Task 2

CAREERS IN THE ANIMATION INDUSTRY

A concept artist is an individual who develops and designs an idea for an item, character, or environment. This line of work is the foundation of film, animation, and video game production, as it shapes the final product. This career appeals to one as its the very essence of a narrative and allows creative reign over one's designs. It's flexible and innovative, lacking any restraint as one is given a loose prompt by a client to begin brainstorming.

Studying a relevant degree, such as animation, graphic design, illustration, or digital art, will often spark interest from employers. A visionary and captivating portfolio showcasing a vast array of one's ability to create and design may be the sole reason an individual is hired, however the majority of employers and corporations require the candidate to have a minimum of an undergraduate degree.

These concepts start by liaising with one's employer or client regarding the project, researching concept subjects, styles, and genres, creating key designs from a written idea, and presenting a series of drafts of the concepts for approval. Concept artists may assist in marketing materials and assets, using traditional and digital approaches such as watercolor, sketching, and Photoshop.

Professional development opportunities will differ depending on the area one works in. Most concept artists start in an entry-level creative position and can be promoted fairly quickly, often within a year, if one puts in effort. Concept artists may move into an area of pre- or post-production to expand their skills and career options. Alternatively, one could progress by seeking lead/senior/principal roles, which include project management, scoping, and mentoring duties.

EXAMPLES OF CONCEPT ART IN FAMOUS MEDIA

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, 2023

Concept art usually begins with rough ideas of main characters, such as the protagonist, deuteragonist, and villains. Then, environments come in sketches and messy coloring to find an acceptable approach. Artists may draw the characters within their developing scenes to provide a sense of cohesion and immersion.

In contrast to Across the Spider-Verse, this film has a more light, naturalistic feel towards it. The colors are not as bright or glaring, and instead of being digitalised, Howl's Moving Castle is built upon watercolor and poster paints.

Howl's Moving Castle, 2005

Character designers visualize and create the look of individual characters, working from descriptions given to them by their client. These brief summaries may include notes on a character's personality as well as their physical traits. They would create characters for mediums such as films, TV, and video games.

They often first develop the silhouette and basic shape- a large, imposing warrior would be created with bulky squares, whilst an elegant ballerina would have soft flicks of ink to present fluidity. Then, several versions of a character would be distributed before their employer would approve of a final design. Once a decision has occurred and feedback has been considered, character designers will demonstrate the look of a character from different angles and dive into their details.

Character designers can be promoted to a leadership role if within the industry for long enough, such as a creative director. People who have dipped into this career may also go on to work for larger and reputable companies.

One finds that the work of a character designer is intriguing and exciting. I find it in my free time to explore character creation and molding my own hero, villain, or a person in between. There are countless opportunities when designing a character, as it can be different species, cultures, worlds and fantasies the character is set within.

To be hired, it's similar to a concept artist. A compelling portfolio which showcases your ability to create charismatic and sufficient characters will do the trick.

Present your passion in character designing by developing your style in your free time.

However, it's always a benefit to pursue a relevant degree, such as illustration, art, or graphic design. Graduate programs involve advanced study which will further hone your skill with professional software.

Networking with professionals by attending workshops and events will give you an opportunity to experience your future career.

EXAMPLES OF CHARACTER DESIGN IN FAMOUS MEDIA

The first design is usually never the final product, so there are always some fun milestones of your favourite characters. For example, Kiki initially had long, blonde hair before being brunette!

Kiki's Delivery Service, 1989

DREAM COMPANIES TO WORK FOR

Studio Ghibli

I've always found Miyazaki's and his co-worker's creations to be absolutely wonderful. The soft yet lively tradition of hand-drawn animation feels magical and natural. I find their ability to world build and create impressive environments respectable. I personally love the watercolor implemented within the process and designing, as its one of my favorite mediums alongside oil painting.

The lush and traditional conditions the studio provides have compelled me to continue my pursuit of being part of such a fantastic industry. I try to nick the surreal, detailed, and airy attributes and implement it into my own work.

Lord Miller Productions

A recent fascination concerning Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, directors of The Lego Movie, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and their recent success, both Spider-Verse movies has developed. Their strange, all over the place films are comedic yet tragically down-to-earth at times. They're able to create a smooth balance between liveliness that is memorably warm, and a cruel shift to soul-crushing and realistic conflict.

Their Spider-Verse movies are especially spectacular, as it brings a fresh perspective to the Spider-Man franchise. With amazing visuals and a breathtaking soundtrack, both films are one of my favorite films of all time. The diversity between each character inspires me to provide my own characters with the same treatment.

Page updated

Report abuse