Beginning from my childhood, my understanding of ‘animation’ had always been limited to film and TV animation and video games. It was only after coming to London to study that I truly realised, for the first time, just how much broader the breadth of the animation industry actually is than I had ever imagined.
The animation studios here have a wide variety of styles and serve different categories. Some studios work in the film, TV, and video game industries, whilst others specialise in creating motion graphics for advertising, music videos, brands, and even exhibition projects. This has gradually made me think that animation is not merely a gimmick to amuse children, as many people imagine. It is more like a ‘dynamic element’ that is emerging in every aspect of design.
Thus, I have begun to rethink the significance of animation for my future career development. If I were to confine animation solely to the traditional realm of film and television animation, the opportunities available to me in the future might be very limited.
A lecturer from Moth Studio once mentioned that many industries still lack a network of contacts within animation. For instance, fields such as advertising, documentaries, and education often require dynamic graphics to simplify some content, yet many people working in film, music, or other creative industries do not truly understand how the animation industry works. This information gap between disciplines actually presents new opportunities for animators.
At the same time, I have gradually come to the conclusion that, under a situation of ever-evolving consumer tastes, an increasing number of design disciplines are placing greater emphasis on dynamic visual expression. Industrial design requires dynamic product demonstrations; brand visuals and commercial illustration are beginning to seek out content with a greater sense of movement; and interaction design is placing ever greater emphasis on dynamic feedback and user experience.
Animation is no longer a standalone department, but is gradually becoming a fundamental visual skill across many design fields.
Throughout my studies in animation, in my point of view, the skills gained from animation training extend far beyond the act of ‘making animations’ itself.
Constantly training in 2D animation has strengthened my hand-drawing skills, my ability to tell a story, and my sense of colour and visual rhythm. At the same time, by studying the animation principles, I have been able to grasp the dynamic logic underlying motion graphics and interaction design more quickly.
These skills are not only applicable to animation but can also be transferred to various other fields, such as graphic design, UI/UX, and interaction design.
Finally, I began to rethink my career direction. What I think is that, in addition to continuing to specialise in animation, I also need to proactively learn some cross-disciplinary skills to broaden my future career prospects.
Outside of my formal studies, I began a minor in UI/UX Design, learning Figma, interface design, and basic interaction logic. I also plan to continue studying foundational front-end knowledge, hoping to gain a deeper understanding of the workflows involved in digital products and user experience in the future.
While studying UI/UX, I gradually became familiar with design methodologies such as user research, user flow, and usability testing. This training has enabled me to think about narrative logic, visual expression, and user feedback in a more structured way. Conversely, these ways of thinking have, in turn, influenced how I organise my animation portfolio. I have begun to place greater emphasis on project frameworks, hierarchy, and logic, making my portfolio much clearer.
At the same time, the drawing fundamentals I’ve gained from years of animation training have helped me adapt more quickly to learning about brand design and interface visuals. Consequently, I gradually ceased to confine myself to the single identity of an ‘animator’. Rather than focusing on a single, fixed field, I believe I am better suited to the role of a creative producer—one who can participate in animation and motion design, while also engaging in projects related to digital products, interface design, and visual communication.
Creativity takes precedence over the mere mastery of technical skills. Having adopted this mindset during my master’s studies has enabled me to explore a wider range of career opportunities.
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