Flash Animator Responsibilities

Flash animators are involved in creating .swf files with animated program in the website. They create visual graphics, animation, etc., in the website for prompting the marketing campaign and bringing a new life to the website. These visual graphics and animation include cartoons, illustrations, web campaigns, marketing campaigns, etc. Flash animators usually work in collaboration with graphic designers, gaming and entertainment companies, web hosting companies, or marketing firms and are responsible for creating original and creative flash animation as per the company's requirements.

Key Responsibilities

The main responsibility of a flash animator is to produce high quality flash animation using Adobe Flash or other flash software. They have to produce design templates with optimum cost effectiveness. The responsibilities of a flash animator may vary as per the industry they are hired in, though the core responsibilities of a flash animator remains the same. Flash animators have to collaborate with art directors, application engineers, and web developers before developing various functional models of the design, create multimedia designs and applications, graphical illustration, banners, etc., for the website, and design overall animation for the website. Apart from this, they also have to create illustrative graphics for short projects and advertisements and integrating designed web pages in the website.

The key responsibilities of a flash animator comprise:

Compiling the design and development of animation projects, coordinating with designers for obtaining their specific requirements, and developing animation shots accordingly
Coordinating with art directors, layout supervisors, designers and engineers for developing various 2D / 3D animation concept as per the client's requirement, and its integration in various games and animation
Developing animation with a variety of concepts, designs, and graphics, creating a variety of animated characters and designs in varying size as per demand
Keeping up to date knowledge on the latest trends followed in the animation industry, updating their knowledge on latest animation tools, gaming technology, and other designing process, etc., for being competent in the fast paced animation industry
Designing visually appealing animated designs, implementing them on integrated web system, and maintaining user friendly approach in accessing their work
Preparing detailed storyboard layouts, sketches, and other visual aides required in developing the animation theme, processing these visuals accordingly for obtaining final animated visual, and incorporating graphical visuals in it for enhancing the animation
Providing extensive support to the graphic designers by designing graphic elements involved in the animation, collaborating with graphic designers for creating new graphic designs from the existing animation, and analyzing the final graphics after incorporating the designs in the flash system
Assisting art directors, layout supervisors, producers, vendors, and web hoisting companies by providing project related sample animation to them, coordinating with the marketing professionals for aiding them in launching new projects, and providing overall assistance in complete formulation of the project
Developing 2D / 3D animation projects using Adobe Flash or other Flash based media application and working on pre-written designing script provided by the layout supervisor
Preparing complete documentation of previous record lists, license agreement, and preparing project documentation accordingly, and coordinating with the project manager, creative director, content manager, etc., for obtaining suggestive information for background support.

Required Qualification and Skills

The basic qualification required for being eligible to obtain a post as a flash animator is an associate / bachelor's degree in animation, graphic design, computer graphics, or other degree in the related field of animation from a recognized animation program. Also, one should be skilled in using flash related program. Apart from this, relevant work experience in this field is also considered by the employers.

Along with basic educational qualification, one should also possess certain technical skills or obtain a better position in this field. The skills required for obtaining a better position as a flash animator comprise adequate knowledge of Adobe Flash, Photoshop, Illustrator and other traditional tools required in animation. Apart from this, one also needs other skills like organization skills, time management skills, effective oral, verbal, and written communication skills, and creative imagination.

Along with this, one should also have required aptitude for designing and developing animation based projects, and possess strong sense of modeling and character control. One should be able to handle the appointed responsibility efficiently, and complete the project in assigned deadline.

Salary Compensation

The average annual salary of a flash animator falls in the range of $29,590 - $84,135, and it depends upon the educational qualifications, technical expertise, and previous experience in this field. One need to keep working progressively and learn new skills continuously for obtaining better prospects in this field.

Career Prospect

Job prospects of flash animator is bound to grow in the near future. As the web media gains popularity, the future advertising market will get more benefits by carrying out the promotional activities and ad campaigns on the web world. As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job market for a flash animator will grow up to 13 percent by the year 2018.

If you are looking to start a career in this field, you should be well versed with the roles and responsibilities of a flash engineer in order to make an early start in this career. Job outlook of a field animation is in great demand, and if you have the necessary skills, qualifications, and expertise in this field, you can make a great career in it.