What do you do if you want to start a career in animation but don't know where to begin?

Firstly it is essential to understand that Animation loosely refers to the industry where the process of animating anything usually involves other stages (like for 3D animation, the process would follow modeling, texturing, rigging, animating, and rendering, just to name a few). It is a common observation for people who come from non-animation or non-gaming backgrounds, desiring for a career switch but don't know where to start. So when familiarising with the basics, it is imperative to understand the whole ecosystem that makes animating anything possible. Familiarise yourself with the industry -specific vocabularies and don't shy away from experimenting. You never know you might find your interest in look-development over animating!

Begin by familiarizing yourself with the fundamental concepts of animation. Study different animation techniques, styles, and software tools. Experiment with basic animation exercises to develop your skills and understanding.

Exploring basics can help you gain the momentum you need. Hop on to youtube and search for professional animator to understand how many types of animation style are there and which one will suit you best. Search about software that are used in animation industry and work a bit on trial version till you find the software that you think can work for you the most efficient. Search for animation basics tutorial and start working on the animation step by step as shown by the animator in the tutorial. See what he’s doing and what changes does it reflect on the animation, this will create curiosity in you to learn more. By understanding basics you can have a good solid base in animation, which will help you grown in your animation career.

If you're eager to start a career in animation but feel uncertain about where to begin, start by exploring introductory resources and beginner-friendly tutorials available online. Familiarize yourself with fundamental concepts such as keyframe animation, timing, and storytelling through books, courses, or online platforms like YouTube or Udemy. Experiment with animation software such as Blender or Adobe Animate to get hands-on experience and discover your areas of interest within the field. Join online communities, forums, or local meetups to connect with fellow aspiring animators and gain insights from experienced professionals. Remember that starting a career in animation is a journey and dedication are key to success.

Begin by familiarizing yourself with the fundamentals of animation. Study principles such as timing, spacing, squash and stretch, and anticipation. Online resources, books, and tutorials are excellent starting points for learning these basics.

Consider enrolling in animation courses or programs to receive formal training and guidance. Whether it's through a traditional art school, online courses, or workshops, structured education can provide you with essential knowledge and hands-on experience.

Seeking education to enhance your skill is essential if you want a career in animation industry: Enroll in a training program as they are usually offered by professional animators who are already working the industry and they can help you gain hands on experience on the industry trends and the market demands. Search youtube to find animation tutorials and start your animation practice parallel, this way you can see if you’re working the right way as it should be and if not, you can again practice by simply starting over the tutorial. If you are already a professional animator then you should join workshops and seminars as they help you grow your network and help you gain attention of clients and employers.

Consider enrolling in animation courses or programs to gain structured knowledge and hands-on experience. Look for reputable schools, online courses, or workshops that offer instruction in both traditional and digital animation techniques.

Start creating your portfolio showcasing your animation work. Include a variety of projects that highlight your skills, style, and creativity. Your portfolio serves as a visual resume and a demonstration of your abilities to potential employers or clients.

Start creating your own animations to showcase your skills and creativity. Develop a diverse portfolio that demonstrates your range as an animator. Include both personal projects and collaborations, and continuously update your portfolio as you progress.

Connect with other animators, industry professionals, and mentors to expand your network. Attend animation events, conferences, and online forums to meet like-minded individuals, gain insights, and discover opportunities. Networking can open doors to job prospects, collaborations, and valuable advice.

Gaining experience should be the first priority if you want to succeed in the long run: You can gain experience by offering free animation work in exchange for the social platform shout out or to get the paid work flowing. This way you can enhance your social network and you can show clients that you provide quality services. You can do internship in animation studio as it will help you gain hands on experience and you can also learn advance animation from senior animators. This can be a ground to play and show your talent to the employers and to the industry. Work on your personal project to stay in practice. Personal projects can help you showcase your versatility and creativity which you can’t often show with your corporate projects.

Seek out internships, freelance projects, or entry-level positions to gain practical experience in the animation industry. Even if the opportunities are unpaid or low-paying initially, the experience you gain can be invaluable for building your skills and credibility.

Stay updated with the latest trends, technologies, and developments in the animation field. Follow industry news, subscribe to animation blogs or podcasts, and participate in online communities to stay informed and inspired. Continuously learning and adapting to changes will help you remain competitive in the dynamic animation industry.

Consider animation as not a conventional type of career choice and only opt for it if you love it enough, it should only thrive from passion but not to just do my job attitude because it requires an individual to always keep learning and becoming better versions of themselves, with everyday new challenges coming in which might lead lead to unlearning everything which was important at one point of time but now is not as relevant and you need to get back to square 1 and learn new technologies.