ACR Staff

Animators create animation and visual effects for films, video games, television, mobile devices, and other forms of media using illustrations and software programs. Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere, Autodesk3ds Max, and Autodesk Maya are just a few leading software programs for animators. Animators also create graphics and develop storyboards, drawings and illustrations. They create, plan, and script animated narrative sequences, and assist with background design and production coordination.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) combines multimedia artists and animators into one career group. According to the Bureau, “multimedia artists and animators often work in a specific medium. Some focus on creating animated movies or video games. Others create visual effects for movies and television shows. Creating computer-generated images (CGI) may include taking images of an actor’s movements, which are then animated into three-dimensional characters. Other animators design scenery or backgrounds for locations.”

According to the BLS, animators and multimedia artists work in the following industries:

• Motion Picture and Video
• Computer Systems Design and Related Services
• Software Publishers
• Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services
• Specialized Design Services

The BLS also mentions that 57 percent of animators were self-employed in 2012. This is the most current figure for self-employed animators. These professionals, not just the self-employed, often work from home. Others work onsite at film, animation or video game production studios, cartoon networks, advertising agencies, web design and graphic design firms, mobile technology companies, and more. 

New York is home to the nation’s second largest population of professionals working in Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media (ADESM) occupations as categorized by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. California is home to the largest group. While many New York artists still work with paint, plaster, and fibers, many artists today rely heavily on computers and software to create art. Digital artists belong to this group and their technical skills and creativity are in high demand at ad agencies, media firms, animation studios, game design firms, web design companies, and more.

California is home to 454 Title IV degree-granting institutions. These schools are eligible for Title IV federal financial-aid programs, which makes them more accessible to students with financial need. To earn Title IV status, these schools have obtained accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, they have been in business for at least two years, they have signed a participation agreement with the Department, and they grant an associate's degree or higher. Title IV schools must also offer a program of at least 300 clock hours in length. 

Florida is home to 223 Title IV degree-granting institutions, which means Florida has the fifth largest number of colleges and universities in the U.S. These schools are eligible for Title IV federal financial-aid programs, so all are accessible to students with financial need. To be eligible for these financial aid programs, the school must grant an associate's degree or higher, offer a program of at least 300 clock hours in length, have accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, have been in business for at least two years, and have signed a participation agreement with the Department.