The global skills and competency framework for the digital world

Animation development ADEV

Designing and developing animated and interactive systems such as games, simulations and virtual environments.

Revision notes

Updates for SFIA 9

  • Theme(s) influencing the updates for this skill: Making SFIA easier to consume (enhance readability/guidance/descriptions), Making SFIA easier to consume (new levels).
  • Guidance notes have been updated to reference contemporary examples and applications of the skill
  • New level 2 added to support entry-level roles.
  • Content changes have been made to levels 3, 4, 5, and 6.
  • You can move to SFIA 9 when you are ready - SFIA 8 skill descriptions will still be available to use.
  • Previous SFIA assessments or skills mapping are not impacted by this change.

Guidance notes

Animation development enables the creation of visually engaging and interactive experiences for various industries, such as gaming, training, scientific research and engineering, as well as virtual reality and augmented reality applications.

Components of animation systems include game engine or framework, visual assets (3D models, 2D artwork, animations), audio assets, user interface and user experience components, game logic, data and configuration files, tools and pipelines, documentation and design documents

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

  • employing animation techniques, including keyframe animation, motion capture, procedural animation and skeletal animation
  • using specialised software for rigging, skinning and animation editing
  • creating and integrating animations into interactive systems
  • ensuring integration of animations with game logic, physics and artificial intelligence systems
  • optimising animations for performance and adhering to consistency and quality standards.

Understanding the responsibility levels of this skill

Where lower levels are not defined...
  • Specific tasks and responsibilities are not defined because the skill requires a higher level of autonomy, influence, and complexity in decision-making than is typically expected at these levels. You can use the essence statements to understand the generic responsibilities associated with these levels.
Where higher levels are not defined...
  • Responsibilities and accountabilities are not defined because these higher levels involve strategic leadership and broader organisational influence that goes beyond the scope of this specific skill. See the essence statements.

Developing skills and demonstrating responsibilities related to this skill

The defined levels show the incremental progression in skills and responsibilities.

Where lower levels are not defined...

You can develop your knowledge and support others who do have responsibility in this area by:

  • Learning key concepts and principles related to this skill and its impact on your role
  • Performing related skills (see the related SFIA skills)
  • Supporting others who are performing higher level tasks and activities
Where higher levels are not defined...
  • You can progress by developing related skills which are better suited to higher levels of organisational leadership.

Show/hide extra descriptions and levels.

Levels of responsibility for this skill

2 3 4 5 6

Animation development: Level 2

Level 2 - Assist: Essence of the level: Provides assistance to others, works under routine supervision, and uses their discretion to address routine problems. Actively learns through training and on-the-job experiences.

Assists in the creation of basic visual and audio components for animations under routine supervision.

Follows established procedures and guidelines and contributes to the development of simple animations using standard tools.

Helps create and maintain documentation.

Animation development: Level 3

Level 3 - Apply: Essence of the level: Performs varied tasks, sometimes complex and non-routine, using standard methods and procedures. Works under general direction, exercises discretion, and manages own work within deadlines. Proactively enhances skills and impact in the workplace.

Builds visual and audio components using animation software.

Uses design tools to evolve rapid prototypes of interactive systems and user interfaces.

Uses visual design tools and organic modelling techniques to create and animate virtual characters within a game or system design.

Animation development: Level 4

Level 4 - Enable: Essence of the level: Performs diverse complex activities, supports and guides others, delegates tasks when appropriate, works autonomously under general direction, and contributes expertise to deliver team objectives.

Builds visual and audio components and integrates them into the system structure.

Uses design tools to evolve rapid prototypes and assess the viability of design concepts for interactive systems and user interfaces.

Uses complex visual design tools and organic modelling techniques to create and animate virtual characters within a game or system design.

Animation development: Level 5

Level 5 - Ensure, advise: Essence of the level: Provides authoritative guidance in their field and works under broad direction. Accountable for delivering significant work outcomes, from analysis through execution to evaluation.

Manages iterations of level design and storytelling, documenting the overall flow and architecture of a game or similar system.

Develops conceptual structures into design blueprints to create high-level structures and runtime architectures for websites and virtual environments.

Oversees the integration of animations with game logic, physics and artificial intelligence systems.

Animation development: Level 6

Level 6 - Initiate, influence: Essence of the level: Has significant organisational influence, makes high-level decisions, shapes policies, demonstrates leadership, promotes organisational collaboration, and accepts accountability in key areas.

Provides overall creative direction in the conception and design of animation products such as games and simulations.

Establishes animation development strategies, pipelines and quality assurance processes.

Adapts or develops new methods and organisational capabilities and drives adoption of, and adherence to, policies and standards.

Keywords
Large change New level