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Check out a sample of the 1,815 Animation jobs posted on Upwork

AI 3D Video Developer Fixed-price ‐ Posted 1 day ago

$5
Fixed-price

Intermediate
Experience level

We are looking for a skilled AI 3D Video Developer to create innovative and visually stunning AI-powered 3D videos. The main goal is to…

Animation Artificial Intelligence Adobe Illustrator Adobe Photoshop Animation Jobs
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Character vector for javascript animation
New
Fixed-price ‐ Posted 23 hours ago

$30
Fixed-price

Intermediate
Experience level

I dont have an exact idea in mind but the character should be a cute flying animal of some sort that would fit in well in any ecommerc…

Animation Illustration Adobe Illustrator Character Design Animation Jobs
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Looking for a JavaScript person For a Short Task
New
Fixed-price ‐ Posted 23 hours ago

$10
Fixed-price

Entry
Experience level

I am working on a college task for AI/ML. For that I need to use some of the open source Java Script libraries. The task is to utilize…

Animation Animation Jobs Python Java Web Development JavaScript
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Motion Graphics Esports Broadcast Designer
New
Fixed-price ‐ Posted 21 hours ago

$500
Fixed-price

Intermediate
Experience level

We are seeking a talented and creative Motion Graphics Esports Broadcast Designer to join our team. As a Motion Graphics Esports Broadc…

Animation Video Intro & Outro Animation Jobs
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Less than 30 hrs/week
Hours needed

Less than 1 month
Duration

Intermediate
Experience level

Hi! I have a live-action show for kids on YouTube, and I'm interested in creating some animated segments. While I have experience in th…

Animation Character Design Character Animation Animation Jobs
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Need 3d artist for Inner body, Rigging, and Animation
New
Fixed-price ‐ Posted 23 hours ago

$350
Fixed-price

Expert
Experience level

I have 5 female avatars that need their inner bodies done, full body rigging, animations, and their ears changed. Please be experienced…

Animation 3D Rigging 3D Rendering Animation Jobs 3D Modeling
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Motion Designer
New
Fixed-price ‐ Posted 23 hours ago

$8
Fixed-price

Intermediate
Experience level

We are seeking a skilled Motion Designer to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of animation principles…

Animation Motion Design Animation Jobs Explainer Video Adobe After Effects
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Video avatar
New
Fixed-price ‐ Posted 22 hours ago

$50
Fixed-price

Intermediate
Experience level

I woild like an avatar to be the video. I checked with chatgpt and they say the following: Creating an avatar to read in a video invol…

Animation Animation Jobs
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$150
Fixed-price

Expert
Experience level

I want to make a video with the necessary effects. This is due to the stages of the project to rehabilitate part of an existing adminis…

Animation Animation Jobs Video Commercial
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AI Image Generation for Anime
New
Hourly ‐ Posted 20 hours ago

Less than 30 hrs/week
Hours needed

Less than 1 month
Duration

Entry
Experience level

PLEASE READ: I will not respond to you if you use an auto-response. I need someone to generate Anime characters using every AI program…

Animation Illustration Animation Jobs Adobe Photoshop Adobe Illustrator Digital Painting
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Animators on Upwork
can earn $20–$38/hr.
Learn more below about how you can earn a career on the world’s work marketplace.
Animator average prices bell curve

$20 $38

Median hourly rates (USD)

How to Become a Freelance Animator

Do you love creating heart-stopping images and gorgeous videos? Do you wish you could get paid to create? You might have what it takes to become a freelancer on Upwork, where businesses meet talent.

What does an animator do?

Animators work with businesses of all sizes to create media, both images and videos, that will tell a story. They’re typically responsible for carrying out tasks like storyboarding, design, and 2D and 3D animation. Animators often use software like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, as well as video software like Premiere Pro or Sony Vegas Studio.

What skills do I need to become an Animator?

The best animators possess several key skills. Freelance animators may specialize in a few areas, while others may work across many types of animation, like special effects, character animation, stop motion, video game design, and 3D modeling. There’s no requirement for animators to have a college education, though some clients on Upwork prefer a degree.

We know that degrees bring a host of core competencies, but they may not fully represent an individual’s skills, especially as an entry-level animator. A bachelor’s degree in graphic design, motion graphics, or other similar fields may be preferred but typically not required. This is especially true if you have relevant experience in 2D animation or 3D animation

Animators benefit from several core skills:

  • Creativity. While technical skills are important, the best animators are also highly creative. These multimedia artists and graphic designers can bring fresh, new ideas to animation, creating media that’s unique and intriguing.
  • Familiarity with computer software programs. Animators rely on animation software like Illustrator, Photoshop, Sony Vegas, Maya, Autodesk 3ds Max, and Adobe Flash. Familiarity with this software lets an animator easily step into a project and take full advantage of each platform.
  • Communication skills and patience. When working as a team member or when working with a client, animators need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively. Patience is also important, especially when working with larger teams or facing a challenging project.
  • Time management skills. Animation projects often have tight deadlines. Animators benefit from strong time management skills that help to keep them productive and on task.
  • Strong attention to detail. From the complex nature of animation software to the nuance that goes into character modeling, strong attention to detail can take an animator’s work from good to great.
  • Storyboarding and storytelling. Storyboarding and storytelling can help to plan out a film, commercial, or other media. These key layouts help animators to avoid unnecessarily reworking their content, saving them time and keeping a whole team working toward the same vision.
  • Artistic/drawing ability. Artistic talent plays a key role in animation. A background in fine arts and some natural artistic abilities can strengthen an animator’s work.
  • Ability to work with a team. Animators work as members of larger teams, whether they’re hired by production companies or are working on a freelance basis. As a result, teamwork is essential, and the most experienced animators understand how to work collaboratively and make the most of their team members.

Should I get a certification as an animator?

Several graphics design and 3D animation industry certifications are available, and these certifications may help to make you more competitive as an animator. You can find certifications through MOOC and online education platforms such as EdX and Coursera.

If you’re interested in online college, plenty of institutions offer online training in animation and graphic design, including Capella University and Full Sail University.

Some clients may prefer that animators have a college degree in animation or in a relevant field, but many clients place more emphasis on relevant experience than degrees.

What are the job responsibilities of an animator?

Freelance animators are commonly expected to take ownership of many tasks:

  • Create and edit the storyboard to client preference
  • Create and develop images and/or videos based on client input
  • Tweak content based on client feedback
  • Deliver finished project files and necessary assets to clients upon completion
  • Communicate regularly to ensure clients stay up to date with creation

Eager to learn more about animation jobs on Upwork? Check out these additional resources:

Upwork is not affiliated with and does not sponsor or endorse any of the tools or services discussed in this section. These tools and services are provided only as potential options, and each reader and company should take the time needed to adequately analyse and determine the tools or services that would best fit their specific needs and situation.

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