How To Become an Animator in 2026: Skills, Courses, Salaries
Do you aspire to become an animator and begin working as an animator in 2026? In that case, this blog will make you a successful animator in the rising competition.
The most frequent query among people intending to enter into the animation career is- How To Become an Animator? Being creative is the first eligibility requirement that one must pass to get an opportunity to become an animator. That is the case; acquiring the skills of animation becomes a second priority when you are set to enter the animation industry. Being creative is not an element of skin that is possible to be brought to your skin by watching a video or reading a book: it is a natural element.
Suppose you are fancy enough and could be a great painter at school. This blog is going to talk about the career direction in case you want to become an animator, and then how this career direction can assist you in venturing into the field of animation with the right skills.
What is an Animator?
An animator is a professional who designs and controls images in a way that they give movements upon combining them. Depending on their animation experience and the software they master in terms of animation, the animators can operate in other areas.
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People have a misperception that taking on the career of an animator will only bring chances such as cartoons produced on television to entertain children, and a few other movies, such as Kung Fu Panda and Finding Nemo. Skills in animation can aid a person in designing content for live-action movies, TV shows, advertisements, and appealing and lively graphics of websites.
Must Read: How Japanese Anime Has Influenced Global Animation Trends?
What are the skills required to become an Animator?
It is not enough to be a pro in the animation world and possess a lot of imagination. The following is a list of significant animation skills.
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1. Creativity & Imagination
Animation is the art of the imagination, from the concept of the characters to the creation of fantasy worlds.
2. Drawing and Visualization skills
Good skills in drawing are an advantage to 3D animators in cases where they intend to make beautiful characters and scenes.
3. Knowledge of Dynamics and Time
In order to achieve a realistic movement and human flow to an animated character, one must learn the laws of physics, timing, and instinctive movements.
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Industry essential software, including Adobe After Effects, can include Blender, Autodesk Maya, and Toon Boom Harmony.
5. Storytelling, Interpretation of a Script
The ability to express emotions, plots, and characters with the help of motion is the most significant thing to be able to create the work of animation and make it effective.
6. Teamwork & Communication
In most cases, animation projects are done by a huge number of people, including editors, sound designers, and directors.
What are the Various Types of Animation Courses?
This is important because students will know the various types and levels of animation degrees and which one suits their career and education level before choosing the program to undertake. It is important to acknowledge these differences so that the students can choose a course that allows them to follow their creative inclinations and technical life goals.
The degrees of animation described below are the key types of animation, and their differences as to their focus and coursework should be clear as well.
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Animation:
This is a degree that places an accent on creativity, critical thinking, and artistic ability in a liberal arts program. The coursework comprises animation principles, storytelling, visual language, and contextual studies, which give a general background in animation theory and history.
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Animation
This course is focused on practical training and it encompasses both conventional and digital animation. In the course of learning to perform 2D and 3D animation, students use real-world projects like character designing and storyboarding.
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Animation or Film and Television (Animation Concentration)
This degree is focused on the technical and production aspects of animation, including the combination of artistic ideas with the coursework in computer graphics, visual effects, and animation software. It frequently incorporates online effects and motion learning.
Master of Science (MSc.) in Animation
This degree is based on advanced study in theory and conceptual practice, which puts emphasis on research and critical analysis and polishing of personal artistic vision, often resulting in research-based or experimental work.
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Animation
The terminal degree is known as Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Animation, and it is a degree of advanced art practice and innovation. It is a combination of research, experimentation and studio work in fields such as experimental animation and interactive media which then culminates to a thesis project.
Specialized/Hybrid Animation Degrees
Hybrid programs are those Animation programs that merge animation with other associated programs like illustration or graphic design. Coursework is often associated with digital illustration, design software, and visual storytelling in exploring the intersection between animation and other visual arts.
Accelerated programs are available to students who are interested in low-track options, which can both cover these core degree options and take an extensive amount of time.
What are the Animation Salaries in India?
In the table below, you will have a brief understanding of the various careers in animation and the salaries they can provide:
| Animation Career | Average Salary (Per Annum) in India |
| 2D Animator | ₹3,00,000 – ₹6,00,000 |
| 3D Animator | ₹4,00,000 – ₹8,00,000 |
| VFX Artist | ₹3,50,000 – ₹7,00,000 |
| Motion Graphics Designer | ₹4,00,000 – ₹7,00,000 |
| Storyboard Artist | ₹4,00,000 – ₹7,00,000 |
| Character Designer | ₹3,50,000 – ₹6,50,000 |
| Game Artist | ₹4,00,000 – ₹8,00,000 |
| 3D Modeler | ₹4,50,000 – ₹8,00,000 |
| Concept Artist | ₹5,00,000 – ₹9,00,000 |
| Visual Effects Supervisor | ₹8,00,000 – ₹15,00,000 |
| Animation Director | ₹10,00,000 – ₹20,00,000 |
The Future of an aspiring animator
Animation is not merely a profession, but it is also a living thing or breathing life into the imagination. The answer to, Is animation a good career? is a simple yes, provided you happen to be a student, and you are not sure.
The demand for talented animators in media and gaming, as well as in educational and AR, has grown extremely quickly. The combination of the right training, tools, and a mentor will allow you to transform your passion in the field of animation into good practice.
You do not want to work in a Disney-like animation studio; you have a career plan to design graphics for futuristic apps, then enrollment in the most selected animation course after 12th will be your first step to your career aim.
Research into other related training programs (e.g., the Bachelor’s in Animation and Digital Arts) to acquire the knowledge and experience that it takes to succeed in the rather competitive world of design.
Must Read: Top 10 Animated Films Every Aspiring Animator Should Watch
How To Become an Animator FAQs
1. Is there a demand for animation jobs in India?
The industry of VFX, OTT, and AR is definitely skyrocketing, and therefore, people demand animation work in other locations around the country.
2. How much is the pay for an animation job in India?
Entry-level professionals receive between 3-5 LPA as starting salaries, and experienced animators receive between 10-20 LPA and more, depending on the specialization and location.
3. What is the reason to take an animation course after 12th?
The program commences with viable and inventive expertise and thus prepares the path to work in the sector of digital media, entertainment, and technology.
4. Which types of software are taught in animation classes?
Industry-standard animation software such as Adobe Animate, Maya, Blender, ZBrush, and After Effects programs are also taught in such animation courses. AAFT Noida and Raipur institute uses the latest animation softwares to give exposure to their students.
5. What are the requirements that one needs to join these animation courses?
Basic sketching and drawing, creativity, good observation and communication skills are skills that the students must possess in order to be accepted into such courses. Opt for AAFT Noida or Raipur institute to join the best animation courses.
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