Further Education and Training

Requirements and job specification/ knowledge and skills

If you want it become an Animator full time you have to show that you can
turn still images in to a 3D graphic model using high tech computer
software, this requires a lot of imagination and creative skills in order to
get the model look right and realistic. For this job you will need to have a
very good understanding about different target audiences and what is
suitable as if you are
making a character for a
childrens program then
you will what the character
to suit the show and be
suitable for children. A
good skill to have in this
industry is artistic skills as
they are highly valued by
the employers as you are
helping with the designing
work for the characters.
What makes this job
suitable and appealing to many different people is design can be selftaught and you can take courses and degrees in art and graphics in order
to enhance your skills further, although having drawing and designing skill
will play a big part of within the job and what it includes but another key
part is having computer skills as this is how the drawings will be brought
to life.
Degrees
To do this role, you will need to:

have a high level of various craft skills combined with artistic ability

possess knowledge in the use of a wide range of materials

have good communication skills, keeping Supervisors or Production

Managers advised of progress or problems

be able to guide more junior members of the team

be able to take direction and accept delegated tasks willingly

be able to work without supervision and follow a brief

have good problem-solving skills

be methodical and thorough, keeping good records and log sheets

be able to deliver on schedule, working calmly and efficiently under

pressure

show respect for the procedures and requirements of a particular

studio or production

have knowledge of the requirements of the relevant health and

safety legislation and procedures

Skills Needed

A strong interest in art, design and technology

The ability to picture/imagine design in 3D

Good drawing and IT skills

The ability to read and understand plans and technical drawings

Practical skills to use tools

Attention to detail

A methodical, thorough and patient approach

Health and safety knowledge.

as well as this you need a minimum of 280-300 UCAS points to get on to a

course in this topic in order to further your education and skills with in this
area of work. To get an honors in model
making you can take the course in
Bournemouth University and this is a
three year course and this is full time.

3 Year Degree

Essential materials provided

Accredited by Creative Skillset

Optional Work placements

Agreed work experience at Foster & Partners

Internship opportunities at Aardman

International internships available

Purpose built studios and CAD suite

Studio based 3D Printing, 3D scanning, Laser Cutting and CNC.

To get on this course these are the qualifications you will need.

GCE A levels

Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

International Baccalaureate

BTEC Awards, Certificates, and Diplomas at level 3

BTEC Nationals at level 3

BTEC Extended Diploma

OCR National

NVQ at level 3

Level 3 of the Creative and Media 14 19 Diploma

Model Making Techniques

This course is only short and is part time as you will have a 5 day
intensive and in depth in a work shop in south east London. The course is
ran by David Neat who has 23 years of experience behind him in theatre,
film, 3D design, architecture and exhibitions. He is a Motley graduate, a
practicing sculptor, and Associate Lecturer at Wimbledon College of Art,
he has published his own book in 2008 that tells you all about model
making and the materials used in the process. Whilst taking part in this
course you will be using these materials:

constructing with wood, card and plastic

methods of casting

making model figures

techniques of soldering

simulating plants and trees

surface/texture treatments

paint finishes

this crash course in model making will cost

you 300.
Masters degree
Course description
This programme is enhanced by Surrey Business Schools excellent
industry connections, equipping you with the expertise to analyse data
and produce the in-depth information that leads to long-term
competitive advantages for businesses in a range of sectors.
Compulsory modules:
-

Data Analytics
Supply Chain and Logistics Management
Econometrics
Supply Chain Analytics

Compulsory supporting module:

- Quantitative Methods Induction Course
Optional modules:
-

Business Process Management

Informatics for Decision Making
Introduction to Marketing Analytics
Investment Analysis
Econometrics II
Foundations of Finance
Managing Decisions Implementation
Principles of Accounting

On this course it is taken up with 20 hours of lectures a week, the

students will be taught about the tools and materials in model making

and the reasons for each of them being used as well as being taught
many different techniques and skills that they can transfer in to their
work.
Foundation degree and work experience
This foundation degree is a BA (Hons) and offers students the chance to
work in some amazing places where they can learn and pick up skills as
well as put their own in to practise as
well as gain experience in this chosen
area of work. Here are some of the
places students have had work
placement:
Leavesdon film studios Warner
Bros All you need is kill starring Tom
Cruise. 5 students worked on exoskeleton suits for the film. due out in
2014
Elstree film studios Last days of Mars10 students for 2 week
placements each working on a lunar rover for the film
Robert Alsop and associates various prop work
Ariel theatre company, Beauty and the Beast http://www.arielct.co.uk/
Plunge productions various prop
work http://www.plungeproductions.com/
Shoreham and Southwick Rotary club Reindeer Sculpt for Santa
sleigh
Dream Think Speak. In the Beginning was the end a site
specific experience at Somerset
House http://www.dreamthinkspeak.com/news-article.asp?id=25

Armchair armoury- armour construction

Income and work skills/ attendance and punctuality

First you start with a hand drawn image that will then be scanned in to a
computer to create a 2D generated computer version, using software and
CGI that image then gets turned in to a 3D image that designers will then
use to create the models accurately. Once the models have been created
they can be used for filming, Aardman will do these steps to create
characters such as Wallace and Gromit. Whilst creating the models you
are responsible for the design and
model the creators will use, you
have to make sure that it is suitable
for the target audience and that it
suits the target audience you are
aiming for. The standard amount
that an animator will get is about
12,000 a year and will work around
35 40 hours a week, a more
experienced animator could earn up to 30,000 a year if they work for a
big successful company like Aardman. The way you approach the job
interview could mean the difference between getting the job and not as if
you dress smart and show you are enthusiastic towards the work you do
you will create a good impression on the interviewer, the way you
approach the job is also very important as you must know the dos and
donts within what you create as it has to be suitable for the target
audience and your attitude and behaviour within the work place must be
suitable as it could create problems and you could lose your place at that
company if you start to create problems in the workplace.

Education and training/work experience and software skills

To become an animator, you will need 5 GCSEs A* - C and you will have to
have drawing and designing skills as well as computer skills. You will be
taught how to use certain types of software that will help create the
models and make them 3D so the model makes can use them to make the

models and they can also be used for CGI effects, some software they use
are 3D Studio Max, Lightwave 3D and Motionbuilder. These skills can help
get more jobs in the future and it can also help you receive more money
for you work as it is giving
you more experience within
in that area of work, these is
a predicted increase in this
line of work between 2014
and 2020, meaning there is
more available and if you
take a course to help learn
more skills for this job then
there will be plenty of jobs
you could apply for. Whilst
working you need to act in
the correct was as you are responsible for a very big and key part to
creating the project, you need to be committed to you job and put a lot of
work and effort in, in order to come out with a good quality film or
program.

Management and Responsibilities/ self-presentation and

efficiency
In this line of work, you must take responsibility for the work you create as
if the work you were meant to complete isnt done in time then it could
delay the production of the film and it could cost the company money as
they would be employing people to create the animation
but they cant because you havent created the model,
also by creating good quality models and work as well as
being on time it will make you employer happy and you
are more likely to get paid more and get a good reference
for if you would like to move jobs. The way you deal with
situations within the work place as well as how you
approach people in it for example your boss and other
workers can set a good example and makes you look better
and it
could help you get a better job within that business.

Sources of information and Reliability

Before applying for the job you should look up the requirements for the
job as you want to make sure you stand a good chance of getting the job
and what it includes as you want to make sure that you have all the

correct qualifications then you could then stand a good chance against
other applicants. Don some research in to the company can help give you
a upper hand on other applicants as you know what the company is about
and what they are looking for and it will give you a better overall view of
how to approach them in a confident way and this will help to give a good
impression of you to the company and being confident can go a long way
in a job interview as well as knowing the history of the business and what
they do and how they do it. Being reliable is very important as many
peoples work can be effected by you in
this industry, because if you are late
creating a model or it isnt good enough
and cant be used then it could slow
down production and could cost the
business money and time because they
always work to a deadline. Being
reliable also helps with getting a job as
the employer wants someone they can
rely on as the business would work with
the employees and also it could help
you land a higher ranked place within that business as if you are reliable
then you could become a manager or a team leader.