How to Become an Animator: Career Guide, Courses, Eligibility, Entrance Exams, Top Colleges, Skills, Benefits, Salary

The animation industry has gradually emerged as an exciting career choice for aspiring artists. An Animator uses sequential images of drawings to produce films for different clients. Candidates aspiring to become Animators should build a strong portfolio and gain skills as opportunities for growth and creativity in this field are immense.

Becoming an Animator can be challenging but it is equally rewarding for those who are passionate about the field. Candidates must possess technical proficiency along with a deep understanding of storytelling principles to become an Animator. The average salary of an Animator in India is INR 3.1 LPA.

Candidates aspiring to become Animators can start preparing after class 12. A bachelor’s degree in animation is a minimum to start working as an Animator. Diploma and certificate courses are also available for candidates looking to learn animation skills in a short span of time.

How to Become an Animator: Quick Facts

What does an Animator do

An Animator brings static images or objects to life through animation techniques. The primary role of an Animator is to create the illusion of movement by manipulating images or objects. Some of the key tasks performed by an Animator include.

• Animators interpret the ideas and develop a visual plan for the animation by working closely with directors and scriptwriters.
• Animators develop storyboards that help in visualising the animation before the beginning of actual production.
• They design and develop different characters, considering their appearance, personality and movement style.
• They utilise various techniques depending on the need of the project like 2D and 3D animation, stop-motion, motion graphics or VFX.
• Animators are involved in the rendering of the final frames converting them into a viewable format.

Steps to Become an Animator

To become an Animator in India, candidates are required to go through a series of steps which are mentioned in the following points.

• Clear class 12: To pursue animation courses, students are required to clear class 12 with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognised board. Class 12 can be cleared in any stream.
• Appear in the Entrance Exam: Candidates will have to qualify for entrance exams to get admission into top animation institutes and colleges. Some of the top entrance exams for the animation stream include NIFT, NID, CEED and AIEED. Many colleges also offer direct admissions without any tests.
• Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: There are several courses in animation that candidates aspiring to be Animators can take up. These courses deal with animation basics and aim to develop a strong base in candidates. BSc, BDes, BFA and BA in animation are some of the popular courses.
• Start working as an Animator: After the completion of the bachelor’s degree, students can start applying for Animator roles at different animation agencies. They have to start with entry-level profiles and make the way up as they gain expertise and experience.
• Earn a Master’s Degree: Students who want to continue their learning after their bachelor’s can pursue master's courses in animation. MA, MDes, MFA and MSc are some of the top courses at the postgraduate level. A PG degree increases the chances of securing a better job with good compensation.
• Go for a Diploma: An alternate approach is to earn a diploma in animation, bypassing the full-time degrees and start applying for jobs.

Eligibility to Become an Animator

Candidates typically need a combination of education and skills to become an Animator in India. The standard eligibility criteria include.

• Education: The minimum eligibility criteria to become an Animator is to have a bachelor’s degree in Animation. There are many UG courses that candidates can opt for. Master’s degrees are also available for better career reach.

For UG and diploma courses, candidates need to clear class 12 in any stream from a recognised board.

• Entrance Exam: Though most colleges offer direct admissions, for admission into top institutes qualifying an entrance exam like NIFT, NID or AIEED is required.
• Artistic and Technical skills - Candidates should practice perfecting their skills in movement, storytelling and animation software.

Qualifications to Become an Animator

The general qualifications to be an Animator are explained in the following steps.

• Higher secondary certificate - Candidates are required to clear class 12 with 50% marks from a recognised board. Candidates from any stream can apply for animation courses.
• Bachelor’s degree - A bachelor’s degree can provide candidates with a comprehensive understanding of animation principles and techniques.
• Diploma/Certification courses - Candidates who do not want to undergo full-time courses can opt for diploma/certificate courses which are shorter and more focused programs. These programs provide training in various aspects of animation in a short span of time.

Animation Courses

Bsc Animation is of the most popular courses that aspiring Animators opt for. Other courses with many students include BDes, BFA and BA in animation. Animation courses at the postgraduate level are also available. Candidates also have the option of opting for diploma and certificate courses. The details for some of the popular courses are mentioned in the following table.

Entrance Exams

Students can appear in many entrance exams for different courses to get admission into top colleges. Details for some of the top entrance exams are mentioned in the following table.

Top Animation Colleges in India

There are various colleges in India for students to choose from providing education in animation. IIT Bombay, Loyola College, and Fergusson College are some of the best colleges. The details for top data science colleges are mentioned in the table below.

Skills Required to Become an Animator

A combination of artistic, technical and interpersonal skills are required to become a successful Animator. Some of the top skills that an Animator should possess are mentioned in the table below.

Benefits of Becoming an Animator

Becoming an Animator can offer several benefits, some of which are mentioned below.

• Creative Expression - Animation is a field that allows Animators to showcase their creativity and originality.
• Diverse Career Opportunities - Animators can work in various sectors like film and television, gaming, advertising, web animation and more. They can also specialise in a particular animation area.
• Global Demand and Job Security - With the increasing use of animation in various industries there is a constant need for Animators. This demand provides job security and opportunities to work with diverse clients.
• Impactful Storytelling - Animators can educate, inspire and make a positive impact on viewers by creating compelling narratives, conveying messages and evoking emotions through animation.
• International Recognition - Impactful Animators often receive recognition for their work. Academy Awards, SIGGRAPH and Annecy International Animated Film Festival recognise outstanding achievements in animation.

Salary of an Animator

The average annual salary of an Animator in India is INR 3.1 LPA with the highest salary being INR 7.7 LPA. Animators with an experience of around 5 years can expect to earn up to INR 3.9 LPA. The salaries for some of the top Data Engineer designations are mentioned in the table below.