The Ultimate Guide To Hiring & Working With A Freelance Animator

Regarding video content creation, animation is a powerful tool for hooking and engaging viewers. But how do you find someone to create the right animated video for your project? Working with a freelance animator can help you cut costs and get the animation you need without the hassle of hiring an in-house expert. 

In this blog, we’ll explore the ins and outs of working with freelance animators to help you get your project up and running in no time.

Moonb is a video marketing agency that can help you level up your video content creation. Our team will guide you through hiring and working with freelance animators so you can find the right professional for your project and create engaging animated content that will captivate your audience.

What Does A Freelance Animator Do?

The Freelance Animator Playbook - Your Guide to Understanding What a Freelance Animator Does

A freelance animator is a self-employed artist who creates animated content for clients across various industries, including film, television, advertising, gaming, and digital media. Unlike in-house animators who work for a specific company, freelance animators take on projects contractually, offering flexibility regarding project variety and scope.

Freelancers typically handle various tasks, from concept development and storyboarding to designing frames and animating sequences. The process involves creating multiple frames that produce the illusion of movement when displayed rapidly in sequence. Freelancers may work in 2D, 3D, or stop-motion animation, depending on their expertise and the project’s requirements.

The Freelance Animator’s Role in the Animation Process

Animation is a lengthy, detailed process. While the exact tasks of freelance animators vary depending on project needs, here are some of the typical roles freelance animators fill throughout the animation process:

Concept Development

Freelance animators help create concepts for animated projects, all of which contribute to the overall vision of the animation. This can mean:

• Brainstorming ideas
• Developing characters
• Writing storylines

Storyboarding

Before animators start creating the actual animation, they often outline it in a visual format known as storyboarding. This involves sketching out scenes chronologically to map out the animation’s progression. 

Designing assets

Freelance animators may help design these assets to be used in the animation. Animations often include multiple elements, such as: 

• Characters
• Props
• Backgrounds
• Scene

Creating the animation

This is the primary role of freelance animators and the most time-consuming. It involves designing and organizing the animation frames to create the illusion of movement. 

Editing and revising

Animated projects often require multiple drafts to refine the animation and make it suitable for audiences. Freelance animators may assist with editing to improve the quality of the animation and help meet project goals. 

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6 Types Of Animators You Need To Know About Before Hiring

1. 2D Animator: Master of the Flat World

2D animators create frame-by-frame animations or use vector-based techniques to produce sequences in two dimensions. This type of animation is commonly used in traditional animation, where all the images in frames are primarily flat and, therefore, hand-drawn on paper. Modern 2D animation is done using specific software like Adobe Animate or Toon Boom Harmony. This type of animation is commonly used in:

• Cartoons
• Educational videos
• Commercials
• Digital platforms
• Social media

2D animation is handy for businesses focused on digital marketing, educational content, and online media. It offers a relatively quick and cost-effective way to produce compelling, engaging animations that can easily be integrated into web platforms and social media.

2. 3D Animator: The Wizard of the Digital World

3D animators create detailed digital models and bring visions to life with motion. This style involves sculpting, rigging, and animating characters and environments within three-dimensional software like Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max or Cinema 4D. Depending on the project’s requirements, these animations can range from hyperrealistic to stylistically unique. 3D animation is commonly used in animated films, TV shows, and video games. It is also widely used in advertising to showcase products or real estate to create realistic virtual tours. 

3D animation is used in industries that rely on visual accuracy and depth, such as video games, film and TV production, and product and graphic design. It’s also increasingly used in virtual reality applications and simulations, offering immersive experiences for training, education, and entertainment.

3. Motion Graphics Animator: The Designer of the Animated World

Motion graphics animators specialize in creating dynamic graphic elements that combine text, images, and effects to communicate messages engagingly. They often work in advertising, broadcasting, and live events, creating visuals to catch the viewer’s attention quickly. Motion graphics are highly effective in the following ways:

• Broadcast media
• Digital advertising
• Social media
• Corporate presentations

They are also used for title sequences, educational videos, and logo animations. These graphics help companies enhance brand visibility and explain complex information in a digestible format, which is valuable for marketing and instructional content.

4. Character Animator: The Creator of Life

Character animators focus on bringing characters to life by creating convincing emotional expressions and interactions with the environment. Character designers consider aspects such as:

• Silhouette
• Color palettes
• Costume design
• Facial features
• Body proportions
• Expressive qualities

Character animators work closely with voice actors and directors to ensure that movements and expressions are synchronized with audio and narrative elements. Character animation is critical in storytelling, making it a key component in the entertainment industry, including movies, TV shows, and video games. It is also valuable in advertising, where brands use characters to build emotional connections with the audience.

5. UI/UX Animator: The User Experience Designer

UI/UX animators improve the interactivity and aesthetic appeal of digital interfaces. They design animations that guide users fluidly through a software application, infographic, or web design, enhancing user engagement and satisfaction and making the user’s journey intuitive and enjoyable. This often involves:

• Creating micro-interactions
• Transitions
• Feedback loops 

As digital interfaces become the main point of customer interaction, UI/UX animation plays a pivotal role in making products user-friendly and engaging. This is especially important for technology companies, e-commerce businesses, and any organization that uses digital platforms to interact with users.

6. Stop-motion Animator: The Craftsman of Animation

Stop-motion animators create physical models and settings and photograph them one frame at a time to create the illusion of movement. This requires a meticulous process of manually adjusting the models between shots. While it is more labor-intensive, stop-motion animation offers a distinctive, tactile quality that can be highly appealing in:

• Commercials, Music videos
• Independent film
• Video production

It is desirable to brands that value artistic craftsmanship and wish to differentiate themselves through unique visual stories. As brands recognize the value of storytelling in marketing, stop-motion animation has resurfaced as a popular trend in video production. 

Why Moonb's Subscription Model Outperforms Traditional Video Production Options

Moonb is a video marketing agency offering unlimited video editing subscriptions. We offer seamless project management integration via:

• Trello
• Slack
• MS Teams 

We also have weekly strategy calls and a contract-free, full-service production approach. Moonb is a superior alternative to:

• Traditional video agencies
• Freelancers
• In-house production teams

Our flexible, subscription-based model, combined with our expertise in creating compelling video content, positions us as the ideal partner for companies looking to elevate their marketing and educational initiatives through the power of video. Start a 3-day free trial to take your content to the next level.  

Demand For Animation Designers Continues To Expand

The demand for animation designers has surged due to the increasing importance of visual storytelling across various industries. Animation designers create dynamic and engaging visual content for:

• Digital media
• Marketing
• Video games
• Entertainment
• Educational platforms

Their work transforms concepts into animated graphics, interactive experiences, and videos that captivate audiences and effectively convey messages. 

What’s Behind the Animation Designer Job Boom? 

The rapid growth of video content consumption, the expansion of the gaming industry, and the rise of platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and e-learning apps have significantly driven the need for high-quality animations. 

Companies across sectors, from advertising agencies to tech firms, rely on animation designers to differentiate their branding, enhance user experience, and deliver more immersive digital products. 

What Are the Animation Designer’s Job Outlook and Career Prospects? 

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for animation designers and special effects artists was projected to grow by 8% from 2022 to 2032. Due to the industry’s expansion and the ongoing need for fresh, creative content, this demand is expected to create about 9,400 job openings annually, on average. 

In essence, animation designers’ role has become indispensable in today’s digital-first world, and the demand is only set to rise as companies increasingly prioritize visual engagement and interactive experiences.

Why Do Companies Hire Animators

Companies hire animators to harness the power of visual storytelling and create engaging content that captures attention, communicates ideas, and enhances brand identity. 

Bringing Concepts to Life

Animators transform static visuals into dynamic, moving elements that make ideas more engaging and easier to understand. Whether explaining complex products or services in explainer videos or creating interactive graphics for websites, animators make content more captivating.

Enhancing Marketing and Advertising

In advertising, animated content is an effective tool for showcasing products in an appealing, creative way. Animated, social media and banner ads often stand out due to their eye-catching movement and storytelling elements, leading to higher engagement rates. 

Animation enables brands to highlight product features more dynamically and effectively than static imagery.

Boosting Brand Identity

Custom animations can help shape a brand’s identity. Animators build a recognizable brand presence by developing unique:

• Styles
• Characters
• Visual elements

This is incredibly impactful, where companies aim to leave lasting impressions in: 

• Logo animations
• Product animations
• Social media content

Simplifying Complex Information

Many businesses use animation to break down complex concepts into simple, easy-to-understand visual narratives. For industries such as tech, healthcare, or finance, animated explainer videos can make intricate processes or technical details accessible to a broader audience, helping companies effectively communicate their value propositions.

Creating Engaging Content Across Platforms

In today’s multimedia environment, businesses need content across various platforms, from websites and mobile apps to social media and video channels. 

Animators help create versatile and adaptive content that captures attention and resonates with audiences in different formats, boosting engagement across digital touchpoints.

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Attributes Of A Great Animator

Understanding the 12 principles of animation, such as squash and stretch, anticipation, and exaggeration, is essential for creating believable, dynamic animations. A skilled animator can apply these principles to:

• Craft smooth, lifelike movements
• Helping characters convey emotion
• Add visual drama

This technical grounding is critical for bringing characters and scenes to life with engaging motion. 

Show, Don’t Tell: Strong Storytelling Skills Are Essential for Great Animators

A great animator isn’t just about making things move—they understand how to use animation as a narrative tool. They know how to translate static elements, such as character designs and storyboards, into compelling animated sequences that drive the story forward. 

This includes an intuitive grasp of character arcs, timing, and pacing, ensuring that each movement has a purpose and contributes to the emotional depth and progression of the narrative. 

Animation Is a Visual Medium: A Great Animator Knows How to Compose Their Shots

Excellent composition is about more than just pretty visuals. A great animator arranges elements within each frame to guide the viewer’s attention and emphasize critical aspects of the story. 

They use techniques like the rule of thirds, balance, contrast, and framing to create visually engaging scenes that enhance storytelling and seamlessly lead viewers through the animation.

Color Theory: A Secret Weapon for Great Animators

Color plays a massive role in shaping the mood and tone of an animation. Great animators deeply understand color theory and know how to use color schemes to evoke specific emotions, define character identities, and maintain visual consistency throughout the animation. Their strategic use of color helps capture the audience’s attention and amplify the narrative. 

Technical Skills: Great Animators Are Master Problem Solvers

They have the technical skills to handle complex character rigging, smooth transitions, and detailed rendering, ensuring the animation flows seamlessly. Their technical expertise allows them to execute complex ideas while adhering to industry standards, creating animations that are both creative and technically sound. 

Top animators are proficient in industry-standard software, including tools like:

• Adobe After Effects
• Toon Boom Harmony
• Autodesk Maya
• Blender

Adaptability: The Best Animators Can Switch Between Styles and Software with Ease

While expertise in specific software is essential, many animators possess transferable skills to switch between tools. For example, an animator skilled in 2D tools like Adobe Animate can often transition to other software within the Adobe suite or adapt to 3D software like Cinema 4D or Blender with relative ease. 

The leap from 2D to 3D animation tools may require more specific training due to the different features and techniques involved.

How Can You Identify The Ideal Animation Designer/Animator For You?

When hiring an animation designer, you must first decide whether your project requires a junior or more seasoned designer. Deciding which candidate is a better match depends on several factors, including:

• Project requirements
• Time constraints
• Budget
• Team dynamics

To make the most of this extensive screening process, evaluate the following points carefully to determine the type of designer who best suits your organization’s needs. 

Junior vs Senior Freelance Animator: Their Roles and Responsibilities 

Junior animation designers can bring new perspectives and fresh ideas to your project. Designers looking to expand their skill set or experience level are enthusiastic about exploring new techniques and design trends that lead to innovative solutions. Junior animators are often more flexible about changes and eager to learn. If you have a tight budget, hiring an animator early in their career could be a good option since they are usually more affordable. However, junior candidates need more experience and may need support for complex tasks.

Senior animation designers have years of experience creating animations for various companies and leading complex projects. Their expertise helps them meet tight deadlines without sacrificing quality, making them ideal for urgent projects. However, their expertise comes at a higher cost. They focus on: 

• Quality
• Attention to detail
• Conveying messages effectively through animation. 

A Team of Animators vs. A Single Animator For Your Animation Project 

It’s also essential to assess whether you need one animator or a team of animators to create the visual assets and specialize in the animation process. While some freelance animation designers are skilled at creating and animating assets, providing a unified vision that’s particularly valuable for smaller or more style-focused projects, others excel exclusively in animation. 

These specialists focus on rigging, scene motion, and perfecting the animation of preexisting assets, dedicating their expertise to ensuring that every movement is lifelike and expressive. Whether a project utilizes multitalented designers or those with focused specialties often depends on the following: 

• Project’s scope
• The team’s size and structure
• The animation’s precise needs

Finding the Right Fit for Your Animation Team 

Choosing the right animation designer goes beyond their suitability for a specific project and includes evaluating their fit on your team. Hiring an animation designer who shares your company’s core values and has a robust skill set beyond animation services will help foster a collaborative and productive work environment. 

A careful selection process, focusing on both technical ability and interpersonal qualities, is critical to the long-term success of your project.

12 Best Places To Hire a Freelance Animator for Your Projects

1. Moonb

Moonb is a video marketing agency offering unlimited video editing subscriptions. We offer seamless project management integration via:

• Trello
• Slack
• MS Teams 

We also have weekly strategy calls and a contract-free, full-service production approach. Moonb is a superior alternative to:

• Traditional video agencies
• Freelancers
• In-house production teams

Our flexible, subscription-based model, combined with our expertise in creating compelling video content, positions us as the ideal partner for companies looking to elevate their marketing and educational initiatives through the power of video. Start a 3-day free trial to take your content to the next level. 

2. Upwork

Upwork is one of the top websites for freelancing, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a place where you can find all kinds of freelancers at varying prices. Job openings are constantly posted, and that includes job listings for animation. Regardless of your vision, Upwork will help you find the perfect animator. 

It’s surprisingly easy to get started. You can simply type the word “animator” in the search bar and choose from a library of freelancers fit for any budget. 

3. Fiverr

Fiverr is a lot like Upwork. It’s another website dedicated to helping freelancers find new clients quickly. The website is broken up into sellers and buyers. As a buyer, you can post job listings and browse the endless number of sellers offering their services. 

When it comes to animation, there are over 60,000 sellers to choose from. This means you’ll never run out of options.

4. Twine

If you haven’t heard of Twine, this is your lucky day. Unlike the other freelance sites, Twine will do the vetting for you. No more wondering whether or not you have a quality animator on your hands. Twine selects and hand-picks freelancers before they even make it to the site. How cool is that? 

Twine lets animators create profiles and showcase their portfolios. You can log in and browse a detailed list of high-quality freelancers.

5. Behance

Behance is all about community. Much like LinkedIn, it functions as its social media site. The difference is that this is social media specifically designed for creatives. Animators can build portfolios here and connect with other artists to share feedback. 

As the freelance animators on Behance post update on their latest creations, you can see their progress in real time.

6. Guru

Guru is a cost-effective site that hosts freelancers of all types. It provides various tools to help with project and payment management, and what’s really cool about Guru is that it offers immense flexibility. 

You can set up your payment plan by the hour, task, or milestone. You can even specify your location constraints, making it easy to hire locally or abroad. 

7. Working Not Working

When you visit Working Not Working (WNW for short), you’ll find unique job titles with many options. The critical aspect of this website is that freelancers can mark their profiles as working or not working. 

This makes it easier for you, the employer, to find freelance animators who are confirmed to be available. After all, there’s nothing worse than having your eye on a particular freelancer only to find out they’re not accepting clients.

8. Dribbble

Dribbble is a space for designers and artists to build a community and find lasting support for their work. As a client, you can search their website by location. This makes it very easy to find freelance animators in your local area.

9. AnimatedJobs

AnimatedJobs was explicitly created with animators in mind. So, if you’re looking for a freelance animator, this site is curated to meet your needs. It’s been trusted by some of the biggest studios in the industry, including:

• Netflix
• Brown Bag
• Lighthouse

You’ll find many potential employees in the animation field. Whether you’re looking for a 2D animator, a 3D animator, a concept artist, or a rigging supervisor, AnimatedJobs has got you covered.

10. LinkedIn

LinkedIn is unique because it’s a full-on social media site dedicated to providing job and employment opportunities. You probably already have a LinkedIn profile ready for use if you’re an established company. Don’t have a profile yet? That’s okay. LinkedIn makes it easy to create an account and start looking for employees within minutes. Better yet, you can post one free job listing at a time. 

You can promote a job listing for an extra cost to reach more people. If you’re looking for an established animator, LinkedIn provides many tools to help find a qualified candidate. 

11. Toptal

Toptal has helped reimagine the experience of hiring freelancers. Rather than sifting through dozens of online animators to pick the needle from the haystack, Toptal matches you with an animation designer. It's like having direct access to your animation studio. You can use Toptal for more than animators; they also have: 

• Graphic designers
• Illustrators
• Web designers
• Video game designers
• Motion designers
• Freelancers from related fields

Only 3% of applicants have passed Toptal’s extensive vetting and testing process, and they work to match you with a designer that meets your video production, visual effects, and animated video needs. If you’re unsatisfied, you can change designers or even cancel the project free of charge.

12. Freelancer

Freelancer is one of the largest freelance marketplaces. With millions of users, you’ll find an animator that fits your needs. The platform charges a fee for standard projects unless you use the preferred freelancer program. 

In this program, Freelancer charges a percentage but provides you with access to a group of experienced freelance animation designers. Both parties pay fees to initiate a project, which helps guarantee the designer’s buy-in.

What Should an Animator’s Portfolio Look Like?

Quality First: What to Look for in an Animator's Portfolio

When reviewing an animation designer's portfolio, pay attention to the quality of the animations. Are they cohesive and visually appealing, with smooth movements and correct timing? You should also evaluate attention to detail in animations. Are there subtle movements of elements in the background? These small details will enhance the animation and demonstrate quality and professionalism. 

Storytelling & Character Development: The Heart of Animation

Another critical element to look for in a portfolio is storytelling and the ability to convey messages well. Look at the storyline of the animation and how it follows from beginning to end. 

• Is it predictable? 
• Is it unique and exciting? 
• Does the animation have engaging characters or evoke certain emotions? 

A skilled animator will include creative ways to convey messages that captivate viewers.

Style Versatility: A Must for Animators

While some animation designers maintain a consistent style throughout their portfolio, others may show greater versatility. Animators showcasing a variety of styles demonstrate their ability to adapt to unique project requirements and client needs. 

Portfolio Presentation: Show Your Work!

Common animation portfolio styles include video reels and project case studies that showcase the final interactive content, as well as:

• Storyboards
• Sketches
• Development stages

Work presented through diverse mediums emphasizes the achieved outcomes and the designer's work process. 

How Moonb’s Subscription Model Simplifies Video Production and Enhances Collaboration

Moonb is a video marketing agency offering unlimited video editing subscriptions. We offer seamless project management integration via:

• Trello
• Slack
• MS Teams 

We also have weekly strategy calls and a contract-free, full-service production approach. Moonb is a superior alternative to:

• Traditional video agencies
• Freelancers
• In-house production teams

Our flexible, subscription-based model, combined with our expertise in creating compelling video content, positions us as the ideal partner for companies looking to elevate their marketing and educational initiatives through the power of video. Start a 3-day free trial to take your content to the next level.  

Why You Should Consider Hiring An Animation Agency

The Resources to Deliver Quality Work on Time

Animation agencies have advanced tools, software, and technology that allow them to produce high-quality animations efficiently. They also have specialized equipment and teams of professionals who focus on various animation elements, such as character development, background design, and special effects. 

This infrastructure supports smooth workflows and faster turnaround times. 

Have a Team of Experts to Collaborate on Your Project

Animation agencies employ teams of animators and creative professionals who bring diverse skill sets to a project. This collaborative environment results in more polished and visually dynamic animations, as multiple experts contribute their knowledge across different areas. 

Freelancers, by comparison, often work alone. While they can deliver good work, they may provide a different level of creative diversity.

Have Experience With Large, Complex Projects

Animation agencies have extensive experience managing large, complex projects, such as films, TV series, or major brand campaigns. They know the production pipelines and have relationships with other professionals (voice actors, sound designers, etc.) necessary to create a cohesive final product. 

This experience often leads to smoother execution and better quality control, which freelancers may need more scale or resources to achieve.

Provide Project Management for Quality Assurance

With an agency, you’re more likely to have a dedicated project manager overseeing deadline revisions and ensuring the final product meets your expectations. Agencies also have processes in place for handling unexpected issues. 

While some freelancers are reliable, they may need a more structured approach to project management and quality assurance.

Animation Agencies Can Scale and Offer Consistency

An agency can scale quickly for more extensive or ongoing projects, adding more team members or resources to meet deadlines. Agencies can also maintain consistency across projects, which is crucial for branding and long-term campaigns. 

On the other hand, freelancers need help keeping up with larger workloads or providing consistent quality across multiple projects.

Start a 3-day Free Trial to Take Your Content to the Next Level

Moonb is a video marketing agency offering unlimited video editing subscriptions. We offer seamless project management integration via:

• Trello
• Slack
• MS Teams 

We also have weekly strategy calls and a contract-free, full-service production approach. Moonb is a superior alternative to:

• Traditional video agencies
• Freelancers
• In-house production teams

Our flexible, subscription-based model, combined with our expertise in creating compelling video content, positions us as the ideal partner for companies looking to elevate their marketing and educational initiatives through the power of video. Start a 3-day free trial to take your content to the next level. 

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