Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

The Work

This is an important and senior role, the artistic expectations are very high, models are expected to be photoreal. This requires production experience of the 3D asset creation pipeline and an in depth knowledge of CG modeling and UV’ing. Recreating large-scale environments such as cities and worlds requires considerable team management and planning.

• In collaboration with the CG/VFX Supervisor, Production Designer, Art Director, will interpret develop initial models, helping to define Director’s vision.
• They are responsible for quality control, aesthetic consistency, and technical standards will enforce standards through, mentoring, team meetings and modelling dailies.
• Brief modelling artists and provide constructive feedback.
• Will help define the modeling pipeline, including inputs, outputs, scripts and tools.
• Responsible for clear lines of communication both with and between departments, will attend meetings and address modeling comments/issues
• Will ensure that all 3D models adhere to the technical constriants of down stream departments in particular Texturing and Rigging.
• Responsible for show wide modelling workflow, mentoring, documentation and information dissemination.
• Will work with the VFX Producer to ensure that crewing and delivery timetables are met.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Design complex graphics and animation, using independent judgment, creativity, and computer equipment.
• Create basic designs, drawings, and illustrations for product labels, cartons, direct mail, or television.
• Participate in design and production of multimedia campaigns, handling budgeting and scheduling, and assisting with such responsibilities as production coordination, background design, and progress tracking.
• Create two-dimensional and three-dimensional images depicting objects in motion or illustrating a process, using computer animation or modeling programs.
• Make objects or characters appear lifelike by manipulating light, color, texture, shadow, and transparency, or manipulating static images to give the illusion of motion.
• Apply story development, directing, cinematography, and editing to animation to create storyboards that show the flow of the animation and map out key scenes and characters.
• Implement and maintain configuration control systems.
• Script, plan, and create animated narrative sequences under tight deadlines, using computer software and hand drawing techniques.
• Develop briefings, brochures, multimedia presentations, web pages, promotional products, technical illustrations, and computer artwork for use in products, technical manuals, literature, newsletters, and slide shows.
• Create and install special effects as required by the script, mixing chemicals and fabricating needed parts from wood, metal, plaster, and clay.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Modelers often have a degree in Fine Art, Animation, or Visual Effects. Not an entry-level role. Show reel and experience are very important.

They will have taken classes in 3D Design, Modeling, and Digital Sculpting, they should also ideally some experience of Sculpture and building real world sculptures/maquettes, life drawing and anatomy studies are also beneficial.

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Animation, Creative Media for Production Traineeship at NFQ level 5 Search FET Traineeship

FET Centre PLC Post leaving cert course: Animation, Animation & Digital Movie, Art Portfolio prep, Animation and Illustration, Animation Drawing Studies, Art & Design Portfolio with Animation & Illustration, Art with Animation Studies, Cartoon Animation, Cartoon Animation and Film Production, Classical & Computer Animation (HND), Digital Creative Media with Animation, Gaming, Animation & Motion Graphics, Multimedia, Animation and Games Design courses at NFQ level 5-6 Search PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Animation / CGI artistry at NFQ level 8 Search apprenticeship 

For further details on eligibility requirements for third level entry following an FET qualification, students should visit CAO course search 

Higher Education CAO entry: Animation, Animation and Illustration, Animation, Visual Effects and Motion Design, Digital Animation Production, Augmented and Virtual Reality, Computing and Digital Media, Computing with Games Development, Creative Media, Film & Broadcasting, 3D/graphic design at NFQ level 6-8 CAO course search 

Postgraduate study: Animation, Animation - 3D, Technical Direction for Computer Animation Production, Visual Effects for Film TV & Animation, Augmented Reality & Virtual Reality Development, Interactive Media - Conversion Course courses at NFQ level 9 

AnimationIreland.com 2022

Professional Development 

Career Path from Modeling Supervisor: CG Supervisor

Springboard courses Animation,  Production Management for Animation, Visual Effects for Film, TV and Animation, 3D Animation, Screen Production Department Skills search Springboardcourses

Animation Skillnet 

Careers in Screen 

Irish Film & Television Network

AnimationIreland.com

Last Updated: November, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €39k - €78k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Salary Expert/ Glass door/ Payscale/ Indeed/ Prosperity.ie

Last Updated: August, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment grew strongly between 2021 and 2022, with an additional 7,300 persons employed. As illustrated in the CSO Census data below, employment is spread across a number of roles; since 2016, the strongest growth, in absolute terms, was for graphic designers and authors, writers and translators.

New employment permits issued for this occupation in 2022 were primarily for film/TV and animation/visual effects (VFX) roles but also for linguistics experts in the ICT sector. There was also a high volume of recent job hires in line with the recent employment increase. The data does not point to overall issues with recruitment for these roles.

Skills Gaps in the Irish Animation sector (Animation ireland June 2022). A key central issue was graduate skills in relevant animation software. Specific software requirements and competencies in pipeline and technical specifics were top of the list regarding skills gaps. While studios that produce 2D content have recently moved away from Adobe Animate (Adobe Flash) into Toon Boom Harmony packages, there are a number of studios using less common softwares such as Cel Action and Moho for their 2D content. Studios creating CGI content are largely using Autodesk Maya with some now moving towards open access softwares such as Blender. A massive 50% of Irish animation graduates are working for overseas studios (20%) or working remotely on adult animated content (30%).The remaining 20% of recent Irish animation graduates are not working in the sector.

The Skills Challenge for the Screen Sector in Ireland 2023. Despite the skills shortages there is no effective and efficient way to identify crew who are available for jobs or for crew to be able to identify what positions are available. Recruiting experienced crew is also a major issue. Notwithstanding the current skills shortages, the key message from the interviews and focus groups was that a larger production crew base will be required to meet future live action demand which is probably significantly larger than the size of the existing crew base. Key areas of focus for future skills needs include the areas of skills for sustainability and green production as well as digital and technology related skills, especially in relation to virtual production. 

Note: The following