Associate 2D Animator

Key Responsibilities

• Create high-quality 2D character and effects animations for our mobile games, ensuring they align with the project's artistic vision.

• Work closely with the art and animation leadership to understand and contribute to defining animation direction, methods, and approaches for creative solutions.

• Assist in planning animation sequences by contributing to or creating basic storyboards.

• Collaborate with artists, game designers, and engineers to support and improve our animation pipelines and workflows.

• Work with production and project managers to accurately estimate the level of effort required for assigned animation tasks and deliverables.

• Participate in animation reviews, actively receiving and incorporating feedback to refine and enhance animation quality.

• Maintain organized animation files and adhere to established asset management procedures.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Strong understanding of the 12 Principles of Animation, including timing, momentum, effects, weight, and anticipation, showcased through a compelling portfolio/demo-reel.

• Proven ability to create compelling and beautiful animations despite artistic, technical, or gameplay challenges and limitations.

• Clear understanding of animation game beats and timing specific to interactive experiences.

• Broad animation skills with the versatility to execute various performance styles.

• Highly proficient with 2D animation tools such as Illustrator, Flash (or Adobe Animate), Photoshop, and Unity.

• Experience animating in Unity using keyframes and the graph editor for polish passes.

• Experience with Unity’s particle system and knowledge of particle animation optimization.

• Solid understanding of drawing and visual design principles, including 2D, 3D, layout, color theory, and lighting.

• Experience with storyboarding.

• Strong English written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present feedback and ideas clearly and professionally.

• Ability to take direction and iterate on animations/VFX as needed.

• Self-starter, reliable, and passionate about their work, with an eye for detail and an understanding of the bigger picture.

• Able to multitask effectively.

• Sense of humor and a positive, enthusiastic attitude.

• Passion for video games is a must!

• Strong communication skills to effectively collaborate within the animation pipeline and with cross-functional teams.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Animation, Fine Arts, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

• 1-2 years of professional experience in 2D animation, preferably within the gaming industry.

• A strong portfolio/demo reel showcasing advanced 2D animation skills and a deep understanding of game animation principles.