Freelance Animation Character Design Jobs in California

Animation Instructor / YCP Animation Mentor

Part-Time Teaching Artist

Compensation: $31.80/hour, plus paid preparation, training, and mileage reimbursement
Schedule: Part-time, approximately 7–19 hours per week; scheduling varies by class assignment
Locations: Palmdale, CA
Student Grade Levels: Grades 6–12

Position Summary

Keep one foot in the craft while helping shape the next generation of animators and visual storytellers.

The Latino Film Institute’s Youth Cinema Project (YCP) is seeking working animators, artists, and animation professionals to teach project-based animation courses to students in grades 6–12. YCP Animation Mentors guide students through the creative and technical process of developing original characters, stories, storyboards, motion studies, and animatics.

Mentors teach from a comprehensive, ready-made curriculum covering visual storytelling, the 12 principles of animation, character and world design, scriptwriting, storyboarding, sound, and animatic production. You bring your professional experience and creative perspective; YCP provides the curriculum, training, classroom structure, and equipment.

What You’ll Do

• Teach three 60-minute animation classes per week for each assigned class, in partnership with a co-mentor.

• Deliver YCP’s established Animation 1 curriculum; lesson planning from scratch is not required.

• Introduce students to different animation styles, techniques, careers, and production workflows.

• Teach foundational animation concepts, including timing, spacing, squash and stretch, anticipation, arcs, ease in and ease out, exaggeration, follow-through, staging, appeal, and frame economy.

• Guide students through short motion exercises using traditional and digital animation techniques.

• Teach visual storytelling fundamentals, including story structure, shot composition, visual sequencing, camera movement, and pacing.

• Support students in developing original characters, environments, story concepts, scripts, and pitch materials.

• Guide students through the pre-production process, including story beats, shot lists, storyboards, scratch audio, and animatics.

• Help students create and present a completed storyboard and rough animatic demonstrating clear narrative structure, timing, and visual intent.

• Facilitate constructive peer critiques and help students revise their work based on feedback.

• Create an inclusive, encouraging classroom environment where students can experiment, collaborate, and develop their creative voices.

• Work collaboratively with the classroom teacher, co-mentor, and YCP program staff.

• Track student participation, project milestones, and required program documentation.

• Safely set up, operate, organize, and maintain animation equipment and classroom materials.

• Participate in paid training, professional development, and program meetings.

Why Animation Professionals Take This Role

• Flexible, part-time hours that can work around freelance assignments and production schedules.

• $31.80 per hour, plus paid preparation time and paid training.

• Mileage reimbursement for required travel.

• A comprehensive curriculum and structured lesson sequence are provided.

• Opportunities to remain creatively engaged while introducing young people to animation and entertainment careers.

• The chance to help students develop technical skills, confidence, and a pathway into the creative industries.

What You’ll Need

• At least three years of professional, freelance, academic, or equivalent production experience in animation, illustration, storyboarding, motion design, visual development, or a related field.

• A strong portfolio or reel demonstrating animation, storyboarding, character design, motion graphics, or other relevant work.

• Strong knowledge of animation fundamentals, including timing, movement, visual storytelling, and the 12 principles of animation.

• Proficiency in at least one relevant area, such as:

  • 2D animation

  • Character animation

  • Storyboarding or animatics

  • Character or environment design

  • Stop-motion animation

  • 3D or CG animation

  • Motion graphics

  • Editing, compositing, or sound integration

• Experience with animation or creative-production software. YCP’s curriculum may incorporate tools such as Toon Boom Harmony, Blender, Adobe Animate, After Effects, Premiere Pro, Audacity, CapCut, Canva, Google Slides, or comparable platforms.

• Ability to explain creative and technical concepts in an accessible, age-appropriate way.

• Comfort and confidence working with students in grades 6–12 in a school environment.

• Patience, professionalism, reliability, and a collaborative approach to teaching.

• Comfort using Google Workspace and other digital communication and file-management platforms.

• A valid driver’s license, current auto insurance, and reliable transportation. Some assignments may require travel of up to 50 miles; eligible mileage is reimbursed.

Nice to Have, but Not Required

• A degree or formal training in animation, film, illustration, fine arts, game design, digital media, or a related field.

• Previous experience teaching, mentoring, coaching, or working with young people.

• Experience with Wacom drawing tablets or comparable digital-art equipment.

• Familiarity with both 2D and introductory 3D animation workflows.

• Experience developing storyboards, character sheets, animatics, pitch decks, or demo reels.

• Knowledge of animation production pipelines, studio roles, and college or career pathways.

• Experience supporting English learners, students with disabilities, or students from communities historically underrepresented in the entertainment industry.

• Bilingual proficiency, particularly in English and Spanish.

Physical and Employment Requirements

This position works directly with students and requires successful completion of a background check, Live Scan fingerprinting, and TB screening before employment. The role may involve extended periods of standing, classroom movement, occasional outdoor activity, and the ability to safely lift and transport up to 50 pounds of equipment and materials.

All required state-mandated training, including Child Abuse Mandated Reporter and Harassment Prevention training, is provided and compensated. Participation in or completion of YCP’s pre-instruction Boot Camp does not guarantee employment or placement in a class.

How to Apply

Submit your résumé and a link to your animation reel, portfolio, website, or relevant work samples to (insert Link to apply). Promising candidates may be asked to provide additional samples and a brief statement describing their interest in mentoring young people through animation.

The Latino Film Institute Youth Cinema Project is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on gender, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.