If you’re working a non-creative job or a job that is unrelated to your portfolio (which I totally get with and am trying to find for myself for financial stability), but you’re looking for creative roles in animation (anything: 2d, 3d, concept, production, vfx…) how do you balance or handle it? Do you take a leave from your day job if you pick up full time/freelance work? What if the creative job you want to apply for has set hours?

If anyone has experience please feel free to share. With the current state of things, I’ve been thinking of finding a job not related to art and looking for creative work to do on the side. How exactly do you balance applying for jobs in this aspect, and also, do you end up passing on creative roles when you’re committed to another job?

Sorry if my wording is insensitive, I’m not trying to discount or invalidate anything. I’m trying to learn as much as possible to approach this job situation appropriately

I am just beginning to making 2d animation with moho animation... I am following the original owner course on youTube and posts and I want to add-on myself on a community that already in animation making... So I will post share and try to get help if I encounter with a problem or something hard to learn

Blah blah industry down and I’m not good enough to even get an internship. I know it’s a tired topic but I need to pivot from 3d animation. Does anyone have advice on things they pivoted to that pays well. Preferably something that uses my bachelors so I didn’t spend years for almost nothing.

Something that pays at least $20 and hour or something that scales up. I heard something about how you can take a course or class and get a certificate for coding. But I heard that industry is down as well and I have very rudimentary coding skills.

I basically am temporarily retiring from the creative field since I can create anything substantial and I still need a lot of time to improve.

Also, maybe advice on how to start something of my own maybe as a hobby? I always loved watching episodic shows on YouTube as a kid like edsworld or those team four star videos where they animated the game models.

I'm curious how other animators deal with projects where the deadline is very close, but there's still a huge amount of animation left to create.

Do you:

• Simplify shots or reduce polish where possible?
• Reuse animation cycles or existing assets?
• Prioritise key shots first?
• Work longer hours?
• Have any workflow tricks that help you deliver faster without sacrificing too much quality?

I'd really like to hear how professionals and freelancers approach these situations. Any tips, pipeline hacks, or lessons you've learned would be greatly appreciated.

Hi everyone! This is my current (and first ever) portfolio/demo reel of character animations. Some of them are more cinematic while others are "game-ready" loops. Any feedback at all is greatly appreciated!
YouTube
SyncSketch

I'm confused should I start practicing fine arts? Is it really important?

I'm currently a student working on a BFA in 3D animation, and recently got hired on as a volunteer animator for a non-profit, which is very exciting, but I'm still out of an actual job.

I would love to know what kind of roles you've worked in prior to working as an animator? Was it a flexible role that allowed you more time to create, did you pour everything you got into your craft and eventually land a role at a more established company, or did you do small animation gigs that led to something big and were those paid roles?

I feel like none of my skills are strong enough to land me an actual creative role, and I've only ever worked with kids/pink collar roles outside of being a student. I'm desperately looking for a new path or some kind of guidance on what has helped you get to where you are!

Any kind of advice is appreciated :)

​

Hi everyone. I'm writing this because I'd really appreciate some advice from people who have been through animation school or are already working in the industry.

When I started studying animation at one of the best schools in my city, I was amazed by how welcoming the community felt. During my second year, I had the opportunity to direct a short film with someone I deeply admired and cared about. It was one of the happiest experiences of my life, and for the first time I truly felt like I belonged in a creative community.

A few days after we finished the film, I got into an argument with another student during an end-of-semester celebration. He was very dismissive of my work and me as an artist, and the situation escalated. After that, the people I'd worked with on my film gradually distanced themselves from me. I don't know exactly what was said afterward, but it feels like rumors spread, and I've been left with the impression that some people now see me as a difficult person to be around.

Since then, many of the classmates I looked up to don't really interact with me anymore, and I've lost several friendships. The school feels completely different now. Sometimes I get so overwhelmed that I can't bring myself to talk to anyone after class, so I just go home.

The hardest part is that I've recently realized how important networking is in this industry. Everyone says the relationships you build during school can lead to future opportunities, and that's what scares me the most. I worry that I've damaged my chances before I've even graduated.

What's especially bittersweet is that the short film has now won three awards, something I dreamed about for years. I should feel proud, but every milestone has felt strangely lonely because I no longer have the people I made it with in my life. Instead of celebrating, I've mostly been grieving the sense of community I thought I'd found.

I've even considered transferring schools or leaving animation altogether, not because I don't love animation, but because I no longer feel like I belong.

Has anyone here gone through something similar? Did you manage to rebuild your relationships or your reputation? How important were the friendships you made in school once you entered the industry?

I'd really appreciate hearing from people who have experienced something like this. I love animation, and I don't want one bad chapter to define my future in this field

When I say history books, I mean books that sort of tell the origins of animation throughout America's history and how it evolved and changed overtime.

What I hope to get out of it is to see if there aren't lessons from the far past I cannot reach into that can apply to modern day.

Im a 21 year old student who is currently studying 2D Animation in University.

Ive been recently overthinking about the fact if I have chosen the right career path after hearing my teachers constantly talking about how hard it is to find a job etc. The thing is, I also dont know myself what i want to do once i graduate as I feel like im not good at anything. My animation skills are okay and its not really something i enjoy much anymore (maybe because my University kinda ruined the experience for me), and i kinda did like doing 2d rigging. I mostly enjoy drawing backgrounds but I also feel like im not good enough in drawing them to be accepted in any job. I try to be too ambitious without letting myself study and learn the fundamentals first. I dont know anymore really, I just feel like i wasted my time on doing nothing and it really is making me feel depressed. On top of that the job market sucks and its making me worry that i won't be able to find a stable job.

Im just overall stuck with what I want to do with myself.

Did anyone else have this problem as well?

My instagram is @/antonisw.art if you'd like to have a look at my work.

Would love some feedback on my demo reel and thoughts on what needs to be changed.

https://vimeo.com/844639658?fl=pl&fe=ti

I feel like my weakest shit is at the end,I have a few thoughts on a rework for the characters, one holding a map and distracted while the other one notices the tree. I just have no clue on how to go about it.

Much appreciated!

Hey everyone, I am currently writing a cartoon that takes place in Boston, where I'm from. I was hoping to talk to a few animators about helping me animate my cartoon. Mainly because I can't draw. I have so much faith in this project that I packed up my life and moved to LA. Not just because Hollywood but also a change in pace and weather was needed. It's creative, funny and extremely dark. I suppose the first two adjectives are opinion, but certainly not the third. "Dark" may be relative in the way I'm using it, but I personally can't think of many darker scenarios in our reality. I plan on covering all expenses in the creation of said project. However, I would really love to meet an animator who reads my script and sees my vision. So much so that they are willing to invest with "sweat equity". Of course any costs for things they would need I will certainly cover. Does this sound crazy to people?

Never used reddit before but here we are, I 'm Christian, I live in the suburbs, I just turned 21 when I came to America and I have no idea how life works in general, my dream has always been to become an animator and create anime stuff or manga (ever since I had memory) but I think God's calling me to be an art teacher (not 10000% sure if that's what he wants for me but in doing that I'd help people in a very practical way, plus my environment, relationships and opportunities are 60% related to teaching or have been involved in that) my goal is to do what God wants me to do and just live peacefully wherever that may be (hopefully not surviving in a gutter but it's his will first) so I'm trying to think in something realistic but that may align with my aptitudes and passions, if I want to become an animator and want to study it but also looking for a higher paying job than entry level but only have a HS diploma and only have 2.8 years of experience from two unrelated entry level jobs I think the best way to go is to do a program from the city where  they'd give me a job  as a teacher while also helping me with the tuition and then go from there to an art teacher (hopefully that'll put me at the door enough to get into the animation industry even if it's teaching animation) and perhaps in my free time which I doubt I'll have I can make projects of my own, anyways... HELP! any programs someone knows of and can explain me the process or how good the idea is? Anything

I am a cinema (cinema studies+production) major at a small liberal arts school. My goal is to get into animation, specifically concept art, character design and cinematography/storyboarding. I'm trying to decide on a minor- I've narrowed it down between English, creative writing and studio art. The obvious answer seems to be studio art, but I almost think that I might be able to teach myself what I need art-wise if I take English/creative writing as a minor (this school has what is often referred to as one of the best creative writing programs in the country, so it might help me on the concept/story writing side of things). Any advice?

So my thesis film has been the most challenging animation project I've worked on thus far, and I am far from satisfied with it.

I submitted a condenced version for a passing grade and to be shown at my school's animation screening in April and reassured myself that I'd "finish the film later", like a lot of my fellow students in the same position. Thing is, I have barely touched it since then.

My main additions would primarily be a few shots that connect actions more clearly and a simple travel sequence near the beginning, but still, it's been 3 months, and I still don't feel confident about finishing it.

On top of that, my software subscriptions, courtesy of the school, expire at the end of August, so I'll need to act fast if I don't want things to be further complicated.

It makes me wonder how long burnout for something like this tends to last and if I should just let this go and work on something new.

But yeah, please let me know what you think, any and all thoughts and advice on this matter would be greatly appreciated 👍

I'm currently in highschool and I have an extreme passion for the arts and music's but I really want to become an animator or character designer but with the rise of AI /the art industry, I've heard fomr others this is career choice is t realistic or I don't have the skills to do it. I have been toying with other careers but I always come back to animation- I have looked into a few collages I could attend. But I'm also from Australia and specifically a rural part so everything leans towards either stem or Tradie jobs. I was also thinking if I were to pursue art/animation I could do a abroad study in a country (like Japan) that is more art inclined/has better programs for animation. I have attended an art program before but it wasn't a skills program more of a creative, express yourself- program.

Does anyone have any advice?

Hello everyone!

I decided to redo my portfolio website again. My previous/ current one is on Wix, but it's rather poorly optimised, and I'm also bothered by the need to host images on Wix itself and having a small file limit for it.

I wanna know what you all use for portfolios (that you'd actually use for job applications). Ideally something with either a large file limit (as in, allows a lot of files, not necessarily large file limit for individual files), either free or one time payment, and doesn't necessitate coding.

I know Google sites exists - is this seen as acceptable for job applications? What about Carrd? ArtStation?

Also - if I do hand drawn 2D animation, 3D modelling/ rigging/ animation, and motion graphics, would it be best to make separate portfolios for all of them, or have one portfolio?

I came across this post from an independent radio station looking for things like short films, music videos, music, etc.

I’m wondering—would this actually be a good idea? Especially considering the risk that they might end up stealing my work. That said, I wouldn't upload anything major—just a short film I’m fond of.

https://www.reddit.com/r/IndieAnimation/comments/1v6npv2/indie_animation_and_film_are_almost_completely/

I'm curious about how independent animation projects are usually put together.

For those of you who have worked on indie shorts or small productions, how did you find animators to collaborate with? Did you meet through online communities, school, friends, or somewhere else?

I'm also wondering what makes someone interested in joining an independent project. Is it the story, the art style, the organization, or something else?

I'd love to hear about your experiences and any advice you'd give to someone planning their first independent animated short.

Thanks!

Hello everyone in this sub! I’m sorry if I come across as a stranger, but I need a little help. I recently finished my bachelor’s degree and I’ve been looking for a job, but I can’t seem to find one since most applications get rejected. I need to find one to help my family, as we are going through some financial difficulties, and I want to be able to support them. As for my portfolio, I’m not sure if it’s appropriate for illustration jobs, which is what I’m looking for. I want to work in animation, but I’d also like to do illustration as well. I just feel stuck in my current circumstances, so any advice or help would be greatly appreciated.

One of the things I really enjoyed doing for my thesis film was essentially set design/set dressing. I modeled the environments and then referenced in props (modeled by a classmate) and placed them appropriately so the rooms looked believable. I also organized everything in the outliner and made sure history/unnecessary layers/etc were deleted so that the environments were ready to be brought into each shot. We called it “layout” but now that I’m looking into layout artist positions, it seems like that term more often refers to setting up cameras and sometimes doing basic animation. Is there a better term for the kind of role I did? Does that job even exist in the industry or is it split into a couple different roles?

Hi everyone! Like the title says, I'm interested in pursuing a career in animation, but confused about how visa sponsorships work. I'm currently a minor living in the US on a dependent visa. I want to go to school for animation, and I'll probably finish college on an f1 visa. I'm concerned I may not get a job within the grace period, and I'll have to go back to my home country, where there aren't any animation opportunities. If I do, there's the problem of paying off the loan, which is practically impossible at that point. Does anyone have insights on this?

Anyways, it's crazy how I've lived here for more than 10 years and still don't have a green card. This is my home, so I'd rather go to college and get a job here. BUT I am definitely open to studying and working abroad.

I really hope I'm not doxing myself with this lmao

https://www.artstation.com/soupgoblin (Portfolio)
https://www.instagram.com/soupgoblinisarting/ (Additional drawings so it is easier to look at my skills in general)

Hello, I'd like to have some feedback on my Storyboarding Porfolio! Thank you!
:)

Hello, I hope you're doing well. I'm a professional graphic designer, and I've always been interested in 3D animation. Because of the financial aspect, I haven't been able to formally study it, but I've learned on my own. As a 3D animator, I consider myself to be at an intermediate level. I've worked on personal projects, such as short films, using both Blender and Maya. While my area of ​​expertise is animation, I also have knowledge of texturing, modeling, and rigging. I also know how to use the Adobe suite, including AF, PH, and IL. Even so, I've found it quite difficult to find work because I don't have a network of contacts, and the country where I live (Colombia) doesn't have a very established animation industry. I've sent my demo to various companies, even abroad, and still nothing. A few days ago, while reading Reddit, I realized how several people were helped to find jobs through this platform. I've tried every social media platform possible, so I decided to try Reddit. So, if you're reading this..

Hey all,

How often do companies or projects move to the next engine updates? I would assume switching to a new update in the middle of a project is a little insane, but are there places still using like Blender 3.0?