Do You Need To Draw To Become An Animator?


by IADT Seattle - Date: 2010-06-08 - Word Count: 348 Share This!

If animated cartoons or games appeal to you, you may want to look into a career as a 3D animator. It's an exciting, high-tech career choice that lets you create something people will enjoy for years to come. One problem many aspiring animators have, though, is that they can't draw well. But is that a deal breaker? Can a lack of art skills really close off an entire career path?

The short answer is no; you can still become an animator, even if you're not an accomplished artist. Because most 3D animators simply put objects into motion, they do not have to know how to create those objects. Instead of a pencil and sketching pad, the tools most animators are familiar with are computer programs like Autodesk Maya and 3ds Max.

If you want to become an animator, you should have a background in art. A solid foundation in art will help you understand many aspects of animation like how an object moves and interacts with its environment. Also, animators need to be able to communicate their ideas to others through drawing. In a team brainstorming session, animators cannot stop and draw up an object on their computer; they need to be able to sketch them on the fly.

When studios hire animators, the biggest thing they look for is a solid animation reel. However, it is important to remember that animation is a competitive industry. Managers who consider two individuals with similar qualifications are usually more likely to choose the one who has a solid art portfolio in addition to a great animation reel.

Now here's the good news: with proper instruction, most people can be taught to draw better than they ever thought they could. If you've never received formal art training, you may not realize that drawing is governed by specific principles and rules. With a solid grasp of those principles and a little bit of practice, you just might surprise yourself. And while you won't turn into Da Vinci overnight, you should get a good enough grasp of the principles of art to succeed in the animation industry.

Related Tags: advertising degree, design courses online, graphic design online program, online career training

Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles

© The article above is copyrighted by it's author. You're allowed to distribute this work according to the Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs license.
 

Recent articles in this category:



Most viewed articles in this category: