How Do You Prepare For A Career In Animation?
According to the United States Department of Labor’s 2008-2009 Occupational Handbook, the job outlook for animators is expected to grow 10 percent between 2006 and 2016. The median annual wage for animators is approximately $35,000 for entry-level positions and well over $100,000 for seasoned animators. To enjoy a lengthy and rewarding career in animation, artists must create complex characters. This requires more than drawing and technical skill. Animators must be creative thinkers and excellent storytellers, and they must know how to create characters using print, digital screens and computers. Enroll at a reputable college or university (see Resources), such as Virginia College, Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Miami International University of Art & Design or Anthem Institute, that offers instruction across a variety of animation types including 2-D and 3-D images. Other schools, such as the Los Angeles Film School, teach only computer animation. Most companies that hire animators requ
