2D Animator

Junior 2D Animator / Generalist – For Academic Credit or Mentorship

Company: shortart.co

Location: Remote/On-site/Hybrid

Eligibility: Open to students seeking academic credit, mentorship, or OPT (F-1 visa) students (must meet DOL criteria for unpaid work or U.S, Canadian & South American residents only and does not include STEM Program)

About the Role:

Join shortart.co as a Junior 2D Animator and dive into the heart of movement and performance. This role is dedicated to the production phase of our pipeline, where static designs come to life. You will focus on the principles of motion, timing, and character acting, ensuring that every frame contributes to a fluid and emotionally resonant narrative.

Strict Requirements:

• Generalist Focus: We are looking for a 2D Generalist . While this role focuses on animation and movement, you must possess a versatile skill set across the 2D pipeline. Please do not apply if you are not a 2D Generalist.

• Entry-Level/Unpaid: This is an entry-level position designed for educational value and professional development. Please do not apply if you are seeking a wage or financial compensation.

*This unpaid internship is designed to provide mentorship and portfolio growth. You will work under the supervision of experienced artists to learn the nuances of frame-by-frame movement, weight, physics, and character performance within a narrative production.

Key Responsibilities:

• Generalist Execution: Handle various stages of the 2D pipeline, from initial rough animation and tie-downs to clean-up and final polish.
• Character Performance: Translate storyboards and character designs into expressive movement that captures the intended personality and emotional weight of a scene.
• Timing & Spacing: Apply the 12 principles of animation to ensure fluid, believable motion and clear silhouettes.
• Iterative Learning: Receive direct mentorship and feedback on acting choices, physics-based movement, and technical execution within the animation software.
• Collaborative Reviews: Participate in production meetings to understand how motion contributes to the overall pacing and storytelling of the project.

Requirements:

• 2D Generalist Skillset: A portfolio demonstrating proficiency across multiple 2D disciplines (drawing, layout, painting, and 2D animation). This is a strict requirement.
• Strong Animation Foundations: A solid understanding of weight, squash and stretch, anticipation, and timing.
• Education: Currently enrolled in (or recently graduated from) an Animation, Illustration, or related Fine Arts program.
• Software Skills: Proficiency in industry-standard animation tools.
• Learning Mindset: Seeking academic credit or mentorship to bridge the gap between student assignments and professional-grade production animation.
• For OPT students: Position is unpaid and meets DOL criteria for unpaid internships.

Additional Notes:

Schedules are flexible to accommodate academic calendars and learning goals. All work is educational, supervised, and structured around skill development rather than production quotas. This is an unpaid internship focused on professional growth and portfolio development.

* SCAD Alumni preferred, but all are welcome to apply!