A long time ago, 2D animation was regarded as really archaic art and not comparable to high-tech 3D graphics. Time has indeed changed, though, and 2D animation did not just survive but rather evolved and bloomed with the digital storytelling phenomenon. Today, more than ever, it is applied in the creation of explainer videos, motion graphics, and even animated GIF logo designs.
According to Statista, animation worldwide was set at more than 391 billion U.S. dollars in 2022, to grow at about 587 billion dollars annually until 2030. This figure shows the strength and importance of animation in our contemporary digital landscape.
In this blog, we will explore the interesting world for a 2D animator, explain their important skills, and show how they work, especially as freelancers. We will also examine the increasing need for animation, talk about job opportunities, and give advice on how to do well in the animation industry.
What Does a Freelance 2D Animator Do?
Before you begin freelancing as a 2D animator, you should have an idea of what you are doing. A freelance 2D animator is an individual who works independently on creating two-dimensional animations for several reasons. Such may include animated explainer videos for companies, motion graphics for advertisements, educational videos, or even content for social media.
Their work is to develop a sequence of images that, when viewed consecutively, seem to be moving. Animators use a variety of software to develop and animate these images. They often do everything from designing the characters to creating the backgrounds and final editing. They freelance all aspects of the animation process, mostly working with clients online.
Types of Work Freelance 2D Animators Do:
- Animated Explainer Videos: Use animation to break complex ideas or services into something easy and simple to understand.
- Motion Graphics Animation: This form of animation involves the process of elements of graphic design and text in communicating a message, often used in commercial advertisements.
- Logo Animation: Companies hire animators for logo designing made animated, which differs businesses and gives them an essence of uniqueness in their brand.
- Entertainment-based Projects: Freelance animators can work on entertainment-oriented projects, which may include short films, cartoons or animated series.
- Educational Content: More and more online courses, e-learning videos, and even other educational content rely on 2D animation to explain topics interestingly.
The kind of work you do as a freelance 2D animator can vary based on the client, project type, and style, but the aim is the same: to make an interesting and visually appealing animation that says something or tells a story.
Why Choose Freelancing in 2D Animation?
There are several advantages to freelancing for 2D animators. Let’s examine why freelancing could be the perfect career in this field.
1. Creative Freedom
Freelancing as a 2D animator gives maximum creative freedom. It is the chance to take up projects of a specific type and style of animation that you may want to produce and clients sharing your creative vision. It therefore allows you to do all kinds of projects from animated explainer videos to motion graphics animations in all their creativity.
2. Work-Life Balance
The freelancing opportunity affords you to manage your time. Take pleasure in the ability to work remotely from home or wherever you are as long as you feel is most convenient. You can have professional duties balanced out with personal obligations using this service. You may work better in the evening or early morning hours; it’s up to you, but this freelancing service will definitely support your rhythm at work.
3. Control Over Your Income
Freelancers’ earnings are always higher than their counterparts on the payroll, especially niche market specialists like motion graphics or animated explainer videos. You’ll set your rates, and it’s the expertise and clients that you gain, which will continue to raise your price. The larger your portfolio grows, the bigger your potential may be to collect premium rates.
4. Diverse Range of Projects
A career as a freelance 2D animator can present an array of opportunities, from the possibility of working on different kinds of projects. Some of the projects may involve making short commercials or designing logo animations. The majority of the projects will fall under a variety of durations, from long-term animated series. A perfect project meets your professional passions and provides scope for continuous growth and development as an artist.
5. Global Opportunities
The opportunity to work at a remote location gives freelancers the flexibility to work from any place. Freelancing has now become easier than ever because the Internet has vastly expanded the horizon of potential clients. This will lead to new and valuable experiences, such as contact with cultures and business environments from all parts of the world.
Essential Skills Every Freelance 2D Animator Must Have
Successful careers in freelance 2D animation require a combination of creative, technical, and business skills.
Let’s review the most important skills for this career path:
1. Strong Drawing and Illustration Skills
The animator has to have a good grounding in drawing. In other words, drawing characters, environments, and props must be well executed; otherwise, he or she is not a success in animation. Although the supporting role is provided by digital tools, drawing forms the heart of 2D animation.
2. Animation Techniques
It is important to understand the principles of animation. Concepts such as squash and stretch, anticipation, timing, and weight are important aspects that give an animation a natural and believable look. Becoming proficient in these concepts makes your workflow and quality even better.
3. Software Proficiency
In the current digital landscape, the majority of 2D animation is produced using specialized software.
The following is a list of the most commonly used tools:
- Adobe Animate: A more powerful tool with the ability to create vector-based animations, it is ideal for cartoons and motion graphics.
- Toon Boom Harmony: This more professional-grade tool is used by bigger studios for creating 2D animation and digital drawings.
- TVPaint: Ideal for doing frame-by-frame animation and a traditional hand-drawn style of animation.
- Clip Studio Paint: Famous for the drawing tools of this software and popular for doing manga and animating.
- Blender: Although this is a tool mainly for 3D work, it supports 2D animation as well and is a free option for budget-conscious animators.
4. Storytelling and Visual Communication
Animation is a visual narration. An independent animator must communicate a message to the audience through his work. To do so, one needs to know the concepts such as pace, motion, flow, and engagement with the viewer.
5. Time Management and Organization
As a freelancer, you have to juggle between multiple projects and deadlines. It is very important for good time management to ensure the delivery of quality work on time. It also ensures the maintenance of work-life balance.
6. Client Communication
Most freelancers work remotely. So, effective communication is necessary. Whether you’re discussing a project brief, a revision, or negotiation over rates, clarity, professionalism, and responsiveness will help you to have good relationships with your clients and ensure the projects get done.
How to Build a Strong Portfolio as a Freelance 2D Animator
One essential asset for freelance 2D animators should be a very strong portfolio of work. Such a portfolio proves your skills and style, not to mention your ability to suit the needs of clients.
1. Start Small
You do not need a huge portfolio. Just create small, simple animations or animation loops. Then just show the best you can. It could be just for two seconds, but it will work.
2. Show Your Range
Add all different kinds of animations to your portfolio. It shows to potential clients that you can do a lot with various styles and animation types. Give examples of:
- Character animations: Show how your characters move and express emotions.
- Explainer videos: Demonstrate how you simplify complex topics through animation.
- Motion graphics: Highlight your skills in creating engaging motion graphics for advertisements or social media.
- Logo animations: Showcase your ability to animate logos creatively.
3. Keep It Updated
Your portfolio should show your current skill level. You replace the older work with newer and better animation as you continue to improve. This way, you will be showing the progress that you have in becoming an animator.
4. Add Personal Projects
Personal and passion projects in your portfolio sometimes help speak to one’s creativity and passion for animation. These do not necessarily have to be client-based projects; they are personal explorations or experiments.
How to Find Freelance 2D Animation Jobs
Now that you’ve got the skills and portfolio, you need to know where to find clients. Here are some of the best platforms and methods to find freelance 2D animation jobs:
1. Upwork
Upwork is a freelancing website, where clients post projects, and freelancers bid on the projects; it’s one of the most widely used sites for freelancing in lots of fields, including animation. Always have a solid complete profile and your portfolio, skillset, and rates.
2. Fiverr
Fiverr is another such platform where you can offer your animation services at different price points. It’s particularly useful for freelancers, especially when just starting out, since it allows offering specific services such as creating animated logos, motion graphics, or even explainer videos.
3. Freelancer.com
Another popular freelancing site is Freelancer.com, to which clients post animation projects. You can go there, build your profile, bid on projects, and start building your freelance animation career.
4. Behance
Behance is a place for creatives to share their work. It’s especially great for visual artists like animators. Most businesses check out Behance to look for talented animators for freelance projects.
5. LinkedIn
While LinkedIn is primarily a professional networking site, it can also be a good source for freelance opportunities. Many companies list freelance opportunities for animators, and you can connect directly with potential clients.
Setting Your Freelance Rates as a 2D Animator
It’s not so easy to set your first freelance rates as a 2D animator, but it is imperative for your profit success and gives a perception of your professionalism. Here is how to determine your rates:
1. Hourly Rates
Most freelancers charge by the hour for their animation work. This is common for smaller projects or when the scope of the work is not clear. Research the going rate in the industry and use that to determine your pricing, based on your experience.
2. Flat Rates for Projects
For larger, more defined projects, such as animated explainer videos or logo animations, you may want to charge a flat rate. That way, you ensure that clients know exactly what they are going to pay, and you can organize your work schedule around it.
3. Rates for Specific Animation Styles
Charge a higher rate for those more specialized styles of animation: motion graphics, and whiteboard animation. Typically, such specialized work is both more technical in nature and experience-intensive, thus commanding a higher premium for services.
4. Research and Adjust Regularly
With time, and with experience, and a honed skill set, do not be afraid to increase your rates. Always research your competition and the marketplace to ensure your rates remain competitive and fair.
How to Build Relationships with Clients
Being a freelance 2D animator requires a good amount of work to ensure long-term relationships with clients. How to keep them happy:
1. Clear Communication
Always maintain clear professional communication with the client. Ensure to be honest regarding your availability, the timeframe of completing the project, and the process involved.
2. Deliver on Time
Clients like animators who deliver quality work within time. The timely completion of deadlines will earn you a reputation as a reliable and professional animator.
3. Provide Great Customer Service
Be responsive to feedback, stay polite even when there are issues, and always go the extra mile to make sure the client is satisfied.
Managing Your Freelance Career: Business and Organization Tips
Being a freelance 2D animator not only entails being an artist but also somewhat of a business owner.
Here are some tips for managing the business side of freelancing:
1. Create Contracts
Always enter contracts with clients. This protects you and the client, as you clearly outline the scope, timeline, deliverables, and payment terms.
2. Keep Track of Finances
You should use accounting tools such as QuickBooks or Wave to track your income and expenses. This will keep you organized at tax time and help you with cash flow.
3. Invest in Professional Development
Keep learning and continuing to improve yourself. Whether via online courses or tutorials, seminars, or congresses in any industry, continual learning will certainly make you always be ahead.
How to Market Yourself as a Freelance 2D Animator
To succeed as a freelance 2D animator, you need to market yourself effectively. Here are some tips:
1. Create an Online Portfolio
An online portfolio is necessary for reflecting the best work to your potential clients, so create a website or use available platforms that are designated, like Behance or Dribble, for animations.
2. Leverage Social Media
Social media channels such as Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter can be used as powerful tools to share your work and connect with potential clients.
3. Network
Attend industry events, webinars, or animation conferences to connect with other animators and prospective clients.
Fun Animation Ideas to Boost Your Freelance Portfolio
Want to add some personality to your portfolio? Try these fun animation ideas:
1. Animated GIFs
Create short, looped animations that are easy to share and add a playful touch to your portfolio.
2. Logo Animation
Offer animated logo designs to businesses looking to give their branding a fresh and modern feel.
3. Explainer Videos
Assist businesses in articulating their services or products through engaging animations.
Staying Ahead of Trends in 2D Animation
The animation industry is always changing, and staying on top of the latest trends is essential to staying competitive.
Here are some key trends to watch:
- Motion Graphics Animation: Motion graphics are increasingly in demand, especially for marketing and advertising purposes.
- Animated Explainer Videos: The medium remains the favorite of businesses looking to explain complex ideas.
- Whiteboard Animation: Hand-drawn animation is gaining popularity for educational and explainer content.
Conclusion:
Becoming a freelance 2D animator is very exciting and rewarding, giving freedom to express yourself creatively, offering high financial potential, and enabling work with clients worldwide. Through the mastery of all the key skills, proper investments in tools, building an excellent portfolio, and mastering self-marketing skills, one will be able to create a good and sustainable freelance animation career.