeframe

Reference

CG Spectrum.  3D Character Animator Job Description. Retrieved from https://cgspectrum.com/3d-character-animator-job-description/

Animation World Network. Character Rigging. Retrieved from https://www.awn.com/animationworld/character-rigging

Mentorless. What Does a 3D Character Animator Do? Retrieved from https://mentorless.com/what-does-a-3d-character-animator-do/

 

What makes a good cv for this position?

A good and clear CV for a 3D animator and 3D artist should effectively showcase your skills, experience, and achievements in a concise and visually appealing manner. To achieve this, make sure to include your contact information, a summary or objective statement, education, and work experience. Your education section should list relevant degrees, certifications, or courses, including institutions, dates, and notable projects or achievements. Your work experience section should be a reverse chronological list of your work experience, focusing on 3D animation and art-related roles.

When it comes to skills, list your proficiency in relevant software, such as 3D modelling and animation tools, rendering and lighting tools, compositing and editing software, and programming languages. Also, include other relevant skills, such as scripting and coding, texturing and shading, rigging and character animation, and visual effects and simulation. Consider showcasing 2-3 relevant projects that demonstrate your skills and experience, including a brief description, your role in the project, and any notable achievements or awards.

A strong CV for a 3D animator or 3D artist includes a proven track record of working on 3D projects, a high-quality portfolio, and expertise in industry-specific tools and techniques. Notable Achievements might help improve your CV. Creating a personalised CV that displays your personality  can help you stand out. Aswell as a link to your work, portfolios and showreels.

Example:

This CV has a lot of good qualities, such as a clear layout, detailed information about skills, education, and work experience, and the inclusion of honors and awards, which demonstrate Masataka’s qualifications. The profile picture adds a personal touch, and the skills section is comprehensive, showing expertise in both animation and programming. However, there are areas for improvement. The font size is quite small, making it hard to read.  While including a lot of work experience, it might benefit from being more focused on relevant animation roles rather than technical positions in other fields, or discuss transferable skills. Lastly, the CV could use some colour or visual elements to make it more visually engaging besides the 3D character.

My CV:

Feedback:While i designed this creatively, this CV has certain elements that could detract from its professionalism. Firstly, the mix of fonts and the large, bold typeface for the name can be seen as overbearing. Overall is too squished, hard to read. The colour scheme, with its dark background and mix of white and red text, might pose legibility issues, especially if printed. Including roles unrelated to the animation industry such as food service could clutter the CV with non-relevant experience, unless specific transferable skills gained from those roles are highlighted. Phrases like ‘if needed, ask for more details’ could be interpreted as overly casual and might suggest a reluctance to provide full information upfront. Additionally, the skills section, while comprehensive, may benefit from prioritization, distinguishing between expert and basic knowledge. The links to the portfolio and showreel are crucial; however, they should be clickable in a digital CV.

LINK: Andrea Villaester’s CV

This new CV stands out because of its clear structure, visually appealing design, and comprehensive content. i think it effectively highlights my contact information, work experience, achievements, education, skills, and software proficiency in a well-organized manner. The use of a professional photo, links to an online portfolio, and social media handles adds a personal touch and provides additional ways for potential employers to learn more about her work. The inclusion of specific software tools and skills relevant to 3D character animation demonstrates her technical capability, while the ‘About Me’ section concisely presents her background and career aspirations. Overall, the newer CV is engaging, easy to read, and provides a thorough overview of Andrea’s qualifications and strengths.

Showreel:

A good showreel edit is crucial for showcasing an artist’s skills and style in a concise and engaging manner. Here are some key elements that make a good showreel edit, along with some citations from industry experts:

• Clear structure and organization: A well-structured showreel should have a clear beginning, middle, and end, and be organized in a logical and easy-to-follow manner.
• Strong visuals and pacing: A showreel should be visually appealing, with a good balance of fast-paced and slow-burning sections to keep the viewer engaged .
• Relevant and varied content: A good showreel should showcase a range of projects and skills, including relevant work experience and personal projects .
• Consistent branding and style: A showreel should reflect the artist’s personal brand and style, including consistent color schemes, typography, and tone .
• Music and sound design: Music and sound effects should be carefully chosen to enhance the mood and pacing of the showreel, and not overpower the visuals .
• Brevity and focus: A showreel should be concise, ideally between 1-3 minutes long, and focus on showcasing the artist’s strengths and specialties.

The Animation Courtyard. How to Create a Showreel. Retrieved from https://theanimationcourtyard.com/how-to-create-a-showreel/

CG Spectrum.  How to Make a Showreel. Retrieved from https://cgspectrum.com/how-to-make-a-showreel/

Mentorless. How to Create a Showreel. Retrieved from https://mentorless.com/how-to-create-a-showreel/

The Creative Penn.  How to Create a Showreel. Retrieved from https://www.thecreativepenn.com/how-to-create-a-showreel/

Animation World Network. Showreel Tips. Retrieved from https://www.awn.com/animationworld/showreel-tips

Reflection:

The video is my showreel for the position of 3D character animator, showcasing my skills in animation, rigging, modelling, and texturing.

Pros:

• The video has a good pace, with a nice mix of fast-paced and slow-burning
• The newer animation is smooth and well-executed, with some nice character movements and interactions.
• The modeling and texturing are also well-done, with some impressive details and textures.

Cons:

• The video lacks a clear structure or narrative thread, which can make it feel a bit disjointed.
• Some of the scenes feel a bit rough around the edges, with some minor issues with lighting, camera movement, and animation timing.
• The video could benefit from some more context or explanation, as it’s not entirely clear what we’re looking at or what the animator is trying to showcase.

In the future I hope to have more material for my showreel, have a sort a narrative, and  to better my editing skills. I would also add subtitles briefly explaining each clip. I think a part of this was how long it took to render the same scene different ways, but it gives off the transformation vibe I wanted, so better organising and planning should help me achieve this.