Where can our BA (Hons) Animation degree take you? 5 career paths to explore

The animation industry is full of creative opportunities, with demand for skilled animators growing across animation, games, and film. On our BA (Hons) Animation degree at MetStudios, you’ll have the chance to explore different styles and approaches while developing the skills to find your niche and succeed across these industries. Here are five career paths this degree could lead you towards.

Creature animator

Designing a creature involves more than just making it look interesting. Creature designers think about how it moves, behaves, and interacts with its environment. They create sketches, illustrations, or 3D models that will be used by animators and visual effects teams to bring the creature to life. Typically these designers work closely with directors, writers, animators, and VFX artists to ensure the creature fits the story, style, and technical requirements of the project.

At MetStudios, you’ll have opportunities to make original creatures from scratch, from concept to final creation. Through experimentation and industry-standard workflows, you’ll learn how to craft creatures that really feel alive.

Storyboard artist

Storyboard artists play a key part in animation production. They translate a script or concept into visual storytelling by producing a series of panels of images to plan the shots. A storyboard is used as a guideline throughout the animation process and is crucial for visualising how the story will unfold, including character movements, camera angles, pacing, and scene transitions. It allows directors, animators, and the production team to identify potential issues early, experiment with storytelling techniques, and ensure that the narrative flows well.

Our animation course provides practical learning that mirrors real studio practice, leaving you confident and ready to join professional storyboard teams and get stuck in.

2D animator

2D animation is the art of creating movement in a two-dimensional space. Think of animated classics such as One Hundred and One Dalmatians, Spirited Away and The Simpsons. A 2D animator brings static images to life by creating the illusion of movement on a flat surface. Often these animators use digital tools, though some still incorporate hand-drawn elements. This role involves a strong understanding of motion, timing, and human anatomy to ensure objects and characters move in a realistic way.

At MetStudios, you’ll gain experience combining traditional and modern digital techniques. You’ll develop your drawing, storytelling, and animation skills in a practical, studio-like environment, preparing you to enter the industry with a strong portfolio and confidence in your abilities.

3D animator

A 3D animator brings digital characters, objects, and environments to life by animating 3D models frame by frame. They use specialised software to create realistic movement and interactions that follow a script or storyboard. While 2D animation shows a more flat image, 3D gives viewers a three-dimensional view of the environment.

From early in the course, you’ll develop the skills needed to animate characters and environments for film, games, and VFX, building a portfolio that demonstrates both technical expertise and creative storytelling.

Animation director

An animation director is the guiding force behind an animated project, shaping both the creative vision and the technical execution. Whether it’s a film, TV series, game, or any other animated production, they work closely with animators, artists, and the wider creative team to bring characters and worlds to life. Their job is to make sure the final animation is visually engaging, emotionally resonant, and produced to a high technical standard.

At MetStudios, you’ll gain experience across the full production pipeline, from story development to final rendering, developing the broad understanding that an animation director needs. Collaborative projects also help build leadership, communication, and project-management skills, preparing you to guide creative teams effectively in professional settings.

Discover your specialism

Our animation degree prepares you for the industry through hands-on projects, practical workflows, and studio-style experience, helping you develop the skills and confidence to succeed. You’ll learn from leading experts who have worked in top studios and on high-profile projects, who can guide you in discovering your own specialism within the field.

Interested in becoming a game designer, artist, or developer at MetStudios?

Sign up for one of our Open Days or apply via UCAS.

Craft the Digital Worlds of Tomorrow.

MetStudios is for people who imagine new worlds and want to bring them to life. Small classes, one-to-one mentorship, and practical, hands-on projects sit at the heart of everything we do. We put wellbeing and diversity first, so you have the space and confidence to explore your creativity and create work that feels truly your own.

Learn more about us here.

We’re a part of BIMM University, one of the largest providers of creative arts courses in Europe. The university is made up of MetStudios, BIMM Music Institute, Performers College and MetFilm School. Together we provide an extensive range of courses in modern music, performing arts, filmmaking, animation, games and VFX to over 10,000 students in the UK, Ireland and Germany.