Animator Job Description Template

Getting your animator job posting right is crucial if you want to attract top animation talent to your company. If your job description is missing essential details, it could dissuade people from applying – or mean that you attract the wrong people.

While our animator job description template is optimized for online job boards or careers pages, remember that it’s just a template. You’ll need to adjust it so that it’s specific to the kind of animator that your company is looking for. (And tease out more details with some thoughtful interview questions, naturally.)

You may want to change details like:

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  Years of experience required

This will vary depending on whether you’re looking for a junior, mid-level, or senior animator. You might also want to encourage applicants who don’t have formal experience in a workplace but have honed their animation skills on personal projects or in related fields. This could help you attract a wider range of talent.

• 
  Specific animator duties

Some jobs will mean that animators need specific experience. If you’re a video games company, then the animator might need knowledge of game engines, character animation, and certain visual effects. But they may need to know less about social media. Tailor the job description template so it closely matches what you’re looking for.

Ready? Let’s take a look.

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Template

Introduction

At [company name], we’re looking for a creative animator / multimedia artist to create frames with 2D or 3D animation, or other techniques. Working alongside other team members, your animations will bring to life our storylines and characters in [films / video games / movies / TV productions].

Our dream animator is a team player with an irrepressible creative streak. You’re a pro at storyboarding and graphic design, and a whizz with animation software, capable of turning a script or concept into a computer animation without breaking a sweat.

Animator responsibilities

As an animator at [company name], you will:

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  Read scripts and storylines to understand animation requirements
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  Prepare high-quality presentations with initial designs for clients
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  Develop storyboards for the early stages of production
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  Create models, drawings and illustrations by hand or electronically
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  Use compositing skills to combine images with background graphics and special effects
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  Ensure that frames and audio are in sync
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  Contribute to the editing process alongside team members
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  Direct animation assistants in their work
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  Collaborate with the production team, including graphic designers and art directors

Requirements and skills

We’re looking for someone with:

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  Exceptional animation skills: [x] years animation experience, or relevant experience in a related field
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  Knowledge of 2D animation or 3D animation, stop motion and computer-generated animation (CGI)
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  A high-quality portfolio with a range of animation projects that showcase your animation style
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  Time management skills for working to tight deadlines
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  Interpersonal skills for working alongside other team members as part of a production team
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  Animation software skills (we use a mix of Adobe After Effects, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere, Autodesk 3ds Max, and Autodesk Maya)
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  Storytelling skills for communicating ideas to clients
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  Communication skills and an appreciation for teamwork
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  A bachelor’s degree in computer animation, motion graphics, computer graphics, 3D/graphic design, fine arts, or a related field

About the author

Luke Leighfield

Luke is a freelance writer based in London. A pop musician turned copywriter, he's worked at agencies including AKQA and R/GA, and written for brands like Nike, Google, BBC, and Volvo.