3D Animator Salary and Job Description

3D Animator Salary and Job Description3D Animator Salary and Job DescriptionToy Story, Pixars 1995 feature film, showcased the power of 3D animation and led to a boom the field is still experiencing today. While 3D animators most frequently work in areas like film, video game production and television, they can also find employment in web design, graphic design and advertising.Translating emotion and movement to the screen requires a unique skill set and the ability to understand a variety of disciplines, including acting, cinematography, interactive storytelling, graphic art and web programming. Do you have what it takes to be a 3D animator?The rising demand for 3D visual design has led to an increased need for those with the talent for it, making the role one of the hottest jobs in the creative industry.These professionals can function as parte of a company or as freelancers, working on a wide range of projects. Roles tend to be either long-term projects or ongoing work in which cl ients need someone in an ad hoc capacity, said Lois Snavely, a senior recruiter with The Creative Group. Our clients require excellent animators who can be on standby for the foreseeable future.Whats involved in being a 3D animator? Whats the salary like? What are the typical duties? What about required skills?3D animator salary benchmarksAccording to The Creative Group 2019 Salary Guide, the midpoint starting salary for a 3D animator in the United States is $67,000. However, location, industry and experience can all affect the starting rate you should be offered. Use our Salary Calculator to determine the standard earnings for 3D animators in your city and field.GET THE SALARY GUIDEDuties and expectationsOn any given day, a 3D animator may take on a variety of tasks to create characters, visual effects and even scenery. Using technical and design skills, these professionals breathe life into their digital creations. Different projects have different demands, but an understanding of movement and basic art principles like lines, shadow, light and perspective are always necessary.Typical duties of a 3D animator includeMeeting with clients and key stakeholders, such as directors, actors, video game designers and other animators, to determine the scope of the work and project deadlinesResearching subjects to ensure accurate animated representationsCommunicating with other designers to ensure a cohesive vision across the productStoryboarding to develop scenes that require animationUsing software to create animated characters, scenes and graphicsAdjusting colors, lighting, shadows and textures to perfect lifelike appearancesIntegrating client and stakeholder feedback into final designsProfessional experience and skillsMost 3D animators hold a bachelors degree in a concentration like graphic design, fine art, animation or computer graphics. Many companies hiring for the position desire candidates with at least five years of experience. For entry-level jobs, this can come in the gestalt of internships or apprenticeships.Additionally, 3D animators should be versed in a variety of industry-standard applications, including Maya, MotionBuilder, Mudbox, FBX, 3ds Max, ZBrush, Premiere and After Effects. Experience with Cinema 4D may also be required by companies seeking animators with motion design skills. As technology evolves - and consumers increasingly rely on smartphones and tablets - animators with mobile skills will have a competitive edge.To further set yourself apart from fellow 3D animators searching for the same jobs you might want, youll need a solid portfolio or demo reel. These highlight your best work and show potential employers what youre capable of producing.For animators, a portfolio should contain a variety of pieces that illustrate your range, like life drawings, scenes or original characters and locations. You should also include examples of different mediums - such as paintings, sketches, sculptures or computer graphics - to emphasize the breadth of your abilities.A demo reel is a collection of short clips from animations youve produced. Choose a variety that include your work on different characters, types of motion, backgrounds and visual effects.While technical savvy and an artistic eye are certainly critical to succeeding as a 3D animator, employers also want candidates to possess robust soft skills. These techniques are not job specific, but they show potential employers that you can interact with others effectively to produce exceptional work.Valuable soft skills for 3D animators include time management, multitasking and the ability to write and speak well.On this last point, Snavely adds, Excellent communication is a must. The best animators and motion designers are over-communicative with their questions, edits, feedback, follow-up and so forth. They work swiftly and set clear timelines for the client. Animators must also be able to collaborate and work as part of a team, giving and receiving f eedback productively.Does the 3D animator role sound right for you? Check out our available jobs now.