What does a 3D animator do?

A 3D animator is a creative professional specialising in bringing digital characters and environments to life through animation. They use their technical and artistic skills to create stunning, immersive 3D visuals that capture the attention and imagination of audiences.

At the heart of an animator’s job is the ability to tell stories through animation. They work closely with a team of artists, designers and programmers to create animations that communicate complex ideas, emotions and experiences in an engaging and visually appealing way.


In India, where the animation industry is thriving, 3D animators play a critical role in creating visually stunning and engaging content for various media platforms. Using their expertise in computer animation software and techniques, they design and manipulate digital models to produce realistic and captivating animations.


The role of 3D animators involves a diverse range of tasks, including developing storyboards and animatics, creating character models and rigs and animating movements and behaviours. They are also responsible for designing and executing complex animations, including facial expressions, body movements and environmental elements (like lighting and camera angles).


In India, a 3D animator is also addressed as a VFX artist, character animator, 3D generalist, graphic designer and CGI animator. As their career evolves, they can practise more senior roles such as lead animator, animation director and VFX supervisor.

Sample job description

We seek a creative and detailed-oriented 3D Animator for our VFX team at [Company X].

As a 3D animator, you will be responsible for the design and execution of 3D animation, creating a wide range of animations. This includes modelling, texturing and animating characters in 3D, creating digital puppets and props and creating digital environments. You will produce high-quality, photorealistic models for varied projects, including film, television, advertising and gaming.

If you are passionate about storytelling, art and technology to create captivating animations, you could be a perfect fit for this position. We offer competitive salary packages, a dynamic and supportive work environment and copious career development opportunities.

Objectives of this role

  • Understand and interpret the nuances of human behaviour and translate them into believable, lifelike animations. 
  • Take direction and feedback while iterating on the visuals until they meet the highest quality and creativity standards. 
  • Participate in meetings and provide input on storyboards and game design documents. 
  • Coordinating with other departments such as modelling, texturing, rigging, lighting, rendering, audio and VFX. 
  • Maintain a pipeline of assets from concept to final delivery for every project. 
  • Troubleshoot technical issues related to animation software, rendering or asset management. 
  • Stay updated on industry trends, techniques and emerging tools to enhance your skills continuously. 

Your tasks

  • Develop and execute creative concepts and visual styles for animations. 
  • Collaborate with other creative team members, including writers, designers and programmers, to develop cohesive animations. 
  • Use 3D software to create high-quality animations for various projects, including film, television, advertising and gaming. 
  • Ensure that all animations meet the project’s creative vision and technical specifications. 
  • Bring characters, objects and environments to life through fluid and expressive animations using keyframe animation, motion capture and other techniques. 
  • Implement timing, pacing and motion principles to enhance the realism and impact of animations. 
  • Use lighting, shading and camera techniques to improve the visual quality of animations. 
  • Participate in pre-production planning, including storyboarding, animatics and concept development.

Required skills and qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in fine arts, illustration, computer graphics or animation.
  • 3+ years of experience as a 3D animator or equivalent role. 
  • Demonstrable portfolio with a strong understanding of animation techniques. 
  • Proficiency in 3D animation software, such as Maya, 3ds Max or Blender.
  • Solid expertise in motion capture and facial rigging.
  • Knowledge of compositing software like After Effects, Nuke, or Fusion.
  • Solid understanding of animation principles, timing and motion dynamics.
  • Possess a creative mindset with a strong eye for detail and visual aesthetics.
  • Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and meet project deadlines.

Preferred skills and qualifications

  • A Master’s degree in Fine Arts (MFA) would be a plus.
  • Excellent communication, creative problem-solving and collaboration skills.
  • Familiarity with scripting languages like Python or MEL is preferable.