Creative Arts & Design
Animator
You bring drawings and characters to life, frame by frame.
- Starting salary
- R12 000 – R25 000
- Job demand
- Emerging
- Key subjects
- Visual Arts, Design
What do they do?
You bring drawings and characters to life, frame by frame.
A day in the life
You storyboard, model or draw characters, animate scenes and refine timing with a team.
Skills you need
- Drawing
- Patience
- Software skill
- Storytelling
School subjects that help
- Visual Arts
- Design
- Information Technology
- Dramatic Arts
How long does it take?
3 main steps after school, usually 3–6 years of study, plus practical experience.
Study path
- 1High school
- 2Animation qualification
- 3Junior animator
- 4Animator / director
Ways in: University of Technology · Private college · Self-taught + portfolio. University is not the only route.
Where can I study?
- University of Johannesburg
- Tshwane University of Technology
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- Nelson Mandela University
- Durban University of Technology
Admission requirements differ by institution, always check the official website.
What can I earn?
Entry level
R12 000 – R25 000
per month (estimate)
Mid career
R28 000 – R50 000
per month (estimate)
Experienced / senior
R55 000 – R100 000+
per month (estimate)
Estimated salary ranges only. Salaries vary based on experience, qualification, industry, location and employer.
How to start preparing now
- • Draw every day
- • Try free Blender or flipbook animation
- • Copy a scene from a cartoon you love
Try this career
Make a 20-frame flipbook animation in the corner of a notebook.
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This tool is designed to help you explore career possibilities. It does not replace professional career counselling, school guidance or official university admission requirements.