Did you know that history’s first animator came from Roman and Greek mythology? His name was Pygmalion, and he was a sculptor who created a statue of a woman that was so beautiful and lifelike that he fell in love with it! He’s considered an animator because he made an inanimate object so realistic that it appeared to be animate.
Today, animation has reached a new level and is one of the most practical arts on the market today. It can help your business with advertisements, create compelling visual narratives, and much more.
But what is an animator and how can you leverage their unique skills for yourself? Read on to learn more!
What Is an Animator?
At its broadest, animation is turning something inanimate into something that appears to move. More concretely, animation is the art of creating single frames that flow together to create movement when displayed in order.
This can happen through stop motion, where a 3D model is repeatedly photographed with slight changes every time, or through standard illustrated frames. In either case, when all the images are played in rapid sequence, they create the illusion of movement despite the fact that they depict a stationary object. You can think of it as a digital, more complex version of a flipbook.
Animators are the multimedia artists who create these animations. Each animator usually has a specialty, whether it’s 3D art, digital illustration, or CGI.
Prerequisites for Animators
While some animators are self-taught and capitalize on their natural talent to break into the field, most have attended art schools. Typically, they have a degree in fine arts, animation, or multimedia arts.
These courses give them the technical skills they need to refine their raw talent. They’ll learn how to design characters, craft stories, and understand the creative process from beginning to end.
Furthermore, some animators choose to pursue additional diplomas in 2D or 3D amination, digital animation, visual effects, or filmmaking. While it’s impossible to quantify the best animator in the field, these extra diplomas can help an animator specialize and hone their craft.
During or after their degree, many animators often intern under experienced animators or at an animation company. This helps them gain the practical skills they’ll need on the job.
How Does the Animation Industry Work?
Some animators have specialized jobs at large companies or in the entertainment industry. They handle animated films and CGI sequences in live-action movies. They can also make short films and advertisements.
However, the vast majority of animators are freelance. This makes it easy to hire an animator for both small businesses and individuals.
Hiring an animator can be a great way to create affordable video content without committing to hiring a full-time animator. In order to pick an animator, you’d first go through their portfolio and skills to find an artist whose vision aligns with yours.
Animation Is the Art Industry of the Future
What is an animator? Someone who can bring your wildest dreams to life. While live-action movies are constrained by reality, animators can create vivid and surreal images to tell compelling stories.
This is why so many people are choosing to add an animator to their staff! So, if you’re looking to capitalize on the field of animation, consider hiring an animator. You won’t regret it!
If you enjoyed this animator guide, we have lots of similar pieces on our blog. Check it out for more!
