Animator
Multimedia artist who creates designs and models that simulate movement and tell a story.
Overview
An Animator is a multimedia artist who makes designs or models that simulate movement in a sequence, conveys a story or offers information. Animation includes techniques by which successive drawings are photographed to create an illusion of movement when the film is shown as a sequence. It could also be a series of frames of puppets or models in different positions. Animators also create graphics and develop storyboards, drawings, and illustrations.
Where they work
- Animation and VFX studios
- Creative agencies
- Gaming companies
- Media companies
Work environment
You are likely to work in a tech-equipped office or a studio. It may be convenient to work from home, and flexible working hours may often be offered. Entrepreneurship: opportunities for self employment and freelancing exist in this line of work.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You have a creative bent of mind and strong visual imagination
- You like to draw or sketch
- You pay attention to details
- You enjoy using the computer
Eligibility and education roadmap
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
Route 1
- 1Complete 10 + 2 in any stream.
- 2Complete Bachelor's degree in Design (B.Des.) or B.Sc. in Animation or Bachelor's in Fine Arts.
Alternative route 2
- 1Complete Diploma/Certificate course in Animation and Multimedia.
Alternative route 3
- 1Complete Bachelor's followed by Master's in Design (M.Des.) or in Animation (M.Sc.).
Forms, exams and applications
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
The course is offered by the Department of Animation and Design. This list of institutes is indicative only.
Government institutes
- National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- Utkal University of Culture, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
- Central Institute of Technology, Kokrajhar, Assam
- Rajasthan ILD Skills University, Jaipur, Rajasthan
- Industrial Design Centre, IIT Bombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Loyola College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Artemisia College of Art and Design, Indore, Madhya Pradesh
- St. Joseph's College, Bengaluru, Karnataka
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- Birla Institute of Technology, Jaipur, Rajasthan
- Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
- Arena Multimedia, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
- Indian Institute of Film And Animation, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Fergusson College, Pune, Maharashtra
- Amity University, Uttar Pradesh
- St. Xavier's College, Kolkata, West Bengal
- Symbiosis Institute of Design, Pune, Maharashtra
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Animator
- 2Senior Animator
- 3Animation Team Lead
Related careers to explore
Multimedia Designer
Builds presentations of images and information for the web, television, movies and video games.
Visual Effects (VFX) Editor
Handles the visual side of a film or show, linking the production team to the VFX studio.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Any Stream, Arts, Computer Science.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to creating.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Ram Mohan — An Indian Animator popularly known as father of Indian Animation. He started his career at the Cartoon Films Unit of Films Division of India in 1956. He is chairman and chief creative officer at Graphiti Multimedia, a Mumbai-based animation company. He also established the Graphiti School of Animation in 2006. Some of his notable works for Indian television includes animated short film Baap re Baap, Ramayana-the legend of prince Rama and the animated TV series Meena. He won several awards including the Padma Shri in 2014.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 1, printed page 55 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://www.payscale.com/research/IN/Job=Animator/Salary
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.