I’m a 27 year old animation art director and I’m not afraid to admit: 1. This isn’t the career path I planned on. I love my job now, but I would not be here without Covid changing the entertainment industry while graduating college. Don’t be afraid to pivot when life throws you a curveball 2. I don’t draw as often as I want to. I’ve got a busy job, old house to maintain, high energy dog to feed, and I get cranky if I don’t get a nap into my day somewhere. I fit it in where I can and don’t beat myself up when I can’t 3. I’ve taken jobs I wasn’t excited about just to pay the bills. It doesn’t make me a sellout, it makes me a working artist 4. I’ve learned more on my internships and jobs than I ever did in school. Art school gave me the fundamentals, but the real-world deadlines, clients, and mistakes were what actually taught me how to work 5. My path is messy. Non-linear. Full of luck, effort, burnout, rest, and trying again. That’s not failure, it’s how most careers actually are . . . #animation #animator #animatorsoftiktok #arttips #arttipsandtricks
Correction!! The website is SCRIPT SLUG Want to be an animation screenwriter, then you need to know about Script Slug . . . What’s your dream job? . . . #animation #animator #animatorsoftiktok #illustrator #artschool
What movie would you pick for your birth month? And let me know if you’d like a part two with a version about animated shows! . . . #animation #animator #animatorsoftiktok #illustrator #illustratorsoftiktok
If you want to work in the animation industry you NEED to know industry standard software . . Knowing industry standard software like Photoshop is important for landing a job like character design, storyboarding, background design, and visual design (and many others) in the US animation industry. Even if you create great work in programs like Clip Studio Paint (CSP) or Procreate it’s important to know industry standard software because: ❤️Industry Compatibility: Studios often use Adobe Photoshop as a standard across departments (storyboard, background design, visdev), making file compatibility crucial. ❤️Legal concerns: the company will provide all the software and hardware you need to complete your job. If you use your own tools, you risk creating a liability for both you and the company. ❤️ File Formatting & Layer Structure: Photoshop’s PSD format is the industry default and supports complex layer structures that transfer cleanly between departments and pipelines. ❤️Team Collaboration: Projects often require multiple artists to work on the same files. Knowing Photoshop ensures you can jump into shared documents without disrupting the workflow. ❤️Pipeline Integration: Many pipelines (especially in TV and feature animation) are built around Photoshop’s tools, layer comps, and naming conventions. Using your own software risks glitches (especially with blending modes) that timelines do not have time to fix. ❤️Faster Onboarding: Employers want someone who can hit the ground running without needing extra training in software the rest of the team already uses. ❤️ Art Test Requirements: Most animation job art tests (depending on the job) expect submissions in PSD format with specific organization. Knowing Photoshop ensures you can meet these standards. ❤️ Versatility in Roles: Photoshop skills often overlap across roles (e.g., background painting, texture work, character turnarounds), increasing your employability. ❤️Expanded Opportunities: Some studios only use or require Photoshop, so not knowing it can automatically disqualify you from certain roles. ❤️Learning Curve Elimination: If you’re already familiar with Photoshop, you won’t be held back when jumping between freelance, studio, or production work. . . Even if your work is strong in programs like CSP or Procreate, learning Photoshop ensures you’re studio-ready, pipeline-compatible, and able to collaborate seamlessly in a professional animation environment. . . #arttip #arttipsandtricks #digitalart #digitalartist #animator