Are you an aspiring 3D artist dreaming of turning your passion for creativity into a sustainable source of income? If so, you’re in the right place! The need for engaging visual content is now greater than ever, which offers talented individuals like you a golden opportunity to succeed in the 3D animation industry.
From breathtaking scenes to realistic character designs, your artistic abilities hold the power to captivate audiences and drive revenue. In this guide, we’ll walk you through 9 top ways for earning money with 3D animation and building a successful career as an artist.
Why Is It Great to Become A 3D Artist in Today’s Time?
You can use your distinctive skill set as a 3D artist to make money in a number of ways. The value of the worldwide 3D animation market was estimated to be $20.4 billion in 2022. It is predicted that by 2026, the yearly amount will surpass 27 billion dollars.
The successful creation of a 3D animation requires a combination of technical mastery and creative genius. A proficient animator possesses not just artistic talent but also a profound comprehension of anatomy, lighting, perspective, and other aspects of art and design. Thus, people born with this talent decide to work as freelancers or for animation companies, while others would instead think of investing in advanced 3D animation courses or launching their own companies. There are lots of ways to support yourself as a 3D artist, regardless of the path you choose.
What is 3D Animation?
Using motion, 3D animation is a graphic approach that gives props, characters, and other elements life. The creation of movies, video games, and TV shows has been the main use of 3D animation, although its applications have expanded along with its popularity. These days, 3D animation is utilized to produce materials for businesses that will aid in the marketing of their products and services.
9 Ways to Earn Money with 3D Animation
Wondering how to earn with 3D animation? From freelancing opportunities to creating and selling digital assets, the possibilities are endless. Here are the nine crucial ways you can utilize to monetize your 3D animation skills as an artist.
1. Create and Sell 3D Models
Selling your 3D models online for a high profit is possible if you are skilled in their creation. Your 3D models can be listed and sold on several platforms, such as CGTrader and TurboSquid. It is a great way to earn money with 3D animation models or perhaps start a new career. There are a few things you should know before you start. The following advice can help you sell 3D models online.
Pick The Right Platform: Online markets are among the many ways to sell 3D models. Some model types perform better than others on some systems. Research and find the best forum for your models.
Ensure The Quality of Your Models: Regardless of the platform you’re using, this is essential. Customers like to buy well-constructed and presented 3D models. If your models don’t meet these requirements, they usually won’t sell.
Advertise Your Models: When you have high-quality 3D models for sale, advertise them using social media, online forums, and other communication resources.
2. Create 3D Models for Video Games
One of the most widely used applications of 3D modeling is creating environments and characters for video games. If you are interested in this area, you can become a freelance 3D animator for firms that need 3D models made for their games.
Creating amazing and imaginative 3D models for video games is a great way to follow your passion and make a respectable living. There is no shortage of 3D modeling tools for use in developing 3D models for video games.
You can consider investing in advanced 3D animation software like SelfCAD. It is a user-friendly tool that is reasonably priced compared to other professional video game design programs.
3. Monetize Through 3D Environments and Assets
If you can create realistic 3D settings and components that meld the lines between reality and fantasy, you’re in luck! Platforms such as the Unreal Engine Marketplace and Unity Asset Store present a profitable chance for artists like you to sell and exhibit their works to a worldwide audience.
Whether your specialty is whimsical stylized assets or photo-realistic landscapes, these markets offer a way for you to connect with developers looking for high-quality content for their projects and monetize your talent. Now is the ideal moment to take advantage of your skills and knowledge of 3D animation. Collaborate with the active community of producers influencing the direction of virtual and 3D games.
4. Work as a Freelance 3D Animator
With the rise of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), there is an increasing need for freelance 3D animators. You can look for freelance 3D animation opportunities directly from businesses that use VR/AR, or you can use freelance marketplaces like Upwork or Fiverr.
As a 3D freelancer, you can utilize your imagination and technical expertise to make money by making animations for customers. Using your skills, you can also find work through several channels like networking, online job boards, and project bidding.
It’s essential to convey deadlines and expectations while working with clients. After finishing an animation project, seek the client’s input so you can refine your work for subsequent tasks.
5. Sell Your Animated Shorts or Series
Being a 3D artist offers the unique ability to create animations for a range of media, including video games, TV shows, web series, and movies. There are several ways for earning money as a 3D animator if you know how to create exceptional 3D animations.
- One way to earn money from your animations is to sell animated short videos directly to clients who are interested in using them for projects.
- This can be applicable to people who aim to use 3D animation for personal projects or companies for commercials or marketing videos.
- You have two options: either contact potential clients personally and offer your skills or sell your animations on internet marketplaces like Creative Market or Etsy.
- To provide viewers with additional information about your work, you can make animated shorts or series that they can watch for free. In the description, you can provide links to your website or portfolio.
- If you build a sizable enough following, you may be able to earn money through sponsorships or fan donations.
- Producing video content for an established site like Twitch or YouTube is another way to earn money from your 3D animation abilities.
- You can also make 3D animations for a more complex project, like a video game or app.
In this scenario, the final product is likely to be developed in collaboration with a group of developers and designers, but your animated content would surely play a crucial role.
Know that your earning potential is influenced by your abilities, expertise, and practice in creating unique products for the market. Other elements that influence your revenue include the type of work you do, how you work, your clientele, and many more.
6. Online Courses and Tutorials
Another method for diversifying income streams in 3D animation is making and reselling online courses and lessons. This can be a really effective approach to making money off of your expertise and reaching more people than you would if you were only selling your services.
First, you must provide excellent content when you start online courses for 3D animation that readers will be eager to pay for. This strategy includes investing the time and energy necessary to produce comprehensive, step-by-step guides that cover all the bases.
You can begin marketing your courses on your website, on social media, or through other online channels after you have some quality content. You can charge top dollar for your classes if you can amass a sizable audience.
But even if you’re just getting started, you may still make money by giving your students valuable, reasonably priced courses. It is important to learn about the cost of 3D animation and do your research before you step in. Don’t be scared to try new things.
7. Make Money from Assets and Stock Footage
You want to use your skills to pursue your career as a 3D artist and have a strong interest in animation. There are a few ways to accomplish this, but the two most popular ones are stock footage and asset sales. While selling assets, you must consider a few considerations.
- A solid portfolio is essential for effectively displaying your abilities and style. It will assist you in drawing in customers who are searching for particular kinds of artwork or animations.
- You must be able to set a competitive price for your services. Since there is much competition, you must ensure that your rates are reasonable and competitive with those of your competitors.
- You must be able to market your work successfully. This involves maintaining a strong online presence across social media and/or collaborating with a platform or agency that can help expose your work to potential clients.
Stock footage is yet another excellent source of income for 3D artists. This includes creating quick animations that may be sold to businesses or individuals who require them for tasks. Producing excellent video content that viewers would be ready to pay for is crucial in this situation.
Once more, a great portfolio is crucial for drawing in clients, and advertising your work on social media or through a company can boost revenue. You can also work with a well-known 3D animation agency to strengthen your skills and portfolio.
8. Consultancy Services
You are an extremely enthusiastic and creative 3D artist who is also capable of producing stunning 3D animation. If you have expertise in 3D animation, you can provide advisory services to companies, people in need of assistance with their projects, or remote 3D animation jobs. This is an excellent opportunity to help others with your knowledge and talents while making money.
9. Create 3D Animations for Web or TV Series/Movies
If you’re skilled at 3D modeling and want to apply your skills in the entertainment sector, this is one of the best ways to earn money with 3D animation.
One alternative is to work as a freelancer and design and build models according to the needs of specific clients. You can find a lot of work by registering on a freelance network such as Fiverr or Upwork or by approaching experts in the entertainment sector directly.
Making and selling stock models is an additional source of income. Selling stock models is a common way for modelers to earn a full-time living. There are numerous online marketplaces where you may list and sell your 3D models.
Final Takeaway!
Despite its recent surge in popularity, 3D animation remains a highly sought-after skill. With this skill on your side, you can earn money in various ways. The best investment is, of course, in yourself. Enhancing your skills and consistently producing higher-quality 3D models is a great way to attract the interest of major production companies and make money. On the open market, premium 3D models can fetch several hundred dollars.
Moreover, if you’re looking for top-tier 3D or 2D animation services, you can always connect with Anideos—a leading animation studio across the globe.
