A computer animator ideally possesses all the skills of a traditional drawing/sketching animator, plus the ability to use specific software and hardware tools to digitise line drawings or in the case of 3D modelling, uild scenes and structures directly on the computer.

It is better to have a background in Art and then pursue a course in animation, rather than take up something, without knowing the basics of scene generation, like balance of colour, texture and lighting.

Although big institutes may boast of offering courses using the latest software, be wary enough and investigate the authenticity of their claims by speaking to past students and if possible, scrutinizing the course module contents. More than often, individuals pursuing such courses, seldom ever create anything extraordinary.

An artistic mindset to an extent is inherent and is easier to cultivate than learning the hard way, which may consume many more years till a stage of perfection is reached.

A visual communication or commercial arts graduate is best suited for pursuing a career in animation. Although individuals who are not from an arts background, with hard work can succeed as successful animators, though, the learning curve is often very steep.

The animation field is again highly specialised. There are hardcore 2D artists (or cell animators), 3D modelling and environment artists, clay-model stop motion artists, character animation artists and game specialists. It is very rare to find an individual excelling in all of these specialised fields.

If you want to pursue a career as a cell animation artist, you need to possess exquisite drawing and illustration skills, and decent exposure with 2D animation and compositing software. 3D animators depend heavily on powerful machines and sophisticated software to deliver realistic imagery on the computer, which can then be transferred onto CD-ROMs and broadcast tapes. You would need to know at least one of the popular 3D modelling and animation packages like 3D Studio Max, Softimage or Maya. Although there are other packages, most studios would have at least one of these three installed on their systems.

An animator in a very small set-up is typically required to come up with ideas and concepts on his/her own. Animators hired by big studios usually have an animation or creative director who looks over different aspects of production, like conceptualisation, storyboarding, colour schemes etc.

An animator is required to understand basic storyboarding (setting up the basic order of scenes), techniques and employ the fastest methods to achieve digital output. Depending on the kind of job (like introducing 3D computer generated characters in a music video), an animator might also be expected to get involved in post production and transfer of computer generated images onto beta-tapes and be familiar with techniques like chroma-keying and rotoscoping.

The animation and gaming industry is very competitive and there is always a lot at stake when a game title or animated movie is under production. Most animation and post production studios fill up vacancies through industry grapevines, past employees and associates.

Very rarely would you find employment opportunities in newspapers. If you’re applying for the first time, a collection of all your non-computer generated imagery, plus certificates/diplomas in visual design/communication should help you in your interview. Exposure to leading animation packages and enough hands on experience will further boost your chances. Most employers expect some kind of a show-reel, which is nothing but a collection of your work till date, but presented in an imaginative and innovative manner, that exhibits your creative and visual skills.

Work usually is very demanding and more often, there are no set working hours. Compensation can be very rewarding in the form of packages plus project commissions and the chance to win media awards in specific categories.

Jobs can be sought in advertising firms, animation studios, multimedia and post-production houses, TV channels and game development houses.