Photo by rc.xyz NFT gallery on Unsplash

Author: VANAS

Is animation and video games viable careers?

Table of Contents

1. Short answer
2. Who works in animation and games?
3. Typical career paths and roles
4. Money, locations and realistic timelines
5. Education vs self-taught: what matters
6. Examples and scenarios
7. How to increase the odds of success
8. Final takeaways

Short answer

Yes — animation and video games can be viable careers for many people, but "viable" depends on goals, expectations, timing, and persistence. Some professionals build stable, well-paid careers at studios or as freelancers. Others find satisfying side careers or move into adjacent roles like technical art, production, or teaching. The key is realistic planning and a strong portfolio.

Who works in animation and games?

The industries need a broad range of skills: character and environment artists, animators (2D/3D), technical artists, riggers, VFX artists, game designers, level designers, UI/UX artists, programmers, producers, QA testers, and community managers. Beyond creative roles there are producers, HR, marketing and business roles that keep studios running.

This diversity means there's often more than one way to turn a passion for animation or games into a career.

Typical career paths and roles

• Animator (2D / 3D): Creates motion for characters and objects. Entry-level work often begins as assistant animator or junior animator, progressing to senior animator, lead, and animation director.
• 3D Artist / Modeler: Builds characters, props and environments used in games or films. Specialisations include hard-surface modeling, organic modeling and texturing.
• Technical Artist: Bridges art and engineering — builds tools, optimises assets, and ensures art runs efficiently in-game.
• VFX Artist: Produces particle effects, explosions, and compositing for games and film.
• Game Designer / Level Designer: Designs game systems, levels and player experiences.
• Indie Developer / Freelancer: Creates small games or contracts for studios. This path has high variance but can scale if a project succeeds.

Many professionals combine roles early in their careers — an animator might also model and texture, a technical artist may code tools in Python, and indie devs wear multiple hats.

Money, locations and realistic timelines

Earnings vary widely by role, region, studio size, and experience. As a rough guide:

• Entry-level: modest wages while learning on the job. Expect lower starting pay compared to some other tech roles.
• Mid-level: steady income, often reached after 2–5 years of focused work and portfolio building.
• Senior/lead: competitive compensation, greater stability and sometimes bonuses or revenue shares on successful projects.

Geography matters: big hubs (Los Angeles, Vancouver, Montreal, London, Paris, Tokyo) tend to pay more but have higher living costs. Remote work has expanded, offering broader opportunities but also global competition.

Timelines are important: becoming fully employable often takes 1–3 years of dedicated practice after a course, and career progression can take several more years. Expect to keep learning.

Education vs self-taught: what matters

A formal degree or diploma can open doors (structured learning, portfolio support, internships). However, the industry is skills-driven — a strong reel and demonstrable experience often outweigh credentials. Employers frequently hire based on portfolio quality, problem solving, and teamwork.

Effective routes:

• Structured programs with mentorship and studio connections.
• Short intensive courses plus disciplined self-study and side projects.
• Self-taught path with public projects, open-source contributions, and networked portfolio reviews.

Examples and scenarios

Scenario 1 — Studio animator path: Alex completes a two-year diploma, lands a junior animator role at a midsize studio after an internship, and after three years becomes a senior animator. He gains stability, benefits, and moves into lead roles.

Scenario 2 — Indie success: Priya builds small games and posts them on itch.io and Steam. One hit generates enough revenue to fund a small studio; she hires a team and transitions to full-time development. This outcome is rarer but possible with a strong niche and luck.

Scenario 3 — Freelancer / hybrid career: Luis freelances for advertising studios while teaching part-time. The freelancer model gives control over projects and scheduling but requires business skills (contracts, invoicing, client management).

Scenario 4 — Pivot to adjacent roles: Naomi starts as a generalist artist, learns scripting and optimisation, then moves into a technical artist role where demand and pay are higher.

These examples show multiple feasible routes — each requires different risk tolerance and practical trade-offs.

How to increase the odds of success

• Build a targeted portfolio: quality over quantity. Tailor reels to the role you want (animation reel for animators, modeling/texturing reel for modelers).
• Get real feedback: mentors, industry portfolio reviews, and peers help spot gaps quickly.
• Internships and junior roles matter: they provide hands-on experience and references.
• Learn the toolchain: know common software (Maya, Blender, Unreal/Unity, Substance, After Effects) and version control basics.
• Network: studio talks, local meetups, online communities and game jams accelerate exposure.
• Diversify income early: freelance, contract work, teaching or small releases reduce financial pressure.

Final takeaways

Animation and video games are viable careers for determined people who combine craft, persistence, and realistic planning. Expect a learning curve, variable incomes early on, and geography-driven opportunities. Schools and courses can help, but hiring decisions come down to demonstrable ability and teamwork.