<p>Hello everyone. I need some help...I'm struggling with my major...I'd first decided I'll go for animation, but I found out I don't want too much to do with softwares. I guess I'm a more conceptual person that I love jobs like character design, storyboard, and scene design. If I could, I'd like to work for animation studio. Please give me some advice! Is animation the right major for me?</p>
<p>I think that if you’re like me and enjoy both storytelling and drawing, animation is a valid option. </p>
<p>However, I have quickly learned that the animation world is very competitive. You can’t just get a BA in animation and expect a job at Disney or Pixar or the like.</p>
<p>I know a few blogs that might be of interest. If you want I can send a PM with the links.</p>
<p>oh sure, thanks a lot! I wonder what kind of animation were you major on? 3d or 2d?</p>
<p>Oh, no no. I’m not an animation major. I haven’t even started college yet ^-^’ I just happen to know these things because when I research, I do my research.</p>
<p>Personally though, I prefer 2D, mostly because I’m a better drawer than I am a computer person.</p>
<p>I’m pretty much the same as you. Although the very first time I think of animation, I was thinking about 3d because 3d animations are so amazing and real, but I always has problems with softwares. I don’t know if you know something about illustration…I felt that illustration is very similar to character animation in some way. Does ilustration major provide the chance for jobs like character designer or storyboard artist?</p>
<p>According to the RISD Illustration major page: [Undergraduate</a> | Illustration | Academic Departments | RISD](<a href=“http://www.risd.edu/Academics/Illustration/Undergraduate/Overview/]Undergraduate”>http://www.risd.edu/Academics/Illustration/Undergraduate/Overview/)</p>
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<p>The main goal of an illustrator is to interpret another person’s work, whether for book covers, article pictures, or something else. An animator, in a similar sense, has to take cues from both the script and the director to properly animate a scene or character. There are the key differences that animators make more than one image (obviously), and that there isn’t as much personal voice in animation if you work for a studio. </p>
<p>However, I believe that the principles learned in illustration (posing, balance, perspective, foreshortening, etc.) can lend way to animation. A lot of art majors teach these principles, but some have more emphasis than others. I can imagine a drawing major transitioning to 2D animation while a graphic designer might have an easier time transitioning to 3D.</p>
<p>Computer animation is just that–drawing and animating with a computer. You don’t necessarily need to be able to program but you certainly need to love working with the computer 24/7 and have working knowledge of several major programs.</p>
<p>Illustration can lead you character design and/or story boarding. Be VERY aware that character design and story boarding are VERY competitive and are small departments within an animation studio. Studios expect a comprehensive resume/portfolio before hiring for those positions</p>
<p>Do you write? Story boarding isn’t only drawing–it’s creating the story.</p>
<p>Thank you guys! I think I could major in animation and take some other courses that are focus on art principles(if the courses are avaliable). That may give me more choices for career position.
I know to work for big studios is not that easy, but still, I can’t change what I loved.
Speaking of animation, gouf78, can you share some experiences about it? You sounded like you really know something.</p>