Passion for Drawing
If you really want to become an animator then you have to learn how to draw. Sketches, storyboarding, life drawings, cartoons; etc are all something that you should have a very strong grasp of. And you really need to be at the top of your class when it comes to drawing because you will spend endless hours doing just that.
Many animators draw for hours on end. It is not unheard of for animators to work fifteen to twenty hours a day. Sound like fun? If your answer is no then you should probably look for another occupation.
Creativity
In order to succeed at being an animator, it helps to have a lot of creativity. Being a creative animator can take many forms. You could be an expert when it comes to cartoon characters, or you could be a 3d modeling genius. Or there is always special effects, which can range from computer generated clouds to laser beams for a science fiction movie.
Portfolio
If you're truly serious about becoming an animator then you need to have a portfolio of your work. You should include several images of your best drawings, computer generated images, and a couple of minutes worth of animations that you've worked on. If your portfolio is full of average or below average artwork then no one will ever take you seriously.
You may even want to build your own website and display some of your work on it. But be sure and copyright your work if you do decide to place it on your website, or someone might steal it. A digital watermark over your images might also come in handy.
Good Computer Skills
In the past, an animator needed to be a master at drawing. However, these days you need to be a master with your computer skills as well. You should know Photoshop, 3d Studio Max, Maya, Lightwave, and other similar software programs. At the very least, you should be proficient in Photoshop and one 3d animation package. But the more you know, the better off you will be.
As you can see, being an animator is a lot of work. The hours can be quite cruel, and having great drawing skills is a must. If you do decide to become an animator, you will have to be one of the best if you want to survive in this business. However, if you think you have what it takes then have at it.
