Animator: What is the cost of hiring?

What is an animator?

An animator typically creates moving images using specialized computer software to design and produce animations for films, video games, television shows and advertisements. They generally refer to a creative brief or storyboard while creating designs. Animators may also collaborate with other creative professionals, including art directors, graphic designers, writers and sound designers, to align the animation style with the company’s vision. 

Why hire an animator?

An animator helps a business communicate ideas through visual elements, such as turning complex concepts into clear and engaging explainer videos. They also create memorable characters or logos that help strengthen your brand identity and marketing materials.

Your organization might hire an animator to enhance your website with interactive elements or create original video content for social media channels.

Contributions of a great animator:

• Improve brand storytelling
• Explain complex products or services with clear animated videos
• Increase audience engagement on social media and websites

Defining your hiring needs for an animator

As you determine how to hire an animator, consider the scope and duration of your project’s needs to help define your budget. A company might hire a full-time, in-house animator for a long-term video strategy or a freelance/contract animator for a short-term project.

Related roles you might want to consider include motion graphics designers and visual effects (VFX) artists.

What are the types of animators?

An animator may specialize in a particular style or animation technique, including computer-generated imagery (CGI) or stop-motion. Types of animators include:

• Two-Dimensional (2D) animator: Works with two-dimensional images to create animation, possibly using a traditional, hand-drawn style or animation software to animate characters and graphics in a flat space
• Three-Dimensional (3D) animator: Works with digital models in a 3D environment, adjusting these models frame by frame to create realistic movement for characters and objects in video games, films and architectural visualizations
• Motion Graphics animator: Animates text, logos and other graphic elements, often creating explainer videos, animated infographics, title sequences for videos and other content that communicates information through movement
• VFX artist: Specializes in creating and integrating animated elements into live-action video footage, such as creating realistic explosions, adding digital characters to a scene or removing unwanted objects from a shot

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Where to find animators

You can source animators through online portfolio websites, such as Behance or ArtStation. You can also find talent on animation-specific job boards and within online communities and forums dedicated to animation and digital art.

Art schools and universities with animation programs can be another excellent source for emerging talent. Many of these institutions host career fairs or have online portals.

To find the right animator for your team, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

• Online portfolios: Search portfolio sites for animators whose style matches your brand’s aesthetic.
• Industry events: Attend animation festivals or digital media conferences to network with experienced professionals.
• Art schools: Partner with local or national art schools to recruit graduating students for entry-level or internship positions.
• Posting your job online: Try posting your animator job on Indeed to attract quality candidates with specializations.

Skills to look for in an animator

A successful animator candidate will typically have the following skills and competencies, which may be gained through a variety of experiences, training or education:

• Proficiency with industry-standard software such as Adobe After Effects, Toon Boom Harmony, or Autodesk Maya
• Familiarity with core principles of animation like timing, spacing, squash and stretch, and anticipation
• Ability to brainstorm ideas and develop a distinct visual style that aligns with a project’s goals
• Attention to detail to help improve movement, lighting, color or texture
• Communication skills to explain ideas to team members and apply feedback from Directors or clients
• Strong foundational drawing skills, including shading and creating perspective

Writing an animator job description

A well-crafted job description is where all these elements—skills, salary data, and candidate search behavior—come together.

A strong animator job description typically includes a compelling summary of the role, a detailed list of duties and responsibilities and the required and preferred skills for the position. You may also want to include information about your company culture, benefits and perks to attract top candidates.

Ready to get started? Check out our full guide for writing animator job descriptions.

Interviewing animator candidates

To get a better sense of a candidate’s skills and experience, be prepared to ask questions about the following topics:

• Projects from their portfolio and how they supported the project’s vision
• Processes for creating final animations from storyboards or original concepts
• Ability to adjust designs based on client feedback
• Resources for staying informed about animation software and techniques
• Time management and prioritization methods to meet project deadlines