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.

Animation
Director (Animation) illustration

Director (Animation)
Producer (Animation) illustration

Producer (Animation)
Production coordinator (Animation) illustration

Production coordinator (Animation)
Illustration of a production manager for animation illustration

Production manager (Animation)

Entry Level

Runner illustration

Runner
Illustration of a concept artist illustration

Concept artist (Animation)
Writer (Animation) illustration

Writer (Animation)
Art director (Animation) illustration

Art director (Animation)

Entry Level

Background designer illustration

Background designer
Character designer illustration

Character designer
Head of story illustration

Head of story

Entry Level

Modeller/Model maker illustration

Modeller/Model maker

Entry Level

Storyboard artist illustration

Storyboard artist
Animation technical director (TD) illustration

Animation technical director (TD)

Entry Level

Animator (Animation) illustration

Animator (Animation)
Compositor (Animation) illustration

Compositor (Animation)
Effects technical director (FX TD) (Animation) illustration

Effects technical director (FX TD) (Animation)
Layout artist (Animation) illustration

Layout artist (Animation)

Entry Level

Lighting artist (Animation) illustration

Lighting artist (Animation)
Rigger illustration

Rigger

Entry Level

Illustration of a junior animator illustration

Junior animator

Entry Level

Illustration of a junior compositor illustration

Junior compositor

Entry Level

Illustration of a junior artist illustration

Junior artist
Composer (Animation) illustration

Composer (Animation)

Entry Level

Edit assistant (Animation) illustration

Edit assistant (Animation)
Editor (Animation) illustration

Editor (Animation)
Sound designer (Animation) illustration

Sound designer (Animation)

Entry Level

Marketing executive illustration

Marketing executive
Sales executive illustration

Sales executive

Entry Level

Illustration of a marketing assistant in animation illustration

Marketing assistant (Animation)

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

Film and TV drama

Visual effects (VFX)

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

Visual effects (VFX)

Games

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

Games

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

Unscripted TV

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

Post-production

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

Broadcast engineering

Creative industries

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

Creative industries