Rigger (Game Characters)
Job Desription
Riggers are the people who create the characters and the character’s “skeletons”. Their goal is to make the character's body move like normal in a 3D space so that the animators can make the movement of the character. Basically, Rigger’s make the “skeleton” of the character which determines how a character moves.
Salary average: $30,000-$100,000
Occupational Outlook
There are job openings for this field and the field is growing as the need for 3D models increases.
Links to Learn More About This Career:
Educational Requirements:
A college degree isn't needed for being a rigger as long as the person has a decently sized portfolio. Some employers do require a bachelors in some sort of animation/3D rigging/media arts category.
University of Kentucky
Address: Lexington, Kentucky
Website: https://www.uky.edu/
Information on the Major: https://finearts.uky.edu/savs/digital-media-design-bs
Northern Kentucky University
Address: Highland Heights, Kentucky
Website: https://www.nku.edu/
Information on the Major: https://nku.edu/academics/informatics/programs/undergraduate/dfx.html
Rochester Institute of Technology
Address: Rochester, New York
Website: https://www.rit.edu/
Information on the Major: https://www.rit.edu/study/3d-digital-design-bfa
Soft Skills, Characteristics, and/or Abilities Need For This Career:
Knowledge of Animation
Art
Collaboration
Coding
Knowledge of 3D programs
Software Knowledge Needed For This Career:
UNIX operating system
MEL
Maya
Motion Builder
3D Studio Max
XSI
C++
Java
Perl
Pros and Cons to Choosing This Career
Pros (Positives to this Career)
Can work from home
Can follow your passion
Can work in a multitude of online forms (animations, games, etc)
Cons (Negatives to this Career)
Not a whole lot of job stability
Huge Learning Curve
Requires external programs
Typical Working Conditions For This Career:
Riggers can work from home or in the office. They have to work with others to get feedback so that they can improve the 3D models. They will have to face deadlines to get the 3D model done.
Career Researched By: Ben Stumpf