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

Animators make pictures and models come to life in order to entertain and/or to inform people. There are three main types of animation:

• drawing
• modelling
• computer graphics

The amount of involvement and creative input an animator is allowed to have in whichever project he/she is working on depends on many things. For example, an animator who is an employee of an animation studio will work for an animation director and the work will be a real team effort. A self-employed animator will get more chances to be director, producer and so on.  
 
Animators usually follow a 'storyboard'. This is usually in the form of a series of rough sketches and it tells the story that the animator has to bring to life. The story isn't always fiction - it can be a game, a documentary, a promotional or educational film.  
 
In drawing and modeling, the animator is aiming to produce characters, which, when photographed can produce the illusion of movement. To do this, still shots (photographs) are taken of every piece of movement and then played at normal film or video speed. As many as 25 separate drawings or model positions may need to be photographed to produce one second of movement on film.  
 
In drawing, the animator's job is to do outline drawings of the characters, taking each one through the range of movements and expressions needed. A tracer transfers the drawings onto sheets of plastic film and a painter does the colouring of the character. Backgrounds and scenery are usually drawn and painted by other people. A camera operator then photographs the backgrounds and individual drawings. Animators need to work closely with these people, as well as with directors and producers.  
 
Model-making animators use a wide variety of materials to make models of characters. Like drawing animators, the model-makers may just work on the characters, but they are also often involved in designing and making sets for the models. The animators have to know how much they can move things (for example, a character's arm) in order to maintain the illusion of movement.  
 
Computer animation is a specialism in its own right. There are animators who use computer graphics programmes to draw characters and backgrounds for computer software such as games and educational programmes

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.

The official entry route for a CGI Artist / Animator is through undertaking an apprenticeship.

Click here to find information on the CGI Technical Artist apprenticeship

There are many pathways to consider in developing skills for a Career in Animation: 

Traineeship Animation in an FET centre NFQ level 5 Search FET Courses

FET Centre PLC Post leaving cert course: Art, Animation & Portfolio prep courses NFQ level 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses 

Higher Education CAO Entry: Art, illustration, Animaiton, 3D/graphic design or computer/computer-aided engineering may be an alternative gateway into the profession NFQ level 7-8 CAO course search 

Apprenticeship Learners may consider an Apprenticeship pathway in Animation / CGI artistry NFQ level

Professional Development 

Careers in Screen 

Irish Film & Television Network

Last Updated: November, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €28k - €55k

Salaries vary depending on employer, location, experience, and duties. Salaries can be sessionsl, rates based on production budget, location, and pro-rata. 

Data Source(s):
Indeed/ Payscale / Prosperity.ie/ Glassdoor/ Salaryexpert

Last Updated: July, 2024

* 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 (2025).

Employment growth was below average for this occupation; having peaked at 36,000 in 2022, levels have declined annually since. The CSO Labour Force Survey does not allow for a detailed breakdown of job titles within this occupation, but Census 2022 showed that over a quarter were graphic designers, with other key roles including actors, authors/writers, photographers, artists and arts officers.

Employment permits issued in 2024 were for roles including actors, directors, producers, animators, graphic designers, linguists (ICT), dancers, and costume/set designers. Online job adverts (Eurostat/CEDEFOP) related mainly to jobs for authors, journalists & translators; although small in number, green skills mentioned in ads for journalists is most likely linked to the green economy to inform and generate awareness.

Overall, the data does not point to any significant issues in sourcing skills for this occupation.

Skills Gaps in the Irish Animation sector (Animation ireland June 2022). A key central issue was graduate skills in relevant animation software. Specific software requirements and competencies in pipeline and technical specifics were top of the list regarding skills gaps. While studios that produce 2D content have recently moved away from Adobe Animate (Adobe Flash) into Toon Boom Harmony packages, there are a number of studios using less common softwares such as Cel Action and Moho for their 2D content. Studios creating CGI content are largely using Autodesk Maya with some now moving towards open access softwares such as Blender. A massive 50% of Irish animation graduates are working for overseas studios (20%) or working remotely on adult animated content (30%).The remaining 20% of recent Irish animation graduates are not working in the sector.

The Skills Challenge for the Screen Sector in Ireland 2023. Despite the skills shortages there is no effective and efficient way to identify crew who are available for jobs or for crew to be able to identify what positions are available. Recruiting experienced crew is also a major issue. Notwithstanding the current skills shortages, the key message from the interviews and focus groups was that a larger production crew base will be required to meet future live action demand which is probably significantly larger than the size of the existing crew base. Key areas of focus for future skills needs include the areas of skills for sustainability and green production as well as digital and technology related skills, especially in relation to virtual production. 

Note: The following