Women in Animation

The animation industry is? overflowed with creative people at every corner and clearly it is an industry where we witnessed almost no gender biases. It has been proven that women are extremely creative and have a greater sense of aesthetics than men.?

No I am not comparing and there is legit no comparison but women have given significant contributions in the animation industry. However it has been observed that men have got more recognition in the field as they have always made it to the front hand positions. But let me tell you the truth that there have been several women who have strived for quality work in this industry.?

I must acknowledge that the industry has always been welcoming for everyone regardless of any gender or any other aspect for that matter. Here are “Women” animators that have made an impact on the industry and expanded the boundaries of creativity while contributing to the wheels moving faster in the animation industry.

1. Niki Yang

Yang is a highly versatile and skilled animator, having worked in a variety of roles, including storyboard artist, writer, voice artist, and supervising director. This makes her a true renaissance woman in the field of animation. We can say that she is a master of many trades in the animation industry. This diversity of skills allows her to make significant contributions to animation projects at every stage of the production process. She is indeed a valuable asset to the animation industry, and her work has helped to create some of the most popular and beloved animated shows and films of recent years.

2. Shilpa Ranade

Shilpa Ranade is a renowned name in the Indian animation industry. She is responsible for many films that have been acknowledged by International film platforms and other notable awards. Initially in her career she interned with Ram Mohan, a notable Indian animator. She also set the centre’s first degree course in animation at IIT Bombay in 2006.? Her contribution to the industry is also inclusive of illustrating books for some of the nation’s top publishers like Scholastic, Ekalavya Pratham and Karadi Tales.

3. Lindsey Olivares

Olivares is a rising star in the animation industry. She started her career with the film “ Madagascar 3: Europe’s most wanted” as a form of training. She holds a good grasp on the value of animation production and understands its ins and outs. She has been listed in the variety’s top 10 animators to watch in 2021. She works with sony pictures as a production designer and lead character designer on the animated films. She inspires other inspiring animators to keep exploring new ideas and add their own style of animation in their piece of work.

4. Domee Shi

At first Domee Shi was rejected by Pixar Studios, but she went on to become the first woman to direct a Pixar short film and a solo feature film in the studio's 36-year history. She started as a storyboarding intern at Pixar in 2011. She said the work was hard, but she stayed on as a staff artist and contributed to films like "Inside Out," "Incredibles 2," and "Toy Story 4."In 2018, Shi directed the Pixar short film "Bao," which won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. She then directed the Pixar feature film "Turning Red" in 2022, making her the first woman to solo direct a Pixar feature. HI's success is a testament to her talent and perseverance.

5. Emily Dean

Emily Dean can be described with just one word and that is “Passion”. She has been passionate about animation since she was 12 years old. Her dedication and hard work have paid off, as she now works with major studios like Warner Bros. and Sony Pictures Animation. She was also named one of Variety's 10 Animators to Watch in 2019.Dean is a talented and up-and-coming animator who is sure to do great things in the future. She is an inspiration to all aspiring animators, regardless of age or experience.

Female animators are breaking the glass ceiling and changing the animation game with their creative contributions. They are adding authenticity, improving old designs and concepts, and giving a voice to everyone who wants to become like them. Keep an open eye and continue honing your animation styles, and you too can be one of these powerhouse female animators.