Animator Resume: Examples & Tips
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Animators play a crucial part in developing excellent visual content in different media. To flourish in this role, you should have creativity and an understanding of visual communication, and bring them to fruition. Usual requirements for this job include a bachelor’s degree in a related filmmaking discipline, along with computer expertise and knowledge of editing and animation software.
To outshine other applicants, use our resume examples and tips to create your own professional animator resume.
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Animator example (text version)
Name: ALEXA FENTON
Address: City, State, Zip Code
Phone: 000-000-0000
E-Mail: email@email.com
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Motivated Animator focused on character development and high-quality animation. Successful at completing action-driven and dramatic shots. Versed in a wide range of animation styles, techniques and software programs.
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATION
- Adept at bringing new life to existing characters and environments.
- Skilled at completing projects with accuracy and artistic skill.
- Operates effectively in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments.
SKILLS
- Animation pipeline understanding
- Accurate movement
- Hand drawing
- Adobe Creative Suites
- Autodesk Maya
- Project management
- Storytelling
- Communication
WORK HISTORY
- Worked alongside writers and producers to create unique designs to translate artistic vision into visual medium.
- Built upon existing character animation to develop over 120 new stories.
- Collaborated with motion capture department to collect and apply data for specific characters.
- Provided first-rate hand-drawn animation for television and cinematic use on Adobe Animate.
- Combined technical and artistic abilities to accomplish challenging animation objectives.
- Collaborate with animation supervisor and leads to design realistic action and motion of character and background assets
- Worked with client to Gather and define requirements, establish scopes and managing project milestones.
- Developed collateral such as display, marketing and packaging material to support product branding strategies.
- Created and updated trend board, investigated changing condition and recommended strategic adoptions to capitalize on projected changes.
EDUCATION
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Animator Resume FAQ
1. How should you format your resume?
For this role, most employers seek animators who have the right academic credentials along with a good portfolio. If you have solid work experience, thechronological resume format is a good option, as it shows how much you’ve progressed in your career through an extensive work history section. For mid-level job applicants, thecombination resume format can also work, as it lists your skills and experience relevant to the job as well as your work history.
2. What are the skills you should list on an animator resume?
In addition to listing skills that match keywords for skills from the job posting, look to mention these specific skills:
| Hard skills: | Soft skills: |
| 3D and 2D animation software | Attention to details |
| Scripting in Python | Time management |
| Motion graphics | Analytical skills |
| Game engine knowledge | Presentation skills |
| FX (particle effects animation) | Communication and interpersonal skills |
| Motion graphics | Teamwork |
| Understanding of animation principles | Ability to work under pressure |
| Hard skills: |
| 3D and 2D animation software |
| Scripting in Python |
| Motion graphics |
| Game engine knowledge |
| FX (particle effects animation) |
| Motion graphics |
| Understanding of animation principles |
| Soft skills: |
| Attention to details |
| Time management |
| Analytical skills |
| Presentation skills |
| Communication and interpersonal skills |
| Teamwork |
| Ability to work under pressure |
3. What are some examples of training and certifications that fit this resume?
In addition to a degree in animation or a related field, include apprenticeships or internships you’ve had with professional animators. Training in specific areas such as VFX and post-production work can also strengthen your resume and give you an edge over others. Look to include certifications such as a certificate in CG Arts or 3D animation.
4. How do I incorporate keywords in my resume?
A large number of employers now use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen applicants for job openings. These scans often search for the right keywords, based on job requirements. Review the job description for important phrases such as “developing collateral to support branding” or “motion capture experience.” Present skills and job experiences in your resume that address these keywords. You can also glance through a company’s website to incorporate keywords that exemplify the company’s culture and approach.
5. How should you craft your resume if you’re looking to take the next step forward in your career?
To move up to a more senior role, shoot for including the following areas of expertise in your resume:
- Expertise in 3D animation, rigging or storyboarding.
- Experience and/or knowledge that displays you have in-depth understanding of creation of actual assets, modelling, compositing, visual phenomena and editing.
- Gain a master’s degree, or additional certifications and training in the animation field.
Do’s and Don’ts for Your Resume
- Do present both hard (technical) and soft skills in your resume. Animation work calls for audio/video editing and knowledge of cutting-edge software like Adobe Flash, 3D Studio Max, but it also encompasses soft skills such as attention to detail, patience, and communication and interpersonal skills. Make sure to include both types of skills in your resume; for a better look, present them in separate categories (e.g., “Hard Skills” and “Soft Skills”).
- Do check your resume for typos and other mistakes.Having glaring typos or other silly errors in your resume can torpedo your job application — surveys show that a majority of hiring managers throw away resumes if they have these mistakes. Review your resume before you send it, and make sure your information is 100% accurate and free of mistakes.
- Do employ action verbs to give life to your resume.Using action verbs to describe your work experiences will energize your resume. For example, a phrase like “Developed and designed combat and character animation” gives recruiters the impression that you’re at the center of your achievements, rather than “Was responsible for designing combat and character animations.”
- Don’t make your resume too lengthy. The longer your resume, the higher the chance that employers skip over critical details about your career. Recruiters usually take an average of 7.4 seconds to read a resume, so look to limit yours to one page, keeping your work experience to the last ten years. Zero-in on accomplishments rather than listing every responsibility you’ve had. Keep your bullet points and sentences concise and to-the-point, focusing on skills and experiences that directly address what the specific job requires.
- Don’t use the same resume for all your job applications.Every job opening will have different requirements — one animator position might be looking for someone that can design realistic action and motion in background assets, whereas another might look for someone who can translate the artistic vision. Customize your resume based on keywords and job descriptions for the desirable company using our resume builder.
- Don’t forget to add relevant activities, training and certifications.Your resume is not just about your educational qualifications or work experience. You should also feature extracurricular or volunteer activities that relate to the job (e.g., volunteering as a videographer for a nonprofit organization or taking part in an expert animation workshop).
Top 4 Characteristics of a Best-in-Class Animator Resume
Summary
Highlight your skills, employment history and achievements in a few sentences. Focus on capabilities that are suitable for the position, such as character design work and your proficiency with different animation styles. Then, combine these skills with experiences that give more detail on your career. For example: “Driven Animator focused on character development and high-quality animation. Conversant with a wide range of animation techniques and software programs.”
Skills
Analyze the requirements for the specific animator job you’re seeking, and pinpoint keywords that match your strengths, such as “skilled at completing projects accurately” and “rotoscoping and VFX compositing.” Don’t forget to include practical and intangible skills that are useful for animation work, such as patience and attention to detail, computer literacy and time management ability.
Work history
When providing an overview of your previous roles, emphasize your achievements rather than daily tasks. Use details and numbers to give your accomplishments more impact. For example: “Developed over 120 new video shorts utilizing existing character animation” makes a better impression than “Built upon existing character animation to create new stories.”
Education
List your degree in computer animation, fine arts or graphic arts, as well as any training or certifications you have in these fields. Also include a link to your professional portfolio if you have it.
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Animator Resume Example
Kellie is a Certified Professional Resume Writer with extensive experience in digital media. She is passionate about helping job seekers navigate their careers. She earned a B.A. in English and writing from Temple University.
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