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.

The Work

The 2D Supervisor works closely with the CG Supervisor and VFX Supervisor to ensure that all elements of the final shot align with the director’s vision. This is a senior and pivotal role within the team. Artistic expectations are extremely high, as this is where all VFX shots are finalised. This is also a client-facing position, requiring strong communication and organisational skills. Directors and VFX supervisors may have ambitious creative visions, so managing expectations and timelines is essential.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure the quality and consistency of final shots, overseeing the creative and technical output of the Compositing team.
  
  
• Monitor client feedback and provide clear, actionable notes to compositors to help achieve final director approval.
  
  
• Collaborate with the VFX supervisor, CG supervisor, lighting supervisor, pipeline, and editorial departments to help define the compositing and colour pipelines.
  
  
• Evaluate and guide the creative and technical approach to complex compositing challenges, with a focus on optimising and standardising workflows across the project.
  
  
• Maintain ongoing and efficient communication with the lighting team to ensure renders meet both artistic and technical standards.
  
  
• Work with production to ensure schedules, crewing, and delivery timelines are met, and that staff are appropriately assigned and supported.
  
  
• Responsible for project-wide documentation of compositing workflows, mentoring team members, and disseminating relevant information.
  
  
• Stay up to date with advancements in tools, software, and techniques relevant to the compositing pipeline.

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 programs.
• 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.

Several years of in-depth experience with photo-real compositing, ideally in a leadership role, expertise with Compositing software, in-depth understanding of the full VFX pipeline.

2D Supervisor, often have a degree in Animation, Visual Effects or Film Studies and years of production experience. This is not an entry-level role; Show reel and CG production experience are requirements.

An understanding of composition, cinematography, and editing. You can work across different looks and styles that is consistent with the Directors vision.

Training & Development Pathways

FET Centre Traineeship: Animation, Creative Media for Production Traineeship at NFQ level 5 Search FET Traineeship

FET Centre PLC Post leaving cert course: Animation, Animation & Digital Movie, Art Portfolio prep, Animation and Illustration, Animation Drawing Studies, Art & Design Portfolio with Animation & Illustration, Art with Animation Studies, Cartoon Animation, Cartoon Animation and Film Production, Classical & Computer Animation (HND), Digital Creative Media with Animation, Gaming, Animation & Motion Graphics, Multimedia, Animation and Games Design courses at NFQ level 5-6 Search PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Animation / CGI artistry at NFQ level 8 Search apprenticeship 

For further details on eligibility requirements for third level entry following an FET qualification, students should visit CAO course search 

Higher Education CAO entry: Animation, Animation and Illustration, Animation, Visual Effects and Motion Design, Digital Animation Production, Augmented and Virtual Reality, Computing and Digital Media, Computing with Games Development, Creative Media, Film & Broadcasting, 3D/graphic design at NFQ level 6-8 CAO course search 

Postgraduate study: Animation, Animation - 3D, Technical Direction for Computer Animation Production, Visual Effects for Film TV & Animation, Augmented Reality & Virtual Reality Development, Interactive Media - Conversion Course courses at NFQ level 9 

AnimationIreland.com 2022

Professional Development 

Career Path from Compositor Supervisor:  VFX Supervisor, Head of Compositing.

Springboard courses Animation,  Production Management for Animation, Visual Effects for Film, TV and Animation, 3D Animation, Screen Production Department Skills search Springboardcourses

Animation Skillnet 

Careers in Screen 

Irish Film & Television Network

AnimationIreland.com

Last Updated: March, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €50k - €70k

Salaries vary by employer. location, role, experience, duties, shift pattern, and may be sessional based on project. 

Data Source(s):
Salary Expert.com/ Glass door/ Payscale.com/ Indeed.ie/ Prosperity.ie

Last Updated: April, 2023

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2024).

Employment growth was almost on a par with the national average for this occupation; employment grew strongly between 2021 and 2022 but declined slightly thereafter. Based on the CSO Census data, over a quarter were graphic designers, with other key roles including actors, authors/writers, photographers, artists and arts officers.

Employment permits issued in 2023 were primarily for roles in animation, film and TV. Online job adverts (Eurostat/CEDEFOP) related mainly to graphic designers. At present, the data does not indicate that issues exist in sourcing skills for this occupation.

• Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland

  • Queensgate, 23 Dock Road, Galway
  • (091) 561398
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Animation Ireland

  • The Association of Animation Producers in Ireland Ltd, 14 – 16 Lord Edward Street, Dublin 2, D02 YC63
  • Click Here

• Animation Skillnet

  • Animation Skillnet Office Furthr, Suite 34 GEC, Taylor’s Lane Dublin 8
  • 087 2487391
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here