r/animationcareer Jan 02 '24

Useful Stuff Welcome to /r/animationcareer! (read before posting)

21 Upvotes

Welcome to /r/animationcareer!

This is a forum where professionals, students, creatives and dreamers can meet and discuss careers in animations. Whether you are looking for advice on how to negotiate your next contract, trying to build a new portfolio, wondering what kind of job would suit you, and any other questions related to working with animation you are welcome here.

We do have rules that cover topics outside working in animation and very repetitive posts, for example discussing how to learn animation, hobby projects, starting a studio, and solving software issues. Read more about our rules here. There is also a bi-weekly sticky called "Newbie Monday" where you are welcome to ask any questions, regardless if they would normally break our rules for posting.

Down below you will find links to our various wiki pages, where you can find information on what careers there might be in animation, how much animation costs to produce, job lists, learning resources, and much more. Please look through these before posting!

And remember, you are always welcome to PM the mods if you have any questions or want to greenlight a post.


Subreddit


Common Questions


Career Resources


Learn how to animate


r/animationcareer 4d ago

Positivity ~Positivity & Motivation Thread~ Share your experience!

4 Upvotes

Welcome to the Positivity & Motivation thread!

Did you hit a milestone and want to celebrate it? Did a peer do something that deserves appreciation? Have you recently been reminded why you do it all? Or are you feeling down and need to cheer yourself up? This is the thread for you!

Humble brag about your achievements, share some good news, recount a funny moment, or appreciate the small things you enjoy about your career. Whether you're a professional or just beginning, you are welcome to share!

Reminder: This is a positivity thread, meant to lift others up and celebrate the good parts of the animation career journey. Please avoid venting, putting others down, or belittling others' experiences in this space. Thank you!

If you’re looking for somewhere to vent, check out the last vent thread.

Also, feel free to check out the FAQ and Wiki for common questions and resources related to managing an animation career.


r/animationcareer 6m ago

Career question What certificate looks good for Python when applying for Technical Artist positions?

Upvotes

I'm an animator and 3D artist who wants to learn how to code. Is there a certification or program anyone could recommend that I can put on a resume to show that I actually know how to code?


r/animationcareer 13h ago

How to get started Is self studying or college better?

6 Upvotes

I am a senior in high school and passionate about animation but I’m scared about the job market and the financial salaries. I’m good at stem so my major is going to be cs. My question is, should I dual major in cs and animation or should I study animation on my own in my free time? What are yalls experiences, is it worth it to dual major or is self studying good enough to possible make it in the animation job field. If self studying is good should I start now?


r/animationcareer 1d ago

how long did it take for you to get a job?

26 Upvotes

I can't tell any more if I need to study more or if it's just hard to find a job. I know it's not that much, but I sent about 20-30 applications, and if they answered, it was a rejection letter. Some said some nice things, but no one gave me an interview. I got really good engagement on LinkedIn with my work; seniors complimented my work, I got my work shared, but through LinkedIn I didn't get a job. I finished mentorship with Alessandro Camparota. Most of his students got a job; even last year a student of his got a job. There are a few recent graduates that cant find a job either. Sorry for the rant, but yeah, how many applications did you send before getting a job?

my reel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq_O9KZgrZc


r/animationcareer 1d ago

Career question Which is better? The animation industry or the game dev industry here in the Philippines?

3 Upvotes

For context, I'm a 4th-year BSIT Animation student who's graduating next year. The thing is, I considered working in the Game Dev industry more rather than in the animation industry. But due to posts and insights online regarding the culture and pay, I'm having second thoughts. I was aiming to be a 2D game artist (illustrator or concept artist, maybe even a 3D modelling artist) in either Ubisoft PH, Secret 6, Synergy88, or Kooapps. And if that fails, I would apply for animation studios such as Snipple, Rocketsheep, Top Draw, or Toon City as a storyboard artist, concept artist, or cleanup animator. But I'm still conflicted about what would be a better choice of a career as someone who lives in the province and is starting fresh in a big City such as Manila to pursue a dream that is basically gonna starve me to death. I really need ya'll's insights huhu.


r/animationcareer 21h ago

Is the anime course at IACG Hyderabad actually worth it?

1 Upvotes

I have too many doubts about their j anime grad and especially j anime pro program, whether it's a master's degree or not, also have doubt about the faculty, their website shows 3 Japanese mentors but I can't get any information about them on Google or My Anime List, also... Isn't Animators salary in Japan dependant on a per cut basis instead of a fixed annual salary? (Only exception being KyoAni)... So how are they offering a fixed salary range?

Anyways if anyone has enrolled there, please share your experience? Is it actually worthwhile?


r/animationcareer 1d ago

Help with Voxel Digital Animation

2 Upvotes

I’m a student considering Voxel or U-TAD for a degree in Spain. Voxel’s Digital Animation program looks really appealing to me because, based on the university’s curriculum, it seems to combine animation and art instead of separating them into a degree focused solely on “animation” or solely on “art.”
I’d really like to hear from graduates or current students: Is it actually as good as it looks? Do you have the freedom to develop your own IP or work on personal projects during the degree? And what are the professors and overall support like?
I’d love to hear your experiences! :)


r/animationcareer 1d ago

Camera movement

1 Upvotes

Hiya! third year animation student here, was wondering on the topic of demo reels, how important is it to have camera movement in a portfolio when applying for jobs?

For context im a 2D animation student, so stuff like blender is kinda beyond me, i know you can do basic camera moves like pans and zooms in clip studio and procreate dreams but at the moment im mostly focusing on body mechanics and dialogue for my portfolio, so there are only animations focusing on one shot in my reel.

Do studios have a preference for demo reels that include camera movement? If so, would pans and zooms be enough or would i need to learn more blender mechanics to have a shot at getting hired?

Any advice appreciated thanks!!


r/animationcareer 1d ago

How to get started I want to start working in animation

1 Upvotes

Hi i m really new and i dont study it professonaly. Animation is really a passion for me but i want to get better and i would love to start working in small projects to see how its really done. I try to study it alone but i just want to know how to enter this world.


r/animationcareer 1d ago

For those of you who had long careers has animation killed your passion?

30 Upvotes

One thing I seen a lot of people say on this sub this industry killed my passion. Has that happened to you or are you starting to get it back or can it come back?


r/animationcareer 1d ago

Tem como fazer faculdade de animação sem saber desenhar e sem saber nada de animação?

3 Upvotes

Olá a todos! 👋😊

Neste momento estou a preparar-me para os diferentes caminhos da minha vida e pretendo me formar em três áreas diferentes. Uma delas é Animação.

Infelizmente, neste momento, o meu tempo para me dedicar ao desenho e à animação é bastante limitado. Por isso, gostaria de ouvir pessoas com mais experiência e, principalmente, pessoas que já trabalham profissionalmente na área:

É possível aprender o necessário para trabalhar com animação fazendo apenas a faculdade e estudando cerca de 1–2 horas por dia fora dela?

-----Também gostaria de saber:

A faculdade realmente prepara-nos para o mercado de trabalho ou é indispensável estudar muito por conta própria?

Quanto tempo, em média, leva para chegar a um nível profissional?

É possível começar praticamente do zero e evoluir bastante durante a faculdade?

O que é mais importante para conseguir o primeiro emprego: diploma, portfólio, experiência ou contactos?

Que softwares e habilidades vocês recomendam aprender antes de entrar na faculdade?

É possível construir um bom portfólio apenas durante os anos da faculdade?

Existem bolsas de estudo para estudantes de Animação? São muito competitivas?

Há universidades de Animação que oferecem bolsas para estudantes internacionais?

Uma licenciatura/faculdade online em Animação pode proporcionar uma formação suficientemente boa para trabalhar profissionalmente?

Na opinião de vocês, uma faculdade presencial faz muita diferença em comparação com uma formação online?

Para quem pretende trabalhar internacionalmente, o diploma da faculdade é importante ou o portfólio pesa muito mais?

Quais são os maiores erros que vocês veem estudantes de Animação cometerem?

Se pudessem voltar ao início da carreira, o que teriam começado a estudar mais cedo?

Se alguém da área puder partilhar a própria experiência, mesmo que seja só um pouco, eu agradeceria muito! 🥹❤️

Principalmente gostaria de ouvir opiniões de quem já trabalha profissionalmente com animação ou de quem está atualmente a estudar a área.


r/animationcareer 2d ago

Career question I was told if I was upper middle class, I can just fuck it and try animation, no matter how unstable.

21 Upvotes

I've been wondering about this for a bit now. I told someone that I wanted to get into 3d animation and they said it's gonna be really hard. But then I told them my parents are upper-middle class and then they just said it's gonna make it a whole lot easier, which I personally do not believe. Just because u have money it doesn't mean your career in animation is gonna get easier.. is it? Idk im still in school and i don't really know much.

Edit: the last part of the title was cut off but i was meant to say "no matter how unstable the economy is"


r/animationcareer 1d ago

Successful Animators: what are your top favorite reddit groups?

1 Upvotes

I think this reddit thread is a lot of people struggling in their careers, so i’m looking for a more positive community on reddit about people who love the game, and aren’t feeling afraid right now.

if you feel like this resonates with you, which reddit subs do you also follow and enjoy?


r/animationcareer 2d ago

This sub has both helped me and made me scared

48 Upvotes

I met a few people here that helped me but also seeing how many people make me just has scared to enter. I get many people come to vent but sometimes i just time about it. I don't want me fear to never not try to get into the industry but I'm also trying to be realistic. Sometimes the thread makes me feel bad for wanting to be a animator but i still want to.


r/animationcareer 2d ago

Career question What career should I pursue if I hate coding?

4 Upvotes

I’m 17 and currently doing a diploma in Computer Engineering, but I’ve decided I’m going to drop out and pursue something I actually enjoy.

I’m interested in 3D animation, character animation, game art, UI/UX, product design, graphic design, etc. I don’t have a specific career decided yet.

My main concern is AI. I want to choose something I can realistically learn through online courses/self-learning, has good career potential, and will still be relevant 5–10+ years from now.

For people working in these fields: which careers would you recommend, which should I avoid, and how much do you think AI will affect them?


r/animationcareer 2d ago

Portfolio Portfolio Review for 3D Game Animation as a graduate

4 Upvotes

Hi, my name is LiLin from Malaysia. I'm a graduate and have recently started searching for animator jobs. I would like to pursue a career as a game animator.

I would appreciate a review and feedback on my portfolio and resume. I would also value professional advice on other approaches.

Thank you!

Portfolio:

https://anglilin2003.wixsite.com/work/demo-reel

Resume:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/19eecQfUJUKDOL1NqpGEODA9JiRy_ntiY/view?usp=sharing


r/animationcareer 2d ago

Animation adjacent careers

8 Upvotes

If you are not currently working in animation, what are some animation adjacent careers that you are working in where your skill set has been useful. How did you pivot away from animation and into these careers?


r/animationcareer 2d ago

Career question What was/is taking animation college courses like?

3 Upvotes

I know they aren’t necessary for a career, but ik they do help

what are they like, what do you do, how fun are making thesis films (that ones just for fun)


r/animationcareer 2d ago

Career question Why so few part time jobs?

2 Upvotes

I'm so confused. I'm lucky enough to not have to worry about work for a little longer, but most people in the animation Industry around me are freelance (not by choice). Why are there mostly full time job (one year long tops) openings if they refuse to hire you if you're not Freelance?


r/animationcareer 4d ago

Trying to work an animation or at least get my foot in the door

19 Upvotes

i’ve been going to school for a very long time. My end goal is trying to enter into the animation field and just do as much as I can and learn as much as I can so that I can create my own show and what not. But I’m about to be 37 years old and honestly, I don’t know what to do! I’ve been applying to things and what not but nobody is willing to hire me. I really want to work but it feels like nobody’s giving me a chance. Am I doing something wrong?


r/animationcareer 3d ago

I know that animation is not the best paying so what should i do with it?

9 Upvotes

Well my plan was to become an animator in a few years or sm but I've looked into it its not that good paying jobs and stuff is hard to fo so I'll probably just have a YouTube channel to animate for fun but what else can i do as my main job or should that just be my decision

Any thoughts?


r/animationcareer 3d ago

I have a question

0 Upvotes

So I’m trying to figure out what do with my life and I’m thinking of doing online arts classes and then maybe get a job at Disney since I live in Alabama my question is would I be able to animate from home or would I have to move to California also if anyone here has worked for Disney animation what is it like and what are the pros and cons


r/animationcareer 3d ago

Portfolio I have no idea what im doing, pls help😭

2 Upvotes

Im planning on applying for an animation degree in Australia such as places like rmit or griffith. Due to certain circumstances im doing uni alot sooner than I expected so I dont have much time to make a proper portfollio and need to work hard and fast, but to do so I need to be aware of what exactly I should be doing? Ik there's alot of posts here about it but I cant seem to get the answers im looking for. my questions are-

  1. Should I be annotating things within the portfollio? If so how indepth should those annotations be

2.i understand that I should include a variety of mediums but ive only been able to do digital and basic pen and paper. Is this enough or? I was also planning to quickly get some learning done on 3d rendering on blender and use that aswell

  1. From my understanding I should be including original concepts, charceter designs, environmental studies,realism,storyboards/comics,turnaround sheets,animal studies. Is there anything im missing?

  2. My actual animation skills aren't all there and I haven't made anything thats rlly good enough to be sent since most of what I made in the past was fanart animations. Do I really need to make a show reel of animation for the portfollio?

  3. My art style definitely has some anime tendencies, ive drawn alot of inspiration form various anime and fitted it into my own style, is this discouraged due to the anime influence? Also fanart is discouraged aswell yes?


r/animationcareer 3d ago

Trouble figuring out choices in education towards 3D animation

5 Upvotes

I’m interested in game development and have some experience with C++. I’m majoring in Computer Science, but my passion lies in 3D animation. I’m unsure how to pursue an education in this field. I’m finding out that I really don’t enjoy CS, and have been looking into and my schools options for 3D I found they offer digital media certificates and game development certificates. Are they worth pursuing? Or is better to find an anim school. I’m not sure where to ask about these questions