Post job

What does an animator do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
What does an animator do

The animators are specialized artists who conceptualized ideas from their creative minds with technology applications. Animators cater to different specialties depending on their expertise. They used multiple techniques and tools to create a digital masterpiece. An animator is required to have an excellent time and project management skills to meet deadlines. They should also be detail-oriented and technology savvy to keep up with the latest trend in the digital market. Animators are required to have regular communication with the respective department for the updates or adjustments as needed.

On this page

Animator responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real animator resumes:

  • Lead a team of artists to create the art and animation for motion comics aspects of the show.
  • Train & supervise newly appoint employee in achieving realistic looking effects and help integrating the effects in compositing with cg elements.
  • Create many logos for a YouTube sketch.
  • Sketch every seen multiple times utilizing several camera angles and character blocking.
  • Assist in the animation development of learning videos and nursery rhymes for YouTube.
  • Implement uniform display geometry to support texture artist and UV mapping artist, demonstrating advance UV mapping skills.
  • Create character performances and attacks for in-game, mini-games and fatality cinemas using a combination of motion capture and hand-key animation.
  • Animate in-game cinematics for AAA projects.
  • Rig and skin characters for multiple titles.
  • Animate characters, props and visual FX using MAYA.
  • Animate camera and props for a AAA client reveal video.
  • Organize YouTube page for easier access for members of the company.
  • Test and configure various rig systems for final version of production.
  • Skil in rigging and animating 3D assets for games and cinema.
  • Develop the design of interactive multimedia graphic DVD and CD's.

Animator skills and personality traits

We calculated that 36% of Animators are proficient in Animation, Motion Capture, and Storyboards. They’re also known for soft skills such as Artistic talent, Communication skills, and Computer skills.

We break down the percentage of Animators that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Animation, 36%

    Created character performances and attacks for in-game, mini-games and fatality cinemas using a combination of motion capture and hand-keyed animation.

  • Motion Capture, 7%

    Developed and implemented motion capture pipeline for all in-game ambient animations.

  • Storyboards, 5%

    Quadruped and biped character animation for mascot spots with James Madison University Participated in company critiques Worked from storyboards and style frames

  • Motion Graphics, 5%

    Created 60-second internal motion graphics video highlighting the automotive fleet management company s features and statistics.

  • AAA, 3%

    Animated camera and props for a AAA client reveal video.

  • Graphic Design, 3%

    Realize a digital 2D animation The Willow Tree and graphic design for the DVD cover Let's all Make a Circle.

"animation," "motion capture," and "storyboards" are among the most common skills that animators use at work. You can find even more animator responsibilities below, including:

Artistic talent. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an animator to have is artistic talent. Their role and responsibilities require that "animators and artists should have artistic ability and a good understanding of color, texture, and light." Animators often use artistic talent in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "write mel scripts to facilitate environment modeling and add flexibility to artistic changes. "

Computer skills. animators are also known for computer skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to animator responsibilities, because "many special effects artists and animators use computer programs or write programming code to do most of their work." An animator resume example shows how computer skills is used in the workplace: "produced 2d fx animation for a computer animated short entitled "capes""

Creativity. For certain animator responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "creativity." The day-to-day duties of an animator rely on this skill, as "artists and animators must be able to think creatively to develop original ideas and make them come to life." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what animators do: "improved design and motion graphics skills through practice and direction from creative leads. "

Time-management skills. Another common skill required for animator responsibilities is "time-management skills." This skill comes up in the duties of animators all the time, as "the workdays required by most studio and game design companies can be long, particularly when there are tight deadlines." An excerpt from a real animator resume shows how this skill is central to what an animator does: "work within the show's unique animation style to animate shots of the highest quality while adhering to strict production deadlines. "

Most common animator skills

The three companies that hire the most animators are:

Choose from 10+ customizable animator resume templates

Build a professional animator resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your animator resume.
Animator Resume
Animator Resume
Animator Resume
Animator Resume
Animator Resume
Animator Resume
Animator Resume
Animator Resume
Animator Resume
Animator Resume
Animator Resume
Animator Resume
Animator Resume
Animator Resume
Animator Resume
Animator Resume

Compare different animators

Animator vs. Graphic designer internship

In a graphic design internship, one of the primary responsibilities is to accomplish tasks while under the supervision of more experienced colleagues. An aspiring graphic designer may use this opportunity to observe and participate in designing for various industries, handle different clients, participate in creative meetings, and learn strategies from experts. Furthermore, there may also be technical tasks involving research and analysis, gathering materials, coordinating with vendors, and producing reports and other necessary documentation. They may also be responsible for maintaining a database and responding to calls and inquires.

If we compare the average animator annual salary with that of a graphic designer internship, we find that graphic designer interns typically earn a $41,053 lower salary than animators make annually.Even though animators and graphic designer interns are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require motion graphics, graphic design, and adobe photoshop in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an animator are more likely to require skills like "animation," "motion capture," "storyboards," and "aaa." On the other hand, a job as a graphic designer internship requires skills like "graphic design intern," "blog posts," "adobe creative suite," and "photography." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Graphic designer interns tend to make the most money working in the professional industry, where they earn an average salary of $41,614. In contrast, animators make the biggest average salary, $103,838, in the media industry.The education levels that graphic designer interns earn slightly differ from animators. In particular, graphic designer interns are 5.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an animator. Additionally, they're 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Animator vs. Graphic designer, marketing

A graphic designer of marketing specializes in developing creative imagery as part of a company's marketing efforts. Their responsibilities typically revolve around coordinating with the marketing team to share insights and strategies, conceptualizing designs in adherence to objectives and deadlines, and preparing presentations. One may also subject designs into various revisions and edits as needed. Furthermore, as a graphic designer, it is also essential to keep abreast of the latest trends and have an understanding of the target audience.

A career as a graphic designer, marketing brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of an animator. In fact, graphic designers, marketing salary is $28,090 lower than the salary of animators per year.A few skills overlap for animators and graphic designers, marketing. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "graphic design," "adobe photoshop," and "sketch. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real animator resumes. While animator responsibilities can utilize skills like "animation," "motion capture," "storyboards," and "motion graphics," graphic designers, marketing use skills like "adobe creative suite," "brochures," "blog posts," and "flyers."

Graphic designers, marketing may earn a lower salary than animators, but graphic designers, marketing earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $52,640. On the other hand, animators receive higher pay in the media industry, where they earn an average salary of $103,838.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Graphic designers, marketing tend to reach similar levels of education than animators. In fact, they're 3.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Animator vs. Web graphic designer

A web graphic designer specializes in the aesthetics and functionality of a web platform, software, and other applications. They are primarily responsible for building a platform that adheres to the subject's purpose and the client's preferred theme while prioritizing an easy-to-use and navigate interface. They must conduct regular testing and maintenance on the platform to ensure its efficiency and significance to the brand involved. Furthermore, a web graphic designer may work independently or work for a company, usually within a team setting.

An average web graphic designer eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of animators. The difference in salaries amounts to web graphic designers earning a $24,279 lower average salary than animators.Using the responsibilities included on animators and web graphic designers resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "graphic design," "adobe photoshop," and "sketch.rdquo;

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an animator is likely to be skilled in "animation," "motion capture," "storyboards," and "motion graphics," while a typical web graphic designer is skilled in "wordpress," "html," "css," and "website design."

Web graphic designers earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $56,507. Animators earn the highest pay from the media industry, with an average salary of $103,838.Most web graphic designers achieve a similar degree level compared to animators. For example, they're 2.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Animator vs. Graphic designer

Graphic designers are visual communicators who create graphic ideas to deliver a message through art and images which inspire, inform, and motivate consumers with the use of computer software, especially Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign or by hand. They have the ability to design stunning illustrations that are easily understood, even without a lot of thinking or based on the demand of their clients. It is very crucial to them as well to be flexible and to stay on top of the design trends. They create websites, posters, packaging, logos, advertising, and marketing materials, depending on the nature of the business.

Graphic designers typically earn lower pay than animators. On average, graphic designers earn a $27,403 lower salary per year.According to resumes from animators and graphic designers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "graphic design," "adobe photoshop," and "sketch. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between animators and graphic designers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an animator might have more use for skills like "animation," "motion capture," "storyboards," and "motion graphics." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of graphic designers require skills like "adobe creative suite," "typography," "brochures," and "design concepts. "

Graphic designers enjoy the best pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $59,067. For comparison, animators earn the highest salary in the media industry.graphic designers reach similar levels of education compared to animators, in general. The difference is that they're 4.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of animator

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

What an animator does FAQs

Search for animator jobs

Browse arts, entertainment, sports, and media jobs