Sarah Bird

Where You Live: Saltdean
Company: AnimNation
Job Title: 2D/3D Animator/Director of my own company

Describe your job/role?
I specialise in 2D and 3D computer animation for broadcast and corporate clients. I have created animation for companies such as Nickelodeon, CBBC, Channel 4, RDF Media, MTV, Disney to name but a few. I work directly with production companies and advertising agencies as well as freelancing for other animation and design companies.

What is the best thing about your job?
Making a living out of doing what I love! Being in a creative environment is challenging but incredibly rewarding, and I really enjoy being my own boss. It gives me an amazing sense of achievement seeing the outcome of all of my hard work on television and I am always learning something new.

What attracted you to it?
I knew from an early age that I wanted a creative career - I could never see myself sat in an office pushing paper around! Initially I wanted to become a traditional animator - but with the rise of computer generated animation and effects in the film and television industry, I knew that that was my path.

What schools did you go to and what subjects did you take?
I went to school and college in Maidenhead and studied for eleven GCSE's (including Art, Graphics and Photography) and two A Levels in Media Studies and Photography, an AS Level in Art and a BTEC ND in Media Studies.

What was your favourite subject and why?
At school my favourite subjects were definitely Art and Graphics - I seemed to really excel at these subjects and could easily get immersed in creating some new.

Did you go to University / College and if so what did you study?
I went to Bournemouth University to study for a BA (Hons) in Computer Visualisation and Animation at the National Centre for Computer Animation. It was a fantastic course and I was very lucky to be able to study there. We covered many different aspects of computer animation - from the obvious artistic side to maths and programming. So I feel I gained a very broad understanding of the subject.

What was your first job?
My first full time job was during my year out before going to university. I worked in a printing company creating graphics and images for magazines. It was my first insight into being creative on the computer!

What does your career path look like?
My career path has always been in the creative sector. After university I was headhunted by a small animation company in London called Blue-Zoo. I quickly got promoted to become their Lead Animator and worked on some fantastic projects. I learnt an amazing amount whilst I was working there - which I feel gave me a good base on which to start my own animation company.

Which women have inspired and influenced your career?
I would say that two women have helped me with my career.
Firstly my mum. She is the type of woman who is incredibly motivated and will always achieve what she has set out to do. She is not afraid of new challenges and putting in the hard work!
Secondly my best friend Charlie Wilson. We have both set up our own companies at the same time and she has been an amazing source of support and motivation.

What would you say is your strongest attribute/s?
I am a very patient person with strong attention to detail, which comes in handy when animating. I am also very self-motivated and happy to work hard, which I have found are essential when setting up your own company. Finally, I would say I am a positive person, which means I enjoy my work, meeting new colleagues and clients, and creating innovative animations.

What do you think is the most exciting/interesting thing about working in the digital media industry?
I love the fact that the digital media industry is always changing - I am always learning something different, undertaking new challenges and meeting people in the industry who are doing some amazing, inspirational things.

What advice would you give to people who consider entering the digital media industry?
It is a tough industry to get into initially - it is very competitive and you may find yourself having to spend a fair few years working your way up the ladder to get to where you want to be. But when you do get there it is incredibly rewarding! Try to get as much work experience as you possibly can and build up a specialised portfolio of work that really shows your potential.