Animation director

Animation directors supervise and recruit multimedia artists. They are responsible for the quality of the animation, that the production is delivered on time and within budget.

The following job titles also refer to animation director:

animation process director
cartoon animation director
animation supervisor
animation technical director
technical animation supervisor
sequence animation director
animation design director
supervising animator
director of animation
mechanical animation director
animations director
film animation director
director of animations
character animation director

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as animation director. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Animation director is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to animation director.

special effects artist
animator
animation layout artist
video and motion picture editor
graphic designer

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of animation director. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of animation director with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of animation director.

Graphic design: The techniques to create a visual representation of ideas and messages.
Motion graphics: The techniques and software for creating the illusion of motion such as keyframing, Adobe After Effects, and Nuke.
Computer equipment: The offered computers, computer peripheral equipment and software products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.
Ict software specifications: The characteristics, use and operations of various software products such as computer programmes and application software.
Multimedia systems: The methods, procedures and techniques pertaining to the operation of multimedia systems, usually a combination of software and hardware, presenting various types of media such as video and audio.

These skills are necessary for the role of animation director.

Manage technical resources stock: Manage and monitor technical resources stock to ensure that production demands and deadlines can be met at all times.
Follow work schedule: Manage the sequence of activities in order to deliver completed work on agreed deadlines by following a work schedule.
Manage budgets: Plan, monitor and report on the budget.
Follow a brief: Interpret and meet requirements and expectations, as discussed and agreed upon with the customers.
Manage staff: Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and measure how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.
Adapt to type of media: Adapt to different types of media such as television, movies, commercials, and others. Adapt work to type of media, scale of production, budget, genres within type of media, and others.
Finish project within budget: Make sure to stay within budget. Adapt work and materials to budget.
Analyse the need for technical resources: Define and make a list of the required resources and equipment based on the technical needs of the production.
Hire new personnel: Hire new personnel for a company or organisation payroll via a prepared set of procedures. Make staffing decisions and direct selection co-workers.
Perform project management: Manage and plan various resources, such as human resources, budget, deadline, results, and quality necessary for a specific project, and monitor the project’s progress in order to achieve a specific goal within a set time and budget.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of animation director. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Adobe photoshop: The computer program Adobe Photoshop is a graphical ICT tool which enables digital editing and composition of graphics to generate both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics. It is developed by the software company Adobe.
Motion capture: The process and techniques for capturing the movement of human actors in order to create and animate digital characters that look and move as humanly as possible.
Adobe illustrator: The computer program Adobe Illustrator CC is a graphical ICT tool which enables digital editing and composition of graphics to generate both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics. It is developed by the software company Adobe.
Digital compositing: The process and software for digitally assembling multiple images to make one, final image.
Gimp (graphics editor software): The computer program GIMP is a graphical ICT tool which enables digital editing and composition of graphics to generate both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics. It is developed by The GIMP Development Team.
3d lighting: The arrangement or digital effect which simulates lighting in a 3D environment.
Sketchbook pro: The computer program SketchBook Pro is a graphical ICT tool which enables digital editing and composition of graphics to generate both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics. It is developed by the software company Autodesk.
Microsoft visio: The computer program Microsoft Visio is a graphical ICT tool which enables digital editing and composition of graphics to generate both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics. It is developed by the software company Microsoft.
Graphics editor software: The field of graphical ICT tools which enable digital editing and composition of graphics, such as GIMP, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, to develop both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics.
Synfig: The computer program Synfig is a graphical ICT tool which enables digital editing and composition of graphics to generate both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics. It is developed by Robert Quattlebaum.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of animation director. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Create 3d environments: Develop a computer-generated 3D representation of a setting such as simulated environment, where the users interact.
Apply 3d imaging techniques: Implement a variety of techniques such as digital sculpting, curve modelling and 3D scanning to create, edit, preserve and use 3D images, such as point clouds, 3D vector graphic and 3D surface shapes.
Consult with production director: Consult with the director, producer and clients throughout the production and post-production process.
Create 3d characters: Develop 3D models by transforming and digitising previously designed characters using specialised 3D tools.
Manage contracts: Negotiate the terms, conditions, costs and other specifications of a contract while making sure they comply with legal requirements and are legally enforceable. Oversee the execution of the contract, agree on and document any changes.
Analyse a script: Break down a script by analysing the dramaturgy, form, themes and structure of a script. Conduct relevant research if necessary.
Edit digital moving images: Use specialised software to edit video images for use in an artistic production.
Study relationships between characters: Study characters in scripts and their relationships to each other.
Manage portfolio: Maintain a personal portfolio by selecting your best photos or work and regularly adding new ones in order to show your professional skills and development.
Create 2d painting: Produce a drawing by using a range of digital tools.
Render 3d images: Use specialised tools to convert 3D wire frame models into 2D images with 3D photorealistic effects or non-photorealistic rendering on a computer.
Create moving images: Create and develop two-dimensional and three-dimensional images in motion and animations.
Develop animations: Design and develop visual animations using creativity and computer skills. Make objects or characters appear lifelike by manipulating light, colour, texture, shadow, and transparency, or manipulating static images to give the illusion of motion.
Design graphics: Apply a variety of visual techniques in order to design graphic material. Combine graphical elements to communicate concepts and ideas.
Operate 3d computer graphics software: Use graphical ICT tools, such as Autodesk Maya, Blender which enable digital editing, modelling, rendering and composition of graphics. These tools are based in mathematical representation of three-dimensional objects.

2166 – Graphic and multimedia designers

 

 

---

 

 

References

1. Animation director – ESCO