In today’s digital era, animated film products are increasingly in demand. There are many movies that make big profits, such as zootopia, Ice age, kung fu panda, frozen, inside out, etc. Therefore, animators are increasingly needed.
The animator profession is in charge of producing several images which are called frame animations. Then, when sequenced together, the animated frames create the illusion of movement known as animation.
Images can be created through conventional or digital means. An animator can create animations in 2D, 3D, or motion graphics. The basic skill an animator must have is artistic ability, but it also requires expertise in using computer software.
In addition, the animators are also required to master various abilities, such as creativity, good visualization, etc. Therefore, to become a reliable animator, start getting used to drawing and sketching to hone these skills.
Here are five of the best animator tips for beginners to become professional animators:
1. Choose Whether to Generalize or Be Specialist
You can start by choosing whether you want to generalize or be a specialist. Before that, you will need to know the types of animation and then decide whether to generalize or be a specialist in a specific animation type.
There are several types of animation that you should know, such as traditional animation, motion graphics, whiteboard animation, stop motion, and 2D and 3D animation. So, choose whether you want to generalize or specialize in a particular animation field.
2. Try to Explore Animation Tools
Using animation tools is an excellent way for beginners to learn and develop. Besides requiring qualified skills, you also need the primary weapon in the form of animation software to facilitate the animators’ work.
You can use many tools with various animation features, such as Blender, Adobe animate, Animaker, Powtoon, etc. Using these tools will help you gain the best knowledge of how character design and movement work.
3. Learn the 12 Principles of Animation
The next tip is to understand the basics of making good animations. It is essential for every animator to know, especially for beginners. These animation basics are known as the 12 Basic Principles of Animation to make your animations look more realistic and lively.
So, here are the 12 basic animations you need to know, including:
- Solid drawing
- Timing and spacing
- Squash and stretch
- Anticipation
- Slow in and slow out
- Secondary action
- Follow through and overlapping
- Straight ahead, and pose to pose
- Staging
- Appeal
- Exaggeration
4. Build Up a Good Portfolio
An animator needs to have a portfolio or demo tape to present. When you are proclaiming your abilities, certificates are not enough. Other people need to see your work. For those of you who are beginners, you can start looking for training, internship, freelance, or work experience.
That way, you can collect your best portfolio while improving your animation skills. This portfolio will be the determining factor in whether the owner of the company is interested in hiring or working with them.
5. Expand Your Network
Networking is crucial for an animator, especially those who work as freelancers. It helps to open a great opportunity for your future career in the creative industry.
There are several tips to expand your network, such as attending conferences about animation techniques, mingling with the community, distributing demo CDs and business cards, or playing animations on mobile phones to show others.
In addition, looking for networking with famous animators or producers at conferences is an important thing that you should do. Apart from learning and getting animations from them, you will have a high probability of being able to work with them.
Takeaway
Besides the world of film, animation has become increasingly popular in today’s digital business world for marketing and advertising purposes. Animated videos are the most effective way to reach a wider audience. Therefore, the animator profession is increasingly needed.
The competition is getting tighter in the creative industry. Every animator needs to improve and upgrade their skills, especially beginners. You can implement the five tips mentioned above to help you compete in the creative industry.
Author Bio
Andre Oentoro is the founder of Breadnbeyond, an award winning explainer video company. He helps businesses increase conversion rates, close more sales, and get positive ROI from explainer videos (in that order).
Twitter: @breadnbeyond
Email: andre@breadnbeyond.com
LinkedIn: Andre Oentoro
