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Animation as a career?

Should I follow my passion and pursue a career in illustration/animation?

  • Art has always been a huge part of my life - I'm constantly drawing, everywhere and all the time. I prefer to do cartoons and more illustrative pieces, though I'm not bad at doing realism either. I really want to follow my heart and pursue a career in illustration/animation... but I've heard so many discouraging things about going into art. Will I have a job and will I get paid enough to support myself? This is a biggie. My friend is excellent at art, and does portraits incredibly well. She really likes to draw, but views it more as a 'hobby'. She's not going into art - primarily b/c she knows some people who are graphic designers, but weren't able to get a job. Though the question is, were they any good? Were they passionate about it? I've heard the art field is also very competitive, so what if that was the issue? So I just want opinions on what you guys think... I'm going to college next year, so this has been weighing heavily on my mind recently. Could I make a decent living doing illustration/animation, or even graphic design...? Only serious answers please, and thank you :)

  • Answer:

    Hi Ashley, I can say with a fact, that if this is what you want to do in life and you have a passion for it, then the sky's the limit. I know that sounds simple, and it is a simple sentence, but to be successful in any carrier you end up in, the answer is always going to be the same. Luck and raw talent can always get your foot in the door, but only hard work will keep it there. And if you don't have a passion for what you're doing, then you can only work so hard for so long. Passion changes everything, passion will drive you to the top of your class in school, it makes sure you’re the best at what you do, it makes sure you overcome any obstacle put in your way. As far as people not finding a job, it's a lack of passion. If you’re passionate enough you'll work another job while doing graphic design as an intern, anything you can do to get your foot in the door. Then like I said, your hard work will keep you there. I have a friend that runs a shop in phoenix that does graphic design on car wraps. If you want more detailed information about the graphic design industry, I would give her a call. Visit their site for the number and ask for Lisa, tell her Jeff told you to call.

Ashley at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

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HELL, I COULD CARE LESS IF I WERE STARVING MY *** OFF. Drawing is my passion and something I'll pursue forever. My teacher has told me that I should get into graphic design 'cause I'm really good (since I've been doing it since I was 12), but even if I'm good, I'm NOT gonna do it. I want to DRAW. I could have 10 talents but if I don't like them or like them, what's the point of pursuing them? Sure, I do want to draw cartoons and that's something you don't earn a lot for, but I love it. I'd like to have the option to even say "I'D EVEN LIVE WITH MY PARENTS FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE IF I HAD TO", but I don't have that option because I don't want to pursue art here in America. I want to pursue it in Japan. The difficulty of me making it got like 10 times bigger due to the language barrier & difference in culture, but hell, I'm gonna do it. BECAUSE I LOVE IT. (: Just follow your passion and don't give up. Not ALL artists end up poor. You could be one of the lucky ones. ;D

Pinkie MOTHEREFFIN' Pie

If you're still in high school, start looking at art schools in the NYC, Boston, and Seattle area. The locations will help you score internships and make inroads with artists in the area, which is key. Unless you plan on teaching as a fall back job, a masters degree isn't necessarily all that important. You are also going to want to start an art blog with some contact info on it, and sign up at conceptArt.org and wipnation.com, both amazingly helpful sites filled with helpful artists. Start reading muddy colors.blogspot.com. And go to conventions and talk to everyone. You don't know whO could be the art director who gives you you're first job. Also know that it could take time. Up to five years. The money may be scarce for the first couple of years but keep at it. Say yes to opportunities until you can get away with saying no. Good luck. Jacobandersonart.blogspot.com

sdrawkcaBgnippaF.

Have you ever heard the phrase "starving artist"? Well there's a reason the phrase is so popular. Too many artist, not enough talent. I have 3 people on my staff that are "prepress" professionals. All 3 have skills in graphic design but not drawing or illustration. I have another friend who is an amazing illustrator, she can whip up a logo in 5 minutes flat and it's good. She works for a religious organization designing their newsletters, flyers, etc. Not the greatest living but if affords her the time to spend with her family after she spent a career working for a furniture company illustrating their catalogs. Very stressful and deadline driven work. I could go on with more examples of people I know...since I've owned a print shop since 1984, I know a few. So in addition to the wonderful resources listed by other posters, you will need a back up plan and broad skills in graphic design in order to survive. Best of luck to you!

Shelby B

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