The AOI Supporting Animators
The AOI recognises that developing different skillsets is integral to build a sustainable career, and now supports its members with animation specific resources, events and more. We share an overview of what’s new for members.
More and more illustrators are dipping their toes into animation or transitioning to work in animation entirely, whether because they are being commissioned to produce more animated work or choosing to take more of a lead creatively on projects as an animation director.
Animation can add an impactful extra dimension to static work allowing an illustrator’s world to truly come to life. It also allows illustrators to meet the needs of their clients without having to outsource the work elsewhere. Alongside this, more and more animators are enjoying honing their own distinctive style, allowing them to work on illustration commissions alongside their motion work.
So, whether you are an animator who illustrates, an illustrator who animates, or simply curious to find out more about the world of animation, the AOI has got you covered, with animation specific resources, events and more. Find out more below.
Resources
In collaboration with animation experts from across the creative industry, such as Strange Beast, Studio Yatta, Grand Matter and Jacky Winter, the AOI has launched a range of new animation resources covering essential topics, including:
How to Get Started Animating Your Work : a short guide to getting started in animation without any prior experience, with animator and illustrator Joe Taylor.
Types of Animation Commission : understand the different scenarios where you might be producing animation work, and expectations the client might have, with Bianca Bramham at The Jacky Winter Group.
How to Work Together with an Animator : if you are an illustrator working with a freelance animator on a project, what do you need to know? Animation Director and founder of SheDrewThat Hannah Lau-Walker shares her insights.
Working with an Animation Studio : often a client will commission you to produce illustration work to be animated, by working with an animation studio. What do you need to consider to build a successful relationship? Insights from Studio Yatta.
The Animation Timeline: Step by Step Process : what needs to happen, and when, to ensure your animation project is a success. Dorcas Brown at Grand Matter explains the different stages.
Animation: 6 Questions to Ask a Client : Dorcas Brown at Grand Matter outlines the six essential questions you should make sure to ask, before getting started on your animation project.
How to Price an Animation Project : with lots of moving parts, pricing an animation project can be more complex than an illustration project. Becky Perryman, Senior Producer at animation production company Strange Beast, shares her insights into how to approach putting together and presenting your quote.
How to Showcase and Attract Animation Work : if you’re not sure how best to position yourself to attract animation work, animation director Bee Grandinetti shares her top tips.
Plus, with our Animation Glossary and Animation Template Contract, you can be confident that you have an accurate understanding of what the client is asking, and that your work will be protected, when the next brief comes in.
To delve into the full set of animation resources, login, head to Resources and select Animation.
Events
Find out more about different types of animation work and how leading illustrator-animators got to where they are today in our Illustrators in Motion series, available exclusively for AOI Members.
We speak to animation directors, motion designers and stop motion animators, including Dan Woodger, Ivyy Chen, Kezia Hulse and many more. AOI Members can also access recordings of past events at any time by heading to Event Recordings.
We’ve got more events in this series coming up soon, so stay tuned for more engaging, informative and inspiring conversations celebrating animation.
Animation Course
Perhaps you are an illustrator looking to get started animating your work, but not sure where to start. Or, maybe you already have animation skills but are interested in other programs to make your work move.
In collaboration with animation director and creator of YouTube channel Animation for Anyone, Alex Grigg, the AOI has launched a two part animation course to support you in getting started animating your work, exclusively for AOI Members.
This Beginners Animation Course will teach you the fundamentals of how to get started animating your work with Procreate and Procreate Dreams. Get started by following the links below!
Beginner Animation Course – Procreate (Part 1)
Beginner Animation Course – Procreate Dreams (Part 2)
Helpdesk
AOI Members have access to our Helpdesk, where you can take advantage of one to one advice either over email or over the phone. This includes any enquiries related to animation work, whether how to respond to an animation enquiry you have received, client management, contractual negotiations, or promoting yourself to attract more animation work.
Members can email us at [email protected] with their query, or phone us any time Monday to Friday, 10AM – 4PM. We also offer Zoom appointments on specific dates. There is no limit to the amount of enquiries you can send our way while you are a member, and we’re always available to chat through anything tricky, or be on hand to help if you just want a second opinion.
As part of access to the Helpdesk, AOI Members can also take advantage of our Contract Review Service, where we can review any client contracts you have received, and supply notes back to you, advising where changes should be made to bring the contract more in your favour. This includes contracts for animation projects and again, there’s no limit on the contracts you can send our way.
Become a Member
If you are not yet a member of the AOI, but would love to access the Resources, Events, Course and Helpdesk above, plus many more benefits, such as our Illustration Pricing Survey, Portfolio and Business Consultations, Discounts, amongst others, find out more below.
The AOI offers different membership options and discounts for students, students studying at a member college, under 25s and longlisted or shortlisted entrants for the World Illustration Awards. Find out more about the benefits and sign up as a member here: Become a Member.
If you have any questions, you can always reach out to us at [email protected]. We’re always happy to have a chat!
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