Crafting a compelling CV can be particularly challenging for an animator, as it must encapsulate both your technical prowess and creative flair. Our guide provides targeted advice on how to weave your artistic achievements into a narrative that stands out to potential employers, ensuring your CV strikes the perfect balance between skill demonstration and storytelling.
Learn how to create your next animator CV by:
- Applying the simplest CV design, so that recruiters can easily understand your expertise, skills, and professional background;
- Ensuring you stand out with your header, summary or objective statement, and a designated skills section;
- Creating your CV experience section - no matter how much expertise you have;
- Using real life professional CV examples to enhance the structure and outline of your profile.
If you still have no muse to write your professional CV, find some more industry-leading examples.
Resume examples for animator
Explore additional animator cv samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
By Experience
Senior Animator
- Demonstrates comprehensive experience and growth - Alexander Jackson's CV exhibits a clear progression from an Animator to a Lead Animator at major gaming companies such as Electronic Arts, Rockstar Games, and Ubisoft. This trajectory highlights his career advancement, indicating a wealth of industry experience and increasing responsibility in game development projects.
- Showcases specialized technical expertise - The CV emphasizes Jackson's proficiency with industry-specific tools and methodologies including Maya, Motion Builder, and AAA Game Engine Experience. His advanced skills in key-frame and mocap integration further underline his technical depth, crucial for crafting immersive gaming experiences.
- Highlights impactful achievements - Each role described in the CV is augmented with quantifiable achievements, such as boosting player engagement by 30% and reducing workflow time by 35%. These accomplishments not only indicate his effectiveness as an animator but also demonstrate his ability to contribute significantly to an organization's success.
Junior Animator
- Clear and Structured Presentation - The CV is well-organized, featuring distinct sections that are easy to read and understand. Each section, such as experience, education, and skills, is clearly labeled, allowing for quick navigation and showcasing Finley's qualifications efficiently.
- Strong Career Trajectory in Animation - Finley has shown significant career growth from an Animation Intern to an Animation Artist at a notable company like Sega Europe Ltd. This progression illustrates a deepening expertise and success within the animation industry, highlighted by contributions to team productivity and engagement.
- Industry-Specific Achievements with Impact - The CV effectively presents achievements that not only show creativity but also notable business impact. For example, a 20% increase in player engagement through animations highlights Finley's ability to deliver not just aesthetically pleasing work but also results that enhance user experience and client satisfaction.
Lead Animator
- Structured career progression - Mia's CV clearly delineates a trajectory of growth within the gaming industry, moving from an Animator at Rocksteady Studios to a Lead Gameplay Animator at Ubisoft. This steady advancement highlights her increasing levels of responsibility and leadership, suggesting a strong record of performance and capability to take on larger roles.
- Emphasis on industry-specific tools and methodologies - The CV effectively underscores Mia's expertise in critical software such as Maya, Unreal Engine, and Motion Capture, along with her ability to implement proprietary animation tools. These mentions reinforce her technical proficiency and commitment to enhancing production efficiencies and animation quality, which are vital in game development.
- Interdisciplinary collaboration and impact on business outcomes - Collaborating with diverse departments has been a focal point of Mia's roles, ensuring alignment on animation requirements, which is essential for project success. Her ability to work across teams has contributed to major releases and reduced production times, thus having a direct, positive impact on business results, like player engagement and satisfaction.
Animation Director
- Structured and Detail-oriented Presentation - The CV is meticulously organized, providing a clear and concise structure that makes it easy to navigate. Each section is well-defined, leading with a comprehensive header that neatly summarizes key personal and professional information. The content is presented with precision, avoiding unnecessary jargon, while focusing on the candidate’s core competencies and achievements.
- Consistent Career Growth and Skill Enhancement - The CV highlights a steady career progression, with strategic promotions from a Motion Graphics Designer to a Senior Motion Designer, and ultimately to an Animation Director. This trajectory not only shows professional advancement but also an increasing breadth of responsibility and mastery in animation and motion graphics. The candidate's academic background supports this growth, with both a Bachelor's and a Master’s degree in relevant fields.
- Proficiency with Cutting-edge Tools - Unique to this candidate is their expertise with specialized industry tools such as Unreal Engine, Cinema 4D, and Redshift, which are integral to advanced animation work. Their technical depth is further emphasized through courses and certifications that keep them abreast of technological advancements in the animation industry, reinforcing their capability to deliver innovative solutions.
Animation Supervisor
- Career Growth and Leadership - Ruby Gibson's career trajectory is highlighted by a rapid progression from a Layout Artist to a Layout Technical Supervisor, indicating significant professional development and leadership skills. The CV shows Ruby leading teams of varying sizes, demonstrating her ability to manage, inspire, and harness team potential at different career stages.
- Technical Mastery and Industry-Specific Expertise - The CV is replete with industry-specific tools and methodologies like Maya, Unreal Engine, and USD, showcasing Ruby's technical depth and aptitude in these areas. Her ability to innovate with these tools, creating new pipelines and improving efficiency, highlights her technical prowess and impactful industry contributions.
- Achievements with Measurable Impact - Ruby’s achievements are not only listed but also quantified, illustrating the tangible impact on her teams and projects. For example, boosting team efficiency by 25% or reducing errors by 15% are concrete metrics that speak to her effectiveness and the real-world benefits she brings to her roles.
Animation Producer
- Strategic career development and leadership - Samuel Campbell's CV outlines a clear upward trajectory in roles, showcasing a progression from Project Manager to Senior Integrated Producer. This growth underscores a solid foundation in leadership, successfully managing teams and driving departmental output enhancements.
- Effective use of project management methodologies - The CV highlights Campbell’s implementation of new project management tools and scheduling systems, which have demonstrably improved team efficiency and resource utilization. This showcases his capability to introduce and harness industry-standard methodologies to optimize operations.
- Passion-driven creative and sustainable work - The CV details Samuel's dedication to not just advertising but innovating within the field through creative campaigns and sustainable practices. His interests align with current industry trends, reflecting a visionary approach to integrating cultural and environmental consciousness into advertising projects.
By Role
3D Animator
- Structured and Accessible Format - The CV organizes content into distinct sections using clear headings, which enhances readability and ensures that key information is easily accessible. Bullet points are used for efficient communication of responsibilities and achievements, promoting quick understanding for hiring managers scanning numerous applications.
- Demonstrates Progressive Career Advancement - The document reveals a clear trajectory of career development with steady promotions that illustrate the candidate’s growth and adaptability within the tech industry. It tracks progress from an entry-level position to a senior leadership role, underscoring their increasing responsibility and expertise over time.
- Emphasizes Industry-Specific Technical Proficiency - The CV delves into advanced financial technologies by listing relevant tools and methodologies that are unique to the fintech sector. By detailing experience with blockchain technology, AI-driven analytics, and cybersecurity protocols, it highlights technical depth that sets the candidate apart in their field.
Medical Animator
- Clear Structure and Presentation - The CV is well-structured, making it easy for readers to follow Ruby Gibson's career progression and skill set. Each section is clearly defined, starting from a concise summary to detailed experiences, education, skills, and achievements. Bullet points are used effectively to highlight key contributions and accomplishments.
- Continuous Career Advancement - Ruby's career trajectory showcases a clear path of growth, moving from a 3D Animator at Rare Ltd. to a Senior Technical Animator at Frontier Developments. This progression demonstrates her increasing responsibilities and expertise within the gaming industry, emphasizing her dedication and capability to rise to more senior roles.
- Impactful Achievements with Business Relevance - The CV highlights Ruby's contributions in a way that goes beyond numerical accomplishments by focusing on tangible business impacts. Achievements such as improving player engagement metrics by 20% and increasing in-game purchases by 15% during promotional periods clearly illustrate her ability to deliver results that align with business objectives.
Character Animator
- Clear and Structured Content Presentation - Scarlett Murphy's CV is highly organized, providing a structured layout that clearly delineates each section. The concise yet comprehensive bullet points in the experience section present her accomplishments and responsibilities in a straightforward manner, making it easy to understand her career progression and major achievements.
- Impressive Career Trajectory with Industry Leaders - Murphy's career journey is marked by a steady progression through top-tier companies such as Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, and Rockstar Games. Her advancement to senior roles and diverse experience in facial animation reflects a strategic career path in a highly competitive industry, showcasing her professional growth over the years.
- Technical Depth in Animation Software and Techniques - The CV highlights Murphy's proficiency in specialized animation tools like Maya and MotionBuilder, as well as her innovative contributions to facial animation techniques. This depth of technical expertise positions her as an expert in 3D character animation, capable of driving creativity and technical excellence within her field.
Game Animator
- Clear and Structured Content Presentation - The CV is well-organized with distinct sections that provide a comprehensive view of Ethan Palmer's professional landscape. Each segment is clearly delineated, allowing for a seamless reading experience that emphasizes key information without overwhelming the reader. This clarity and conciseness ensure that the reader quickly grasps the candidate's qualifications and achievements.
- Remarkable Career Trajectory - Ethan's career path shows a consistent rise in responsibilities and expertise, moving from a Junior Game Designer to a Senior position at Camelot Group. This growth is not only a testament to his capability but also reflects his ability to adapt and thrive in the evolving digital gaming industry. The progression outlined highlights the candidate's dedication to his field and his capacity for leadership.
- Emphasis on Unique Industry-specific Tools and Skills - The CV highlights proficiency in tools such as Spine Animation Software, AI-driven analytics, and Adobe Creative Suite. Such technical depth demonstrates Ethan Palmer’s capability to leverage cutting-edge methodologies for game design and animation, vital for developing engaging and sophisticated gaming experiences. This expertise uniquely positions him as a valuable asset within the industry, capable of pushing the boundaries of conventional gaming solutions.
Graphic Animator
- Structured career progression - Archie Clark's CV displays a clear and strategic career trajectory, showcasing upward mobility from Design Lead at WPP to Creative Director at Pentagon Design. Each role highlights an increase in responsibility and scope, demonstrating a continuous climb in leadership and creative influence within the design industry.
- Innovative methodologies and tools - His CV highlights a unique competency in embracing agile methodologies and advanced design technologies, like Adobe Creative Suite, which have notably enhanced project timelines and quality. This adaptability to innovative tools and processes underscores his ability to incorporate industry best practices in achieving creative excellence.
- Impactful achievements with quantifiable results – The achievements section goes beyond listing accolades by providing context to the impact of each accomplishment. For example, the 25% rise in brand recognition and the 30% growth in client approval rates not only quantify success but also emphasize the strategic and business relevance of his contributions to organizational growth.
Motion Graphics Animator
- Structured presentation with clarity and focus - The CV maintains a clear and organized layout, effectively presenting each section from experience to education and skills, which ensures that the reader can quickly identify critical pieces of information relevant to the job role. This clarity in structure enhances readability and emphasizes the candidate's key qualifications and achievements.
- Impressive career trajectory demonstrating growth - The progression from Motion Graphics Designer to Lead Motion Graphics Designer showcases a clear path of career advancement, indicating increasing levels of responsibility and expertise. This growth reflects the candidate's ability to adapt and excel within the competitive field of visual storytelling and animation.
- Industry-specific expertise in advanced tools and techniques - The CV highlights proficiency in industry-standard tools like Adobe After Effects, Cinema 4D, and Blender, alongside cutting-edge workflows and animation techniques. This technical depth is complemented by ongoing education through specialized courses, underlining continuous professional development and innovation within the motion graphics domain.
Visual Effects Animator
- Content Presentation - The CV is well-structured and concise, making it easy to read and understand. It opens with a summary that clearly outlines Daniel's expertise and experience in the VFX and gaming industry. Each section is distinctly labeled, ensuring that important information, like education, experience, and skills, is accessible at a glance.
- Career Trajectory - Daniel's career shows a clear progression from a VFX Artist at Frontier Developments to a Senior VFX Developer at Rocksteady Studios, then returning to a VFX Artist role with increased responsibilities at Creative Assembly. This trajectory reflects a growth in technical expertise and leadership, as well as a deepening specialization in Unreal Engine and game development.
- Unique Industry-Specific Elements - The CV shines with industry-specific skills such as proficiency in Unreal Engine and Houdini, which are critical tools for VFX artists in gaming. References to specific projects and techniques, like real-time particle effects and VFX rendering optimizations, emphasize Daniel's technical depth and his ability to apply advanced methodologies to enhance visual quality in games.
Digital Animator
- Career Trajectory and Industry Experience - Ava's career trajectory demonstrates a clear advancement in increasingly senior roles, starting from a Digital Designer and progressing to Senior Digital Art Director. The move between major players like Sky News, BBC News, and The Guardian highlights her ability to adapt and thrive in diverse environments while consistently being promoted due to her talents and contributions.
- Emphasis on Soft Skills and Leadership - The CV effectively highlights Ava's leadership capabilities and soft skills, such as her ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams across different regions and communicate effectively to streamline workflows. Her leadership is solidified by directing groups and managing high-stakes projects, showcasing her as a dependable team leader and innovator.
- Technical Depth and Unique Methodologies - Ava’s skills section indicates a deep technical proficiency, with expertise in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Adobe Creative Suite, and Figma—a set of tools essential for a digital art director. Her courses in advanced web accessibility and motion graphics further position her as a forward-thinking leader knowledgeable about cutting-edge practices that enhance digital storytelling.
Freelance Animator
- Clear and Structured Content Presentation - The CV is arranged in a precise and orderly fashion, showcasing Arthur Davies' professional journey with clear section headings, concise bullet points, and succinct descriptions. Each section is logically structured, allowing for an easy understanding of his qualifications, skills, and experience, ensuring the reader can quickly assimilate key information.
- Dynamic Career Growth in Media Production - Throughout the CV, there is a clear career progression within the media industry, moving from a Junior Video Editor at Sky UK to a role as Senior Video Editor at BBC Studios. This trajectory demonstrates significant professional development and increasing responsibilities, highlighting Arthur's ability to advance within competitive environments.
- Focus on Creative and Technical Enhancements - Arthur demonstrates a unique blend of creative storytelling and technical expertise, particularly through his use of advanced Adobe Premiere Pro techniques and collaboration with animators to integrate dynamic animations. This mix showcases his capability to enhance visual storytelling while addressing technical demands specific to video editing and production.
Multimedia Animator
- Cohesive and Structured Presentation - The CV is notable for its clear and structured format, providing a concise overview of the candidate’s expertise. Key sections like experience, education, skills, courses, and achievements are distinctly separated, making it easy for the reader to understand Edward's professional journey and skill set at a glance.
- Clear Career Progression - Edward's career trajectory is mapped out through progressive roles, from Multimedia Designer to Senior eLearning Developer. The experience spans reputable companies and includes increasing responsibilities, showcasing a continuous trajectory of growth and expertise in the eLearning and multimedia design domains.
- Industry-Specific Technical Skills and Tools - The CV accentuates Edward's proficiency with industry-standard tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Vyond, and SCORM frameworks. This technical depth highlights his ability to innovate within the eLearning sector through animation and design, ensuring relevance and competitiveness in his field.
Storyboard Animator
- Concise Content Structure - William Hall's CV is structured with clarity and precision, making it easy to navigate through sections like experience, education, and skills. Each section is well organized, highlighting key achievements and roles that are tailored toward animation, which enhances reading comprehension and focus.
- Notable Career Growth - The professional journey from a Junior Animator to Senior Animator demonstrates significant career advancement. This trajectory showcases growth in responsibilities, from supporting roles in animation production to leading major projects and teams, reflecting a strong upward mobility within the industry.
- Adaptability and Cross-functional Experience - Throughout his career, William has worked across different roles and collaborated with cross-functional teams, revealing his adaptability. His ability to work across design, marketing, and technical software divisions shows his capacity to integrate various aspects of animation production harmoniously.
Technical Animator
- Clear Structured Content Presentation - Alfie's CV is meticulously organized, presenting information in a coherent and concise manner that enhances readability. Each section is purposefully crafted to highlight his qualifications, career progress, and achievements, ensuring a logical flow for potential employers.
- Significant Career Trajectory - Progressing from an Animation Artist to a Senior Technical Animator across top-tier gaming companies reveals a robust career trajectory. This journey underscores Alfie's dedication, skill enhancement, and the increasing responsibility he has assumed, reflective of consistent professional growth.
- Advanced Technical Proficiency - Throughout his experiences, Alfie has demonstrated a deep understanding of industry-specific tools such as Maya, 3DS Max, and Python. His capability to develop in-house animation tools showcases his technical depth, contributing significantly to project efficiency and quality improvement.
Stop Motion Animator
- Effective Content Presentation - The CV is structured in a concise and clear manner, using a consistent format that makes it easy to follow. Section headings such as "Experience," "Education," and "Skills" guide the reader efficiently through the candidate’s qualifications, ensuring none of the important details are overlooked. The use of bullet points aids in presenting key information succinctly and clearly.
- Career Trajectory - Olivia Turner's career trajectory showcases a steady progression in her role as a designer. Starting from a Graphic Designer role, she quickly moved to Senior Designer and most recently assumed a position as a Mid-Weight Designer. Each role highlights increased responsibilities, demonstrating her growth in leadership and expertise, particularly in motion graphics and digital campaign execution.
- Achievements and Business Relevance - The CV details specific achievements with concrete impact, such as a 30% increase in engagement and a role in a £50k campaign. These accomplishments are not merely numbers; they illustrate her direct contribution to the success of projects, emphasizing her ability to significantly enhance brand visibility and client retention for the companies she worked with.
Animation Coordinator
- Structured and Focused Presentation - The CV's layout is methodically organized, ensuring clarity and conciseness. Each section is clearly defined and logically arranged, beginning with a detailed header, followed by a succinct summary that encapsulates the candidate's expertise. The bullet points under each job description are concise, highlighting specific achievements and contributions effectively without overwhelming detail, ensuring easy readability for potential employers.
- Progressive Career Path in Ecommerce - Samuel Campbell's career trajectory showcases a steady progression in the ecommerce and digital marketing domains. With roles advancing from an Ecommerce Analyst to an Ecommerce Performance Manager, the candidate demonstrates significant growth in responsibilities and expertise, indicative of their value and capability in these fields. These advancements show a clear dedication to the industry and a commitment to ongoing professional development.
- Innovative Use of Analytical Tools - The CV underscores the candidate's proficiency with industry-specific tools such as GA4 and PowerBI, which are vital for data-driven decision-making in ecommerce. The inclusion of achievements such as improving site conversions by 30% through these tools explicitly demonstrates his ability to leverage technology to achieve substantial business impacts, marking him as a high-value asset in digital marketing.
How complex should the format of your animator CV be?
Perhaps, you decided to use a fancy font and plenty of colours to ensure your animator CV stands out amongst the pile of other candidate profiles. Alas - this may confuse recruiters. By keeping your format simple and organising your information coherently, you'll ultimately make a better impression. What matters most is your experience, while your CV format should act as complementary thing by:
- Presenting the information in a reverse chronological order with the most recent of your jobs first. This is done so that your career history stays organised and is aligned to the role;
- Making it easy for recruiters to get in touch with you by including your contact details in the CV header. Regarding the design of your CV header, include plenty of white space and icons to draw attention to your information. If you're applying for roles in the UK, don't include a photo, as this is considered a bad practice;
- Organising your most important CV sections with consistent colours, plenty of white space, and appropriate margins (2.54 cm). Remember that your CV design should always aim at legibility and to spotlight your key information;
- Writing no more than two pages of your relevant experience. For candidates who are just starting out in the field, we recommend to have an one-page CV.
One more thing about your CV format - you may be worried if your double column CV is Applicant Tracker System (ATS) complaint. In our recent study, we discovered that both single and double-column CVs are ATS-friendly . Most ATSes out there can also read all serif and sans serif fonts. We suggest you go with modern, yet simple, fonts (e.g. Rubik, Lato, Raleway) instead of the classic Times New Roman. You'll want your application to stand out, and many candidates still go for the classics. Finally, you'll have to export your CV. If you're wondering if you should select Doc or PDF, we always advise going with PDF. Your CV in PDF will stay intact and opens easily on every OS, including Mac OS.
PRO TIP
Use bold or italics sparingly to draw attention to key points, such as job titles, company names, or significant achievements. Overusing these formatting options can dilute their impact.
The top sections on a animator CV
- Showcase of animation portfolio to demonstrate creative ability and style.
- Detailed work experience section highlighting animation projects and roles.
- Education and training in animation to establish technical qualifications.
- Skills section that specifies software proficiency and artistic competencies.
- List of industry awards and recognition for peer validation of work quality.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Include a concise personal statement that highlights your animation style and experience, ensuring it aligns with the studio or project you are applying to.
- Demonstrate your proficiency in industry-standard software such as Maya, After Effects, or Cinema 4D, alongside any specialized tools or plugins you are adept in using.
- Embed links to your online portfolio or reel that showcase a variety of work, such as character animation, motion graphics, or visual effects, tailored to the role's requirements.
- List relevant projects and describe your specific role in each, focusing on successful outcomes like awards won or how your work improved the final product.
- Include any collaboration or team leadership experience, highlighting your ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team and your understanding of the production pipeline.
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Our checklist for the must-have information in your animator CV header
Right at the very top of your animator CV is where you'd find the header section or the space for your contact details, headline, and professional photo. Wondering how to present your the name of the city you live in and the country abbreviation as your address;
- are tailored to the role you're applying for by integrating key job skills and requirements;
- showcase what your unique value is, most often in the form of your most noteworthy accomplishment;
- select your relevant qualifications, skills, or current role to pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. Still not sure how to write your CV headline? Our examples below showcase best practices on creating effective headlines:
Examples of good CV headlines for animator:
- Senior Animator | Feature Film & VFX Specialist | B.A. in Animation | 10+ Years' Experience
- Lead Character Animator | 3D Modelling & Rigging Expert | Certified Advanced Animator | 8 Years' Experience
- Junior Animator | Explainer Videos & Motion Graphics Enthusiast | Adobe Creative Suite Pro | 2 Years' Experience
- Animation Supervisor | Storyboarding & Concept Artistry | MA Animation | 7 Years Industry Leadership
- Mid-Level 3D Animator | Real-Time Rendering & AR/VR | Autodesk Certified | 5-Year Professional Portfolio
- Creative Animator | 2D Traditional & Digital Media | BSc in Computer Animation | 3+ Years' Craft Expertise
Your animator CV introduction: selecting between a summary and an objective
animator candidates often wonder how to start writing their resumes. More specifically, how exactly can they use their opening statements to build a connection with recruiters, showcase their relevant skills, and spotlight job alignment. A tricky situation, we know. When crafting you animator CV select between:
- A summary - to show an overview of your career so far, including your most significant achievements.
- An objective - to show a conscise overview of your career dreams and aspirations.
Find out more examples and ultimately, decide which type of opening statement will fit your profile in the next section of our guide:
CV summaries for a animator job:
- Seasoned Animator with over a decade of experience in creating captivating 3D characters for major animated features. Proficient in Maya, ZBrush, and Adobe Creative Suite, with a portfolio highlighted by work on Oscar-nominated films. Seeking to leverage skills and creative flair in a challenging environment to bring beloved characters to life.
- Dynamic 3D Animator with 8 years' experience, specialising in character modelling and rigging. Skilled in Motion Builder and After Effects, with a strong track record of contributing to high-grossing video games. Notable achievement includes winning the 'Best Visual Effects' award at a renowned international game developers' conference.
- Experienced Graphic Designer with 5 years in the advertising sector now transitioning to animation. Bringing comprehensive knowledge of Photoshop and Illustrator, along with a fresh perspective to traditional animation techniques. Eager to apply transferable design skills to create impactful and memorable animated narratives.
- Former Architect with an eye for precision and aesthetics, making the transition to the animation industry. Offers a unique approach to 3D animation, leveraging advanced knowledge of AutoCAD and a keen understanding of spatial dimensions, with a passion for storytelling and visual innovation.
- Eager to embark on an Animation career, bringing forth a vibrant imagination and a Certificate in Animation from XYZ University. Commited to learning rapidly, utilising a foundation in Adobe Creative Cloud tools, and contributing to creative projects that resonate with audiences.
- A recent graduate with a Bachelor’s in Multimedia Arts, I am passionate about starting an animation journey. Dedicated to mastering industry-standard software and techniques, aiming to contribute fresh ideas and energy to a team that values growth and creativity.
How to meet job requirements with your animator CV experience
We've now reached the essence of your actual CV - your experience section. This is the space where you can list your career roles and on-the-job successes. Many candidates tend to underestimate just how much time and effort they should put into writing this CV section. Your experience shouldn't be a random list of your responsibilities, but instead:
- Match the job description with your skills, values, and accomplishments;
- Start each bullet with a strong action verb, followed up with one key skill and your outcome of applying this skill;
- Spotlight parts of your career history that are relevant to the job you're applying for.
Before we move on, make sure to check out some professional CV experience sections.
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Developed and executed original character animations for a variety of platforms including television, video games, and virtual reality applications, enhancing the storytelling and user experience across multiple projects.
- Collaborated closely with art directors and game designers to create compelling animation according to narrative requirements, ensuring consistency in style and quality throughout the production pipeline.
- Utilised a wide range of animation software and techniques, including Maya, Blender, and Adobe After Effects, to produce high-quality 3D and 2D animations, adapting seamlessly to the demands of each project.
- Managed time effectively to meet tight production deadlines, consistently delivering animation sequences on schedule while maintaining a high standard of quality and attention to detail.
- Incorporated feedback from team leads and stakeholders into animation iterations, demonstrating a high level of receptiveness and the ability to refine work based on constructive criticism.
- Produced dynamic character rigs that allowed for a broad array of movements and expressions, facilitating the creation of versatile and emotionally resonant animations.
- Participated in reviews and critiques, providing insightful feedback on peers' work which contributed to the overall improvement of the animation team's output.
- Stayed abreast of the latest industry trends and technological advancements in animation, implementing innovative techniques that enhanced efficiency and visual impact.
- Mentored junior animators, sharing expertise and guidance on best practices, workflow optimisation, and artistic techniques to foster a collaborative and skilled animation team.
Work Experience
Senior Character Animator
King
03/2017-05/2020
- Spearheaded the character animation pipeline for the company’s flagship mobile game, leading to a 50% reduction in turnaround time.
- Collaborated with a team of 10 artists to deliver over 300 unique character animations, improving player retention by 25%.
- Implemented rigorous testing protocols for animation consistency, which decreased bug reports by 40% and enhanced overall game performance.
Work Experience
Lead Technical Animator
Framestore
07/2013-08/2016
- Authored a comprehensive 100-page guide on rigging best practices which became an internal studio resource, elevating the team's efficiency by 15%.
- Designed and animated unique creatures for a BAFTA-nominated fantasy series, resulting in an increase in critical acclaim and viewership.
- Pioneered the adoption of motion capture technology in the studio, contributing to a 20% cost reduction in the animation department.
Work Experience
Principal Animator
Rocksteady Studios
01/2015-02/2018
- Orchestrated the delivery of 500+ animation assets for a top-rated console game, achieving a Metacritic score of 90+.
- Managed cross-department collaborations that enhanced narrative cohesion and interactive gameplay, spiking game sales by 30% in the first quarter.
- Fostered a creative environment leading to the team winning an industry award for best character animation at the TIGA Games Industry Awards.
Work Experience
Animation Director
Creative Assembly
05/2019-Ongoing
- Directed a team of animators in creating a viral marketing campaign for an AAA title, amassing over 2 million views within the first week of release.
- Implemented a new skeletal animation system that increased realism in humanoid characters and boosted the title's review scores by 10 points.
- Mentored junior animators through a bespoke training program that increased department productivity by 20% within six months.
Work Experience
Intermediate Animator
TT Games
11/2009-12/2012
- Created over 200 assets for an educational game which saw a 75% engagement increase in participating schools.
- Pioneered a rapid prototyping method for animation artefacts that accelerated early stage development by 30%.
- Cultivated a partnership with the design team to enhance user experience metrics, influencing a 60% uplift in positive user reviews.
Work Experience
Storyboard Animator
Aardman Animations
06/2021-Ongoing
- Developing emotional and engaging storyboards for a new animated series, projected to hit 1 million viewers in its pilot season.
- Restructured the workflow using Adobe Animate CC, which reduced the overall production timeline by three weeks.
- Actively contributing to the studio’s diversity initiative, which has led to a 40% increase in culturally inclusive content.
Work Experience
Chief Animator & Production Lead
StudioCanal
02/2016-03/2019
- Pioneered a hybrid animation technique combining 2D and 3D elements, distinguishing our studio's aesthetic and winning two industry innovation awards.
- Led a 20-person team in the globally successful release of an animated feature film, securing a $200 million box office revenue.
- Optimized the production pipeline using Autodesk Maya scripts, saving over 800 man-hours per project cycle.
Work Experience
Creature Animation Specialist
DNEG
08/2012-10/2015
- Championed the creature animation in a critically acclaimed science fiction series, contributing to a triple increase in streaming service subscriptions.
- Facilitated weekly training workshops to constantly elevate the team’s skill set in advanced rigging and animation principles.
- Engaged in audience feedback analysis, enabling the team to refine animation sequences for better viewer reception and satisfaction.
Writing your CV without professional experience for your first job or when switching industries
There comes a day, when applying for a job, you happen to have no relevant experience, whatsoever. Yet, you're keen on putting your name in the hat. What should you do? Candidates who part-time experience , internships, and volunteer work.
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PRO TIP
If you have experience in diverse fields, highlight how this has broadened your perspective and skill set, making you a more versatile candidate.
Hard skills and soft skills to showcase your unique skill set on your animator CV
Did you know that your CV will mostly likely be assessed by recruiters based on skill alignment? And that means that the way you feature your key skills across different CV sections will play a crucial role in landing you that first interview. We recommend you add your:
- technical capabilities or hard skills in your CV experience, certificates, projects, etc. Use your past accomplishments to prove your technical capabilities. List up to a dozen different software or hardware in your dedicated skills section to match the job keywords;
- personal and communication skills or soft skills in your CV strengths, achievements, summary/ objective, etc. Soft skills are a bit more difficult to prove. How do you define your aptitude in active listening? So, instead of just listing the skill name, include a tangible metric to show your success.
On a final note, when you're in a hurry to create your profile, you may misspell a particular technology or soft skill. That's why we suggest you copy and paste the particular skill name (or keyword), directly from the job advert. This would also help you to pass any initial Applicant Tracker System (ATS) tests.
Top skills for your animator CV:
HARD SKILLS
2D Animation
3D Modelling
Character Animation
Storyboarding
Texturing
Rigging
Motion Graphics
Visual Effects (VFX)
Graphic Design
Digital Painting
SOFT SKILLS
Creativity
Attention to Detail
Time Management
Adaptability
Communication
Teamwork
Problem-Solving
Critical Thinking
Patience
Continuous Learning
PRO TIP
If you have received professional endorsements or recommendations for certain skills, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, mention these to add credibility.
Listing your university education and certificates on your animator CV
The best proof of your technical capabilities would be your education and certifications sections. Your education should list all of your relevant university degrees, followed up by their start and completion dates. Make sure to also include the name of the university/-ies you graduated from. If you happen to have less professional experience (or you deem it would be impressive and relevant to your application), spotlight in the education section:
- that you were awarded a "First" degree;
- industry-specific coursework and projects;
- extracurricular clubs, societies, and activities.
When selecting your certificates, first ask yourself how applicable they'd be to the role. Ater your initial assessment, write the certificate and institution name. Don't miss out on including the completion date. In the below panel, we've curated relevant examples of industry-leading certificates.
PRO TIP
Order your skills based on the relevance to the role you're applying for, ensuring the most pertinent skills catch the employer's attention first.
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Key takeaways
Your successful job application depends on how you well you have aligned your animator CV to the job description and portrayed your best skills and traits. Make sure to:
- Select your CV format, so that it ensures your experience is easy to read and understand;
- Include your professional contact details and a link to your portfolio, so that recruiters can easily get in touch with you and preview your work;
- Write a CV summary if you happen to have more relevant professional experience. Meanwhile, use the objective to showcase your career dreams and ambitions;
- In your CV experience section bullets, back up your individual skills and responsibilities with tangible achievements;
- Have a healthy balance between hard and soft skills to answer the job requirements and hint at your unique professional value.
