In the working world, professionalism is a vital aspect of ensuring that the work being done is to a high level of quality. Those who are considered to have a high level of professionalism are reliable, logical thinkers with a good record in terms of work completion. They always go above and beyond to accomplish the goals set out for them, and are often considered very highly amongst their peers.
What is professionalism? Does it apply to people in the creative industries such as artists and animators? How can others strive to be seen as a professional in their field?
What is the Concept of Professionalism?
Generally, professionalism encompasses what we expect from a well-trained individual in that field - a high level of skill in their respective job, problem-solving capabilities and good behaviour being the main 3. These qualities are highly sought-after in every work environment. However, for art and animation, the description can extend further.
In the blog ‘Professionalism’, written by blogger Animated Spirit, they state:
“There are many good artists out there but what distinguishes true professionals is that ‘pros’ aren’t just paid for what they do, they also provide an assurance as to a degree of quality and an expectation of delivery. In other words, the professional is accountable.”
Professionalism in art and animation is mostly defined by the ability to rely on the individual to produce high-quality work in a timely manner. They are trusted to deliver the work they are assigned quickly, and always meet this goal.
Respect and Reputation
A majority of the world’s most famous animators are thought of highly because of their levels of professionalism. Disney’s ‘Nine Old Men’ were consistent and reliable, always outputting their highest-quality work. Hayao Miyazaki, another industry veteran, is known for his incredible work on many Studio Ghibli films. In more recent times, James Baxter is an animator who has been all over the industry, animating for cartoons and movies across multiple massive studios like Disney and Dreamworks. His work is beautifully smooth and he has gotten several opportunities to guest-animate for shows like Steven Universe and Adventure time.
All of the animators listed above are well-respected for their work. They have a good reputation in terms of the consistent quality of their work, and are thus highly regarded. Having a good reputation in the field is extremely important, as it means you are more likely to be recommended and hired by further and further studios. If your reputation is tarnished, it can affect your ability to find work and even cause you to be blacklisted from companies if it goes far enough. Things like showing respect for other artists, producing high-quality work and completing work within a deadline are all vital to maintaining a good reputation in the field.
Industry Discipline Area Integrity
We all strive to eventually reach a point where we are considered ‘professionals’. It remains the crowning achievement in the creative industry to be considered as an integral part of how the entire operation functions. We wish to embody the things that make our fields well-respected, and we work hard to get there. Being a good role model for others can help to inspire them to do the same, and the entire thing trickles down from there. It also reflects well on our field as a whole if those that work within it are hard-working, timely and kind. Everyone represents the field they exist within, and the actions we take reflect upon everyone who is part of that field.
This is why upholding our industry discipline area’s integrity is so important. An article on MichaelPage, an Australia-based job website, states:
“Ultimately, integrity is based on values rather than personal gain . . . Having integrity helps foster an open and positive work environment and an ethical approach to decision-making . . . By showing that you are an honest and dependable person, you’ll gain respect and trust from your peers and managers, which can also play a big part in your career growth, progression and overall success.”
By being a good representation of what the industry expects, you give back to yourself and your peers by fostering a healthy environment for creative work, and get closer to achieving the level of professionalism that so many great animators have achieved before you.
To maintain a good reputation in your field, you have to uphold the pillars of professionalism - commitment, integrity, responsibility and accountability, to name a few common examples. It isn’t enough to just do the work. You should be striving to achieve more, being a good example to peers and fostering a reputation of reliability. The more you contribute to the field, the more it will give back to you in return. If you can prove you are up to the task, the opportunities before an aspiring animator can be endless.