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Entry Level 2D Animation Artist Jobs in California

... 2D and/or 3D DCCs such as Photoshop, Maya, Houdini, Harmony, and/or Blender Conceptual ... Experience with the creation of animation assets, and techniques like image editing, masking, etc.

... animation techniques. * Contribute to the creation of short stories in a fast-paced production ... Experience with ComfyUI and traditional CG 2D and/or 3D DCCs such as Photoshop, Maya, Houdini ...

... animation techniques. * Contribute to the creation of short stories in a fast-paced production ... Experience with ComfyUI and traditional CG 2D and/or 3D DCCs such as Photoshop, Maya, Houdini ...

... 2D and/or 3D DCCs such as Photoshop, Maya, Houdini, Harmony, and/or Blender Conceptual ... Experience with the creation of animation assets, and techniques like image editing, masking, etc.

... animation techniques. * Contribute to the creation of short stories in a fast-paced production ... Experience with ComfyUI and traditional CG 2D and/or 3D DCCs such as Photoshop, Maya, Houdini ...

Character Artist

San Jose, CA · On-site +1

$141K - $148K/yr

Knowledge of creating 2D textures, UV unwrapping, and developing materials and shaders for in-game ... Additional Details Seniority level: Entry level Employment type: Part-time Job function: Design ...

Character Artist

San Jose, CA · On-site +1

$141K - $148K/yr

Knowledge of creating 2D textures, UV unwrapping, and developing materials and shaders for in-game ... Additional Details Seniority level: Entry level Employment type: Part-time Job function: Design ...

Character Artist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$90 - $130/hr

Are pursuing a degree in screen-writing, animation, character design, industrial design, or a ... Have a portfolio that shows character design or expressive design work, in 2D or 3D. * Document ...

Character Artist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$142K - $149K/yr

Are pursuing a degree in screen-writing, animation, character design, industrial design, or a ... Have a portfolio that shows character design or expressive design work, in 2D or 3D. * Document ...

Character Artist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$70 - $110/hr

Are pursuing a degree in screen-writing, animation, character design, industrial design, or a ... Have a portfolio that shows character design or expressive design work, in 2D or 3D. * Document ...

New

... artists to create stand-alone animations and compelling high-quality videos. The role includes ... 2D and 3D. Advanced knowledge of After Effects, Illustrator, Photoshop and other design tools to ...

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Entry Level 2D Animation Artist information

What does an entry level 2D animation artist do?

An Entry Level 2D Animation Artist creates basic animations, illustrations, and visual assets for various media such as games, television, or online content. They typically work under the guidance of senior animators and collaborate with other artists to bring characters, backgrounds, and scenes to life. Their tasks often include drawing storyboards, cleaning up frames, creating simple motion sequences, and assisting with revisions based on feedback. This role is ideal for those looking to build foundational skills and gain experience in the field of animation.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level 2D animation artists in their first year on the job?

As an entry-level 2D animation artist, you might encounter challenges such as adapting to industry-standard software, meeting tight deadlines, and balancing creative input with project guidelines. Collaboration with other team members, such as storyboard artists and animators, is essential and can require strong communication skills. Additionally, learning to accept and implement feedback quickly is a key part of professional growth in this role. Overcoming these challenges can help you build a solid foundation for advancement within the animation industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level 2D animation artist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level 2D Animation Artist, you need a solid grasp of drawing fundamentals, animation principles, and a portfolio showcasing your creative abilities, usually supported by a degree or coursework in animation or a related field. Proficiency with industry-standard software such as Adobe Animate, Toon Boom Harmony, and Photoshop is typically expected. Strong communication, attention to detail, and openness to feedback help artists collaborate effectively and grow in their roles. These skills and qualities are crucial for producing professional animations that meet project requirements and contribute to a creative team environment.

What is the difference between Entry Level 2D Animation Artist vs Junior 2D Animator?

AspectEntry Level 2D Animation ArtistJunior 2D Animator
Required SkillsBasic drawing, software proficiency, understanding of animation principlesAdvanced animation techniques, storytelling, character development
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, freelance projects, educational settingsProduction teams, media companies, advertising agencies
Typical ResponsibilitiesAssisting in animations, creating assets, learning workflowsCreating animations, refining scenes, collaborating with teams

The Entry Level 2D Animation Artist typically focuses on foundational skills and assisting in animation projects, often in educational or entry-level roles. A Junior 2D Animator has more experience, handles more complex animations, and contributes more directly to production. Both roles require similar certifications and work environments, but the Junior 2D Animator is expected to have a deeper understanding of animation techniques and storytelling.

What are the most commonly searched types of 2D Animation Artist jobs in California?

The most popular types of 2D Animation Artist jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level 2D Animation Artist jobs in California?

For Entry Level 2D Animation Artist jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level 2D Animation Artist jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level 2D Animation Artist jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Entry Level 2D Animation Artist jobs?

Cities in California with the most Entry Level 2D Animation Artist job openings:

Infographic showing various Entry Level 2D Animation Artist job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% Internship, 54% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 18% Contract. Highlights an 95% In-person, and 5% Remote job distribution.

2D Game Artist (Mid to Senior)

Age of Learning, Inc.

Glendale, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago


Job description

Summary: 

We're looking for a versatile 2D Game Artist to create and own art across ABCmouse - one of the world's most beloved early learning apps. Our house style is bright, expressive, and unmistakably kid-friendly, and you'll be central to maintaining and extending it. 2D is the core of this role; a working understanding of 3D is a plus. You're a self-starter who takes real ownership of your work, drives it to completion, and raises your hand when something needs to happen - without waiting to be asked.

Responsibilities: 
  • Create stylized, family-friendly 2D art: characters, props, environments, UI, coloring pages, thumbnails, banners, and in-game reward art within the ABCmouse house style
  • Casual games experience a plus
  • Build and iterate on interactive 2D animations in Rive for our Flutter-based game pipeline
  • Own assigned areas of the product from brief to ship - managing your workload, hitting deadlines, and holding a high bar for quality
  • Use a mix of Art (Adobe) and AI-assisted tools to generate illustrated content datasets at scale
  • Export and optimize assets for cross-platform mobile delivery (iOS, Android, Fire OS, web)
  • Apply a working knowledge of 3D to support or lightly contribute to 3D content as needed
  • Proactively identify pipeline gaps and propose improvements
  • Collaborate with curriculum, product, and engineering; participate in creative reviews and incorporate feedback quickly
Minimum Qualifications:
  • 6+ years of professional 2D game art, illustration, or UI art in a production environment
  • Portfolio demonstrating a cute, stylized, family-friendly art style consistent with ABCmouse
  • Proven ability to own work end to end without constant direction - self-directed, accountable, and reliable
  • Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop for mobile-optimized asset production
  • Experience with an interactive animation tool (Rive, Spine, or equivalent)
  • Working familiarity with 3D - enough to review assets or contribute lightly within an existing pipeline
  • Clear communicator who surfaces blockers early and keeps collaborators informed
  • Eager to learn new tools and pipelines, including AI-assisted workflows
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Portfolio examples in children's media, ed-tech, or stylized game art
  • Direct Rive experience, including interactive state machines
  • Hands-on 3D experience (Blender, Maya, or similar) in a stylized or toon-shaded aesthetic
  • Experience using AI image generation tools (Scenario, Midjourney, Firefly) in production
  • Familiarity with Flutter app art requirements and PNG/SVG optimization
  • Experience in ed-tech, children's entertainment, or mission-driven creative work
  • Figma proficiency for design handoff
  • Experience with Frame.io or similar review and asset-management platforms