A visual artist who brings characters and stories to life through frame-by-frame or 3D animation.
What animators do
Animators design and execute movement for characters and objects in film, television, games, advertising, and motion graphics. They block actions, refine timing, polish details, and review with directors. Specialists handle keyframe character work while others focus on effects or motion design.
Training path
Many US animators hold a bachelor’s degree in animation or related fields. Self-taught animators succeed by building reels on personal projects and short films. Studio mentorship programs and industry workshops continue training throughout the career.
Settings
Animators work in feature animation, episodic series, video games, visual effects houses, motion graphics studios, advertising, educational content, and theme park media. 2D and 3D specialties continue to coexist with growing roles in real-time animation.
Find more professions by letter
Animator starts with A and ends with R. Browse other professions along the same letter.
Professions that contain a letter from "Animator":