Why Animators Should Adopt A Tablet
Intro
Let's say you're 60 years old. You're an amazing animator, but the effects of time are starting to show: you're back hurts, you're out of shape, whenever you move, everything just hurts. A lifetime of artistry and being hunched over a desk had turned you're body into a husk of it's former glory, and now you're paying the price for it.
If I told you that you could help avoid this fate right now by investing your money in a tablet would you believe me?
Breakpoint
The effects of stationary working are very well known at this point. People should be far more active than they are now. There was a time that was difficult to do. Especially for artists. All of the necessary programs were exclusive to desktops, and the technology for mobile tech want even close to competing.
That time is no more, and I'm here to let you know that buying a tablet now is the perfect time. You can be equipped with tech that removes you from your desk and frees you to take your creativity wherever you are, and hopefully to a much healthier and sustainable place.
This mighty miracle of technology has allowed me to do everything I need to do for social media. It’s not quite at the place that a desktop computer is, but it does enough where I can get myself out of the house and get plenty of work done. It’s really amazing. Anyway, here’s my list for the pros and cons of tablets. I’m making it an effort to not list very obvious things like tablets can be dropped, or desktops can collect dust.
Let’s do it!
Pros
App Libraries
I can only really speak for iOS since I’m entrenched in that ecosystem, but I’m sure what I’m writing about here will apply to android tablets as well (if not now, eventually). That said, yes, the size of these app libraries are insane. If you’re an artist, you have a lot of options to choose from. On iOS specifically, you have Procreate, Fresco, photoshop and a bunch of others. To add even more fuel to the fire, these apps are always getting updated, and every year they get closer and closer to competing with desktop class programs. For example, just recently, procreate added animation features to the app (for free), and it puts it within punching distance of Adobe Animate, and surprisingly, TV Paint, at least for simple projects. The apps are only going to get better too!
Cross Platform Cloud Services
In many cases such as with the likes of adobe programs- there’s a ton of cross platform compatibility. Many of the apps now also have far more sophisticated exporting features (like exporting in PSDs, or GIFs) and you can save these assets to the likes of Dropbox, or whatever service you use, and continue working on your desktop (if you have one), for specific tasks. I didn’t really expect this point to be so important to me, but it’s such a convenient and integral part of my workflow now, that I don’t want to go back.
Reintegrated into the world
One of my new found pleasures is going to a cafe, sitting down for 2 or so hours and writing these blogs. Another is walking around for 5+ miles while intermittently drawing. Another one is going to the park and feeling the breeze, getting a burst of inspiration as I see a runner and their dog jogging past me, and drawing what I feel in that moment. My biggest reason to get a tablet is that it places you in the world, as an active participant, instead of cutting you off from it. I think that should get any artist excited.
Cons
App ecosystem still maturing
This might seem like a bit of a contradiction of the first point, but it’s not. There are A LOT of apps out there, and they are getting better, but they’re not at their best point yet (which to me is exciting). A good example is photoshop. If you don’t have a desktop (bear with me), and you want photoshop, the iPad version is barren. Like Sahara Desert barren, and if you had to work within the confines of that app, you would be severely hampered. You’ll still have a larger pool than just drawing on paper, but you certainly wouldn’t be getting your moneys worth. There’s no saying what the ceiling is for these apps, but it is important to be mindful they are a lot more limited than their desktop brothers (as of now). You can make the argument that it’s still too early to jump in because of this, but on the other hand, if more people jump in, there’ll be more incentive for companies to throw more money and time behind these apps.
Some kinds of programs may never be possible
This is a tougher pill to swallow, but it’s important to understand. Some programs may just not be a great fit for tablets. I would be very surprised if Adobe decided to port After Effects to iPads. While it might not be technically impossible, the form factor works against such complicated interfaces, and developers will have to do a lot to overhaul the UI’s and make them intuitive for tablets. Same goes for a program like Toonboom. We’ll see what the future holds, but I think there will definitely be a wall, and it may or may not be crossed depending on the willpower of these development houses.
Outro
So those are my main points. I’ve always loved iPads, and have dreamed for a long time that they would get to this point, but I think they’re finally here with the likes of the iPad Pro. There are also a lot more competitors popping up which is great, and the field will get better with time.
Looking back, one of the core reasons I was able to turn my year around, was do to my iPad Pro, and being unchained from my desk. Being able to get out, walk around, meet people, draw, write, have a coffee and relax is sublime, and it’s honestly a far healthier way to work in my opinion. My iPad allowed me to break toxic routines and free myself to explore things I would not have given a chance otherwise. I know I’m hyping it up at this point, but these are all my authentic feelings. I don’t care if you buy an iPad, but I do care that your body doesn’t suffer while you unleash your creativity to the world.
Lastly, the desktop does have its place. I know I certainly love mine, and for specific computer and power-related tasks, you’re not going to get better than a jacked up rig. That said, hopefully I’ve helped build some intrigue to those who are considering whether to update or get a new desktop or workstation, or go portable. To be honest, I really think that the best way for these ecosystems to get better is to invest in them. If artists don’t go mobile, developers won’t have the incentive to pus their products there. There’s a bright future opening up to creatives, and I think now is the best time to seize it.
