2D ANIMATION

 What is 2d animation?

2D animation is the art of creating movement in a two-dimensional space. This includes characters, creatures, FX, and backgrounds.

The illusion of movement is created when individual drawings are sequenced together over time. One second of time is usually divided into 24 frames. Depending on the style of animation there can be as many as 24 unique drawings in one second of animation (24fps) or as little as two. Conventionally animation is done on "2s" meaning there is a drawing every 2 frames (12fps). This allows artists to save on production time/costs and gives 2D animation its unique look.

While this process is sometimes referred to as traditional animation, mainstream 2D production has evolved from hand-drawn processes using pencil and paper to the implementation of digital techniques using computer software like Toon Boom Harmony or Adobe After Effects. Learn more about the essentials of 2D animation in our course Bachelor of Digital Art majoring in 2D animation.

2d animation in today's scenerio

2D animation is a popular and diverse medium that's making a massive comeback. It can be seen prevalently in TV shows, video games, feature films, advertisements, mobile apps and on websites. Popular modern examples of 2D animation include TV shows Rick and Morty and F is for Family. Social media platforms like Snapchat are launching 2D animated series with snappy 1-3 minute episodes. And there's even been a recent surge in 2D platform video games such as Cuphead.

Animation is used for everything online (advertising, entertainment), even if you don't realize it initially,” says Scott Claus, 2D Animation Mentor at CG Spectrum. “The medium is evolving quickly. Television animation has taken off, and streaming services are constantly looking for new content.

Demand for 2D animators who can create entertaining and engaging content has grown significantly in the last decade. There’s a need for skilled and enthusiastic artists who love motion graphics and are adept at creating original and appealing content.

So what does a 2D animator actually do? What are the job prospects? What can a junior artist expect to earn vs. an established one? What’s the best 2D animation software?

We’ve done the homework and gathered everything you need to know about the industry to help you prepare for your future.

What does 2d animator do?

2D animators convey stories or messages by making their characters, objects and backgrounds move in a two-dimensional environment.

Besides drawing, they must also be excellent storytellers. They are responsible for clearly communicating a story or message by moving characters in a way that engages viewers. (Anyone interested in becoming a 2D Animator should get to know the 12 Principles of Animation, which are covered in detail in our 2D animation courses) While most of the work is done on computer, traditional hand-drawn techniques are still a useful skillset to have.

Additional responsibilities may include:

-Sketching designs

-Designing characters

-Developing storyboards

-Creating special effects

-Animating scenes

-Transitioning backgrounds

This job is just one part of the production pipeline, which is divided into three parts: pre-production, production and post-production:

In pre-production, a project is in its early stages and the team may be working on story and character development, writing scripts, recording dialogue, storyboarding, background layout, and character animation.

In the production stage, animators breathe life into their characters and objects by giving them movement. The figures are then colored and processed (“digital ink and paint”) and composited over their appropriate backgrounds.

Post-production is the final stages of adding sound and editing to ensure the project looks sharp and flows seamlessly, and then it is exported in the final format.

Depending on the project and the size of the studio or agency, animators may work with a number of other people, so strong communication and people skills are a must.

Job/career opportunities:

Being such a diverse industry, animators can choose to work on feature films, TV shows, video games, as well as for production companies and advertising agencies who produce 2D content for advertisements, mobile apps and websites.

It’s important to note that if you’re studying 2D animation, you won’t necessarily become an “animator”. There are many types of jobs in this industry. And with technology evolving so quickly, new jobs are being created all the time.

Some of the many different roles include:

Animator

Animation Supervisor

Animation Director

Games Developer

Character Designer

Storyboard Artist

Illustrator

Graphic designer

Motion designer

It is also possible for 2D artists to transition to 3D (Read: What is 3D Animation?) if they choose, though it can be more difficult to switch the other way around. Learn the differences between 2D and 3D animation.