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What Does an Effects Animator Do? Where Do Effects Animators Work? ACR Takes a Look.
| College | City | State |
|---|---|---|
| Carnegie Mellon | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania |
| Flashpoint Chicago | Chicago | Illinois |
| Gnomon School of Visual Effects and Animation | Los Angeles | California |
| Los Angeles Film School | Hollywood | California |
| New York Film Academy | Los Angeles | California |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah | Georgia |
| Sheridan College | Oakville | Ontario |
| The DAVE School | Orlando | Florida |
| Think Tank Training Centre | Vancouver | British Columbia |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando | Florida |
What Does an Effects Animator Do?
Effects animators are responsible for adding natural or supernatural characters or things to animated films. They work with VFX supervisors to determine the most effective approach to solving effects issues and develop the finished, final product. Effects animators create effects based on concept art and design from art departments. They use 3D lighting and effects as well as compositing tools to achieve the desired look. In addition to VFX supervisors, effects animators work with technical directors, designers, and art directors to create realistic effects.
Effects animators collaborate with other departments on the best approach to improving throughput. This requires thorough knowledge of tools and interfaces. Effects animators are experts with Houdini, Renderman, Mantra, Nuke, and other technology used to create effects.
Where Do Effects Animators Work?
Effects animators work for animation studios, film and video production studios, gaming companies, web design firms, graphic design firms, and advertising and public relations firms. Many effects animators work independently. This group has the second highest concentration of employment in the industry.
What is the Job Outlook for Effects Animators?
Employment for effects animators (included in the multimedia artists and animators group, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics - BLS) is expected to grow 8% for the 2016-2026 decade. This is as fast as average for all occupations. The projected employment growth for animators and multimedia artists will be the result of increased demand for animation and more realistic visual effects in video games, movies, and television. However, job growth may be slowed by companies hiring artists and animators who work overseas for lower wages. The increasing demand for computer graphics for mobile devices may counter slow growth by creating more job opportunities in the massive mobile industry.
Despite average job growth, competition for job opportunities in animation will remain strong. The BLS says, “Opportunities should be best for those who have a wide range of skills or who specialize in a highly specific type of animation or effect.” Additionally, the U.S. is home to an impressive population of 73,700 multimedia artists and animators, making it one of the largest career fields in the world of art and design.
While job opportunities for animators can be found all over the U.S., five states and five industries have the highest employment levels.
States with the Highest Employment Levels for Animators
- California
- Texas
- New York
- Georgia
- Florida
Industries with the Highest Employment Levels for Animators
- Motion Picture and Video Industries
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services
- Software Publishers
- Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services
- Other Information Services
Industries with the Highest Concentration of Employment for Animators
- Motion Picture and Video Industries
- Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers
- Software Publishers
- Specialized Design Services
- Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services
Within the top five states with the highest employment levels for animators, along with several others such as Illinois, Washington, and Massachusetts, are the top 10 metropolitan areas with the highest levels of employment. They include:
- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA
- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY
- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Austin-Round Rock, TX
- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH
Other Animation Schools to Consider:
Selected Campus Locations:
- San Francisco & Online
Selected Programs:
Animation Career Review Rankings:
- Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#15) - 2023
- Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#36) - 2023
- Top 50 Nationally for Graphic Design (#40) - 2023
- Top 50 Nationally for Illustration (#20) - 2023
- Top 25 Nationally for Visual Effects (#5) - 2023
Selected Campus Locations:
- Winter Park, FL & Online
Selected Programs:
- Computer Animation - Bachelor's - Online & Campus
- Game Programs - Bachelor's & Master's - Online & Campus
- Graphic Design & Digital Arts - Bachelor's - Online & Campus
- Film & Digital Cinematography - Bachelor's & Master's - Online & Campus
- Simulation & Visualization - Bachelor's - Campus
- Game Business & Esports Bachelor’s of Science - Online & Campus
- User Experience Bachelor's Degree – Online
Animation Career Review Rankings:
- Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#14) - 2023
- Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#8) - 2023
- Top 50 Nationally for Graphic Design (#28) - 2023
Selected Campus Locations:
- Online
Selected Programs:
Animation Career Review Rankings:
- Top 50 Private Graphic Design Schools in the US (#36) - 2023
Selected Campus Locations:
- Online
Selected Programs:
Animation Career Review Rankings:
- Top 25 International Animation Training Programs (#25) - 2022
How Much Do Effects Animators Make?
The median annual wage for animators is $72,520 per year. The mean annual wage is $78,230. The lowest average salary (for less than 10% of the animation population) is $40,870. The highest 10% earn more than $124,310. At $86,080, multimedia artists and animators working in the motion picture and video industries have the highest annual wage of the top five industries with the highest employment levels for animators.
- Motion Picture and Video Industries - $86,080
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services - $78,850
- Software Publishers - $85,270
- Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services - $73,780
- Other Information Services - $80,070
However, the top five highest paying industries for animators are:
- Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers - $99,790
- Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing - $90,960
- Motion Picture and Video Industries - $86,080
- Software Publishers - $85,270
- Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing - $83,050
It is important to note that salaries for animators also vary by experience, type and size of company, and even geographic location. For example, Connecticut-based animators average $102,630 per year—the nation’s highest average salary for this profession—while South Carolina-based artists average $36,270—the lowest salary for this profession.
In addition to Connecticut, the top five highest paying states for animators are Washington ($90,700), District of Columbia ($89,210), California ($87,960), and New York ($86,490).
The highest paying metro areas for animators are:
- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT - $115,070
- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA - $91,850
- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward - $91,840
- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA - $91,010
- New York-Newark-Jersey City - $87,320
- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA - $86,240
- Savannah, GA - $82,880
- Sacramento-Roseville-Arden-Arcade, CA - $80,230
- Raleigh, NC - $79,070
- North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL - $78,980
How Do I Become an Effects Animator?
Today’s employer’s prefer to hire animators with at least a bachelor’s degree. Popular programs include a BA, BFA, or BS in Animation, Animation/Illustration, Animation & Digital Arts/Digital Arts & Animation, Media Arts & Animation, Computer Animation, Computer Graphics, Media Arts & Science, Fine Art, and Computer Science (with an Emphasis in Animation). Courses common to these programs include Drawing, 2D Animation Production, 3D Animation Production, and Stop Motion.
Aspiring effects animators will also take a number of as Visual Effects (VFX) courses and they will master high-end software such as Maya, Zbrush, Cinema4D, and Houdini.
In addition to a 4-year degree and advanced software skills, many employers look for at least two years’ experience in the industry. Entry-level positions may require only a degree and experience through an internship or other support position. Senior level positions may require at least five to seven years’ professional experience in the industry and possibly an advanced degree. In fact, more schools than ever before now offer MA or MFA degrees in Animation, Animation & Visual Effects, Animation & Digital Arts, and more.
Some schools in the U.S., and many in Europe and Asia, even offer PhD programs in Digital Arts & Animation, Multimedia & Animation, Computer Science with an Animation Emphasis and many others. The Bureau reports that in addition to years of experience and/or advanced degree, animators who show strong teamwork and time-management skills can advance to supervisory positions, where they are responsible for one aspect of a visual effects team. Some effects artists might advance to leadership or directorial positions, such as art director, producer, or director.
Which Schools Offer Programs for Aspiring Effects Animators?
- Carnegie Mellon, College of Fine Art - School of Art, BFA Arts & Technology (IDeATe), Concentration Animation & Special Effects, BFA Electronic and Time-Based Media, Focus in Animation
- Flashpoint Chicago, A Campus of Columbia College Hollywood, AFA Animation + Visual Effects, BFA Visual Effects
- Gnomon School of Visual Effects and Animation, 2-Year Certificate in Digital Production, Emphasis Visual Effects
- Los Angeles Film School, 36-Month Bachelor’s, Visual Effects
- New York Film Academy, 3D Animation & Visual Effects School, BFA, MFA 2D or 3D Animation, MFA 3D Animation & VFX, Los Angeles Campus, 1-Year Conservatory Animation Program, New York or Los Angeles
- Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), BFA, MA, MFA Visual Effects, Animation
- Sheridan College, 10-Month VFX Graduate Certificate
- The DAVE School, Bachelor’s, Diploma, Visual Effects Production
- Think Tank Training Centre, 1-Year Certificate, VFX, 3D Animation, Game Design
- University of Central Florida, School of Visual Arts & Design (SVAD), MFA Emerging Media – Animation and Visual Effects
While many colleges and universities offer graduate programs for aspiring effects animators, just about every school offers undergraduate programs. Aspiring effects animators just starting out should review curriculums carefully to determine which programs would most closely support their focus area.
Awesome Animation Fact: Animation has been around for a lot longer than you might think. According to Computer Science for Fun (published by Queen Mary, University of London), a 5,200-year old bowl found in Iran features an early precursor of animation. Along the bowl's side are five drawings that, when viewed in a sequence, depict a wild goat leaping up to eat leaves off a tree.