Have you made the decision to become an animator? Or especially if your just thinking about it, the
first thing to think about is your motivation. Now I don’t want to get too Tony Robins on you but it does take a lot of commitment and dedication to learn professional animation and it’s a valid topic if you’re just starting out…
Here’s the situation – there’s a lot to learn. But, it is definitely do-able and once you’ve gotten past the leaning curve and land that first job you’ll be very happy you took the plunge.
Simply put. It’s satisfying and it pays well. I can’t tell you how many crappy jobs I worked before I started in animation where I just dragged my butt there every day. And oh how the days dragged on forever….glancing at the clock every five minutes. I now enjoy going to “work”. I can’t wait to start and the day goes by in a flash.
Like anything else in life that brings financial gain and success, staying motivated and being determined to see things through to the end is the key. We’ve all heard this…”you can do anything if you put your mind to it.” Well its absolutely true, and it works! You just have to get through the steps to get there and I’ll be here to help…
Alright I’m motivated already, what next?!!
Look for a school or animation program to enroll in. I strongly suggest a program that teaches both 2D and 3D animation in a combined course.
You don’t want to brand yourself as just a 2D animator or just a 3D animator. Most animators only know 2D or they know 3D so you want to diversify your knowledge and know both. Potential employers will be impressed to see that you can do both and deem you more valuable because the projects that come into the studio can be in 2D or 3D (or both).
In Conclusion
You have to be motivated and determined to get through the education process. Find an animation program that teaches both 2D and 3D in a combined course so that you emerge a more valuable asset to your potential employer.
