5 Amazing animator Resume Examples (Updated 2023) + Skills & Job Descriptions

While most of your work as an animator focuses on visual media, you may feel constrained by written communication when searching for a job. The best way to catch the eye of a recruiter or employer is with a strong, creative animator resume that brings attention to your qualifications, achievements, and experience. Your resume should include those specific skills from software proficiency and certification to more traditional drawing and color theory that illustrate why you are the best candidate. Thinking outside the box may not be new to you, especially when faced with the ever-changing pace of technology in your industry. Use that ability to adapt and problem-solve in your job search by following our animator resume sample and writing suggestions. Learn what information you should include and how to format it effectively to produce a well-written, professional resume. It can make all the difference between getting a dream job or going back to the drawing board.

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animator: Resume Samples & Writing Guide

Employment history

Chief Animator, Apple Inc. Cupertino, California

November 2020 – Present

Research and stay up-to-date with the latest trends in animation
Adjust and refine the animation sequences as needed
Integrate sound, music, and other elements into the animation

Associate Animator, Adobe San Jose, California

April 2020 – October 2020

Follow technical specifications and industry standards
Adjust and refine the animation sequences as needed
Develop storyboards and animatics to help visualize the project

Junior Animator, Microsoft Redmond, Washington

October 2019 – March 2020

Work with the director and other members of the production team to ensure that the vision of the project is achieved
Adjust and refine the animation sequences as needed
Utilize motion capture technology to create realistic movements

Education

California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, California

Bachelor of Arts in Animation, August, 2019

Skills

Social Media

Public Speaking

Problem Solving

Supervisory

Drawing

Character Design

Animation

3D Animation

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Professional Summary

A highly creative and motivated animator with a passion for developing original designs and animations for a variety of projects. Proven track record of delivering high-quality work on time and within budget.

Employment history

Chief Animator, Google Mountain View, California

November 2010 – Present

Maintain documentation related to the animation project
Adjust and refine the animation sequences as needed
Follow technical specifications and industry standards

Associate Animator, Facebook Menlo Park, California

November 2009 – October 2010

Use software such as Adobe After Effects, Autodesk Maya, and Toon Boom Harmony to create animations
Adjust and refine the animation sequences as needed
Integrate sound, music, and other elements into the animation

Jr. Animator, IDEO Chicago, Illinois

May 2008 – October 2009

Monitor the progress of the animation project to ensure it is completed on time and within budget
Use software such as Adobe After Effects, Autodesk Maya, and Toon Boom Harmony to create animations
Create 2D and/or 3D animation for use in films, television shows, video games, websites, and other digital media

Education

Pacific Northwest College of Art, Portland, Oregon

Doctor of Philosophy in Fashion Design, March, 2008

Pacific Northwest College of Art, Portland, Oregon

Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media, March, 2004

Skills

Communication

Decision Making

Technical

Quality Assurance

Visual Effects

Animation

Rendering

3D Animation

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Professional Summary

A highly creative Animator with a passion for art and design. Experienced in creating high-quality animations for a wide range of projects and audiences.

Employment history

Lead Animator, Adobe San Jose, California

September 2013 – Present

Collaborate with artists, designers, and other animators to create complex animations
Integrate sound, music, and other elements into the animation
Adjust and refine the animation sequences as needed

Associate Animator, Pixar Emeryville, California

March 2013 – August 2013

Research and stay up-to-date with the latest trends in animation
Integrate sound, music, and other elements into the animation
Follow technical specifications and industry standards

Entry Level Animator, IDEO Chicago, Illinois

September 2011 – February 2013

Research and stay up-to-date with the latest trends in animation
Adjust and refine the animation sequences as needed
Follow technical specifications and industry standards

Education

Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, Maryland

Fashion Design Certificate, August, 2011

Skills

Self-Motivation

Accounting

Flexibility

Supervisory

Motion Graphics

Texturing

2D Animation

Autodesk Maya

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Employment history

Lead Animator, Etsy Brooklyn, New York

November 2016 – Present

Collaborate with artists, designers, and other animators to create complex animations
Maintain documentation related to the animation project
Create 2D and/or 3D animation for use in films, television shows, video games, websites, and other digital media

Animator, Twitter San Francisco, California

May 2015 – October 2016

Utilize motion capture technology to create realistic movements
Work with the director and other members of the production team to ensure that the vision of the project is achieved
Use software such as Adobe After Effects, Autodesk Maya, and Toon Boom Harmony to create animations

Junior Animator, Adobe San Jose, California

June 2014 – May 2015

Create 2D and/or 3D animation for use in films, television shows, video games, websites, and other digital media
Use software such as Adobe After Effects, Autodesk Maya, and Toon Boom Harmony to create animations
Animate characters and objects in a realistic or exaggerated manner

Education

Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Interior Design Certificate, April, 2014

Skills

Reliability

Interpersonal

Collaboration

Project Management

Lighting

Autodesk Maya

3D Animation

Storytelling

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Professional Summary

A highly creative and passionate Animator, specializing in creating high-quality visuals for a variety of projects. Experienced in using the latest animation software and techniques to bring ideas to life.

Employment history

Chief Animator, Pixar Emeryville, California

October 2012 – Present

Animate characters and objects in a realistic or exaggerated manner
Utilize motion capture technology to create realistic movements
Test and debug animations for errors and inconsistencies

Animator, Facebook Menlo Park, California

April 2012 – October 2012

Develop storyboards and animatics to help visualize the project
Utilize motion capture technology to create realistic movements
Animate characters and objects in a realistic or exaggerated manner

Jr. Animator, The New York Times New York City, New York

November 2010 – March 2012

Monitor the progress of the animation project to ensure it is completed on time and within budget
Integrate sound, music, and other elements into the animation
Work with the director and other members of the production team to ensure that the vision of the project is achieved

Education

Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York

Master of Arts in Creative Writing, September, 2010

Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York

Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts, September, 2006

Skills

Research

Collaboration

Process Improvement

Reliability

Drawing

Rendering

Adobe Photoshop

3D Animation

Use This animator Resume Template

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animator Job Descriptions; Explained

If you're applying for an animator position, it's important to tailor your resume to the specific job requirements in order to differentiate yourself from other candidates. Including accurate and relevant information that directly aligns with the job description can greatly increase your chances of securing an interview with potential employers.

When crafting your resume, be sure to use action verbs and a clear, concise format to highlight your relevant skills and experience. Remember, the job description is your first opportunity to make an impression on recruiters, so pay close attention to the details and make sure you're presenting yourself in the best possible light.

animator

Created two-dimensional images depicting objects in motion or illustrating a process, using digital animation tools in Animate CC.
Created and installed special effects animation as required by the script, including water, magic dust, smoke and splattering food.
Organized sport activities and tournaments for guests.
Actively took part in creating a friendly and sincere enviroment.

senior animator

Producing expressive and entertaining animation within tight deadlines and high quotas
Possesses and demonstrates excellent understanding of animation principles and work flow
Responds positively to critique, but also clearly communicates creative ideas, thoughts and suggestions to both animation supervisors and leads.
Assisted in training of new hire

animator

Apply story development, directing, cinematography, and editing to animation
Create and install special effects as required by the script, mixing chemicals and fabricating needed parts from wood, metal, plaster, and clay
Make Objects appear life like by successive drawings with various different positions and angles.
Clean Up Animations and make them look like what their designed to be.

1 2 3 4

animator Job Skills

For an animator position, your job skills are a key factor in demonstrating your value to the company and showing recruiters that you're the ight fit for the role. It's important to be specific when highlighting your skills and ensure that they are directly aligned with the job requirements, as this can greatly improve your chances of being hired. By showcasing your relevant skills and experience, you can make a compelling case for why you're the best candidate for the job.

How to include technical skills in your resume:

Technical skills are a set of specialized abilities and knowledge required to perform a particular job effectively. Some examples of technical skills are data analysis, project management, software proficiency, and programming languages, to name a few.

Add the technical skills that will get hired in your career field with our simple-to-use resume builder. Select your desired resume template, once you reach the skills section of the builder, manually write in the skill or simply click on "Add more skills". This will automatically generate the best skills for your career field, choose your skill level, and hit "Save & Next."

Animation
Storytelling
Drawing
2D Animation
3D Animation
Character Design
Visual Effects
Adobe Creative Suite
Adobe After Effects
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Animate
Autodesk Maya
Autodesk 3ds Max
Motion Graphics
Video Editing
Rigging
Lighting
Texturing
Rendering
Audio Editing

How to include soft skills in your resume:

Soft skills are non-technical skills that relate to how you work and that can be used in any job. Including soft skills such as time management, creative thinking, teamwork, and conflict resolution demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and show that you navigate challenges and changes in the workplace efficiently.

Add competitive soft skills to make your resume stand-out to recruiters! Simply select your preferred resume template in the skills section, enter the skills manually or use the "Add more skills" option. Our resume builder will generate the most relevant soft skills for your career path. Choose your proficiency level for each skill, and then click "Save & Next" to proceed to the next section.

Communication
Interpersonal
Leadership
Time Management
Problem Solving
Decision Making
Critical Thinking
Creativity
Adaptability
Teamwork
Organization
Planning
Public Speaking
Negotiation
Conflict Resolution
Research
Analytical
Attention to Detail
Self-Motivation
Stress Management
Collaboration
Coaching
Mentoring
Listening
Networking
Strategic Thinking
Negotiation
Emotional Intelligence
Adaptability
Flexibility
Reliability
Professionalism
Computer Literacy
Technical
Data Analysis
Project Management
Customer Service
Presentation
Written Communication
Social Media
Troubleshooting
Quality Assurance
Collaboration
Supervisory
Risk Management
Database Management
Training
Innovation
Documentation
Accounting
Financial Management
Visualization
Reporting
Business Acumen
Process Improvement
Documentation
Relationship Management.

How to Improve Your animator Resume

Navigating resume pitfalls can mean the difference between landing an interview or not. Missing job descriptions or unexplained work history gaps can cause recruiters to hesitate. Let's not even talk about the impact of bad grammar, and forgetting your contact info could leave your potential employer hanging. Aim to be comprehensive, concise, and accurate.

Employment history

Chief Animator, Pixar Emeryville, California

September 2019 – Present

Test and debug animations for errors and inconsistencies
Follow technical specifications and industry standards
Design characters, backgrounds, and other elements

Associate Animator, Etsy Brooklyn, New York

February 2019 – August 2019

Design characters, backgrounds, and other elements
Test and debug animations for errors and inconsistencies
Create 2D and/or 3D animation for use in films, television shows, video games, websites, and other digital media

Jr. Animator, Etsy Brooklyn, New York

August 2018 – January 2019

Education

Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York

Master of Arts in Animation, June, 2018

Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York

Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media, June, 2014

Skills

Accounting

Negotiation

Attention to Detail

Time Management

Video Editing

Visual Effects

Adobe Illustrator

Rigging

Include your Contact Information and Job Descriptions

Missing job descriptions lessens your chances of getting hired.

Key Insights

Employers want to know what you've accomplished, so make sure to include descriptions for all of your previous jobs.
Keep job descriptions short but don't just list your jobs.
Never copy-paste a job description to post on your resume. Get inspired and use tools to help you write customized descriptions.

How to Optimize Your animator Resume

Keep an eye out for these resume traps. Neglecting to detail your job roles or explain gaps in your career can lead to unnecessary doubts. Grammar blunders can reflect negatively on you, and without contact information, how can employers reach you? Be meticulous and complete.

Employment history

Senior Animator, Apple Inc. Cupertino, California

November 2022 – May 2022

Maintane documentatin relatd too the animatin projct.
Test and debug animtions fer errors and inconsistancies.
Develop storyboard's and animatic's too help visualize the project's.

Associate Animator, Google Mountain View, California

May 2022 – November 2022

Reasearch, and stay up-to-date with the latest trends in animaton.
Colaborate wih artist's, design's, and other animator's too create complex animation's.
Mointor the progres of the animtion project to ensue it is compleated on time and within budjet.

Jr. Animator, Twitter San Francisco, California

December 2020 – April 2022

Animate charactors an objects in a realistc or exagerrated maner.
Test and debug animatings fer errors and inconsistencys.
Colaborate with artis's, designer's, and other animator's too create complex animation's.

Education

School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

Doctor of Philosophy in Fashion Design, October, 2020

School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media, October, 2016

Skills

Organization

Supervisory

Time Management

Emotional Intelligence

Storytelling

Audio Editing

Adobe Photoshop

3D Animation

Correct Grammar and Address Gap Years in Your Resume

Don't leave unexplained gaps in your work history.

Key Insights

When explaining gaps in your employment section, start by being honest.
Elaborate on the gap and show that you never stopped learning.
Explain and elaborate any gap in your work history by highlighting new skills.

animator Cover Letter Example

A cover letter can be a valuable addition to your job application when applying for an animator position. Cover letters provide a concise summary of your qualifications, skills, and experience, also it also gives you an opportunity to explain why you're the best fit for the job. Crafting a cover letter that showcases your relevant experience and enthusiasm for the Accounts Payable role can significantly improve your chances of securing an interview.

Chief Animator
IDEO
Chicago, Illinois

To the respected IDEO Hiring Team

I am a results-driven Animator with 4 years of experience in Art & Creative & Design. I am excited to submit my application for the Chief Animator role at IDEO, where I believe I can make a valuable contribution to your team.

Throughout my life, I have pursued my passion for Illustration and have gained experience in this field as a result. This experience has given me valuable skills such as Social Media and Public Speaking, which I am excited to bring to this position. I am eager to work with a team that shares my enthusiasm as a Animator and help your organization achieve its well determined goals.

Thank you for considering my application for the Chief Animator role. I am very passionate about this field and possess a deep understanding of the industry so, I am thrilled about the opportunity to contribute to your organization's success.

Kind regards,
Xaviero Ellis
863-457-0533
[email protected]

Xaviero Ellis

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