2D Animation Jobs

2D Animation is a powerful creative medium in which to bring life to characters and stories. Specialized 2D Animators use computer-generated sequences of illustration, art, and text to create animation used across a variety of projects and platforms. 2D Animation is commonly used in TV commercials, explainer videos, social media content, online video games, online apps and educational content. As such, a talented 2D Animator can open up many possibilities for clients who are looking for a creative way to engage their target audiences.

Here’s some projects our expert 2D Animators made real:

  • Motion graphic explainer videos that communicate your brand message quickly and effectively
  • Humanoid characters with realistic movements to spark interest
  • Fun, interactive video games designed to capture the attention of users
  • Engaging explainer videos that explain your product or service
  • Unique illustrated texts that bring stories and poetry to life
  • Whiteboard style illustrations as an educational tool
  • Character designs with custom movements like walking, running or jumping
  • Product videos that clearly explain how your product works with interactive visuals.

2D Animation has limitless potential for the world of story telling and creative engagement. At Freelancer.com there are many expert 2D Animators who bring ideas and visions to life. Our 2D Animators are passionate about creating high quality visual experiences tailored to each clients’ needs. Contact us today to post your own project and hire one of our 2D Animators!

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Hi, I'm looking for someone professional 2D Cartoon animators to create a 2D cartoon animation video. I have the scripts, You have to create storyboard and do the animation. I can provide direction and links as a reference so that you know exactly what I want the video to look like.

Finding a 2d Animator who can animate my story

I am seeking a talented freelancer to craft a professional 2D animation video presentation that effectively highlights our product features and company profile. The finalized video should creatively encapsulate the essence of our brand and product in a timeframe of 1 to 3 minutes. I have a preference for a blend of text animation and 2D graphics to convey our message in a compelling manner. Key Requirements: - Proficient in 2D animation and text animation techniques. - Experience in creating corporate and product feature presentations. - Ability to synthesize complex product information into engaging visual content. - Strong creative direction to suggest and implement engaging visual storytelling elements. - Fluent in English for clear and effective communication throughout the project. ...

I'm searching for a skilled professional to make 2D yoga animations. It will be aprox 30 videos of aprox 20 minutes for yoga classes. So you should be able to animate yoga positions with a character. I attach an idea of how the character should be: IF I CHOOSE YOU FOR THE PROJECT, I WILL COUNT WITH YOU FOR MUCH MORE ANIMATION PROJECTS. IF YOU WANT TO APPLY, PLEASE SEND ME AN EXAMPLE OF 10-30 SECONDS OF A YOGA POSITION WITH THE CHARACTER ATTACHED.

Social Media Design & Creator(Traditional Chinese) (Remote Work) Work from Home (Meeting maybe required during Office Hours) Christian background company, office stationed in Hong Kong Responsibilities: - Graphic Design - Writing FB and IG post (Traditional Chinese) - Other promotional Design Tasks (only working on design also acceptable) Requirements: - Design/Marketing/Media background preferred - required Creativity and Marketing skills - Proficiency in AI, Photoshop, and 2D motion graphic video preferred - Experience in Facebook and Instagram (IG) creator, preferably with more than 2 years of experience - Good writing in Traditional Chinese or English is a bonus - Cantonese or Mandarin speaking is preferred - Long-term collaboration Salary offer: Hourly rate or project-based...

We're in search of a creative and experienced 2D video animator who can bring our ideas to life through captivating animations. The perfect candidate should be committed to the job and capable of meeting deadlines. To apply, kindly: 1. Share a few examples of your previous 2D video animation work. 2. Provide your pricing structure based on different levels of animation quality. To confirm your understanding of this job post, please kick off your response with the number of years you've been working as a 2D video animator. Cheers, Michael

More details: What style of animation are you looking for? 3D animation What is the primary purpose of the animation video? Entertainment or storytelling Who is the target audience for the video? Children

I'm seeking a highly skilled animator to create a captivating 2D kids story animation. The project's scope will vary between 3 to 15 minutes per episode, depending on the storyline. Key Requirements: - Create an engaging animation that appeals to children between the ages of 2 and 10 years. - The animation must be designed in a vibrant, appealing cartoon style. - Experience with creating animations for children is a must. - Should be able to develop storylines that are both educational and entertaining. Ideal skills and experience: - Extensive experience in 2D animation. - Previous work with children’s animation would be very advantageous. - Excellent storytelling abilities. - Ability to deliver on time. Looking forward to collaborating with an animator who can bring t...

I'm looking for an experienced animator to bring my vision to life through engaging, entertaining cartoon-style animation. This project is close to my heart, aiming to captivate audiences with expressive characters and vibrant storytelling. **Key Requirements:** - Proficiency in creating high-quality 2D cartoon animations - Ability to craft vivid and dynamic facial expressions - Experience in storytelling through animation, with a focus on entertainment **Ideal Skills:** - Strong portfolio showcasing diverse cartoon animation projects - Expertise in animation software suited for cartoon-style creations - Creativity in character design and development - Capability to interpret and animate expressive and comedic facial animations This project will serve as a personal endeavor to en...

I will give you a script that needs to be animated in 2D. The video will get posted on YouTube depending on how well the video does is how well you're going to be paid.

I am in search of a highly skilled animator who specializes in 2D/3D animation to recreate a real-life video that is 55 seconds in length. My top priority is mimicking the visual effects and impact of the original video because I do not have permission to use the original and want to avoid infringing copyright laws. The goal is to craft an animation that mirrors the original's essence and audience engagement power. Please refer to the attached video before quoting. NOTE: FREELANCER WILL HAVE TO SIGN NDA AND IP AGREEMENT PROVIDED BY CLIENT. The ideal candidate for this job: - Has consistent experience in 2D/3D animation - Can effectively replicate real-life videos in animation - Demonstrates keen attention to detail, specifically in regards to visual effects and impact - Understand...

I am looking for an adept video creator who can craft a 15-second looped video that embodies a serene and peaceful atmosphere while incorporating vibrant and bright colors. This video resolution is 1920x1080 The focus of the video is to celebrate "Happy Women's" day, thus it should resonate positively, evoking feelings of tranquility and joy. **Ideal Skills and Experience:** - Proficiency in video editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, Vegas Pro) - Experience in creating looped videos for social media - Ability to incorporate vibrant and bright color schemes effectively - Good understanding of storytelling through visuals - Proficient in graphic design to create or integrate any necessary graphic elements - Excellent communication to understand and brin...

I'm looking for an animator who can help me develop 2D animations using Procreate. The outcome will be utilized as educational content targeting adults. The Requirements: - Expertise in Procreate - Experience in 2D animation - Previous work involving educational content will be an added advantage - Understanding of effective communication strategies for adult learning The Project: - Develop 2D animation that effectively conveys the educational content - Must be engaging and catered to an adult audience - Animation must align with the intended educational objectives Candidates with a background in education or adult learning will be highly considered. Please share your relevant work samples in your proposal.

I'm looking for a talented content creator to help me craft engaging 30-second TikTok videos. The primary goal is to create brand awareness and entice viewers to check out and follow my streaming channel. To make an impactful project, I need someone who can blend creativity with strategic messaging effectively. **Ideal Skills and Experience:** - Proficiency in video editing and content creation, specifically for TikTok. - Experience in marketing and promotion through short-form video content. - Ability to distill key messages into concise, engaging, and visually appealing content. - Understanding of current TikTok trends and how to leverage them to maximize viewer engagement and brand visibility. - Creative storytelling and scriptwriting abilities to highlight the uniqueness of the s...

I'm seeking a talented freelancer passionate about creating captivating 2D animation reels. With a focus on producing high-quality short content for social media, our goal is to engage and expand our audience through memorable and creative animations that resonate with our brand identity. **Requirements:** - Proficiency in 2D animation software - Ability to translate scripts into engaging visual stories - Experience in creating social media content - Creative flair and a keen eye for detail - Ability to work to tight deadlines and deliver consistent results. **Ideal Skills and Experience:** - A strong portfolio showcasing 2D animation expertise - Prior experience with short-form content for platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter - Excellent communication skills to ensure ...

I'm looking for a talented freelancer to bring to life a short, engaging animated story featuring 1-3 characters with a cartoonish style, aiming for completion in less than 1 month. The animation will focus on simple designs and limited movements, capturing the essence of the characters and the story without the need for complex animations. Ideal Skills and Experience: - Proficient in 2D animation with a portfolio showcasing cartoonish style projects. - Ability to create expressive characters with minimal movements. - Excellent communication skills to ensure a clear understanding of the project requirements. The project will involve: - Designing and animating 1-3 characters in a cartoonish style. - Collaborating closely to create animations that align with the story's tone and ...

I'm seeking a talented animator to bring my music video, encapsulating an adventurous theme, to life through traditional hand-drawn animation. The video will be approximately 3 minutes long and should convey a sense of mystery and excitement, reflecting a dark and moody color palette. This project requires a blend of creativity, passion for storytelling, and a meticulous eye for detail in every frame. **Key Requirements:** - **Professional Expertise in Traditional Animation:** Proven experience in creating high-quality traditional hand-drawn animation. - **Creative Storyboarding:** Ability to translate an adventurous narrative into compelling visual storytelling. - **Color Mastery:** Skill in applying a dark and moody color palette effectively to set the right tone and atmospher...

I'm looking for a skilled animator to bring my song, which runs between 3 to 5 minutes, to life through a captivating 2D video. The primary goal of this video is to encapsulate the essence and emotions of the piece, leaning heavily towards evoking a sense of nostalgia and happiness in the viewer, intertwining elements of joy within a visually engaging narrative. **Ideal Skills & Experience:** - Proficient in 2D animation and storytelling - Ability to interpret music and lyrics into compelling visuals - Experience in creating videos that evoke specific emotions (happiness/nostalgia) - Skilled in timing animations to music beats and rhythms - Creative and able to suggest ideas that enhance the project’s emotional depth **Requirements:** - Develop a storyboard that aligns wit...

I'm on the hunt for a remarkably skilled animator and video editor who can dive into the creative process of generating a realistic animation tailored specifically for a young audience. The essence of this project is to captivate and entertain children through a lifelike, engaging animation that can stand out in the vast sea of children's entertainment. **Key Requirements:** - Proficiency in creating high-quality, realistic animations that appeal to children. - Strong experience with video editing to ensure seamless storytelling and engagement. - Ability to conceptualize, storyboard, and deliver animation that tells a compelling story. - Creativity to inject fun, educational elements subtly into the entertainment content. **Ideal Skills and Experience:** - Expertise in realisti...

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Kristijan Binski, Senior 2D Animation Designer.

Kristijan Binski

Kris is a senior digital product designer and UX mentor with a passion for creating simple yet powerful user-centered interfaces for digital products. He has over 13 years of experience working with creative agencies, startups, entrepreneurs, and well-established enterprise companies. Along the way, Kirs has had a chance to design solutions for industry leaders such as Adobe, Colgate, Dermalogica, Johnson & Johnson, Rogers, IT Central Station, Oracle, HP, IBM, and others.

Colgate – iOS and Android Mobile App

Ilya is a digital designer with more than a decade of experience in UI/UX, web, and mobile app design. His experience spans across digital agencies where he worked for clients like Unilever, Panasonic, WWF, among others to fast-paced international startups where he led marketing and product design. Ilya is passionate about crafting engaging experiences by means of appealing and polished visual design.

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Stefan Pilipovic

Since 2010, Stefan has been collaborating with people, teams, and businesses to develop design systems, strategies, and processes to deliver more engaging experiences to targeted users. He is currently a lead product designer at a USA-based startup that develops intelligent SaaS products.

Element451

Predrag Markovic

Predrag is a multi-disciplinary design specialist with more than 15 years of experience managing the complete design process—from conceptualization to delivery. He's done various design work with companies of all sizes, from small local startups to Fortune 500s, across multiple industries: gaming, entertainment, sports, food, fintech, healthcare, etc. Over the years, Predrag has worked for some of the biggest companies in the US, such as Verizon Media, Yahoo, NCM, and the NFL.

We Love the Earth Website

Braian Roberts

Braian is a UX/UI designer with a background in art direction, illustration, and motion graphics and 10+ years of professional experience. He has worked in ticketing and streaming platforms as well as eCommerce sites and mobile apps for dating, medicine, security, and gaming. Braian helps companies achieve their goals through flexibility in the UX/UI process and a user-centered design approach.

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Cosmin Negoita

Cosmin has been designing websites and digital products for over 10 years, and throughout the years, he has had the opportunity to work on a wide variety of projects, from simple websites to complex digital products for both small and big companies such as ITV, BBC, A+E, and McDonald's. With great attention to detail, Cosmin focuses a lot on usability and accessibility to create simple and beautiful experiences.

New Visual Design and Experience for Group Payments Platform

Alexandru Pitea

Alex is a passionate digital product designer with over 13 years of UI/UX experience. He has worked in both boutique design studios and large IT enterprises, feeling most comfortable in a creative environment where visual design is second only to usability. With a pragmatic approach, a highly structured design process, and close team collaboration, Alex can evolve clients' initial requirements into a complete design solution, ensuring a smooth development delivery.

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Danny Rubyono

Danny is a seasoned visual and motion designer with over 22 years of experience collaborating with various creative agencies, Fortune 500 companies, innovative startups, and technology firms. He is also the owner of Duro Compagnie, a collective design boutique specializing in creating impactful motion design and visual communication. Leveraging his multi-disciplinary skillsets in 3D, print, animation, and user interface, Danny excels at delivering purposeful and memorable design experiences.

Style Frames and 2022 Motion Design Reel

Joshua Butler

Joshua is a design lead who's been involved in the full life-cycle of digital product—discovery, ideation, detailed design, and delivery. His attention to detail and critical thinking has led him to own large-scale efforts that involve transforming client work into strategic product experiences.

Audible for Android

Michael Dedrick

In Michael's world, users always come first. He possesses the proven ability to develop highly-effective strategic marketing collateral for high-end clients, including Apple, IBM, L’Oreal, Fidelity, Bud Light, Home Depot, Costco, and Walmart. He's committed to connecting with clients and users—and bringing their vision to life effectively across a broad, far-reaching spectrum of media.

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Michael is an incredible designer, and has been a great fit for our project. He just gets it in a way that can’t be taught. My goal was to pay Toptal to find me a high quality designer for my project, and that is exactly what happened. It was easy. Being able to see the portfolio work on Toptal’s platform is what gave me the infomation I needed to choose Michael. I have nothing but good things to say about Toptal and am looking forward to using Toptal for other projects in the future. Edward Daniel, Co-Founder improvemygun.com
I've worked very closely with Martina for over a year and have to say she is one of the best people I have ever worked with. Instead of simply following instructions blindly, she thinks through the task at hand, becoming a thought partner to help with whatever the project may be. Besides being super talented at design, she possesses specific qualities that make her exceptional to work with given the fast paced nature of being a startup. I would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for a talented, professional designer who doesn't need much direction to hit the ground running. Sahil Khanna, Sr. Manager, Marketing LeanTaaS, Inc.
Darko did a great job figuring out the user architecture for our concept, which led him to produce terrific wireframes. His knowledge of usability and design was a perfect match for the outside voice we needed to help jumpstart our project. We would certainly recommend him and work with him again in the future. Rich Danker, Founder Prose Market
Carlos has the unique talent of blending both quantitative and qualitative research to keenly identify UX challenges and opportunities. He thinks methodically, emphatically, and holistically to produce data-driven strategies and well-executed designs. Over the past 8 years of working with fully or partially distributed teams, Carlos manages working remotely far better than anyone I've encountered because of his strong communication and presentation skills. He is the first on my list the next time I need a UX designer. Michelle Krogmeier, Project Manager Union Station
Rafael is an amazing designer. His aesthetic sense is spot on, and he seems to be able to anticipate our needs before we even know what they are. He's taken the time to understand both our company and our clientele, and his solutions are consistently in-line with our values, interests, and our customers' needs. He delivers on time (if not earlier), works quickly, is well organized, and very effective. He's a pleasure to work with, and we're very happy to have found him through Toptal. Ethan Brooks, CTO Langlotz Patent & Trademark Works, Inc.
Toptal gave us access to the best designers out there. They’re not easy to find. Those designers integrated very quickly with our existing teams. They very quickly understood our business case and the value of our solution. Toptal really allowed us to focus on building the best possible product and save a lot of time on the typical administrative pains that goes with it -- specifically, finding the best talent. Toptal designers were very responsive, always online -- and that made life very easy for us. We have ambitious goals on how to grow the application and already Toptal has been a key contributor to that success. Thierry Jakircevic, General Manager, Digital Solutions, Bridgestone Head Office, Tokyo Bridgestone Corporation
We had an amazing experience working with our Toptal designer. In only two weeks, we accomplished what would've taken most companies 3 months to complete. We also enjoyed working with the Toptal team to make sure we were paired up with the right designer that would fit both our company culture and working style. Ted Blosser, Head of Sales and Customer Success WorkRamp
Dean blew us away. He ranks right up there as one of the top five designers of the hundreds I have worked with in the past. He listened, was totally professional, and came up with a 3D rotating cube design completely on his own. We didn't even ask for it, and yet it has become the centerpiece of our app and how users engage with it right off the bat. What he produced inspired all of us at Votify, and put us on track for launch and investor funding. Michael Lawrence, Founder & CEO Votify LLC

How to Hire 2D Animators through Toptal

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How are Toptal 2D Animators different?

At Toptal, we thoroughly screen our 2D Animators to ensure we only match you with talent of the highest caliber. Of the more than 200,000 people who apply to join the Toptal network each year, fewer than 3% make the cut. You’ll work with design experts (never generalized recruiters or HR reps) to understand your goals, technical needs, and team dynamics. The end result: expert vetted talent from our network, custom matched to fit your business needs.

Can I hire 2D Animators in less than 48 hours through Toptal?

Depending on availability and how fast you can progress, you could start working with a 2D Animator within 48 hours of signing up.

What is the no-risk trial period for Toptal 2D Animators?

We make sure that each engagement between you and your 2D Animator begins with a trial period of up to two weeks. This means that you have time to confirm the engagement will be successful. If you’re completely satisfied with the results, we’ll bill you for the time and continue the engagement for as long as you’d like. If you’re not completely satisfied, you won’t be billed. From there, we can either part ways, or we can provide you with another expert who may be a better fit and with whom we will begin a second, no-risk trial.

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We handle all aspects of billing, payments, and NDA’s. Let us take care of the overhead while you focus on building great products.

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Choose the engagement type that suits your needs — hourly, part-time, or full-time — with the ability to change anytime.

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Focus on your project and enjoy support from your dedicated account executive and expert talent matcher.

Featured Toptal 2D Animation Publications

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Top 2D Animators are in High Demand.

Where and How to Secure 2D Animator Freelance Jobs

Discover the steps to start a successful freelance career in 2D animation. Dive into the specifics of using job posting sites, industry networking, self-promotion, and acquiring essential business skills to thrive as a self-employed 2D animator.

Key Insights

  • According to the BLS, nearly 64% of 2D animators are self-employed, many starting their careers as freelancers. This approach allows them to build a competitive demo reel and make industry connections.
  • Job posting platforms such as Fiverr and Upwork offer advertising opportunities for freelancers. However, creating a competitive profile that stands out among the many freelancers on these platforms is crucial.
  • Industry networking is another strategy to get noticed and build a client base. Collaborating with other animators on projects or in professional development settings can enlarge your network.
  • Mastering basic digital and social media marketing skills can enhance self-promotion efforts. These skills are vital for advertising freelance services, especially on social media.
  • Starting a career in 2D animation involves several steps like acquiring proper training, creating effective job materials, preparing for interviews, and learning essential business skills.
  • Understanding business law and handling logistical aspects of working with clients are crucial skills for a freelancer. Tasks such as filing tax reports, documenting income and expenses, and collecting payments require the freelancer to have a basic understanding of business law.

Many 2D Animators start off their careers doing freelance work, and according to the BLS, nearly 64% of 2D Animators are self-employed. Working as a freelancer is a good way to build a competitive demo reel, and it is a great way to make connections within the industry. However, the volume of freelance animators means that the market for freelance animation is somewhat crowded, and you will need to put in a decent amount of work to build an initial clientele to succeed in the long term. This article will assist you in finding the necessary work that will form the basis of your freelance 2D animation career.

Freelance Job Posting Sites

One place to find general 2D animation work is on a webpage like Fiverr or Upwork . These webpages allow freelancers to market their services to prospective clients and provide detailed descriptions of their skills, relevant projects, and going rates. These sites are good ways to get noticed without a ton of self-promotion and networking, but it can be hard to break into these marketplaces since there are so many freelancers advertising their services. Owing to this competition, you need to ensure that your work and rates are competitive, but you also need to make sure that you aren’t undercutting yourself by trying to lower your rate well below market value.

Industry Networking

Another way to find work as a freelance 2D Animator is to build connections within the industry and establish your footing as a freelancer. This can be time-consuming and it is often a matter of chance whether or not you meet the right people at the right time, but it is a good way to become noticed and start building a stable of clients outside of places like job posting websites. One of the best ways to build connections within the industry is to work closely with other animators on projects or in professional development settings, such as the motion graphics training programs offered by Noble Desktop.

Online Self-Promotion

Another way to build a clientele is to learn basic digital and social media marketing skills to advertise your services or business. Self-promotion is vital and while it can be a challenge to learn, learning how to advertise your freelance services will have long-term dividends, especially once you begin to establish yourself within the industry. At the start, you are likely to primarily use social media as a tool for advertising. You will want to account for things like SEO when building a professional webpage, ecommerce shop, or other online profile. To learn more about comprehensive social media marketing and SEO classes , consider exploring the options offered through Noble Desktop.

How Do I Start a Freelance Career in 2D Animation?

Once you have decided to set off on the path to becoming a 2D Animator, there are a few different steps you may want to take to ensure you are successful in the long term. You’ll need to ensure that you have the proper training, build your job materials correctly, and position yourself to be as competitive on the job market as possible. While the actual path will vary greatly for everyone, there are a few key steps you will need to take to ensure you have the best chance of becoming a successful professional 2D Animator. 

Decide if 2D Animation is Right for You

An essential first step is deciding whether or not you actually want to embark on a career in 2D animation or whether you want to keep your interest in the field as a hobby. 2D animation can be a grueling job that requires a great deal from animators and artists. Like all creative jobs, it will be very deadline-oriented and occasionally demanding as you must respond to different tasks and assignments to ensure the project is completed on time. This isn’t to discourage people from seeking a job in 2D animation, a wonderfully diverse and vibrant industry, but you’ll want to enter your training preparation for the work in front of you.

One way to lay this groundwork is to take advantage of the free training resources and seminars available through Noble Desktop. These seminars, such as the Getting Started in Motion Graphics course, offer students a wide overview of the field of 2D and 3D animation to help them decide whether or not that is the career path they want to pursue. Noble also provides free seminars like Intro to After Effects that will teach you the barebone fundamentals of using industry-standard motion graphics tools like Adobe After Effects. These courses are a great way to help you become comfortable and familiar with important design tools before you enroll in a professional training program emphasizing that tool.

This is also a great time to begin building your knowledge of animation theory and history. Being a successful 2D Animator will require that you engage with animation as a unique art form, and the form has been popular for over 100 years, giving it plenty of time to develop its own language and history. You won’t need to be an expert in 1930s animation to get a job, but knowing broad trends and understanding shifts in popular styles and techniques can help shape your creative voice and better understand how animators make informed choices when working on projects. This won’t even require a ton of reading, just watch or consume animated projects in the medium that you aspire to work in.

Get Trained in 2D Animation

The next step is one of the most straightforward: you’ll need actually to learn 2D animation skills. While most animators get this training as part of a four-year degree program, there are viable alternatives for students who want to accelerate their learning. Noble Desktop offers comprehensive animation training in their Motion Graphics Certificate program, which aims to take students from relative novices (some knowledge of Illustrator and Photoshop is required) to professional 2D Animators in only a few months of study. This course will provide students with immersive, hands-on training in tools like Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Adobe Cinema 4D, and the projects that students build in this course will be ideally suited for their design portfolio once they enter the market, since the hands-on instruction mirrors the kinds of projects that you can expect to work on in a professional capacity.

These courses are also excellent places to prepare for the job market because they are career-focused and aim to tailor their pedagogy to students aiming to start a new job in the field of 2D animation. They also include professional development training, including one-on-one career mentorship sessions and industry-focused workshops. In these seminars and meetings, students can receive tailored feedback on their job materials, ask questions about the pitfalls they may encounter on the job market, and build connections with a cohort of like-minded students and professionals. These training seminars offer invaluable assistance for students looking to shift their careers, and they complement the professional skills development associated with the rest of the program.

Search for Jobs

Once you are confident in your 2D animation skills training, you will want to start searching for jobs and compiling your materials. Assuming you haven’t built particularly deep industry connections, the most common way to search for a job is by using a job posting aggregation tool like Glassdoor.com , Indeed.com , or LinkedIn . These platforms let users browse hundreds of job openings and apply directly. This makes them ideal places to begin a job search, particularly for new 2D Animators searching for entry-level positions.

These sites can be difficult to navigate for new users, since they are not always the most intuitive in their organization and construction. It is easy enough for job seekers to punch 2D Animator in the search bar and this is an essential first step, but it shouldn’t be the last. You’ll want to try to search other job titles related to 2D animation to get a broader feel for the kinds of jobs available. Then, you’ll want to do a quick survey of all of the job openings posted and create a list of the ones you want to apply for. A good set of applications will be tailored to the job opening, so it isn’t likely you can apply to every job. In addition, it is worth making a quick check of things like minimum expected requirements or skills to avoid wasting time on jobs you don’t qualify for (it is very rare that throwing a hail mary is a good use of your time and energy). Finally, while it may not seem important, look at the job posting date. Many of these job search websites are not great about taking down positions that have been filled or that are rolling job postings, so if a job was posted seven months ago, it is likely to have been filled. Even a job that was posted six weeks ago may be too old, since these websites vastly increase the candidate pool, you want to be early on in the search process as opposed to coming in after a thousand other people have applied.

Collect Your Job Materials

Most 2D Animator job openings will require the same basic job materials for consideration. These materials include a resume , a cover letter , and a portfolio of sample animations (sometimes called a demo reel). These materials will be the first thing a prospective employer sees and will serve as the basis for whether or not your application gets more than a cursory glance. In the long term, the demo reel is the most important aspect of your application, but it also takes the most time for a prospective employer to sift through and analyze it. Therefore, the resume and the cover letter are necessary for both getting the hiring manager to look at your job materials with interest and guiding them through examining your demo reel. This is easily the most challenging part of the job application process, and it is almost assured that you will need help and guidance on this step.

These materials should also be crafted for the specific job that you will be applying for. While it is good to have a generic cover letter and demo reel on hand to build upon, you still want to tailor your materials to the job in question. This will require additional work and research on your part, but it will greatly increase your chance of success in the long term. It will also help prospective employers set your resume apart from more generic applications since it demonstrates your attentiveness to their position.

Prepare for an Interview

Once you’ve submitted your job applications, you must first prepare to engage with hiring managers face-to-face in a job interview. This part of the process is among the last ones you’ll need to prepare for, and it isn’t recommended that you put too much effort into this until you know that you’ll be getting an interview. It is, however, an important part of the late stages of the application process, so it helps to be aware of what you’ll need to do to succeed at an interview. Once you’ve reached this stage, it is recommended that you practice with mock interview questions and you prepare yourself for multiple different kinds of interviews. Once you are prepared for this, the job application process is out of your hands, and you can only wait for your preparation to bear fruit.

Learn Business Skills

An essential part of being a successful freelance 2D Animator is understanding that you are essentially a one-person business and that you need to treat your freelance work like a small business. This means that you will need to both handle the logistical aspects of working with clients and negotiating rates for your work, which comes with the added challenge of figuring out what the correct rate to charge for your work happens to be. Freelancing will tend to be very networking heavy, since successful freelancers will need to be a stable of clients, and you may need to learn the marketing skills required to treat your own services like a product that needs to be sold.

Another, less obvious aspect of working as a freelancer is that you’ll need at least a bit of understanding of business law to avoid complex challenges that may arise. For example, you’ll need to understand how to properly file tax reports and document your income and business expenses to pay your fair share of taxes without overpaying. You’ll also need to know how to go through the proper channels to collect commissions and payments for your work. This can be fairly minor for someone who is working as a freelance 2D Animator part-time, but if it is your primary income, it is crucial that you understand how to do things as legitimately as possible.

Learn the Skills to Become a 2D Animator at Noble Desktop 

Once you’ve committed to learning the skills necessary to become a 2D Animator, Noble Desktop is available to make that dream a reality through professional skills instruction. Noble offers a wide array of 2D animation classes, available in person or online, and all of these classes are taught by expert instructors with years of on-the-job experience. This structure means that regardless of how your course is delivered, you’ll receive real-time instruction and be able to ask questions and receive personalized feedback on your work. Similarly, no matter whether you take the course in person or online, you’ll benefit from small class sizes and all of the professionalization support options, including one-on-one career mentoring in the career-certificate programs. Finally, every Noble class comes with the option for a free retake within one year, meaning that you’ll have the chance to build your portfolio and get even more hands-on experience in preparation for entering the job market.

Students interested in a career change may consider enrolling in Noble’s Motion Graphics Certificate program. This class aims to teach students how to use tools like Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro to create evocative 2D and 3D animated assets for many practical projects. In this class, students will be guided through the process of using After Effects to animate text, photos, and videos, and they will learn how to modify these animations in subtle but perceptible ways slightly. Students will also learn how to create animated images using layered Photoshop and Illustrator files (this course does not include instruction in either of these tools, they are prerequisites for taking the course). Finally, students will learn how to use Premiere Pro to edit their animated assets into video files. All this work will culminate in a series of professionalization seminars, including a portfolio-building workshop and a one-on-one mentorship session, intended to prepare students for a career as a 2D or 3D Animator.

Students who aren’t ready to make a significant career shift but do want to learn 2D animation skills may want to consider one of Noble’s many motion graphics bootcamps. These classes include the Adobe After Effects Bootcamp , which provides students with guided instruction in the use of After Effects for creating animated digital assets and the Adobe Premiere Pro Bootcamp , which teaches students how to use that program to compile their animated assets into a completed project. These courses are excellent starting points for new animators looking to learn the trade. However, they don’t provide students with any of the professionalization services offered through Noble’s career certificate programs.

Finally, students who aren’t sure that they want to start learning 2D animation but are intrigued by the possibility should consult some of Noble’s free training resources to learn more. Noble’s Learn 2D Animation page, as well as their Learn After Effects and Learn Premiere Pro page compiles a weird range of articles, free seminars and resources that students can use to help them on their 2D Animation career path . Noble also provides prospective 2D Animators with a career information hub to help them decide if a career change is right for them.

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7 Best Websites for Freelance Animators to Find Work

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Make More Money as an Animator

Disclaimer: We don't recommend finding work and clients on some of the marketplaces listed here due to high competition, low-quality clients, commissions deducted from your pay, not being able to grow your own brand, unstable source of income, etc. With that said, in Animation Business Accelerator program we have figured out a unique strategy that will help you make the most out of these marketplaces.

Many companies are strengthening their online presence, and they’re realizing video marketing is an effective tool to accomplish this.

Animated explainer videos can give customers or clients a better user experience, explain how to use a product or service, and describe a brand’s value propositions. Since animated marketing videos are so versatile and visually appealing, companies increasingly need to hire animators and look into freelance animation.

Especially if you’re just starting out as a freelance animator, you may be overwhelmed and not know where or how to find clients. How do you connect with these companies and get work for freelance animation? Here we’ve compiled the eight best websites where you can find clients as a freelance animator.

Let's Dive Into The Best Websites For Freelance Animators!

1) linkedin.

LinkedIn

Image by LinkedIn via Google

One popular website where you can find work as an animator is LinkedIn .

Use LinkedIn’s search bar and its different filters. You can search for people according to their locations, companies, universities, connections, jobs, years of experience, seniority level, and more.

Once you’ve found your target clients, send them a message introducing yourself. Tell them what you do, add a link to your portfolio or website, and ask them if they have a need you can help them with through freelance animation.

You can also post your works on LinkedIn with hashtags and links to your portfolio or website, so you make yourself more visible on the platform, attracting potential clients to you.

Regularly update your LinkedIn profile and your job preferences. Update your job title, job location, start date, and job type. This will also make you more visible to clients who are looking for animators and freelance animation.

twine

Image by Twine via Google

Twine vets and handpicks the best freelancers to showcase on their site, which saves companies time and money. 

Businesses post jobs, looking for creative and digital freelancers. Then animators submit pitches for the freelance animation jobs that interest them.

Companies post a variety of freelance animation jobs on Twine that could interest animators, including jobs to create logos, ad campaigns, explainer videos, and other creative audio-visual work.

On Twine, you can create your own profile, build your own portfolio, and show potential animation clients your animation skills and knowledge. You'll show them that you're the right choice for any freelance animation needs.

Fiverr

Image via Fiverr

Fiverr is one of the most popular freelancer websites on the internet. Freelancers sought at Fiverr are those with backgrounds such as graphic design, video and animation, music and audio, and more.

Fiverr is broken up into sellers and buyers; as a freelance animator, you’re a seller. Sellers post gigs: you detail what you offer and how much your work is worth as "freelance animation". Be creative when creating your gigs and know how much to charge based on your experience and what you’re offering. 

You can also send an “offer” for a job posted by a buyer. However, you can’t see buyers’ requests until you’ve created a gig, and you’ll only see jobs related to your gig and freelance animation.

The only con of joining Fiverr is the competitive work environment. It might be challenging for freelance animators who are just starting out to be able to find animation clients.

Fiverr has a level system for their sellers; it’s important to understand these levels because as you gain more experience on Fiverr and move up, you’ll attract higher-paying freelance animation clients.

On Fiverr, there are many individuals creating animated marketing videos. So you have to ask yourself: how will you make yourself stand out?

Upwork

Image via Upwork

Individuals, small businesses, and even huge corporations go to Upwork to hire freelance animators. Upwork is one of the best websites where freelancer animators can find work.

It has an unending list of job openings and more are constantly posted. Even though new jobs are constantly posted, the competition for each job is intense. You have to respond to job postings quickly and effectively in order to stand out.

With Upwork, you have to write proposals that will get your potential animation clients’ attention. It will take you some effort to make proposals, especially when you’re first starting on the site.

Make sure you do research on how to write an effective proposal. Upwork even sends emails with training and tips for writing proposals that will get you jobs. You also need to make sure you have a robust profile, so you can gain more trust with potential employers.

It will be worth the time and effort when you have established yourself as a known animator on the website. Once you’ve established yourself and have good rankings and reviews, job posters may invite you to apply for their jobs. 

Behance

Image via Beh a nce

Behance is a website where you can find a community of creative people who showcase their own work in their personal profiles. It’s like a social media network where you can connect with other designers and get artistic feedback.

Members can follow your profile, and you also can follow the profiles of others. When you follow someone, you will be able to see their updates in your feed.

Behance also offers a “Jobs” section, where you can find potential clients looking for animators like you. When looking for a client, you can use the filters in the search bar to find your job type, job location, and creative field.

6) Freelancer

Freelancer

Image via Freelancer

Freelan cer is a huge freelance marketplace with over 48 million users.

Complete your profile, add your skill sets, and you will be able to find a variety of animation jobs on Freelancer.

You can also find international and local jobs for small, medium, and large companies that are willing to pay you at a fixed price or hourly rate.

Similar to Upwork, once you have found your potential animation client’s job posting, you have to bid for the job.

7) SimplyHired

SimplyHired

Image via S implyHired

SimplyHired is a website where you can easily upload your resume and customize your profile as an animator looking for animation clients.

You can narrow down your searches according to relevance, date, job type, minimum salary, and date added.

As you search for jobs, you will be able to read job postings that include salary, company name, job description, and type of employment. On SimplyHired, there are freelance and full-time job postings.

The website also has guidelines on how to write resumes, cover letters, and other information to help you attract potential clients.

Wrapping Up The Best Websites For Freelance Animators

It definitely won’t be easy to attract potential animation clients and to consistently have projects to work on. It will take a lot of time and effort, and several of these websites also charge fees.

But many of these websites also provide useful services like secure messaging and secure payments, and they’re a good space to build your client base and gain confidence in your freelancing abilities. 

Sign up with as many websites as you can, customize your profile, describe your work experience, and show your best works.

Remember to also study and learn from your competitors, including seeing how they charge, so you better know how to set your prices.

As you use various sites, you may realize some work better for you than others. That’s okay! Invest more time into the sites where you are finding work.

Good luck on your freelance animation journey!

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