Work Environment
Animator / CGI Artists typically work in the following Career Sectors:
Videos on the Web
- Animator / CGI Artist- from: Youtube Search
- Animator - from: YouTube Video
- Computer Animator - from: YouTube [Video]
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
- Interpret brief from Animation Supervisor, make best use of storyboards, pre vis and live action cues to create a believable performance within the shot photography.
- Match and react to the performances within the shot, create believable interaction with live action props and environments.
- Address all notes from Animation/VFX Supervisor/Director and deliver retakes/revisions on time while maintaining highest standards.
- Perform observation-based research for motion across a range of subject. To create believably realistic motion, based on observation, without stylisation.
- Utilise both Mocap & Video to enhance perfomance. Clean up, and enhance mo-cap to create believable performance.
- Work in partnership with Rigging department to suggest useful enhancements to the rig that will benefit the animation team.
- Work in partnership with Effects department to ensure primary animation and secondary animation (cloth, hair, etc.) are delivered to the highest standards.
- Work in partnership with production coordinator to ensure that animation deliverables are on schedule.
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.
Further Information
- Animator / CGI Artist - from: N.C.S. [UK]
- Animator / CGI Artist - from: GradIreland
Qualities - Animator / CGI Artist
Have excellent observational skills and acting talent, for character work. Have excellent observation skills and mimicry of live moving forms.
Knowledge and in-depth experience of CG animation tools, and general knowledge of CG production can produce realistic animation for a wide range of characters and creatures.
Open to direction you are passionate about animation and reaching the highest artistic standards of performance.
Empathetic to Actors performance and character development. Ability to interpret and execute director’s feedback.
Good communicator with great interpersonal skills and can delivers high quality results often in a pressurised environment.
Meticulous nature with a self-critical eye and high standards.
You should also be able to work in a team as well as on your own. If you are working for a small company, you may have a lot of contact with clients (e.g., advertisers) so you will need good interpersonal skills.
Some animators work freelance or set up their own companies. To do this, you will need substantial experience as an animator as well as good business sense.
Interests - Animator / CGI Artist
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.
Realist
Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.
Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.
Entry - Animator / CGI Artist
Apprenticeship Route
The official entry route for a Animator / CGI Artist is through undertaking an apprenticeship.
Click here to find information on the CGI Technical Artist apprenticeship
Animators often have a degree in Animation, Motion Design, or Visual Effects but can also come for cognate areas such as Visualisation, Architecture, Film Studies, or Games. Show reel and previous experience are important here.
Career Path to Animator Artist: Often will come from a CG Generalist role but also from other departments such as Matchmove (Bodytracking).
Training & Development pathways
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
Professional Development
Career Path from Animator: Animation Supervisor.
Springboard courses Animation, Production Management for Animation, Visual Effects for Film, TV and Animation, 3D Animation, Screen Production Department Skills search Springboardcourses
Irish Film & Television Network
Last Updated: November, 2023
Pay & Salary - Animator / CGI Artist
Salary Range (thousands per year)* 30k - 60k
Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.
Data Source(s):
Salary Expert/ Glass door/ Payscale/ Indeed/ Prosperity.ie
Last Updated: June, 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
Labour Market Updates - Animator / CGI Artist
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.
Useful Contacts - Animator / CGI Artist
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Screen Ireland
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Animation Ireland
- The Association of Animation Producers in Ireland Ltd, 14 – 16 Lord Edward Street, Dublin 2, D02 YC63
- Click Here
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Irish Film Institute
- 6 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
- (01) 679 5744
- [email protected]
- Click Here
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Animation Skillnet
- Animation Skillnet Office Furthr, Suite 34 GEC, Taylor’s Lane Dublin 8
- 087 2487391
- [email protected]
- Click Here
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IFTN Irish film & Television network
- Irish Film and Television Network 32 Lower Leeson Street Dublin2
- (0) 1 905 3595
- [email protected]
- Click Here