Animation careers for people who can't draw

By Ruchi Shrimali and Garima Upadhyay Rawat

The dazzling worlds of animation often conjure images of artistic geniuses hunched over desks, pencils flying across paper. But what if you harbor animation dreams while your artistic inclinations lean more towards stick figures and abstract doodles? Fear not, aspiring animators! The vibrant world of animation offers a plethora of exciting careers that go far beyond mastering the charcoal sketch. In this article, will help you learn about animation career options if you can't draw.

Animation Career Options without Drawing

I have always been a die-hard fan of cartoons. As a child, it was considered normal but with years adding on to my age, people laughed at me for refusing to grow up! I have been enamoured by the intense creativity and witticism that goes into making a successful animated movie. And yet, pursuing a career in animation seemed impossible to me…until I watched ‘The Simpsons’.

I could never render a praise-worthy sketch of ‘the flower pot’ in my classroom. But the simplicity of the Simpsons that became popular not on account of their beauty but on the merit of the script, inspired me to explore animation careers for those who can’t draw.

Learn Drawing Techniques

Most people will tell you that animation is an intensely competitive field. The software can help with your drawings better but cannot make up for lack of artistic talent. You need to have an educated eye to look at the drawings and use animation software logically. 

While it is true that you will need to study drawing to be a successful animator, the other half of the truth is that if you can draw a stick man, you can still learn animation. You need to have basic understanding of sketching, shading, and lighting effects – enough to draw out thumbnails to bring your creative imagination to life on paper, which can then be rendered in 2D and 3D animation using advanced level software.

Even if you haven’t been endowed with artistic talent, you can always learn drawing techniques at school and college level to enhance the skills you learn during animation courses. There are animation institutes that offer foundation classes such as art history, character design, color theory, figure drawing, perspective drawing, rotoscoping, script writing, sketching, storyboarding, and thumbnailing. 

Also Read:

• Find leading animation institutes in India

Choose an Animation Career to Suit Your Strengths

Animation offers a plethora of careers. Some of them, for instance, animating characters made by others, do not require drawing skills at all. Movement, not drawing, is at the core of animation. Composition of the scene, texturing, spotlighting elements in background or foreground to guide audience's eye to the scene of action are keys to making a successful animated movie. Modeling and effects are just part of the work. If you are not good at drawing, you can choose a role where you can play up your strong points.

Big animation studios like Pixar or Dreamworks hire specialists. So, if you are able to produce some impressive animation reels minus incredible drawing skills, you still have a chance to make it big with them.

Also Read:

• Explore video editing as an animation career

Expert advice

Jyoti Aneja, technical trainer at Picasso Animation College, demurely plays down such concerns around drawing skills. Let’s see what she has to say:

• A student who does not have good sketching skills can definitely take up a career in animation, if he or she has good observation, ample creativity and vivid imagination. In fact, many technical departments in film-making process including Dynamics, Rigging, Texturing, Lighting, Animation etc do not require sketching skills at all.
• Working on the software does not require much sketching. Besides, there is always a provision to import references, if any help is required.
• However, it does not mean that you should underestimate sketching skills. They come in handy in a lot of areas. The entire pre-production of a film is dependent on sketching. The students who can sketch have an edge over the others as they can design their own characters and backgrounds and later on make them in 3D. They can also conveniently design expressions for their characters themselves and animate them accordingly.
• Students not good at sketching have nothing to worry about. Most animation schools start from the basics of pre-production, where students learn everything from scratch. Sketching, of course, is a part of these pre-production lessons. 

Also Read: 

• Top 11 Popular Animation Courses in India

Animation Career Options Without Drawing

You can explore the following career options in the animation field, if you cannot draw well: 

Story Weavers and World Builders

• Screenwriters and Script Editors: Weave the narrative magic that brings characters to life. Your storytelling skills and knack for dialogue will craft the emotional core of any animation.
• Concept Artists and Designers: Dream up the visual landscapes and characters that populate the animated world. While you may not be sketching every detail, your vision and understanding of design principles will guide the artistic direction.
• Storyboard Artists: Translate the script into a visual sequence, guiding the flow of the animation. Your ability to think visually and tell a story through sequential panels will be invaluable.

Tech Gurus and Animation Architects:

• 3D Modelers and Riggers: Breathe life into digital characters and objects. Your technical skills and understanding of 3D software will be the foundation of every animated movement.
• VFX Artists and Compositors: Craft the special effects that add magic and realism to the animation. Your expertise in visual effects software will seamlessly blend CGI elements with live-action footage.
• Technical Directors and Pipeline Specialists: Ensure the smooth flow of the animation production process. Your organizational skills and understanding of animation software will keep the entire team on track.

Beyond the Scenes

• Production Coordinators and Managers: Orchestrate the chaos of animation production. Your organizational skills and ability to juggle multiple deadlines will be the glue that holds the project together.
• Marketing and PR Specialists: Spread the word about the animated story. Your marketing and communication skills will ensure the animation reaches its target audience.
• Voice Actors and Sound Designers: Give voice to the characters and create the immersive soundscapes. Your vocal talents and understanding of sound design will bring the animation to life.

Remember, drawing abilities, while undeniably useful in animation, are not the sole key to success. Embrace your unique strengths, whether it's storytelling, technical wizardry, or organizational prowess. Dive deep into the technical and theoretical aspects of animation, build your skillset through online courses and bootcamps, and network within the industry. Most importantly, never let your non-artistic background dim your animation dreams.

Read More: