To start off my module ‘Professional practice’ I have been asked to search for different jobs in the animation industry, and to write a brief description of these jobs. I will also look at job sites such as Indeed, Linked in or Reed, and write down a brief reflection of these jobs and its roles. Lastly I will find a junior or mid-level animator/artist that I like, and research them – their social medias, their career, their work and what their journey tells me.
As a result of this research task I will have found one or multiple animation job roles that I am interested in, I will have a better understanding of these jobs, their roles, and how to achieve this job. And, I will have a better understanding of how artists/animators are presented in the industry.
First of all I will pick out a couple of animation jobs that interest me, and find out what they actually entail.
Sources
https://www.screenskills.com/starting-your-career/job-profiles/animation/
https://www.cgspectrum.com/blog/what-is-2d-animation
https://www.animationcareerreview.com/careers-animation/types-jobs
2D Animator – 2d animators illustrate frame by frame or use vector images to create motion in 2-dimensional space. They work from concept artists, storyboard artists, and animatics work to produce a story or message into an animation. They implement the principles of animation into their work to convey the emotion and action the creators are looking to show.
3D Animator – 3D Animators create characters, assets and scenes from computer generation. 3D animators learn technical software to produce a 3-Dimensional object, and give it motion in a 3-dimensional space. They also work from concept artists, storyboard artists, and animatic editors work to produce a story or message into an animation.
Concept Artist – Concept artists comes up with the first initial ideas/looks/sketches for an animation, following the information and story made by the writer. They work with the writers, producer, and head of story to produce a good and engaging style for the animation. They provide visuals and references for animators, background artists, and character designers.
Source: https://conceptartempire.com/what-is-concept-artist/
Animatic Editor – An animatic editor is the role of combining storyboards, audio and timing to an edited rendition of how the animation will play out. They work with storyboard artists, Audio composers and compositors to capture each of their creative work and display them in real time. An animatic editor will focus on using an editing software to bring these together and plan the pace, sounds, and key posing of an animation.
Source: https://boords.com/animatic/what-is-the-definition-of-an-animatic-storyboard
Background Designer – A background designer is the role of designing the environment of a scene in animation. They work with layout artists, concept artists and storyboard artists to capture the right colour, texture and lighting for a particular scene in a story. They also help to highlight which, and what kind of objects will or will not interact with the background scene.
Source: https://conceptartempire.com/what-is-layout-background-designer/
Render Wrangler – A render wrangler monitors and controls the rendering process of a 3D/computer animation. They may work on multiple machines to produce rendered frames, and ensure that the technical data and software are all in control and running the way they plan. They will work with the animators, and technicians to ensure the rendering process runs smoothy. And if not, they are to solve the problem in efficient time.
Character Designer – a character designers job is to design and bring to life the visuals of characters in a story. They are given descriptions from the director and concept artists to produce experimental designs, and finalised designs of a character. These said characters can be produced in model sheets and professional layouts for modellers, animators and storyboard artists to capture the characters visual. They will ensure the characters are ‘on model’ within future work.
Source: https://characterdesignreferences.com/art-of-animation-4/art-of-adventure-time
Animation/production assistant – A production assistant, or a ‘runner’ ensures that the animation production is running smoothly by helping out in anyway they can. Most trainees and internship roles for animation start out here. Production assistants work consists of taking notes in meetings and giving reports, organising work progress and workflow, printing scripts and necessary documents, etc.
https://www.screenskills.com/starting-your-career/job-profiles/animation/production-management/runner/
Now I will look around websites such as Indeed, Linked In and Reed to find junior, intern or entry-level animation jobs.
Sources
https://www.reed.co.uk/jobs/junior-motion-designer/43603379?source=searchResults&filter=%2fjobs%2fanimator-jobs-in-united-kingdom%3fproximity%3d30
https://uk.indeed.com/?r=us
https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/index.htm
1. Junior Motion Designer
Reed.co.uk
Beyond The Book
Remote/Office
- Part-remote part-office job that allows those ‘starting their design career’ to apply
- Requires skills in drawing, to be comfortable in storyboarding, knowledge of Adobe apps – after effects/photoshop/illustrator, experience with illustrating, experience with animation principles.
- They look for someone self-motivated and passionate, confident in communicating ideas to the team, who can work on any client amends/follow brand guidelines, and someone enthusiastic about storytelling.
- Asks for CV as you get in touch
2. Junior Animation Assistant
Indeed.com
RAW Pictures Ltd
Remote
- Looking for someone ‘looking to start their career in the world of 2D animation’
- Requires strong emphasis in 2D work, comfortable with adobe apps (after effects etc.), skills in 3D animation.
- They look for someone that can fit into the ‘young and forward thinking company’, who are looking to grow their 2D and 3D skills, isn’t afraid to share their ideas and work in a team, has a strong work ethic, and someone who has studied animation before.
3. Junior Graphic Artist
Glassdoor.co.uk
Astra Games
Remote/Office
- An Entry-level graphics role
- Requires knowledge of 2D creation software (Adobe apps – After effects etc.), some experience of 3D design programs, knowledge of game engine workflows, knowledge of online gaming.
- They look for someone who has the ability to take projects from briefing to delivery with creative and considered approach, a love for illustration & character design, a keen eye for detail and accuracy, ability to respond efficiently, must be organised, self-motivated, and a team player.
- Asks for a portfolio / portfolio link in the application
Lastly, I will pick out a junior or mid-level animator/artist that I like, and research their progress/career.
Sources
http://www.marielumart.com
https://linktr.ee/PuccaNoodles
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-lum-a8667389?trk=people-guest_people_search-card
Marie Lum (nickname PuccaNoodles) is a Los Angles based animator and illustrator.
Marie had studied at Otis College of Art and Design and majored with a BFA in animation. Marie shares her work and connects with others through her Twitter social, and Instagram social. She has built her own website to showcase her professional work, personal work, and her resume. Additionally, she has set up her own online store selling merchandise such as stickers, key-rings and caps.
In her resume you can see she has worked with many great companies such as Disney TV Animation, Warner Bros. Animation, and Cartoon Network. During the start of her career she worked for smaller studios such as Trinket Studios, Rose art Mattel, and Studio Yotta.
She is skilled in programmes such as Storyboard Pro, ToonBoom Harmony, Paint Tool Sai, Clip Studio Paint, Adobe software and Microsoft software.
Screenshots of: Marie Lum’s Website, Marie’s Twitter
Screenshots of: Marie Lum’s Instagram, Marie’s Linked In
Marie Lum’s career started in Studio Yotta in 2015 where she did animation clean-ups for shorts and cartoon pilots. She later on worked for Trinket Studios that year to create designs and assisted animations for a video game. In 2016 she ranged from many studios starting at Rose Art Mattel as an illustrator, moved towards Warner Bros. Animation as an animation production intern, then to Dreamworks TV as a clean-up animator. Marie moved upwards to Cartoon Network from 2017 to 2019 to work on Craig of the Week as a storyboard revisionist/artist. Marie returned to Warner Bros. in 2020 to work on storyboard revisions for Aquaman: King of Atlantis. Finally, Marie is currently working at Disney TV Animation as a storyboard artist, on an unannounced show!
Her journey has been long and it seems she has taken on many different roles in the animation industry. She started with junior jobs and worked her way up to be a talented storyboard artist. Her journey inspires me as she has worked hard to get to where she is, and that her style is so unique but fits well to where she works for etc. Her work for Infinity Train suits the style of the actual show.
Additionally, Marie has a big following for her art of her own original world called ‘Barrowdale Village Plaza’. Her profile pictures and art usually consist of the main character of this story, Biscotti.
You can find her work/portfolio on her website: http://www.marielumart.com
Her Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-lum-a8667389?trk=people-guest_people_search-card
Animatic/storyboard work
Personal animation, Artwork for Barrowdale Village Plaza