Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Working Life

The Rigging Artist is in charge of creating, maintaining, and expanding rigs for a variety of props, vehicles, characters, and other CG objects that need to be animated.

Role and Responsibilities 

• Work in collaboration with the animation team to create intuitive and responsive rigs that meet animator’s needs.
• Extend rigs for any performance requirement for specific shots.
• Communicate with the modelling department to ensure that models are suitable for rigging.
• Adhere to technical standards of the rigging department and ensure that rigs are pipeline friendly.
• Interprets the animation director's notes and delivers a variety of rigging options to gain final rig approval as efficiently as possible.
• Is familiar with pipeline issues and technical problem solving and will build tools to ensure smooth delivery to animation.

Works with

• Animation Director
• CG Supervisor
• VFX Supervisor
• Animation team
• Modeling team
• Effects Team
• Production Manager
• Production Coordinator

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Design complex graphics and animation, using independent judgment, creativity, and computer equipment.
• Create basic designs, drawings, and illustrations for product labels, cartons, direct mail, or television.
• Participate in design and production of multimedia campaigns, handling budgeting and scheduling, and assisting with such responsibilities as production coordination, background design, and progress tracking.
• Create two-dimensional and three-dimensional images depicting objects in motion or illustrating a process, using computer animation or modeling programmes.
• Make objects or characters appear lifelike by manipulating light, color, texture, shadow, and transparency, or manipulating static images to give the illusion of motion.
• Apply story development, directing, cinematography, and editing to animation to create storyboards that show the flow of the animation and map out key scenes and characters.
• Implement and maintain configuration control systems.
• Script, plan, and create animated narrative sequences under tight deadlines, using computer software and hand drawing techniques.
• Develop briefings, brochures, multimedia presentations, web pages, promotional products, technical illustrations, and computer artwork for use in products, technical manuals, literature, newsletters, and slide shows.
• Create and install special effects as required by the script, mixing chemicals and fabricating needed parts from wood, metal, plaster, and clay.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

 Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Education Routes: 

• Rigging Artists often have a degree in Animation or Visual Effects. 
• Ideally, you will have taken classes in Animation, Modeling, Topology, Rigging, & Coding.
• You should also have some experience of life drawing, anatomy, dance, acting, and other forms of movement studies.

Career Path to Rigging Artist: Animation Department. Riggers often start as the more technical animators or as a CG Generalist.

Career Path from Rigging Artist: Technical Director, CG Supervisor, VFX Supervisor, Pipeline Technician.

This is not generally an entry-level role.

Show reel and experience is very important for this role.