Animator : Career development

Most animators begin as studio runners and then progress to junior animation roles. In 2D animation, you may begin work as an 'inbetweener', then progress to key framer. 3D animation has a more hierarchical structure: starting as a junior animator, with progression to senior animator after a few years' experience and finally design manager or art director.

Senior roles involve more paperwork, managing staff and generating new ideas. Career progression is usually mostly through freelance work, which develops the animator's reputation, and this is likely to ensure a regular supply of work as well as more senior responsibilities.

The UK is particularly good for stop motion or stop frame animation and children's animation and has a thriving computer games industry. However, animation is a global industry and you may have to move abroad if you wish to specialise in a particular type of animation. The USA is home to some of the largest animation, CGI special effects and games studios. A lot of 2D animation is also done in East Asia. Animators are increasingly looking for work overseas, as well as in the UK, in order to maximise their client base.

In terms of development, versatility is the key and if you can work with puppets, models and drawn and computer-generated animation, you may find more options open to you. Another progression route for animators is to go into teaching or lecturing.