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Contract Animation Background Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Artist

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$80 - $120K/hr

The Senior Artist will use their artistic expertise with color, composition, shape, typography ... Gaming or casino-related knowledge or background. * Knowledge of animation principles. Usage of ...

The Senior Artist will use their artistic expertise with color, composition, shape, typography ... Gaming or casino-related knowledge or background. * Knowledge of animation principles. Usage of ...

Senior Artist

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$80 - $120K/hr

The Senior Artist will use their artistic expertise with color, composition, shape, typography ... Gaming or casino-related knowledge or background. * Knowledge of animation principles. Usage of ...

Graphic Artist

Dahlgren, VA ยท On-site

$129K - $155K/yr

JWAC (2026-25774) Bowhead Seeks a Graphic Artist for a new contract in Dalghren, VA. This is ... PhotoShop, Adobe Illustration Package, 3D Modeling, Animation, Web-Design and HTML, Authoring of ...

Graphic Artist

King George, VA ยท On-site

$118K - $141K/yr

The intention of this contract is to provide support creation, maintenance, analysis ... PhotoShop, Adobe Illustration Package, 3D Modeling, Animation, Web-Design and HTML, Authoring of ...

Advanced Animator

Las Vegas, NV ยท On-site

$90 - $120/hr

Work with a group of exceptionally talented artists and animators creating animations that ... license(s), undergo background investigations or security checks, or meet certain standards ...

Graphic Artist

King George, VA ยท On-site

$155K - $165K/yr

The intention of this contract is to provide support creation, maintenance, analysis ... PhotoShop, Adobe Illustration Package, 3D Modeling, Animation, Web-Design and HTML, Authoring of ...

Work with a group of exceptionally talented artists and animators creating animations that ... license(s), undergo background investigations or security checks, or meet certain standards ...

CINEMATICS CUTSCENE ANIMATOR

Bellevue, WA ยท On-site

$70 - $110/hr

Contract We are seeking a Cinematics Animator for a contract role focused on delivering high ... Utilize a proprietary Round Trip Tool to assist the layout artist with animation-related issues.

$70 - $110/hr

Contract We are seeking a Cinematics Animator for a contract role focused on delivering high ... Utilize a proprietary Round Trip Tool to assist the layout artist with animation-related issues.

... Animation, or a related arts discipline with 5 years of experience providing creative, high-quality animation and modeling support on a DoD or commercial contract. * Substitution 1: Associate ...

... Animation, or a related arts discipline with 5 years of experience providing creative, high-quality animation and modeling support on a DoD or commercial contract. * Substitution 1: Associate ...

... Animation, or a related arts discipline with 5 years of experience providing creative, high-quality animation and modeling support on a DoD or commercial contract. * Substitution 1: Associate ...

AI Artist

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$100 - $160/hr

Contract This is an initial fixed-term project hire through the end of September 2026, with an ... A background in compositing, digital matte painting, LookDev, animation or another relevant ...

Unreal VFX Artist

Pleasant Grove, UT ยท On-site

$70 - $90/hr

Requirements Contract position - can be remote work. Responsibilities * Create the highest quality ... Collaborate closely with the design, animation and art teams to create exciting, eye-catching and ...

Showing results 41-60

Contract Animation Background Artist information

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How much do contract animation background artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract animation background artist in the United States is $24.65, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.55 and $27.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contract animation background artist?

Contract Animation Background Artists are professionals who create the visual environments and backgrounds for animated films, TV shows, and other media on a project-by-project basis. They are usually hired temporarily to work on specific productions, providing detailed and stylistically appropriate backgrounds that enhance the storytelling and overall aesthetic of the animation. These artists collaborate closely with art directors, animators, and other team members to ensure consistency with the project's visual style. Their work is crucial in setting the mood, tone, and context for animated scenes. Contract positions allow studios flexibility in scaling their teams according to project needs.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a contract animation background artist?

To thrive as a Contract Animation Background Artist, you need strong artistic ability, a keen eye for detail, proficiency in color theory, and a solid portfolio demonstrating experience in animation or illustration. Familiarity with digital painting tools like Adobe Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, or similar software is essential, and experience with animation pipelines or asset management systems is highly valued. Creativity, adaptability, and the ability to collaborate effectively with directors and other artists help you stand out in this position. These skills ensure the delivery of visually compelling backgrounds that support storytelling and maintain consistency within animated productions.

What are common workflow challenges for contract animation background artists, and how can they be addressed?

Contract animation background artists often face tight deadlines and the need to quickly adapt to different art styles across multiple projects or studios. Communication can be challenging, especially when working remotely with directors or animation teams spread across various locations. To overcome these challenges, it's important to establish clear channels for feedback, maintain organized file management, and proactively seek clarification on project expectations. Regular check-ins and sharing work-in-progress updates can help ensure alignment and smooth collaboration.

What is the difference between Contract Animation Background Artist vs Contract Character Animator?

AspectContract Animation Background ArtistContract Character Animator
Required SkillsDrawing, painting, digital art, environment designCharacter movement, acting, rigging, facial expressions
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, freelance projects, post-productionAnimation studios, freelance, post-production
Industry UsageFilm, TV, video games, commercialsFilm, TV, video games, commercials

Both roles require strong artistic skills and familiarity with animation software. The main difference lies in their focus: background artists create environments and settings, while character animators bring characters to life through movement. Understanding these distinctions helps employers and artists identify the right fit for specific projects.

More about Contract Animation Background Artist jobs

What cities are hiring for Contract Animation Background Artist jobs?

Cities with the most Contract Animation Background Artist job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Animation Background Artist jobs?

The most popular types of Animation Background Artist jobs are:

What states have the most Contract Animation Background Artist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Contract Animation Background Artist jobs include:

Senior Artist

Arrow International Inc

Chicago, IL โ€ข On-site

$80 - $120K/hr

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 18 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Provide mentorship, guidance, and constructive feedback to artists to promote growth and skill development.

  • Design and create visuals for game elements such as layouts, UI, logos, and characters, and produce high-quality 2D assets and VFX.

  • Ensure timely delivery of assets that meet project deadlines and maintain visual consistency.


Job description

Description:

Join the Fun at Arrow International!

Arrow International is the world’s #1 maker of charitable gaming products, from pull tabs and bingo paper to cutting-edge electronic gaming systems. Our products power entertainment in social and gaming venues around the globe, and we’re growing fast!


We're building a winning culture that’s all about teamwork, passion, and innovation. At Arrow, you’re not just another employee, you’re part of a high-performing team that’s redefining fun and giving back to communities. We believe in rewarding your hard work with profit-sharing, 401(k) matching, great benefits, and paid time off, including a bonus week every July!


If you're looking for a career that’s exciting, meaningful, and full of opportunity, Arrow is the place to be. 


Position Summary

We are seeking a Senior Artist to join our Visual Development Team. The Senior Artist will use their artistic expertise with color, composition, shape, typography, animation, visual FX and character design skills to help push our games to new heights. You’ll play a key role in the overall development of our games’ look and style, ensure creative alignment, and maintain a high standard of work. The ideal candidate will have experience providing feedback, solving creative challenges, and driving visual consistency across projects.


Salary range commensurate with experience. This role provides competitive benefits including an annual performance bonus, profit sharing program, and a 401K with company match. 


The Targeted Pay Range for this role is $80 - $120,000. 


Primary Roles and Responsibilities


Leadership and Team Support:

  • Provide mentorship, guidance, and constructive feedback to artists at various experience levels to promote growth and skill development.
  • Support team members by troubleshooting artistic challenges and offering creative solutions.
  • Ensure the team's output aligns with project goals and meets Arrow’s quality standards.
  • Foster collaboration across the art team, programmers, and other stakeholders.

Artistic Contribution:

  • Conceptualize and design visuals for layouts, UI, logos, characters, and other game elements across multiple styles and themes.
  • Create and animate high-quality 2D game assets and VFX.
  • Ensure timely delivery of assets to meet production deadlines while maintaining visual consistency.
Requirements:

Experience and Education

  • Degree in Design, Fine Arts, Visual Arts, or related field (Associates or Bachelors).
  • 5+ years of work experience as an Illustrator, Graphic Designer, or similar role, with demonstrated leadership experience.
  • Portfolio showcasing high-quality industry-standard artwork, including 2D game assets and animations.
  • Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.) and experience with After Effects for VFX animation.
  • Strong understanding of design principles, color theory, and composition, with an eye for detail and precision.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to effectively collaborate with team members and provide leadership.
  • Open to constructive critique and committed to ongoing learning and development.
  • Must work well in a team environment

Preferred Experience:

  • Gaming or casino-related knowledge or background.
  • Knowledge of animation principles. Usage of Spine is considered a plus
  • Experience with 3D Software (Maya, Blender, etc.).

We offer a dynamic and creative environment, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to work on exciting projects in the gaming industry. If you are passionate about animation and gaming, we would love to hear from you!


PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.
  • The noise level in the work environment is low.
  • May be required to sit for long and/or extended periods of time.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At Arrow International, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are valued and respected. We believe that embracing our differences makes us stronger, more innovative, and better positioned to serve our communities. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and strive to create an environment where everyone feels welcome, supported, and empowered to succeed.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Arrow International is an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, hire, train, and promote individuals in all job titles without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, results of genetic testing,

veteran status, or physical or mental disability—except where such disability prevents performance of essential job functions and cannot be reasonably accommodated in accordance with applicable laws.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement

Arrow International is committed to complying with the spirit and requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, participate in the interview process, undergo any pre-employment testing, or otherwise take part in the employee selection process, please contact us at hr@arrowinternational.com.


Arrow International does not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party agencies. Resumes submitted without an approved vendor agreement will become the property of Arrow International, and no fees will be paid if the candidate is hired.  


To ensure a safe and productive work environment, all candidates who receive a conditional job offer must successfully pass a confidential pre-employment drug screening, which generally consists of a hair drug test, and receive an acceptable result as a condition of employment.