What Is Animation?
Animation is the art of making still images move. Artists create drawings, models, or digital designs and animate them to tell a story. Whether it’s a funny cartoon, a deep emotional film, or a video game, animation is all about breathing life into ideas.
Why Choose Animation as a Career?
Be Creative Every Day
You get to express yourself and tell stories through drawings, characters, and worlds. There are no limits!
So Many Job Options
You can work in film, TV, games, apps, advertisements, education, and more. Animators are in demand all over the world.
High Earning Potential
As you gain skills and experience, you can earn well—especially in 3D animation, game design, and visual effects.
Make a Real Impact
Your work can inspire, teach, entertain, and even change how people see the world.
Popular Types of Animation
2D Animation
Flat images that move frame by frame. Seen in cartoons, explainer videos, and mobile games.
3D Animation
Digital characters and environments move in 3D space—used in movies, games, and ads.
Whiteboard Animation
Hand-drawn animations on a whiteboard, great for education or business storytelling.
Kinetic Typography
Moving text that adds emotion and rhythm—used in lyric videos or explainer animations.
Stop Motion
Takes photos of real objects moved slightly each time. Clay figures and puppets are common.
Claymation
Stop motion with clay models—like Wallace & Gromit. Fun and detailed!
Steps to Start Your Animation Career
1. Learn the Basics
Take a course in animation. You can study online or join an art/animation school. Some good platforms:
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Coursera
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Skillshare
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Udemy
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CalArts, SCAD, NID (for degrees)
2. Build a Portfolio
Show your best work. Include characters, backgrounds, animations, and personal projects. Your portfolio = your ticket to jobs.
3. Connect With Others
Join online communities, go to animation events, and talk to people in the industry. Networking leads to great opportunities!
4. Keep Practicing
Animation takes time. The more you practice, the better you get. Try new tools and styles often.
Jobs You Can Do in Animation
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Animator – Make characters move and act
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Storyboard Artist – Sketch how scenes will play out
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Character Designer – Design how characters look and feel
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Background Artist – Create environments and settings
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VFX Artist – Add cool effects like explosions, rain, or magic
Final Thoughts
Animation isn’t just a career—it’s a world of endless possibilities. Whether you want to draw lovable characters, design cool video games, or make emotional short films, animation gives you the tools to tell your story.
So grab your sketchbook or stylus, and take the first step. The world is waiting to see what you’ll create!
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