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Freelance 2D Animation Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Artist

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$80 - $120K/hr

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Senior Artist will use their artistic expertise with color, composition, shape, typography ... including 2D game assets and animations. * Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop ...

Senior Artist

$130K - $155K/yr

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Solid understanding of animation principles and experience creating or implementing 2D and/or 3D animations. * Exceptional artistic skills including composition, color theory, typography, visual ...

Senior Artist

Cleveland, OH ยท On-site

$123K - $147K/yr

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Solid understanding of animation principles and experience creating or implementing 2D and/or 3D animations. * Exceptional artistic skills including composition, color theory, typography, visual ...

Technical Artist

Austin, TX

$125K - $150K/yr

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Create 2D assets for all aspects of the product including UI, composition, VFX, and animations ... Bachelor of Arts in art/animation or technical degree or equivalent industry experience. * At least ...

Multimedia Teaching Artist

Oakland, CA ยท On-site

$30 - $40/hr

We provide hands-on experience in video, journalism, filmmaking, photography, design, and animation ... freelance projects through our media company, Youth Beat PRO. We're seeking energetic, creative ...

We provide hands-on experience in video, journalism, filmmaking, photography, design, and animation ... freelance projects through our media company, Youth Beat PRO. We're seeking energetic, creative ...

Compositing Artist

Manhattan, NY ยท On-site

$150K/yr

Key Responsibilities: 2D/3D Integration * Seamlessly integrate multi-pass CGI renders (including ... Work closely with CGI Supervisors, Lighting Artists, Modelers, Animators, and Production teams to ...

Key Responsibilities: 2D/3D Integration * Seamlessly integrate multi-pass CGI renders (including ... Work closely with CGI Supervisors, Lighting Artists, Modelers, Animators, and Production teams to ...

Key Responsibilities: 2D/3D Integration * Seamlessly integrate multi-pass CGI renders (including ... Work closely with CGI Supervisors, Lighting Artists, Modelers, Animators, and Production teams to ...

Senior Technical Artist

Austin, TX ยท On-site

$125K - $150K/yr

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Create 2D assets for all aspects of the product including UI, composition, VFX, and animations ... Bachelor of Arts in art/animation or technical degree or equivalent industry experience. * At least ...

... Technical Artist Proficiency in industry standard 3D software for animation and modeling ... 2d mediums Plan shots with animation needs and storytelling efficiency in mind Strong eye for ...

Showing results 41-60

Freelance 2D Animation Artist information

See salary details

$9

$22

$68

How much do freelance 2d animation artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance 2d animation artist in the United States is $22.97, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.75 and $18.75 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a freelance 2D animation artist?

To thrive as a Freelance 2D Animation Artist, you need strong drawing abilities, a solid understanding of animation principles, and a portfolio showcasing your work. Proficiency in industry-standard software like Adobe Animate, Toon Boom Harmony, or After Effects is typically required. Creativity, time management, and effective communication with clients are standout soft skills in this role. These skills ensure the delivery of high-quality, engaging animations that meet client expectations and deadlines in a competitive freelance market.

How do freelance 2D animation artists typically manage client communication and project feedback?

As a freelance 2D animation artist, effective client communication is crucial for project success. Most artists use project management tools, video calls, and regular email updates to keep clients informed and gather feedback at key milestones. Establishing clear timelines, deliverables, and revision policies helps avoid misunderstandings and ensures the project stays on track. Proactively seeking feedback and being open to constructive criticism are essential skills, as they lead to stronger client relationships and higher-quality work.

What is a freelance 2D animation artist?

Freelance 2D Animation Artists are creative professionals who design and animate two-dimensional visuals for various media, such as films, television shows, video games, advertisements, and web content. Unlike full-time employees, freelancers work independently and are hired on a project-by-project basis by studios, agencies, or individual clients. They use specialized software to create character movements, backgrounds, and effects, bringing stories and concepts to life. Freelancers must manage their own schedules, client communications, and business operations, making the role both artistic and entrepreneurial.

What is the difference between Freelance 2D Animation Artist vs Freelance Motion Designer?

AspectFreelance 2D Animation ArtistFreelance Motion Designer
Skills & Tools2D animation, illustration, Adobe After Effects, PhotoshopAnimation, graphic design, After Effects, Cinema 4D
Work EnvironmentFreelance, remote, client projectsFreelance, remote, multimedia projects
Industry UsageAnimation studios, advertising, entertainmentAdvertising, branding, digital media
CredentialsPortfolio, animation skills, software proficiencyPortfolio, motion design skills, software proficiency

Both roles involve digital animation and require strong portfolios. A Freelance 2D Animation Artist focuses primarily on creating traditional 2D animations and illustrations, while a Freelance Motion Designer combines animation with graphic design to produce engaging multimedia content. The choice depends on your specific skill set and project interests.

More about Freelance 2D Animation Artist jobs

What cities are hiring for Freelance 2D Animation Artist jobs?

Cities with the most Freelance 2D Animation Artist job openings:

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

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

What states have the most Freelance 2D Animation Artist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Freelance 2D Animation Artist jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Freelance 2D Animation Artist jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Freelance 2D Animation Artist jobs are:

Infographic showing various Freelance 2D Animation Artist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,772 per year, or $23 per hour.

$80 - $120K/hr

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 27 days ago


Job description

Job Type
Full-time
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.