Animation is a talent that takes a long time to cultivate, so finding the right artist for your company can be hugely beneficial. Skilled animators are able to work in multiple mediums, from basic drawing and designing to creating amazing computer graphics and three-dimensional images.
To ensure that your professional animator job description caters to the right people, you’ll want to be clear about the type of animation you’re in need of. It’s a good idea to request that any applicants have samples of a particular medium in their portfolios.
Communication is important for every position, and that’s especially true for an employee who is tasked with bringing a vision to life. Within your animator job description listing, make your expectations clear for how animation projects will be handled. You can use the following example as a guide when you’re creating your own job posting.
Animator Job Summary
Are you a multimedia artist who loves to create? Our small production company is looking for a full-time animator with training in graphic design and computer animation to come on board. You’ll be creating graphics for a series of short films in post-production, managing ongoing content marketing projects and also pitching and working on ideas of your own. Our office thrives on collaboration, and you’ll be joining a team full of artistic people who love what they do and enjoy the creative process. We have exciting projects in the pipeline and are looking for the perfect animator to help us produce the best possible content.
Job Responsibilities
- Create 2D animation to enhance various projects, including short films, advertisements, branded logos and company website
- Meet with clients and other production members to discuss ideas, then create animations based on the client’s vision and using your artistic expertise
- Come up with reasonable timelines for job completion that will satisfy budgetary restrictions without compromising artistic integrity
- Design templates to be approved by clients and producers before launching into full-scale animation
- Attend weekly production meetings to discuss any developing projects and collaborate on improvements and changes that need to be made
- Work with marketing team to build new and innovative visual advertising campaigns for monthly mailings and social media marketing
- Update design software as necessary and continually research new methods and programs that could improve animation projects
- Draw, import and deliver storyboards as requested by producers and clients so that all projects receive necessary approval
Job Skills & Qualifications
Reqiured:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Two or more years’ animation and design experience
- Extremely proficient with computers
- Excellent language skills
Preferred:
- MFA in animation or graphic design
- Proficient with CAD software
- Ability to work overtime as needed
Want to use this job description?
View All Job Descriptions
Animator Job Responsibilities
Jobseekers decide in 60 seconds or less whether they want to apply for a posted job. This fact lays the responsibility for a successful job posting solely at the feet of the recruiter. When outlining your animator job description, visualize your best candidate for the position and target your ad for that specific person. When your details directly address the jobseeker you’re hoping to attract, you’re more likely to succeed in getting his or her attention.
The job responsibilities section holds the most information in the posting for jobseekers. Remember to focus on the primary responsibilities of an animator who’s working for you. Discuss the position with others on the creative team to determine the animator’s top priorities and specify those in the animator job description. If you’ve wanted to expand the position or divide the responsibilities, now is a great time to do that. Include the expanded role or limit the functions during the search for qualified candidates.
You may want to include the following in the list of animator job responsibilities:
- Collaborate with clients and colleagues to design visual, oral and written media to various project specifications
- Create preproduction storyboards to plan seamless production, save time and cast vision
- Adhere to strict deadlines and plan project timelines accordingly
- Maintain current knowledge of technology developments in the field
Animator Job Specifications
As mentioned, aiming your animator job description specifically toward the expert animator is more likely to attract that candidate. When listing qualifications and skills, aiming directly translates into stating exactly what’s required for the job. If you’re willing to hire an inexperienced illustrator that you can train to meet your high standards, say so by labeling the position as entry-level. However, if you have no desire to spend the time or money to train a beginner, don’t be afraid to state explicitly the years of experience necessary for the position.
Also evaluate whether the animator job description should list both required and preferred qualifications. Doing so lets applicants know the minimum qualifications while also offering a set of stronger criteria to widen the applicant pool. For example, if an associate’s degree is sufficient for the job, provided an applicant also has certificates in 2D and 3D animation, clearly indicate your expectations. If you would prefer someone with a bachelor’s rather than an associate’s degree, simply add, “Bachelor’s degree preferred.”
Consider including the following animator job specifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in computer animation, graphic arts or fine arts
- 3-5 years of animation experience
- Working knowledge of Maya, After Effects or other CGI software
- Technical expertise in animation tools, layers and blends