You're in the animation industry. How can you keep up with ever-changing technology?

What I have learned over my 30 year animation career, is you simply can't learn every new software that comes out. Most of the software use very similar workflows as their competition. If you have a reasonably good understanding of a 2d graphics software like Photoshop or Toon Boom Storyboard, you can usually adapt that knowledge to other 2D Graphics software if the production pipeline requires it. The same goes for a lot of 3D programs such as Maya, 3D max and Blender- the workflow is pretty similar in each of these. And the same also goes for editing software- That's not to say you shouldn't be curious about new software developments, but stressing over learning each new software that comes out, will only hamper your creative workflow

Keep tracking the latest software updates! Because in 3D Animation we are dependent upon a set of tools! Change is constant! So, don’t be afraid of adapting new techniques and technologies. Absorb them and use them as a tool to survive in the ever changing animation industry. Keep rocking!

Stay ahead in animation by learnning new software. Explore various programs for modeling, rigging, and editing to enhance creativity. Keep up with industry trends through online tutorials and courses for continuous skill improvement.

To stay current in the animation industry, regularly attend workshops, webinars, and conferences to learn about new technologies. Follow industry blogs and forums for the latest updates. Collaborate with colleagues to share knowledge and experiences. Experiment with new software and techniques to adapt to changing technology trends.

The animation industry's evolution is both exhilarating and challenging. Yet, by embracing adaptability, fostering collaboration, nurturing curiosity, and championing continuous improvement, we not only keep pace with technological advancements but also shape the future of animation itself. Let's embark on this journey together, poised to transform challenges into opportunities and innovation into excellence.

1. Identify Your Goals: Determine the specific software you want to learn. Is it a 3D modeling tool, a compositing software, or a specialized animation program? Understand why you want to learn it. Are you aiming to improve your workflow, create specific effects, or expand your skill set? 2. Choose the Right Software: Research different animation software options. Consider factors like your budget, platform compatibility (Windows, macOS, Linux), and the type of animation you want to create. Some popular animation software includes: Blender: A powerful open-source 3D modeling and animation tool. Adobe After Effects: Great for motion graphics and compositing. Toon Boom Harmony: Ideal for 2D animation and storyboarding.

Thinking outside the box and experimenting is great, but challenging for those who like to play it safe. Experiments are always tricky, because the results might be unpredictable, but if we never try, we'll never know.

Explore different animation techniques, styles, and workflows to expand your skill set and stay current with industry trends. Experimenting with new techniques allows you to discover innovative approaches and refine your animation skills, keeping your work fresh and engaging.

Experimenting with new techniques is scary, but exactly then you will know you are doing it right. The biggest success stories have the most fails behind. Experiment with new things even though you fail. It's impossible not to learn anything and then you will no longer start from scratch, you will start from experience. Personally, I have tried new techniques in animation since 2020 and only now I can say that I am able to do something with my knowledge and that is just because I experimented and took a risk.

How about DON’T follow industry trends, and concentrate on doing what feels true to your own creative practice and the fundamentals of animation as an art from? Trends come and go, software comes and goes, but the core fundamentals of your practice stay the same. Understanding movement, film language, visual storytelling and so on will give you the essential foundation to build from when using any kind of technology. Of course new technology creates new possibilities, so keeping an awareness of the creative possibilities is important, but I believe that chasing trends and technology ultimately leads to work that looks impressive on the surface, but is ultimately shallow.

Definitely look at what is happening with Unreal Engine. It's no longer just inside the gaming industry as VFX and Animation look for better tools to complete their projects. It's better to dig in online and start learning as much as possible and educating yourself as time and energy permit. No one is expecting 'expert' level status or experience but being well-read and informed places you above others on the team who haven't invested the time.

Following industry trends and seeing the work of other animators can be very effective, watch the latest films and commercials that showcase the best animation, attend webinars and festivals that showcase innovation.

Keep a pulse on industry trends, developments, and emerging technologies in animation. Follow industry blogs, forums, and social media channels to stay informed about new techniques, software updates, and creative trends. Understanding current trends can inspire new ideas and help you stay competitive in the animation industry.

Continuous research in which our case would be watching a lot of animation content which is fun also find interesting ways to keep yourself motivated and updated with any new technologies or software's and find fun projects to learn new art styles.

Connect with fellow animators, industry professionals, and experts through networking events, conferences, and online communities. Engaging with other animators allows you to exchange ideas, share experiences, and learn from each other's insights and expertise. Building a strong network can provide valuable support, opportunities for collaboration, and access to resources in the animation industry.

In today's world, some people work and some people research about work. Both together can achieve success in a win-win situation. Today, the acquisition of academic knowledge should be looked at from a perspective beyond the past.

Commit to continuous learning and skill development to stay ahead in the animation industry. Dedicate time to practice your craft regularly and challenge yourself with new projects and creative endeavors. Invest in professional development opportunities, such as workshops, courses, and certifications, to enhance your skills and knowledge in animation.

I love watching more experienced folk make YouTube videos in the new software I want to learn. It helps give you somewhere to start and makes the task less daunting

I think that the largest difficult about tech careers is how fast the things change everyday so is very important keep our knowledge and our skills upgraded to keep safe us in the job market. It's important consume content online, watch videos, go to reference websites, all that things help us as keep keen our creativity because past the time the creativity is getting lost if us don't training our brain. Have the portflio updated is a hard target for a lot of people but it's so necessary, because it keep us prepared for any adversiting of job market and allows us that to do the things with calm and knowledge before a layoff, for example.

Technology changes so fast today. Things used to move much slower. People need to incrementally stay in touch with change. This can be taking a day or two off every quarter for seminars or attending them throughout the workday. I've seen a few colleagues take a mini-sabbatical to tackle projects and educate themselves so they are a better leader/manager for their teams and their employer.

We all know that math in animation is fundamental. My math teacher always told me that if I do not practice math, I will forget it and only now I understand those words. Keep practicing animation, whether it is technical or not, just work on it. In time, you will improve your eye, you'll know how to apply the 13 principles of animation (there are 12, but weight should be added as well) to make an awesome final product. And this does not apply to principles of animation only. Practice makes it better. You should see my first animations....

Embrace a growth mindset and remain adaptable to change in the ever-evolving landscape of animation technology. Be proactive in seeking out learning opportunities and staying updated on industry developments. Remember to prioritize creativity, passion, and perseverance in your journey as an animator, as these qualities are essential for success in the dynamic field of animation.

I always like to consider if it is actually always the most important thing to "keep up" with everything that is going on in technology these days. The amount of new tools and digital technologies, especially in the creative realm, has been quite overwhelming in recent years - while the basic skills of the craft itself have not changed fundamentally. I keep repeating this within the community: Tools never define your work(flow). They merely enhance it, serve as a means of transporting your idea to where you want it to go. This might sound overly "romantic", but it is an important thing to consider. On the other hand, it is definitely helpful to at least stay up to date with what is going on and what's hot and new - keep a balance.

Have you heard of the 20% Rule? The concept that to stay on top of things, people and companies need to find 15-20% of their week focused on innovation, creative ideas and skills development otherwise they fall behind. 3M, Google and many other companies have embraced this practice. Some save it for a certain time block like several hours on a Friday, while others put 1 hour per day into their calendar to manage it.

I think one of the most forgotten skill/idea is to be the person who invents the Trend/tool that achieves something you think you or the others don't have it, or never being invented to fill the void of creative gap, when you embrace this mindset, at least you'll understand more about your creative ability to imagine or invent, which naturally makes you ahead of others.