An animation designer develops animated layouts and unique visual effects for a range of media, including movies, video games, and websites. Designers with animation expertise are an invaluable asset to any team as animation is a critical design and branding element. The duties of an animation designer vary depending on the project and the structure of the team, but generally speaking, they are in charge of everything from animation to wire frame to storyboarding to writing.
So what qualifications are necessary to work as an animation designer? The profession takes more than simply artistic ability because it can cover so many different areas. To succeed in their careers, animation designers need a broad range of skills.
1. What exactly does an animation designer do?
In a word, animation is the technique of giving UI elements motion to improve a digital product’s interactivity. Engaging, interactive images not only contribute to memorable user experiences, but they also function as a user’s guide, assisting them in navigating an interface and finishing their intended activities, such as completing a purchase or any other step in the user journey!
These interactive, animated elements are made by an animation designer (or a UX or UI designer with animation expertise). What is their true method then?
Many people believe that the sole responsibility of an animation designer is to produce drawings that will eventually be combined into a finished animation. Fair enough; that’s a sizable portion of their duties. Animation designers do spend a lot of time creating, whether it’s pixel-based masterpieces they think up on their laptop or hand-drawn characters they scan into a computer.
2. What credentials are required to work as an animation designer?
An large range of abilities are required for a career with such a wide range of responsibilities, many of which a beginning designer can learn through schooling and on-the-job training. Depending on the field you wish to work in, the precise skills and certifications required vary, but generally speaking, animation designers need a strong background in user interface (UI) design as well as some familiarity with important user experience (UX) ideas. You can then proceed to studying the specifics of animation design after you have those. In light of this, the following credentials are beneficial, if not essential, for an aspiring animation designer to have in order to get started:
- A Bachelor’s degree in visual arts, computer animation, or web or graphic design
- Industry certification
- Internships
3. What are the essential technical abilities for animators?
Understanding the basic hard skills you’ll require as an animation designer is crucial, whether you’re considering a career change, examining certification programs, or looking at further education course options. These hard talents are very diverse because animation designers frequently handle a wide range of duties. The following are fundamental skills that an animator should have:
- User research: User research is the foundation of any successful design, so proficiency in this area is essential. Even if you’re not in charge of the user research, it’s crucial that you comprehend the target market before you begin creating anything.
- Interaction design: Understanding how a user will engage with the product is crucial when developing for any form of digital experience. This entails understanding fundamental interactive design concepts like consistency, cognitive burden, and affordance.
- Computer-generated imagery (CGI) 3D modelling is manipulating vertices in a digital 2D environment to create a “mesh,” which will eventually become the 3D object.
- Writing and editing scripts, narrations, or voiceovers (particularly if you’re using your animation expertise to games, movies, or advertising)
- Prototyping is the process of taking an idea from the brainstorming stage to the first stage of “life,” frequently by making a very basic prototype of the intended outcome. Here is a comprehensive guide to prototyping.
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