Animation and illustration

This page has been designed to give a starting point for those looking into careers in animation and illustration.

See also Multimedia, New Media and Graphic Design

What are careers in animation and illustration?

Animation and illustration are competitive industries. For animators having a good showreel and for illustrators having a good portfolio is important in promoting yourself and demonstrating your capabilities to potential employers. In the South East there are 102 2D/3D animation companies and 54 freelance animators, 92 illustration companies and 72 freelance illustrators registered in the Wired Sussex directory.

Prospects
A graduate careers website with profiles on:

• Animator
• Illustrator
• Industry Insights - Media
  Details the main jobs in the industry, how to get in, the major companies within the sector, related jobs and more.
• Options with your subject - Art and Design
• Options with your subject - Graphic Design

Target jobs - Art and Design sector guide
A graduate careers website which has an Art and Design sector profile with job profiles including Animator and Illustrator.

How do I get into it?

Animation and illustration are competitive industries. Animators are likely to initially enter the industry as animation graduates, or with comparable art degrees, before progressing through various animation roles. It is possible that some animators may have no formal art training but, as they possessed the necessary passion and talent, they may have been promoted from entry level roles such as runner to inbetweener in the department. The situation for illustrators is similar with some entering the industry with graphic design/illustration; fine art/visual art; fashion; printmaking degrees and others entering with no formal qualifications.

In such a relatively small and competitive industry, personal reputation and recommendations from previous employers are invaluable. For animators having a good showreel and for illustrators having a good portfolio is important in promoting yourself and demonstrating your abilities to potential employers.

• Look for courses at the university
  See the courses database for University of Brighton courses in this area.
• Aardman
  A group of websites created by Aardman Animations, Telepathy Ltd and T-Minus10 Ltd. Includes job opportunities at Aardman Animations and tips on getting into the industry.
• Skillset - Animation
  Details of animation training and education, careers advice and industry information.
• National Film and Television School
  
  • Animation department
  • MA Directing Animation course with entry requirements and how to apply.

• University College for the Creative Arts
  Site has extensive resources on ways to get into a wide range of creative roles.

Local Employment

Vacancies within the sector are often filled by personal contacts developed through more creative and individualistic job hunting techniques. Some of the following organisations may be useful contacts to start this process. See our page on working in the creative industries.

• Brighton Illustrators Group (BiG)
  Formed 22 years ago, BiG supports and advises freelance illustrators living in Brighton and the surrounding area by sharing information about professional practice though meetings, newsletters and web presence as well as providing networking opportunities.
• Lighthouse
  Provides creative and professional development opportunities for filmmakers, screenwriters, animators and artists working with the moving image and digital technology.
• Wired Sussex
  With a membership of 2288 companies and freelancers, Wired Sussex delivers a wide range of services, initiatives and networks designed to assist members individually and collectively.

Finding a job or employer in this sector

According to the Skillset census in 2009 the animation industry employs around 8,200 people in the UK. On a national level the majority (63%) are based in Central London, the second largest concentration (only 4.2%) being based in the South East. Approximately 25% of people working in animation do so on a freelance basis, which points to a marked increase in the numbers employed on contracts of 12 months or longer.

In the South East there are 102 2D/3D animation companies and 54 freelance animators, 92 illustration companies and 72 freelance illustrators registered in the Wired Sussex directory.

Visit our pages on enterprise for more information about how Beepurple, the university's entrepreneurship network, can support you to set up your own business or go freelance.

Artyfacts is a newsletter featuring events, news, competitions, and other news from the creative sector. An annual subscription costs £10 for 10 issues.

Vacancies do get advertised via the links below, but be aware that advertised vacancies in this sector are not common and they attract strong competition.

• Animated People
  This London based recruitment agency advertises vacancies in animation.
• Candid Arts Trust
  As well as details of exhibition and studio spaces there is an online database for new graduates to add their details to this as well as search for others. There are entries for animation and illustration. Short courses are also on offer.
• Design Week
  In addition to a searchable jobs database you can keep up to date with the latest activities and news in the arts and creative sector.
• Pact
  Pact is the UK trade association that represents and promotes the commercial interests of independent feature film, television, animation and interactive media companies.
• University of the Arts London
  In addition to careers information about the creative industries you can search for vacancies.

Further Information and useful links

• Animation Arena
  Includes industry news and careers information
• Animation Post
  There is a useful links section which is relevant to all designers, animators and illustrators. It it split into sections; animation tips, lessons and references. Professional bodies. Software, hardware, supplies. Publications, articles, animation news. Animation courses.
• Animated Film Association (ASIFA - Association Internationale du Film d Animation)
  Promotes an international sharing of ideas in animation and the development of a worldwide animation network.
• Animation World Network - Career Connections
  The Animation World Network is the largest animation-related publishing group on the internet, providing a wide range of interesting, relevant and helpful information relating to all aspects of animation, including a jobs and careers section.
• Animex
  This international festival of animation and computer games is held annually in February. They welcome many speakers from freelancers to representatives from Pixar and Aardman Animations.
• The Association of Illustrators (AOI)
  A non-profit making trade association dedicated to its members’ professional interests and the promotion of illustration.
• Axis
  Showcase for contemporary British Artists/Makers (including Fine Art, Film, Photography, Video and Multimedia). Add your details to Axis database to be browsed by potential clients.
• BBC Design
  An introduction to design careers within the film, television and motion graphics industry – including Visual Effects Design, Interactive Media, Broadcast Graphics and 3d Animation.
• British Design and Art Direction (D&AD)
  An educational charity that represents the global creative, design and advertising communities. There is an educational and awards section.
• The British Film Institute
  Promotes understanding and appreciation of Britain's rich film and television heritage and culture. In addition to an education section you can keep up to date with the latest news in the industry.
• British Interactive Media Association (BIMA)
  The trade association representing the diverse interests of the UK interactive industry.
• Cartoon
  An international non-profit association whose remit is to support the European animation industry
• Cartoonist
  Directory of animators/cartoonists with online portfolios. You will also find news and articles.
• International Council of Graphic Design Associations
  The International Council of Graphic Design Associations (Icograda) is the world body for professional graphic design and visual communication.
• Institute of Medical Illustrators
  Sets and maintains standards for the profession, representing Clinical Photographers, Healthcare Designers, Medical Artists and Clinical Video Producers both in the UK and internationally.
• The Knowledge Online
  Directory of contacts within the film, TV, video and commercials production industries which can be bought and also searched online
• Skillset Animation
  Details of animation training and education; careers advice and industry information; and the latest news on any Creative Skillset schemes that you may benefit from.