Landing a job as a 2D animator can be competitive You need to stand out from other applicants by demonstrating your technical skills, creativity, and ability to work in a team Preparing for common interview questions is key to impressing potential employers.
In this article, we’ll look at the top 10 interview questions asked of 2D animator candidates along with tips for crafting winning responses. Whether you’re just starting your career or are a seasoned pro, being ready to discuss your experience, portfolio, and work style can help you secure your next animation role.
1. How would you describe your animation style?
This open-ended question allows you to give an overview of your aesthetic and the techniques you prefer. When responding, focus on the following
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The visual style you gravitate towards – character design, color palettes, level of detail, etc.
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Your rules for animation: do you follow the 12 rules of animation, use rotoscoping, focus on over-the-top movements, etc.?
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Your favorite mediums and tools – whether you work digitally, on paper, use certain software like TVPaint, etc.
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Genres and topics you enjoy animating – comedy, action, cartoons, abstract concepts, etc.
Give specific examples of pieces you’ve created that demonstrate your style. The interviewer is looking to understand your sensibilities and specialities as an animator. Help them visualize the type of work you produce.
2. Can you describe your creative process?
Here, the interviewer wants insight into your workflow and ideation process. Focus your answer on key steps like:
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How you start animating a new character—looking at pictures, drawing out basic poses and expressions, trying out movement ideas, making final designs, etc.
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Your typical process for turning a script or brief into a storyboard – brainstorming shots and scenes, sketching panels, refining, getting feedback, etc.
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Steps for going from storyboard to final animation – creating animatics, blocking, animating and polishing scenes, final revisions and checks.
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Your personal sources of inspiration and ways you generate new animation ideas.
Avoid giving just a generic overview. Use specific examples showcasing your creativity and problem-solving skills throughout the animation process.
3. What experience do you have on collaborative projects?
Animation often involves working in a team. This question gauges both your technical abilities and soft skills. Share examples that highlight:
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Your specialized skills – animation, background art, scene setup, visual effects, etc. Discuss projects where you took on key responsibilities.
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How you collaborate – brainstorming sessions, providing feedback on work, coordinating with team members, communicating challenges, etc.
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Scope of team projects – size of the group, duration, contributions from other roles like producers, directors, sound engineers, etc.
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Outcomes that proved your strengths as a team player – delivering on time, high praise from others, positive performance reviews, etc.
Focus on showcasing well-rounded experience and your ability to thrive in cooperative environments.
4. How do you respond to feedback and what does your revision process look like?
Employers want to know you can integrate constructive criticism and make changes without ego or negativity. Describe your process:
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Initial mindset when receiving feedback – being open, not taking critiques personally.
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Methods for tracking and implementing revisions – taking notes, using screenshots or timecode, maintaining organized files and naming conventions.
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Iterative approach – making changes in stages and sometimes redoing scenes entirely rather than one-off tweaks.
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Handling difficult feedback gracefully – asking clarifying questions, expressing appreciation for diverse perspectives.
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Checking in regularly with teammates and leads during the revision process.
The goal is to show you’re constantly improving and dedicated to delivering work the team will be proud of.
5. Why do you think you are a good fit for this studio/company/firm?
With this question, you want to connect your skills and experience directly to the job requirements and company goals. Research their past projects and clients to highlight relevant strengths, such as:
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Style – your aesthetic aligns with the tone and animation style of their prior work.
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Values – their mission and culture matches your personal values and passions.
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Skills – your techniques or expertise fills a gap or need, based on projects they take on.
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Leadership – you’re eager to be mentored by the company’s experienced animation leads and team.
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Growth – their reputation and opportunities for learning would further your career.
The more you can tailor your response to the specific studio or role, the better. Demonstrate genuine interest and enthusiasm.
6. What software tools are you proficient with?
While creativity matters most, you need to have strong technical skills too. Discuss relevant programs you’re highly skilled with, such as:
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2D animation tools like TVPaint, Toon Boom Harmony, Adobe Animate, etc.
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Design programs like Photoshop for asset creation
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Video editing software like Premiere if animatics or comps are required
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Storyboarding tools like Panel Ninja, Studiobinder, etc.
For each program, mention:
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Years of experience
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Types of projects you use it for
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Specialized knowledge like scripting or tools specific to that platform
This overview of your technicaltoolbox will instill confidence in your abilities.
7. How do you stay current with animation trends and techniques?
Animation is constantly evolving. Employers want candidates who actively strengthen their skills and broaden their creative horizons. Share some of the ways you stay up-to-date, like:
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Taking online courses and tutorials to learn new software or techniques.
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Reading animation blogs and forums to discover emerging trends.
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Watching films, shorts, and animated series across various styles and genres.
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Following leaders in the industry via social media, podcasts, or events.
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Joining animation groups or online communities to exchange knowledge.
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Experimenting with new tools and animation methods through personal projects.
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Attending conferences and festivals to be inspired by groundbreaking work.
Discuss your curiosity and initiative for constantly improving your craft.
8. How do you handle tight deadlines or last-minute changes?
Changes and unrealistic deadlines are par for the course in animation. Share examples that demonstrate:
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Your time management and prioritization skills – focusing on most critical tasks first, cutting out inefficiencies, etc.
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Your ability to keep stress under control and avoid rushing despite pressure.
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How you scope out projects accurately to avoid surprises down the line.
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Your solutions for squeezing more out of your schedule – putting in extra hours when necessary, getting help from teammates, communicating about tradeoffs, etc.
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How you maintain calm and focus under fire to deliver quality work.
Expect the unexpected. Your response should instill confidence that you can adapt and deliver regardless of curveballs.
9. Where do you see yourself in your animation career in 5 years?
This question gauges your professional goals and interest in progressing with the company long-term. Tailor your response based on the role and company. Some examples:
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If it’s an entry-level role, share your development goals – improving your skills in certain genres or techniques, taking on more leadership in projects, etc.
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For senior roles, discuss taking on mentoring and art direction duties to guide junior animators.
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If it’s at a large studio, share aspirations like joining the creative leadership team to help shape the overall animation vision.
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At a production house, you may be excited to manage and art direct client projects end-to-end.
Avoid vague answers – demonstrate you have a clear vision for your career growth and contributions at the company.
10. Do you have any questions for us?
Always close your interview by asking 1-2 thoughtful questions. This shows your engagement and interest in the role. Some options:
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Ask about challenges or opportunities unique to the studio. This shows you’ve considered the role’s context.
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Inquire about the team dynamic or creative culture. Look for similarities to your own values.
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For junior roles, ask how they mentor younger animators. See if growth is encouraged.
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If it involves client work, ask how projects get chosen or assigned to animators.
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Request details or examples of projects you’d likely work on. Use this to highlight relevant experience.
Choose questions that demonstrate your grasp of the skills and environment needed to thrive in the job.
With preparation and practice, you can tackle any 2D animator interview question with confidence. Use these as a starting point to reflect on your own experiences and strengths. Tailor your responses to each role, but emphasize the blend of creative thinking and technical prowess that make you stand out. With the right skills and experience, your dream animation job is within reach.
Soft skills interview questions
- When you had to work on a project with other people, how did you handle disagreements?
- To be a good animator, you need to be able to talk to people clearly so you can understand what they want and give it to them. Could you describe a time when you talked to a client, listened to what they wanted, and gave them a great product?
- In the animation business, where deadlines can be tight, time management is very important. How do you organize your deadlines and make good use of your time to make sure projects are finished on time?
- Attention to detail is an essential soft skill for animators. Can you think of a time when you had to be very careful with your work to make sure it was good? How did you make sure it was correct and precise?
- Because technology and industry trends change so quickly, animators need to be able to adapt and be flexible. Can you talk about a time when you had to learn new animation software and how you quickly got the hang of it so you could finish a project?
- Could you explain the steps you take to make animated characters move in a realistic way?
- How do you go about designing and making character models that really show what the character is like and how they feel?
- Could you tell me about your experience making 2D and 3D animations and some problems you’ve had with each?
- In order to make an animation come to life, how do you work with other people on the team, like writers, directors, and sound designers?
- Could you show us how you go from drawing a storyboard to animating a scene? Also, how do you make sure that the animation fits with the project’s tone and message?
Animator Interview Questions
FAQ
What is 2D animation basic concepts?
What are the roles of a 2D animator?
Is 2D animation hard?
What questions are asked in a 2D animator interview?
During the interview, you will be asked a variety of questions about your experience and skills. You will also need to demonstrate your ability to create high-quality animations. To help you prepare for your interview, we have put together a list of common 2D animator interview questions and answers.
How do I get a job as a 2D animator?
If you’re looking for a job as a 2D animator, you will likely need to go through a job interview. During the interview, you will be asked a variety of questions about your experience and skills. You will also need to demonstrate your ability to create high-quality animations.
What questions do animators ask?
Most interviews will include questions about your personality, qualifications, experience and how well you would fit the job. In this article, we review examples of various animator interview questions and sample answers to some of the most common questions. What experience do you have in animation?
What does a 2D animation interview look like?
The interviewer wants to hear about your ability to conceptualize an idea, plan out the animation, use the necessary software and hardware to create it, and make necessary revisions until you have a polished final product. It’s a comprehensive insight into your work ethic, attention to detail, and overall proficiency in the field of 2D animation.
