AnimationMentor.com, an online character animation school created by animators for animators, today pointed out key findings from an animation industry survey that suggests a healthy animation workforce with a bright future. The school says it commissioned independent research firm Knowledge Wave Int’l to conduct the survey in order to get an insider’s view on industry trends, job titles, job satisfaction and salaries. ‘Behind the Characters: Professional Animator Job Satisfaction, Career Outlook and Salary Survey Report’ is based on the responses of more than 1,200 professional animators from more than a dozen countries who participated in the August 2008 survey. The complete report is available at www.animationmentor.com/report.
Of those surveyed, 59% of professional animators indicated that they enjoyed their work and are proud of the work they do. More than 80% reportedly plan to continue working in the field, and more than half would recommend a career in animation to friends and family. When it comes to money, animators are apparently also satisfied and optimistic. In 2007, more than half of the animators surveyed made $40,000 or less, and 35% percent earned between $40,000 and $80,000 annually. In 2008, the outlook brightened in terms of total earnings with less than 30% earning less than $40,000, and 51% of respondents earning between $40,000 and $80,000. The survey results also show a growth in the upper earnings ranges with 4% expecting to earn more than they did in 2007, and 9% expecting to earn more than $100,000
‘Most animators are following their passion in life, so it’s not a big surprise that it’s one of the occupations where people are the happiest,’ says Bobby Beck, CEO and co-founder of Animation Mentor. ‘Mentors and a strong community are the foundation of our animation school. The survey affirms the importance of this.’
The survey also looked at the top trends professional animators are seeing, and which have the potential to change the face of the job landscape. The top-three trends include the rise of motion-capture, outsourcing and cost-cutting, and unbelievably fast advances in technology impacting the way animation is created.
Animation Mentor exclusively teaches character animation in an online environment where students learn directly from professional animators from top studios including Disney Animation Studios, DreamWorks, Industrial Light & Magic, Pixar Animation Studios and Sony Pictures Imageworks. Classes maintain a mentor-to-student ratio of no more than 1-to-15 as students learn the art of animation within an interactive online classroom and under the close direction of mentors. Learn more at www.animationmentor.com.
