Animation is becoming one of the fastest growing sectors in recent years worldwide. Here are 5 ways for you to become an animator on their own:
1. Acquire specialized training through watching videos on YouTube
Working as an animator requires having the necessary technical knowledge that allows you to give life to characters and objects in each plane.
A specific training offers you the possibility to develop professionally in various areas where animation has a fundamental role: advertising, film or video games among others.
2. Have a passion for work
The world of animation is an exciting sector since it allows its professionals to give life to any imaginable object. This work has to be done in the times marked by production and with the necessary retakes, so it can only be achieved if you are passionate about the subject.
3. Know how to fit the criticisms
Perhaps this is one of the aspects that make the difference compared to other professions. Every day, when a job is finished, meetings are held with the presence of supervisors and colleagues to give their opinion about it.
To be a good professional of the animation you have to know how to fit the criticism , in this way the learning curve will always be ascending and acting will begin to be pure acting before.
4. Having experience is a degree
Not all planes that are animated are equal, some are more complex than others, and it is precisely this complexity one of the things that most supervisors and production managers take into account when awarding plans.
The most complex are usually awarded to the most experienced animators , because they are a sure job well done and in the times marked. It is important to learn as much as possible from the most experienced people, to see how they face the usual problems with more confidence and resources to face them.
5. Work as a team
Facing an animation project is a big challenge, and it is only possible if there is a great team of people behind. To animate a plan, it had to be designed, modeled, rigged and shaded.
It is important to know how you work in the departments before and after your contribution to the project.
In the world of animation, it is very common to “jump” from project to project in different companies, so it is important to take care of and pamper relations with colleagues since it is very likely that they will meet again at another time.
Programs to make animations
Some of the most used programs to make animations:
- Macromedia flash.
- Avi constructor: Supports AVI files and has sequence of images with JPG.
- Morphman used to create or restructure faces.
- Tapptones Line Tester: Allows performing animated shorts in 2D.
- After effects, Motion, Strata and Shake, are applications used for television.
- 3D Studies Max allows you to make multimedia games and videos. It is used in various branches; advertising, architecture, video, television, performing arts, games and engineering.
Advantages of digital animation
Some of the advantages are that the images are worked separately so that the movement is more real; the animations are positioned in planes; there is greater ease of sharing visual works and the quality is more detailed.
The key steps to follow for a successful animation
1. The definition of its objectives
This very important step is often forgotten. Yet, everything has to start there, because it is the phase of defining the objectives of the company. Indeed, there can be as many objectives as companies: presenting the activity of a brand, explaining a concept, creating buzz, selling a product, etc.
This phase involves the formalization of a “customer brief”. The latter will help identify his needs and desires to better identify his demand. We advise you to write a formalized document gathering all the important elements.
It will be a valuable reference for all decisions to be made during the project. It will also be necessary, at this stage, to validate a choice of graphic style consistent with the brand image: iconography, computer graphics, cartoons, pictograms, etc.
2. The writing of the script and the text of the voice-over
This step consists of projecting on the narrative aspect of the project. This requires planning one or more round trips between the project stakeholders to validate with the scenario and ensure that it is in line with the technical constraints.
After writing the script, the text of the voice-over can be written in its entirety. At the end of this stage, the project begins to take shape and the whole team will have a first glimpse of the animation. Thus, the motion designer can begin the creation of the graphic universe.
3. Storyboard creation
This is the first step in the design of the project. The graphic creation boards will be unfolded chronologically to present the different images of the scenario.
The motion designer also incorporates the text of the voiceover at this stage, the final animation is represented in a paper version containing all the important data of the project: graphic style, animation style and voice-over text.
4. The work of modeling
At this technical stage of the project, the motion designer digitally creates all the graphic elements validated during the storyboard phase. For this, he will use a graphic design software such as Photoshop or illustrator.once created, all these visual elements will be ready to be animated.
5. Animation of the graphics
The animation can only begin once the previous phases have been validated. It is at this stage that the motion designer will bring his animation post-production tool. This software will allow to give movement and to animate the created images.
There are 2D and 3D creation tools, chosen according to the complexity of the animation and the desired rendering. Adobe after effects is one of the most used software for this kind of creation.
6. Making the soundtrack
The sound illustration of the animation is an important element that should not be neglected for a successful result.
The soundtrack must be created in line with the graphic universe and faithfully transcribe the message to convey. Successful music amplifies the message and emotion to be played on an animated animation.
7. The finalization and editing of the motion design animation
This is the final step in creating the animation. The motion designer will do an audiovisual production work. It integrates the voice-over and the personalized sound track on the animation file.
When these three elements are assembled, motion design animation is exported in a workable format, corresponding to how it will be used and disseminated.
The seven steps described above are the essential ingredients for creating a successful motion design video, and in tune with the goals and desires of the business.
Thus, in order to ensure optimal project management, it is essential to observe each of these stages chronologically. The key is to put in place a coherent and realistic executive planning so that each stakeholder can contribute to the success of this project.
