3D Animator Resume Example

Design a beautiful resume that will wow even the toughest critic!

Katerina Frye
Written by Katerina Frye • Last updated on May 11, 2021
3D Animator Resume Example
Finish this resume example
in less than 10 minutes.
3D Animator
Complete your resume in a few minutes by customizing this example

Our resumes have been proven to work.

Beautiful resume templates to land your dream job

3D Animators design characters and backdrops for games and films. They bring life to drawings by making them move, interact, and speak with others in their environment. 

 How to Write a Summary for a 3D Animator

  1. Mention your previous experience. Have you done freelance work? Were you involved in an animation club at college? Did you intern anywhere?
  2. Describe your greatest strength. Do you excel in creating videos, games, still images, or interactive graphics? Do you have a specific style, such as anime?
  3. Explain what you’re eager to accomplish in the next stage of your career. Are you looking to create short films, or games? Where does your passion lie?

How to List Your Work Experience as a 3D Animator

  1. Use reverse chronological format. List your most recent jobs first, as this shows managers how you’ve gained experience in the industry. 
  2. Use action verbs related to being a 3D Animator. Verbs are critical to demonstrating what you can do for the company. Review the following list for some powerful examples.
  • Animated
  • Created
  • Designed
  • Developed 
  • Directed
  • Executed
  • Implemented
  • Managed
  • Organized
  • Outlined
  • Presented 
  • Sketched

See our list of over 350 action verbs to find more.

Senior Level Work Experience as a 3D Animator

  • Developed character and game ideas through sketches and illustrations, including the prototype for Temple Run  
  • Resolved technical and creative problems while working with concept and animation to create high quality assets
  • Designed highly-detailed, fully-textured polygonal models in Maya, Cinema 4D, Modo, or 3D Max
  • Created production-ready, polygonal models with photo-real textures, based on CAD geometry
  • Built tools and plugins with scripting languages like Python and C+is a plus that improved animation fluidity by 15%
  • Sculpted 17 high-resolution characters, including animals and human characters
  • Organized, scheduled, and managed the art team's daily activities, including a staff of 15 animators
  • Mentored the character team through verbal and written feedback to ensure high-quality assets and brand consistency
  • Communicated the visual design and development of the characters through art specifications, style guides and reference material
  • Presented deliverables to clients during monthly meetings

Junior Level Work Experience as a 3D Animator

  • Created 40 3D characters and environments for promotional videos of 7 mobile games
  • Rigged and created blendshapes for character models
  • Designed dynamic action movements by leveraging knowledge of physics and human mechanics
  • Defined and revealed various personality traits and emotional states of different game characters through their movements and styles
  • Used imagination, judgment, skill and experience to design stylish animations that tell a clear story within cinematic animation pieces
  • Incorporated feedback from the Director of Production, Creative Director, and the design team into project edits
  • Collaborated and brainstormed with the creative team and Video Production team on animation productions ideas
  • Worked with lighting artists and video editors to test out animations in a game engine
  • Managed 3D animation assets files
  • Reviewed technology upgrades to ensure compatibility with existing and future requirements

How to List Your Skills as a 3D Animator

Animators need to have strong artistic skills, both on the computer and on paper. Additionally, animators need to be able to communicate with their peers, clients, and bosses.  

  • Artistic Talent
  • Communication Skills
  • Teamwork
  • Time Management
  • Creativity 
  • Computer Software Skills
Tip: Be specific about your computer software skills. Do you know Adobe Creative Suite? Animaker? Blender? K-3D? Also note your modeling, lighting, and movement abilities in character creation.

How to List Your Education as a 3D Animator

3D Animators generally require a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, computer graphics, animation, interactive media or game design. Many professionals enhance their skills through self-study, hobbies, and freelance work. 

Requirements for licensure vary by state but generally involve the following:

  • Education 
  • Strong portfolio
  • Complete a background check

3D Animator Career Overview

Job Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not have numbers for 3D Animators, but instead categorizes this profession under Multimedia Artists and Animators. The statistics quoted will be from this broader category.

The job outlook for Multimedia Artists and Animators is growing at 4% per year, which is considered average. In 2019 there were 67,500 jobs available.

Average Salary 

Animators make $75,270 per year on average. However, salaries could be as high as $139,940 depending on experience, industry, and location. 

The top-paying industries for animators are: Motion Picture and Video Industries, Software Publishers, Computer Systems Design and Related Services, Advertising & PR
  • Motion picture and video industries, averaging $86,270 per year
  • Software publishers, $80,290

Top Paying Salaries by State

  • $105,770 -- Connecticut
  • $100,670 -- California
  • $99,080 -- District of Columbia 

Search for 3D Animator Jobs

Katerina Frye
With a background in Psychology and Marketing, Katerina devotes her time to understand people, their careers, and their goals to help them succeed. She also has experience in social media, science writing, and fiction. When she isn't writing, she's hitting the gym, playing with her cats, or eating chocolate.
View Author ProfileLinkedin

    Get inspired with more resume examples

    Read our how-to guides on making your resume perfect

    How to Write a Two-Page Resume (with Examples & Tips)

    Don't know whether you should write a one-page or two-page resume? Find out when it is appropriate to write a two-page resume and learn how to write it correctly.

    Read this how-to guide

    How to List References on a Resume in 2022 (with Examples & Tips)

    In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about including references on a resume, from how to format them to how to know when they should be included at all.

    Read this how-to guide

    How to Describe Work Experience on a Resume in 2022 (Examples & Tips)

    Your work experience is a summary of all your hard work, dedication and achievements over the years. Here's how to do justice to your work history.

    Read this how-to guide

    How to List Accomplishments on a Resume in 2022 (Including Awards & Key Achievements)

    Showcasing your achievements is what can be the cherry on the cake to help you stand out from the crowd as a top performer and really attract employers.

    Read this how-to guide

    More advice that will accelerate your career path

    Should I Add My GPA On My Resume in 2022? (Tips & Examples)

    Learn essential tips from resume examples to make the right decision on including your gpa in your resume, especially if you have a low GPA.

    Read this career-advice article

    15+ IT Skills to List on Your Resume in 2022 (With Examples)

    IT is a massively growing industry with tons of potential for professional growth. It’s no wonder why so many applicants are flocking to these jobs! In this guide, we will cover what IT skills are and offer you examples of some of the top skills to include on your resume.

    Read this career-advice article

    Should I Include a Photo on My Resume in 2022? (Tips & Examples)

    To include or not to include (a profile photo or a selfie) — that is the question.

    Read this career-advice article

    How to Organize Your Resume with Resume Layout Examples in 2022

    How you organize your resume matters. The layout and formatting of a resume can have a huge impact on a hiring manager’s first impression. Plus, the layout helps to guide the employer’s eye around the resume to the most important information! In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about resume organization and layouts.

    Read this career-advice article

    Professional resume templates to help land your next dream job.

    Choose from one of our many resume templates to help you stand out from your competition.