Animation

Animation is the smallest of all the nine media sectors in the UK. The entire industry employs only 4,200 people. Many think of cartoons on television or in film when they hear animation and although this is a large part of the industry, this is not what the sector is limited to. Many animators worldwide work on things such as moving graphics for websites, or small adverts for companies to be displayed on TV or on the internet.

Jobs in this sector include:

• Artists
• Directors
• IT consultants
• CG modellers
• Digital painters
• Compositors 

Perhaps the most well known and largest example of a UK (and arguably worldwide) company in the animation field is Aardman. This is the company behind the popular Wallace and Grommit" series, as well as "Creature Comforts" and a huge catalogue of short animations, many of which have won awards. Their website also states that as well as many of the animations we know and love, they offer services in advertising and App development.

 

There is no shortage of UK animation companies, however most of these are small, independent companies which employ very few people. One of these is Studio AKA, which is independent but also successful, having produced BAFTA and Academy Award nominated animations. 

Income in this industry can span from producing advertisements for companies to producing films and cartoons that make money from box office revenue.