Animation

Animation is an industry in which the UK excels. Shaun the Sheep, Peppa Pig, Danger Mouse, Early Man, Ethel & Earnest and many more have established the UK as one of the greatest producers of animation.

Studios tend to become known for particular types of animation - whether that be 2D CG (computer-generated), 3D CG, stop-frame or hand-drawn - but most offer a range of techniques and styles to suit the needs of the production. Click on the icons to learn more about each role and the routes into finding work in the industry.

You might also want to download our map: careers in the animation industry (PDF).

If you are a teacher or careers adviser you may also like to browse our classroom resources.

Other industries

Film and TV drama

Covers genres ranging from period dramas to epic fantasies screened at the cinema, on TV or on streaming sites

Visual effects (VFX)

Involves making sequences on a computer that can't be created on set, like enormous crowds and fire-breathing dragons

Games

Combines art with programming as well as production, design and testing - the UK’s fastest growing entertainment industry

Unscripted TV

Can be defined as 'TV without actors' - non-fiction telly on any subject from natural history and music to dating or learning a skill

Post-production

Is the final stage in film and programme-making where footage is cut, music, sound and commentary are mixed and visual effects are added

Broadcast engineering

Covers the engineer roles that bring a live TV progamme to your screen, from research and development to hardware installation, software and satellite systems

Creative industries

Roles found in more than one industry or genre that present a range of possibilities for freelancers

Animation

Director (Animation)

Producer (Animation)

Production coordinator (Animation)

Runner

Concept artist (Animation)

Writer (Animation)

Art director (Animation)

Background designer

Character designer

Head of story

Modeller/Model maker

Storyboard artist

Animation technical director (TD)

Animator (Animation)

Compositor (Animation)

Effects technical director (FX TD) (Animation)

Layout artist (Animation)

Lighting artist (Animation)

Rigger

Composer (Animation)

Edit assistant (Animation)

Editor (Animation)

Sound designer (Animation)

Marketing executive

Sales executive