Hiring a 2D Animator? Here's Everything You Need to Know
Ever seen a YouTube ad that doesn't want to make you press skip even after five seconds? Like Slack's animated explainer-style ads showing how you can communicate better with your team, or Mailchimp's quirky videos that make email marketing look fun!
That's the magic of 2D animation! And if you got hooked on those ads, you probably thought, "I need that!" So here you are, trying to look for the best 2D animator available. Before you jump into hiring the cheapest you can find online, we're here to help you know what to consider when looking for an animation designer.
Of course, you want someone who doesn't just know how to move objects on screen—you need someone who truly understands storytelling, design flow, and branding. But should you hire a freelance animation expert, a 2D animation agency, or employ a full-time 2D animator from the Philippines? We'll talk about these and more about hiring a 2D animation designer.
Let's get into it. But first…
What is 2D Animation, Really?
It's more than just drawing cute things that move. 2D animation has become a powerful visual language that combines motion, design, and storytelling—on a flat surface. This is different from 3D animation, which adds depth to animations. Think Pixar movies or video game characters.
Now, 3D is better, but 3D animation takes longer, requires heavier software, and often comes with a higher price tag. That's why 2D animation is still the go-to choice for most business advertisements, explainer videos, e-learning modules, marketing promos, and social media content. It's faster to produce, cost-efficient, and way more engaging than static graphics.
Types of 2D Animators
Many people think that if someone can animate, they can do "everything." But like any field, there are specializations, and knowing these can help you hire the right type of 2D animator.
So who's who? Here's a quick guide to the different types of 2D Animators.
1. Character Animator
These 2D animators focus on storytelling through characters, emotion, and expression. They bring people, animals, or a mascot to life! If you're thinking of a lead character doing your explainer video, this is your person.
2. Motion Graphics Animator
Logo reveals. Charts that move. Animated typography. All these fall under the expertise of a motion graphic animator. Their work is perfect for business ads, social media reels, or corporate presentations.
3. Storyboard or Animatic Artist
Before a single frame is animated, a storyboard artist maps out the visual flow. Some even create an animatic—one with a timed voiceover (VO) and music for visual clarity. These animation designers are crucial if you want a strong narrative structure from the start.
4. Illustrator/Animator Hybrid
While many animation assets are ready for most designers to use, some animators create their own visual assets from scratch. If you need one specific to your brand, you'll need a 2D illustrator who can create characters, backgrounds, icons, and props from scratch.
5. Rigged Animation Artists
These animators build a "digital skeleton," aka a "rig" for characters or elements, allowing for faster movement using bones and joints. Rig-based animation is more efficient and is common in modern explainer videos and app demos.
Animation experts also specialize in different types of tools or software, such as Adobe After Effects, Toon Boom Harmony, Spine & Moho, TVPaint, Krita, or RoughAnimator.
Not every animation expert can do everything, so it's important to know what type of 2D animator you'll need to avoid hiring someone who's actually skilled but not in the way your project needs.
Do You Need a Freelancer, an In-House Animator, or an Animation Agency?
So you've figured out which type of 2D animator you need to hire. But now comes another question: Who exactly should you hire?
A solo freelancer? Build an in-house team? Or should you go all in and work with a full-blown animation agency?
Freelance 2D Animator
Hiring freelancers is often the first choice for businesses still testing the waters. Freelance animators are often flexible, budget-friendly, and ideal for one-time projects. The only problem is that their availability may vary. If your go-to animation designer is fully booked, you might need to find someone else.
You may also need to manage everything—from follow-ups to quality checks. Still, freelance 2D animators work best when you're on a tight budget or working on a small to medium-sized creative project.
In-House 2D Animator
Having a full-time or part-time 2D animator on your internal team makes sense if you create animation content regularly and want long-term consistency across your visuals.
Since they'll be part of your team, they'll be able to immerse deeply into your brand's voice, visual identity, and business goals. You can also expect faster collaboration and turnaround times. Plus, they can support different departments of your business—your social media team needing content, your HR department asking for explainer videos, or your marketing team requiring product demos.
Hiring full-time 2D animators might entail higher costs—monthly salary, benefits, and possibly software and equipment—but it's an investment worth making if you want someone who'll grow with your brand over time.
Animation Agency
If you're launching a full campaign with a bit more complex requirements, working with a professional animation agency could be the way to go. They're an all-in-one company that will do everything from brainstorming to the final video. They usually have an entire team of animators, illustrators, storyboard artists, VO talents, and project managers, so you need not worry about whether they're skilled enough to do a project.
So… Which One Should You Choose?
When considering your options, be sure to ask yourself these:
- Is this a one-time project or a long-term content plan?
- Do I need specialized skills or just general animation work?
- What's my budget and timeline?
- Do I have time to manage someone directly, or do I want a done-for-you service?
Well, some business owners start with a freelance or part-time animator and then scale up to an agency for bigger projects. Others opt to hire a full-time animator, especially when 2D animation is a regular part of their business.
Why Hire A 2D Animation Designer From the Philippines
If you've ever worked with or checked out 2D animators for hire, you know that their rates are pretty expensive—no sugarcoating that. A freelance 2D animator in the US can cost $40–$100 per hour or an average salary of $70,000–$80,000 a year. For a 1-minute explainer video, 2D animators can charge between $1,500–$25,000. That's a massive chunk of your marketing budget.
That's exactly why many businesses turn to Filipino 2D animators. You'll find equally skilled professionals who charge $800–$1000 per month full-time or even less for part-time work. This difference in cost doesn't mean you get lower quality—it only reflects the lower cost of living in the Philippines.
Even so, don't make the mistake of lowballing your offer. Talented Filipino animators know their worth, and the best ones are in high demand. If you offer fair compensation, you'll attract better candidates and keep the great ones.
If you need help in figuring out a fair rate for Filipino animators, check out our salary guide to get a better sense of current market rates.
Skilled Animation Designers With Global Experience
Other than cost, you'll also appreciate hiring from the Philippines because of its vast talent pool. The country is home to thousands of expert animation VAs who have worked with clients across the globe. You'll surely find 2D animation designers with both freelance and agency experience.
Being Western design consumers themselves, you won't have to worry about mismatched branding styles or communication gaps. While there are cultural differences, you would hardly notice them, and a few design instructions will smooth them out.
Timezone? Not an issue, too! Many Filipino 2D animation VAs are used to working graveyard shifts, and even if they don't, you know they're working on your project while you're asleep. So, when you're ready to work, the videos are ready for your review.
Thousands of entrepreneurs have successfully hired Online Filipino Specialists (OFS), including 2D animators, from the Philippines. You can check out their honest reviews and success stories to see how it worked for them.
How to Hire a 2D Animator Through OnlineJobs.ph
Ready to find a great 2D animator from the Philippines? It doesn't have to be a headache.
The process is simple with OnlineJobs.ph. Our platform makes it easy for employers to post a job ad and review applicant profiles, even with a FREE account.
Here's a practical step-by-step way to approach it:
1. Browse jobseeker profiles.
Before posting anything, explore our talent pool. You'll be ecstatic to find 2D animators with different niches—some specialize in motion graphics, others in explainer videos or mobile games. Checking out these profiles will give you a solid benchmark for skills and rates. And if you've upgraded your account, you can even directly message the animation designer who stands out to you.
2. Post a clear job ad.
Be honest about what you need—is it part-time or full-time? Are you looking for an animation designer who can also illustrate, or just someone who can work on existing animation assets? Your job ad doesn't have to be lengthy; just enough for a jobseeker to know if they fit the role.
3. Screen applicants through email interviews.
It's easy to get swayed by how flashy their cover letter is or how impressive and packed their portfolio looks. We recommend doing email interviews to gauge if they're the right person for the job and how well they communicate. Ask them to answer a few questions, like their current workload, the projects they're most proud of, or their creative process.
4. Pay for a test project.
If you're weighing between a few good candidates and you only need one, consider assigning a small paid test task (such as a 15-second animation) to see how they interpret your brief, if they can meet deadlines, and if they're really serious about getting the job.
5. Close the deal and set expectations.
Once you're set with the 2D animator you want to hire, agree on their rates, payment schedule, work hours, turnaround time, and communication tools. This will eliminate confusion and avoid unnecessary back-and-forth with your designer once you start working on your projects.
Bring your creative vision to life!
Animators, designers, and creative editors help breathe life into your message and craft your brand's personality. If you're ready to make more content that makes people pause and watch, explore our talented pool of jobseekers and start creating content that truly stands out.
