How to Be Traditional Animator - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Feb 23, 2022 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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The rise of digital technology has had a significant impact on the traditional animation industry. With the advent of computer-generated animation, it has become easier and more cost effective to produce animated content, resulting in fewer people being employed in the traditional animation field. This has led to a decrease in the availability of hand-drawn animated content, as well as a decrease in the number of traditional animators.

Furthermore, the cost savings associated with digital animation has encouraged more studios to pursue digital animation over traditional animation. As a result, the traditional animation industry has suffered, leaving many traditional animators out of work and struggling to find employment in the field.

Steps How to Become

Take Art Classes. Traditional animators should possess a strong foundation in art, so taking art classes is important. Traditional animators should take classes in basic drawing, figure drawing, color theory, composition, and perspective drawing.
Develop a Portfolio. Traditional animators need to have a portfolio that showcases their best work. Animators should develop a portfolio that includes character designs, storyboards, and samples of animation.
Gain Experience. Animators should gain experience by working on personal projects and seeking internships. Internships provide animators with the opportunity to gain valuable experience and build their skills.
Get Professional Training. Professional training is available for traditional animators through degree programs at colleges and universities, animation studios, and online programs.
Network. Networking is essential for traditional animators seeking employment. Connecting with other animators and industry professionals can lead to job opportunities.
Stay Up to Date. Animators should stay up to date on the latest techniques, software, and trends in animation.

The advent of digital animation has drastically changed the traditional methods of animating. With the widespread use of computers and advances in technology, software programs have made it easier than ever to create high quality animations. This has caused a shift in the industry, with traditional animators needing to learn new digital techniques in order to remain competitive.

As a result, those who have been able to quickly adapt and become proficient in digital animation have been able to stay employed in the industry, while those who have been slow to transition have found themselves out of work. To become an ideal and competent animator in todays industry, one must not only be well versed in the fundamentals of traditional animation, but also have a comprehensive understanding of the latest digital tools and software.

You may want to check Character Animator, Flash Animator, and Cut-Out Animator for alternative.

Job Description

Create original animated content for television, film, and/or video game projects.
Develop detailed storyboards, character designs, and animation sequences.
Create visually appealing and engaging animations that meet project expectations and deadlines.
Collaborate with writers, directors, and other artists to ensure the projects artistic vision is achieved.
Create special effects and background elements for animations.
Adjust colors, lighting, textures, shadows, etc. to ensure animation accuracy.
Use a variety of animation software such as Adobe After Effects and Maya to create animations.
Stay current with emerging technologies and trends in the animation industry.
Review and edit existing animations as needed.
Provide feedback and guidance to junior animators and other team members.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of traditional animation techniques and principles
Understanding of character design, storyboarding and layout concepts
Proficiency with digital tools such as Flash, Adobe Photoshop and Toon Boom Harmony
Ability to create 2D animation, storyboards, and concept art
Knowledge of timing, cinematography and composition
Understanding of color theory and color palettes
Excellent drawing, illustration and sketching skills
Ability to work with tight deadlines and quick turnaround times
Excellent communication and collaboration skills
Knowledge of computer graphics software such as After Effects, Maya, and 3D Studio Max

The most important skill to have as an animator is creativity. This is because animation requires imaginative ideas, visuals, and storytelling. Without creativity, animators will be unable to create unique stories that captivate audiences.

a good knowledge of the animation software being used is essential. This is because software programs are used to create each frame of the animation, and animators must have a good understanding of how to use the tools. Finally, strong drawing skills are key for any animator, as they help bring their ideas to life.

Good drawing skills include the ability to draw figures accurately, use the right colors, and create dynamic compositions. Having these skills gives animators the necessary tools to create high-quality animation that will engage and entertain viewers.

Claymation Animator, Motion Graphics Animator, and Digital Animator are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have animating in traditional techniques?
What techniques have you used to create characters and backgrounds?
What steps do you take to ensure that the animation is consistent and cohesive?
How do you stay organized while working on multiple projects simultaneously?
How do you troubleshoot technical issues with traditional animation?
How do you balance creative expression and meeting deadlines?
What are the key principles of animation that you use to create motion and action?
How do you approach creating a scene that involves multiple characters and elements?
What strategies do you use to ensure that the story is conveyed effectively through animation?
What do you think makes traditional animation unique compared to other forms of animation?

Common Tools in Industry

Pencil Tool. Allows animators to draw frame-by-frame illustrations, often on paper or a digital drawing tablet. (eg: creating hand-drawn animation for a cartoon)
Paint Tool. Allows animators to create and edit digital images for use in animation. (eg: coloring characters in an animated movie)
Cutout Tool. Allows animators to manipulate pre-made 2D images into a sequence. (eg: creating stop-motion animation with paper cutouts)
3D Modeling Tool. Allows animators to create 3D objects and scenes for use in animation. (eg: creating realistic 3D environments for a video game)
Compositing Tool. Allows animators to combine different elements of an animation together. (eg: combining 2D character animation with 3D backgrounds)

Professional Organizations to Know

International Animated Film Association (ASIFA)
Society of Animation Studies
Animation Guild
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS)
Visual Effects Society
The Animation Collaborative
Women in Animation
National Cartoonists Society
International Game Developers Association (IGDA)
Motion Picture Editors Guild

We also have Childrens Book Animator, Special Effects Animator, and Broadcast Animator jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Animation Cel. A transparent sheet with a hand-drawn image or scene used in traditional animation. The animation cels form the basis of a films visuals.
Animatic. A rough version of an animated film, which can be used to test the timing and flow of the story.
Key Frame. A frame that is especially important to the animation, and serves as a reference for other frames.
Animation Cycle. The repetition of an animation to create a sense of motion.
Inbetweening. The process of creating frames between two key frames in order to create a smooth animation.
Stop Motion Animation. An animation technique in which physical objects are moved in small increments, and photographed one frame at a time to create the illusion of movement.
Rotoscoping. The process of tracing over live-action footage to create an animated character or scene.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Traditional Animation?

Traditional animation, also known as cel animation or hand-drawn animation, is an animation technique in which each frame is drawn by hand on a physical medium such as paper or celluloid.

How long does it take to create a traditional animation?

The amount of time it takes to create a traditional animation can vary greatly depending on the scope and complexity of the project. Generally, a single frame of traditional animation can take anywhere from one hour to several days to complete.

What materials are used for traditional animation?

Materials commonly used for traditional animation include paper, pencils, erasers, inks, paint, and celluloid.

What is the difference between traditional and computer animation?

The main difference between traditional and computer animation is that traditional animation is created by hand while computer animation is created digitally. Traditional animation requires more time and labor as each frame is drawn separately, while computer animation is created using software which makes the process much faster.