You may be experiencing anxiety if you have recently started looking for a job as an animator. Many people considering switching for financial or creative reasons are also facing distress. The prime reason behind the trepidation is the rise of artificial intelligence. It may potentially cut many animation and VFX jobs.
According to Context, a Reuters media platform, AI exposure in the entertainment industry has increased tremendously. Around 75% of managers have cut or consolidated jobs in animation, handing the tasks over to faster and cheaper tools.
Although these moves are getting backlash, one cannot deny that times may look very different for animators in the future. It makes sense to explore other avenues beyond conventional studios to secure one’s professional standing. Social media can be an excellent fallback for animators who wish to continue creating innovative work without AI constantly breathing down their necks.
What Role Do Animators Play in Social Media Campaigns?
Social media now has a fixed position in most marketing campaigns. It is a component for product and service-based companies, helping them reach targeted audiences and create engagement. Animators can play a pivotal role in the success of these campaigns by creating compelling visuals.
A recent Sprout Social survey found that Instagram and Facebook are the top platforms for marketing campaigns. TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat come next. All these channels rely heavily on audiovisual content.
Marketers love social media for its ability to connect to a select group – for example, Gen Z and millennials on Instagram. Animators can create standout content to reach groups that companies covet.
A primary advantage of human animators in this field is their ability to understand the marketing strategy and socio-emotional factors affecting the targeted audience. As a result, they can create tailored visuals that will not come across as tone-deaf or superficial. The content range is immense, from educational videos to animated advertisements and interactive quizzes.
Moreover, human animators can prevent the content from arousing repellent responses due to an uncanny valley effect. VeryWell mind observes that some computer-generated visuals may appear eerie or incongruous. Their repercussions on social media campaigns, which rely heavily on human interaction, can be dire.
How to Find Social Media Jobs as an Animator
To embrace this career trajectory, you must sharpen essential skills and develop inimitable competencies that make you highly employable. Let us discuss a few routes to facilitate this.
1. Develop Safe and Responsible Content
Social media is an easily accessible and lucrative channel for marketing. However, as social media addiction lawsuits indicate, it is also rife with potential challenges. Incidentally, the platforms most used for marketing (Facebook and Instagram) are also the ones associated with addiction and propagating misguided ideas, especially in minors.
As an animator, prioritize ethical and responsible content. It must not trigger problematic thought patterns in the audience. TruLaw notes that social media addiction may lead to eating disorders and mental health concerns in impressionable people. A responsible professional should ensure that marketing content does not rely on crutches like mindless persuasion.
A stronghold on ethical and socially relevant animation can help you stand out in a crowded landscape. You can sharpen these skills by pursuing social media ethics and governance courses.
2. Build a Strategic Understanding
We often associate strategic thinking with professionals in managerial roles. However, changing times demand that animators stay updated with the strategic role and messaging of the required work.
For example, consider Nissan’s 2023 campaign for the Nissan ARIYA launch. The campaign gave us a YouTube video with four hours of lo-fi beats. It evoked the serenity you can experience when driving the latest electric vehicle. Nissan also created visuals adhering to the ukiyo-e painting aesthetic, an ancient Japanese style. The depicted scenes were modern, comprising skateboards and strollers.
The animators behind this campaign clearly understood what works for the audience. Animators who wish to craft successful social media campaigns must understand basic marketing concepts. For example, what are the psychosocial influences on the audience in question?
3. Take on Independent Projects for Exposure
Until you find the perfect job, consider freelance projects and internships to understand how social media campaigns work. You can find interesting projects on platforms like Upwork and LinkedIn. Industry events and seminars are also an excellent avenue to connect with professionals who may have available projects.
Independent projects let you build an impressive portfolio to show during job interviews. They also tell recruiters you are committed to the role and have the mettle and discipline needed in a professional setting.
The job market is witnessing dramatic changes due to intrusive technologies and a transforming society. The World Economic Forum foresees skills like design, marketing, and media becoming more strategically important. The development bodes well for animators willing to expand their horizons.
Amid AI’s rising influence, human creativity and insight can be more impactful than ever. Are you ready to use your unique vision and perspective for far-reaching communication on social media?
