Many people think it is difficult to make a living as an artist. In some respects this is true. It is difficult to make a living selling paintings or sculptures, but there are many jobs that require artistic talent that can provide a high paying long term career. Careers in computer animation allow an artist to enter the amazing world of television and cinema. Since computer animation is a relatively new medium, the job market in this sector is likely to expand.
Computer animation, or CG for short, is rapidly becoming one of the most important elements of the special effects world. There are many uses for computer animation. All video games rely heavily on computer animation. Also, many feature length animated films as well as some animated television shows use computer animation. Finally, many live action films rely on computer animation for special effects purposes.
Careers in computer animation are plentiful in the video game industry. A job like this could be a dream come true for an avid gamer. Animators working in the video game industry are responsible for creating entire dynamic worlds. It can be very challenging and rewarding for an artist. Anyone with a love of video games and some artistic inclination might consider pursuing a computer animation career.
The special effects industry also relies heavily on computer animation. For proof of this look no further than the recent blockbuster Avatar. All of the Na’vi characters in Avatar are CG and most of the alien world of Pandora was created using computer animation as well. Computer animation allows Hollywood to present a fantasy world in a more realistic way than ever before.
Standard animation films are moving towards computer animation as well. The recent film Up was created using 3D computer animation. All 3D animation is computer generated. The recent trend in film has most definitely been 3D, so it is likely that careers in computer animation will continue to grow and will continue to gain a more prominent place in the entertainment industry.
If this 3D trend continues, it is likely that careers in computer animation will become very lucrative. As it stands, top level computer animators earn a very good living, but as the industry continues to grow and assume a more important role in Hollywood, it is likely that the average salary of a computer animator will rise as well.
Obviously, with all of these uses for computer animation in the entertainment industry, careers in computer animation are certainly on the rise. Computer animation requires artistic skills and technological skills. These skills need to be honed at a school specifically designed to train computer animators. Animators must be familiar with a wide variety of software and design tools. It is also helpful for students to be familiar with a bit of programming.
Students with a penchant for drawing and design should most definitely consider enrolling in a computer animation program. With a bit of training in the relevant software, a decent artist can pick up computer animation with relative ease. There are plenty of online institutions that should help get artists on the right track.
