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Finding a job How To Find Jobs as an Animator (With Examples)

How To Find Jobs as an Animator (With

Examples)
Indeed Editorial Team

Updated January 26, 2023

Animation is a creative field that allows you to make movies, cartoons and commercials. As the world of
artistry develops, many companies are looking for quality animators to bring their brand's creative assets
to consumers worldwide. Animators can work in a wide variety of styles and themes, and if this role
sounds appealing to you, consider learning about how to find a job in animation. In this article, we explore
what an animator does, how to find work as an animator and jobs you might enjoy in the profession.

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What does an animator do?

Animators create digital graphic assets for businesses and brands that promote an idea, a product or an
organizational goal to a broad audience. Some animators work for business departments such as
marketing and advertising. Others create forms of entertainment such as video games, moving images
like GIFs and cartoons for adults or children. Animators also help companies create immersive digital
experiences and virtual reality components for their marketing strategies. Many animators work in
graphic design fields, giving images depth and complexity.

How to find jobs as an animator

Animation jobs don't require a certain career path or degree. Animators can come from a variety of
backgrounds and have a diverse range of artistic skills. Here are six steps you can take to find jobs as an
animator:

1. Gain experience in different animation styles

In the graphic art and animation field, most clients want animators to incorporate a variety of styles or
artistic elements into their deliverables. To meet these needs, consider gaining experience in several
artistic styles. You can then produce work your clients value and increase your marketability for a variety
of project types.

Related: Animation Skills: Definition and Examples

2. Build your portfolio

A portfolio is a group of sample projects you've completed that allows you to show your animation skills
to potential clients. If you haven't made animations for many clients, you can include sample projects
you've produced for yourself.

A convenient way to share and display a portfolio of completed work is on a website or an online portfolio
platform. For animators, an online portfolio is often preferable, particularly if the type of work you offer is
digital. Your portfolio can showcase a variety of work or focus on a niche market. You can also give
potential clients a list of references from past clients.

3. Consider additional education

Consider pursuing additional education or platform certification to make yourself more marketable to a
broader audience. Options for continuing education include an associate degree in graphic design or a
related field from a local community college, a Bachelor of Arts degree in a design-related topic or
platform certification for animation tools. Alternatively, you might choose to pursue a master's level
program or higher, depending on your field and career goals. Additional education can be an asset that
allows you to diversify your approach and provide well-rounded services to clients.

Related: Q&A: What Is a Bachelor's Degree in Art?

4. Build your network

Networking can be valuable in fields of artistry such as animation. You can network virtually using online
job platforms. You can also attend industry events or mixers hosted by your place of education.
Networking is a powerful tool that can connect you with clients and employers searching for workers in
specific fields, such as animation.

Related: The Benefits of Networking: 14 Reasons To Start Your Network

5. Seek internships or work experience

Completing relevant internships can help you become established in the field. Internships or other related
work opportunities can allow you to experiment with new styles and learn to use a variety of tools and
techniques. They also give you references and work experience you can list on your resume when you
decide to look for new opportunities. Jobs that aren't in animation but in a related field, such as graphic
design, can also be beneficial and provide you with more exposure to the digital art industry.

Related: 10 Careers in the Art Field

6. Begin your job application process

After you've created your portfolio, gained experience with related opportunities and built a strong
network, you can begin your job application process. Evaluate what type of animation field you want to
work in. For example, you might decide you want to work in 2D animation style for a television network
rather than 3D design for a video game company. Every opportunity is unique and can provide you with
new and exciting opportunities. You can apply to roles independently, in person or through digital job-
seeking platforms.

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Common jobs in animation

While animators can qualify for a variety of jobs, here are three positions you can apply for with
experience or a degree in animation:

1. Illustrator
National average salary: $27,184 per year

Primary duties: Illustrators create storyboards and digitized or cartoon-based commercials for clients.
They might also create designs for businesses and independent clients. Similar to other artists in the
digital space, illustrators might work within a team to meet client expectations and create unique assets
for the client's vision or brand. Illustrators can work traditionally with pen and paper or use virtual
platforms to provide digital illustration services.
2. Independent animator
National average salary: $41,712 per year

Primary duties: An independent animator's primary duties might include producing client projects,
making mock-ups, samples or storyboards and creating moving graphic elements for marketing or film.
They might also manage or work with a team to create client deliverables and provide additional artistic
value.

Related: Learn About Being an Animator

3. Graphic designer
National average salary: $50,762 per year

Primary duties: Graphic designers create artistic assets and often work directly with clients to determine
which elements they want incorporated into a project. Graphic designers might work with project
managers and other artists on a team to create marketing assets and develop a client's marketing plan
with logos, images or website elements. These professionals can also work independently and create
social media graphics, cartoons or still images using photo editing platforms.

Related: Learn About Being a Graphic Designer

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