What is a typical day for an animator?

The actual tasks and activities animators tackle each day represent smaller components of a larger product. A full-length television cartoon, for example, may take numerous animators many hours to complete, with smaller components being completed every day.

Eventually, all of the individual animations are compiled, some editing work may ensue for the final touches, and there is then a viewable cartoon.

Below is a list of tasks and activities animators typically carry out on a daily basis.

• Create Designs. Animators create 2D and 3D designs and illustrations for products, commercials, TV shows, films, and movies. Animators work with directors, writers, and producers to come up with a style for the project. Creating the perfect character design is part of what a motion animator does daily.

• Write Script. Animation projects usually rely on a script on which they base the story. In some cases, usually in independent productions, the animation artist will write the script for their own animation. However, for bigger projects, professional scriptwriters will be hired to write a script.

• Convert Real Images. Aside from creating their own designs, animators also convert real objects into animated objects through modeling. Static images can also be animated using techniques such as optical scanning.

• Multimedia Campaigns. Animators get involved in various multimedia campaigns by creating and designing animations on web pages, promotional products, and technical illustrations. Animators are sometimes brought on to design newsletters and slide shows.

• Editing. Animators sometimes edit their finished work, although this is more common for self-produced projects. Animators working in large studios will usually have an editing team at their disposal, with an animation supervisor responsible for cross-checking their projects. Editing animation projects like a video game with graphic color drawings can take a lot of time, although this can vary widely depending on the project.