Different Creative Jobs In The Animation Process

There are many different creative jobs in the animation production process, each with their own specific skills. In many cases within the design or animation stages the skills can be transferred, allowing the creatives to work on more than one discipline within the project. However, a creative can only take on a discipline if they can produce the work to the required standard, in all areas there are people who spend their whole careers focusing solely on one of the disciplines – although this is becoming increasingly rare.

Every animation project is obviously bespoke made, therefore a discipline may or may not be needed.

Let’s take a look at some of the different creative jobs in the animation process. Here we have looked at common roles in advertising productions, and not roles in animation film production – of which there are many other specialties and stages of production.

Scriptwriter

A crucial role in the success of any production, the scriptwriter must distil the key messages whilst enhancing the brands tone of voice and personality. It will enable subsequent creatives and the client to start on the same page as they begin to visualize the aesthetics and flow of the animation.

Storyboard artist

Often referred to as a ‘Scamp’ storyboard artist – this role is important to sketch out therough action and visuals within the scenes. Allowing everyone to see what needs to be designed and built. It allows the client to approve this stage before production progresses to the design stage – making the whole process more efficient.

Art Director

Usually with a great deal of experience the Art Director will oversee the look and feel of the animation. Initially will produced mood boards and references for inspiration for the designers and animators. Once a style is decided they will often produce some style frames for the designer to follow. They will ensure the visuals adhere to the brand guidelines and the visuals reflect the tone and voice of the script.

Designer or Illustrator

Will design the animations key frames. They will often work with the animator to discuss transitions and flow of the animation. These keyframes will then replace the scamp storyboard frames to produce end to end visuals of the animation. If 3D elements are required then they will work with the 3D designer to incorporate these into the frames.

Character Designer

A 2D character designer has their own expertise, they have to design the characters in line with the look and feel of the environment and the style of the animation. They have to take into consideration the amount of movement needed from the characters and any facial expressions needed when they are animated.  First they will likely sketch out the characters before designing proper with colours, textures and poses.

Editor

Usually a role taken by the lead animator on the project – they will first use the scamp storyboards to produce and animatic – an end to end edit of the scenes with a guide voiceover and some temporary music. This will allow everyone to see the flow and pace of the animation. Later in the process they will update with the keyframes, to help animators determine timings and flow. It will allow creatives to see any problems and issues with tone, flow and messaging of the animation and rectify where needed.

 Animator

This is where the animation begins to come together. The animator will animate all elements to bring the film to life. There are animators who specialize in various disciplines, including character animation, motion GFX animation, cell animation and others who have honed a specific style of animation over many years.

3D Build and Animator

Usually working alongside the animator, will produce the 3D environments and texture, light and animate these sections as needed. They are usually focused on objects and environments for the scenes, and many have specialized in specific aesthetics of their work.

3D Character Designer and Rigger

A different skillset to the object and environment 3D role, it requires skill in modelling and rigging the 3D characters. Again, they will often specialize in a specific look – realistic characters or more cartoony characters. Once the characters look is approved they will rig the character – essentially internal joints so the character can move in a specific way when animated. There are also people who specialize in just doing faces or the body.

3D Character Animator

Can often be the same person as the 3D character designer and rigger. Here the character comes to life and will animated in accordance with the animatics timings. This can be a time consuming aspect of the animation, and requires a high skill set to be done well.

Compositor

A compositor is someone who pulls everything together when there are various animation disciplines or visual approaches. For example – they will composite in the 3D characters within the scene, or composite together 3D objects and 2D elements within the scene. It is usually one of the final stages of the production and where we can see everything looking more final.

Grade Technician

This used to be a dedicated role, and still is in the television industry. In the advertising industry this is usually done by the lead animator, as the final thing on the visuals before completion. Here the colours of the animation will be adjusted to either align or accentuate tones to make the animation more cohesive and polished.

Music Composer and Sound Designer

The music composer will usually become involved in the project once the animation is beginning. They can view the animatic and create a bespoke piece of music to fit in with the tone and voice of the animation. It is a very important step as the music plays a very big part in the feeling of the animation. The Sound designer will use the final picture to add sfx to add to the depth of the animation and will mix all the elements sound levels.