Updated December 2023
Think you might want to become a 2D animator? Concerned that a lack of experience will hold you back?
Not to worry. The demand for animators is so strong that it's a great time for newcomers to break into the field.
So how can a total beginner take advantage of that demand?
In this post, we take you through the basic steps you can follow to become an animator, even if you have little or no experience.
Here’s how to position yourself for success in Canada's hot animation job market.
TAKE NOTE OF THE animation SKILLS YOU’LL NEED TO GET HIRED
If you want to land a job as an animator, you first need to find out what fundamental skills studios are looking for.
You’ll need a solid grasp of animation principles, an eagle eye for detail, and strong problem-solving abilities.
But most importantly, you’ll need to be comfortable with Toon Boom Harmony, the 2D animation software that is standard throughout the industry. Canadian studios are hungry for animators who are well-versed in Harmony.
FIND An animation PROGRAM THAT TEACHES THOSE SKILLS
The next step is to find a 2D animation course that’s designed to turn out graduates with the skills studios need.
A good program teaches you how to use animation software for posing, staging, character rigging, and more.
Herzing’s 2D animation program provides in-depth training on Toon Boom Harmony so that students are ready to step right into a studio role after graduation.
Herzing graduate Megan Winters, who went on to work for Big Jump Entertainment, says the laser focus on Harmony was what convinced her to take the training.
"With other 2D animation courses, you have to wait longer to get your hands on the software," she told us.
I didn’t want to wait. I wanted to learn Harmony right away, so I could get to work faster. Knowing this software is key to getting hired in the animation industry.”
COMPLETE AN INTERNSHIP TO GET YOUR FOOT IN THE DOOR
If you’re trying to become an animator but have never worked in the field, any experience you can get is a huge advantage.
Quality 2D animation training includes an internship that allows you to get into a real studio even before you graduate. Students in Herzing's animation program complete a six-week internship.
An internship gives you a chance to make valuable contacts, hone your skills alongside industry pros, and see first-hand how the production process really works.
And an internship can often lead to a job offer. One year, Big Jump Entertainment hired every single member of Herzing’s graduating class, many of whom had no professional animation experience.
KEEP DEVELOPING YOUR DEMO REEL
A demo reel is an important tool for attracting a studio’s attention. Having a high-quality reel that showcases your abilities is key to getting hired as an animator.
You can start building one during your animation training.
A good program will get you doing hands-on projects right away so that you can grow your skills and graduate with a professional demo reel.
Tip: If you upload your demo reel to Vimeo, you can keep the same URL even when you make changes to the reel. That means you don’t have to worry about potential employers getting a broken link or seeing an outdated version of your reel.
FIND YOUR NICHE
The animation field offers several different paths.
Once you get started in the industry, you can choose to specialize in a particular area, such as:
- Storyboards
- Layout
- Character design
- Rigging
- Special effects
- Backgrounds
- Editing
As you gain experience at those first few jobs, take note of the projects that interest you most. You can start featuring that work in your demo reel.
Or you can do some independent projects to hone your skills and create examples for your reel.
Soon, you'll have a body of work in that niche, which you can show studios who are hiring for the specialized role you want.
KICK-START YOUR ANIMATION CAREER
Looking for quality training that can help you become an animator?
The 2D animation program at Herzing College was designed for beginners. Our goal is to quickly equip students with the animation skills and software studios need most right now.
The training is just 12 months long and includes a six-week internship. Graduates leave the program with real work experience and a professional demo reel. Quite a few are hired straight out of their internships.
Need more info? An admissions advisor can give you all the details about courses, costs, financial aid, application procedures, and more.
Click below to explore the 2D animation program and chat live with an advisor. We’re here to help!
