2D and 3D artist animation jobs: salaries and 2D-3D artist job opportunities

Animation in Montreal: a booming sector

Montreal, renowned for its thriving arts scene and cutting-edge technology, has become a major hub for the animation and visual effects industry, and the ideal place to work as a 3D and 2D animator. Renowned studios have set up shop here, attracted by local creativity and know-how. Big names include Framestore, Mikros Animation, Cinesite, L’Atelier animation, OnAnimation, Caribara, DNEG Animation and many more. This cosmopolitan city offers a stimulating environment for creators from all horizons, making it an ideal place to start and develop a career in 3D or 2D animation.

Animation professions – more than just 3D animators

Animation isn’t just about drawing or graphic design; it’s an orchestra of diverse talents, where each member plays a crucial role in the creation of a work. Here’s an overview of the key professions within an animation studio:

Art director for animated films

The art director is the visionary, the one who defines the visual style and aesthetic of the project. He supervises and guides the artistic team to ensure that the creative vision is coherent and captivating. Education level : Bac+5 Employability: Very good (with experience) Art director junior salary France: €2,000 Art director senior salary France: €4500 Art director salary (average annual salary) in Montreal: $110000

2D/3D Animator

The animator is at the heart of animation. Whether in 2D or 3D, they bring characters and elements to life, creating the illusion of movement and emotion. It’s a job that requires both a keen artistic sense and a technical understanding of animation software. Education level : Bac+3 Employability: Good 3D animator junior salary France: €2100 3D animator senior salary France: €3700 2D/3D animator salary (average annual salary) in Montreal: $65,000 Other job titles : 3D animator, 2D animator, video game animator, 3D modeler, 2D modeler

Character designer

The character designer creates the story’s protagonists. They work on their appearance, costumes and even their body language, making sure they fit perfectly into the project’s universe. Education level : Bac+3 Employability: Good Chara designer junior salary France: €2100 Chara designer senior salary France: €5000 Chara designer salary (average annual salary) in Montreal: $65,000 Other job titles : Character artist

Storyboard Artist

The storyboarder is a visual narrator. He or she draws the scenes from the script, defining camera angles, character movements and the rhythm of the story. This is a crucial step in visualizing the project before production. Education level : Bac+5 Employability: Fair Storyboard artist junior salary France: €1700 Storyboard artist senior salary France: €2500 Storyboard artist salary (average annual salary) in Montreal: $67,000 Other job titles  : Story-boarder, storyboard artist

Rigger

The rigger works in 3D. He creates the digital skeleton of characters or objects, enabling animators to manipulate them. It’s a role that requires a thorough understanding of anatomy, mechanics and programming. Many believe that rigging is still in its infancy, so it’s an animation profession of choice for those with a pioneering spirit who want to contribute to innovation in animation. Education level : Bac+3 Employability: Fair Rigger junior salary France: €2500 Rigger senior salary France: €3750 Rigger salary (average annual salary) in Montreal: $60,000 Other job titles : Animation rigging artist, 3D rigging artist, character rigging artist, skinner, builder

3D Modeler

The 3D modeler builds characters, scenery and objects in digital space. They transform concepts into virtual sculptures, paying particular attention to detail to make elements as realistic or stylized as necessary. Education level : Bac+3 Employability: Good 3D modeler junior salary France: €1,500 3D modeler senior salary France: €3900 3D modeler salary (average annual salary) in Montreal: $68,000

Texture Artist / Texture art designer

The texture artist is responsible for the color, texture and often tactile appearance of 3D elements. They give surfaces their final appearance, whether it’s the roughness of a road or the softness of a garment. Education level : Bac+5 Employability: Fair Salary texture artist junior France: € 2666 Salary texture artist senior France: €5000 Salary texturing artist (average annual salary) in Montreal : 62000$. Other job titles : Mapper, 3D texture artist, texturing artist, 3D artist

Lighting Artist

The lighting artist plays with light to give tone, mood and realism to scenes. They work closely with cinematographers and art directors to create the desired atmosphere. Education level: Bac+5 Employability: Very good Lighting artist junior salary France: €2200 Lighting artist senior salary France: €3200 Lighting artist salary (average annual salary) in Montreal: $56,000 Other job titles : Lighter, 3D artist

VFX artist/Compositing artist

The VFX artist assembles the various elements (characters, sets, special effects) to create the final scene. He or she adjusts colors, light and shadows so that everything comes together perfectly. Education level: Bac+3 Employability: Very good Compositor junior salary France: €2900 Compositor senior salary France: €4100 Compositor salary (average annual salary) in Montreal: $60,000 Other job titles : Visual effects artist (VFX), special effects technician, 3D/2D compositor, 2D/3D compositor

Sound designer

Although often underestimated, sound is crucial in animation. The sound designer creates sound effects and manages the soundtrack, contributing greatly to the immersion and emotion of the project. Education level: Bac+3 Employability: Fair Sound designer junior salary France: €1700 Sound designer senior salary France: €3300 Sound designer salary (average annual salary) in Montreal: $68,000

2D/3D animation scriptwriter

The scriptwriter is the storyteller, the one who weaves the story. In animation, he or she must have a deep understanding of visualization, as the story will be transposed into images. Education level: Bac+3 Employability: Good Screenwriter junior salary France: €3500 Scriptwriter senior salary France: €4000 Screenwriter salary (average annual salary) in Montreal: $95,000

Animation producer / cartoon producer

The producer manages the operational and financial aspects. He plans, coordinates and ensures that the project stays on time and on budget. Other job titles : Animation film producer, animation producer, 2D/3D producer

VFX supervisor

The VFX supervisor is the visual effects maestro, orchestrating the visual harmony of the final work. He or she leads the way in the creation of visual effects-infused shots, juggling the director’s vision with the know-how of the post-production team. His/her objective: to provide a fluid interface between the director’s creative genius and the technical expertise of the post-production graphic artists. As a team leader, he ensures impeccable rendering of effects, sculpting the visual magic that delights viewers. Education level: Bac+5 Employability: Very good VFX supervisor junior France: €3,000 VFX supervisor senior salary France: €4000 VFX supervisor (average annual salary) in Montreal: $160,000 Other job titles : Visual effects supervisor, special effects supervisor

VFX producer

The visual effects supervisor is in charge of the entire visual creation process, whether for the big screen or the small. His or her mission: to guarantee the satisfaction of the client, often the producer or director, by closely supervising what the visual effects studio deploys with virtuosity. Education level: Bac+5 Employability: Very good VFX producer junior salary France: €3,000 VFX producer senior salary France: €4000 VFX producer (average annual salary) in Montreal: $109,000 Other job titles: VFX production manager, visual effects producer, special effects producer

Animation production coordinator

The role of the animation production coordinator is to ensure effective coordination of the various stages in the production of an animation project. This includes managing schedules, resources and communication between the teams involved. The production coordinator works closely with members of the production team, artists, and other departments to ensure that the project progresses according to schedule. He/she may also be responsible for resolving logistical problems and overseeing production-related administrative tasks. Education level: Bac+5 Employability: Very good Production coordinator junior salary France: €2500 Production coordinator senior salary France: €4000 Animation production coordinator (average annual salary) in Montreal: $65,000

Animation TD (technical director)

The Technical Director plays a crucial role in the development and implementation of the tools essential to the success of the production and the smooth running of the studio. The Pipeline TD assumes responsibility for a specific section of the CGI film pipeline. Technical Directors supervise the construction of the geometry, articulation or surface characteristics of computer-generated characters, objects, effects and/or scenes. Education level : Bac+5 Employability: Very good Animation TD junior salary France: €3000 Animation TD senior salary France: €5000 Technical director in animation (average annual salary) in Montreal: $90,000 Other job titles: TD, Pipeline TD, animation technical director, pipeline technical director

Training for a career in 3D/2D animation in Montreal

Montreal, with its specialized schools and programs, offers a wide range of training courses in animation. Whether you want to become an animator, a character designer or even an art director, there are courses to suit every passion. Rubika Montréal’s 2D/3D Animation program is a 3-year generalist program that introduces students to all stages of animated film production, from scripting to editing. It’s possible to complete your training with two additional years in the 3D Animation/VFX program. This will enable you to deepen your knowledge of 3D and acquire a higher level of expertise. These two programs open the door to many of the 3D and 2D animation professions mentioned above, but that’s not all! To work in animation, you need to be passionate… To enter the training programs, you’ll need to pass an entrance exam for the 2D/3D Animation program, or an entrance exam for the 3D Animation/VFX program. These will enable the jury to assess your motivation and your potential to enter the school.

Enter the world of animation

Entering the animation industry requires determination and passion. It’s essential to build a solid portfolio, participate in internships and network. Montreal, with its many animation events and accessible studios, offers fertile ground for those first professional steps into the 2D/3D animation profession. A career in animation requires passion and perseverance. The projects can be long and demanding, but the satisfaction of seeing your creations come to life on screen is incomparable. The animation industry in Montreal is a field rich in opportunity, where creativity and technology meet to create extraordinary worlds. For young people with a passion for art and storytelling, it’s a promising sector offering a variety of careers. With determination, creativity and the right training, the dream of animating stories and characters can become an exciting and rewarding reality!