How to Get an Animation Job at Netflix

Netflix series animation (NSA) develops high-quality animation series in a variety of genres for children and adults. Netflix Animation Studios has grown globally, with one studio in Sydney, Australia, another in Burbank, California, and a third in Vancouver, Canada. The Netflix team takes pride in allocating global talent to expand their industry and leave a lasting impression on audiences around the world. Netflix offers a wide range of positions in the department of feature animation from development artists to production designers. 

Expand your knowledge of the world of Netflix animation and learn how to begin your potential career. 

Understand the animation landscape at Netflix

Netflix’s animation division has various roles within the art department, including visual development artist, character designer, art director, production designer, and more. 

Netflix has various animation styles, yet 2D animation, which uses vector images— images made up of anchor points—seems to be the most prevalent. The addition of digital layers and manipulation causes the characters and backgrounds to appear as if they are in a 3D environment. Netflix utilizes state-of-the-art technology to create high-quality content and provides professionals with the resources they need to succeed on their projects. 

The Netflix team “focuses on value and performance over rules and controls,” states the Netflix Chief Talent Officer, Sergio Ezama. [1] Netflix The company also offers its employees a lot of latitude and freedom, empowering them with independence in their projects. 

“You might think that this kind of freedom leads to chaos. While we’ve had our fair share of failures—and a few people have taken advantage of our culture—our emphasis on individual autonomy has created a very successful business. This is because, in our industry, the biggest threats are a lack of creativity and innovation. And we’ve found that giving people the freedom to use their judgment is the best way to succeed long term,” Ezama said. [1] Encouraging honesty and open communication has led to Netflix’s undeniable success. 

Build a strong portfolio

An animation portfolio is a collection of your best artwork, which may include illustrations, comic strips, animation styles, and other visual materials. It should highlight your versatility, showcase your personality, and exhibit your creativity. 

Make sure to organize your portfolio. Prioritize simple navigation by splitting your work up into different folders or tabs with categories such as character designs, background designs, prop designs, etc. 

Netflix hiring managers prioritize animation portfolios when hiring new talent. Unique portfolios are important to help you stand out to industry professionals. Including an amalgamation of styles within your portfolio may be beneficial so the hiring manager can see that you have experience working in a variety of genres. 

Enhance your skills and education

Pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree in animation could provide you with a structured learning environment conducive to exploring the principles of animation. College courses often include subjects such as the principles of art and design, classes in drawing and animation techniques, storyboarding, and software proficiency. Many universities and colleges offer great networking opportunities, which could contribute to your job search efforts later. 

If you do not have the means to attend college, several other resources are available to you. For example, you could explore how to use NLP libraries to develop animations with 

the University of California Davis’ Animation with JavaScript and jQuery, expand your understanding of visual storytelling with the University of Colorado Boulder’s The Art of Visual Storytelling Specialization or develop a deeper understanding of 2D animation with Georgia Institute of Technology’s Engineering Systems in Motion: Dynamics of Particles and Bodies in 2D motion. 

Network with industry professionals

Networking is another vital part of building your career in animation. Consider expanding your career by attending events and workshops that give you opportunities to meet professionals, learn from their experiences, and help you develop relationships that could open professional opportunities like internships or jobs. 

Animation World Network (AWN) has a list of forums you can follow or join to learn more about animation and collaboration within the field. It provides you with a helpful environment to ask questions you may have about the industry. You can also follow AWN on LinkedIn to keep up with industry trends and learn more about the animation world. Building relationships and collaborating with peers and fellow artists can help you achieve your goals within the animation industry. 

Tailor your resume

Ensure your resume includes your experience with animation and a clear description of your qualifications and skills. It should be relevant to the position you’re applying for. 

• Review the job description to see what skills the employer is looking for, and list the skills you have that align with the requirements of the job post. These skills may include creativity, illustration and storyboard capabilities, project management, etc.

• Mention your educational background in animation, such as an associate or bachelor’s degree. If you do not have an animation degree, ensure that you mention relevant training or courses that you have taken to verify your capabilities to the employer. 

Indeed provides you with a template on how to format your resume. 

Craft a cover letter

When crafting a cover letter, it is important to know your audience. Therefore, you could start by:

• Familiarize yourself with the types of animation Netflix concentrates on and their values and goals. 

• See how your personal passions and skills align with the role, and make this the main focus of your cover letter.

• Highlight your skills within your cover letter, giving a brief overview of your successes and achievements in previous endeavors. 

Additionally, consider expressing your excitement for the role and include a personable and passionate tone, highlighting how you will fit in well with their team. 

Prepare for the interview process

Undertake research on Netflix and its animation styles to get a better understanding of the company. Study the animation films from Netflix, familiarize yourself with the composition, layout, plus staging, and learn how to apply those approaches. Coming into an interview with extensive knowledge of their processes will make you stand out and show that you are passionate about working for them. 

Common interview questions for animation roles include: 

• What are your professional aspirations as an animator?

• Why do you want to work at Netflix?

• Can you describe your experience with developing special effects?

• What is your favorite Netflix animation? How would you enhance its animation?

Make sure to showcase your portfolio when you interview and highlight the animation styles and genres that you are most passionate about. Include only your best work in your portfolios. While it is beneficial for you to see your progression, recruiters will judge you on your strongest piece, so make sure your portfolio highlights your highest-quality work. 

Learn more about job openings and application tips

Netflix has a job board on its website where you can search for job opportunities. You can “search jobs by keyword” and input “animation” to find what animation jobs they have available. You can also input the location you would like to apply for. Working at Netflix as an animator may require relocation. The company has animation studios in California, Vancouver, and Sydney. However, remote job opportunities for positions such as senior content designers do come up. 

Netflix’s LinkedIn provides a list of its evolving job openings. It is important to keep checking sites such as LinkedIn and Indeed to stay up-to-date on new opportunities. 

It will be beneficial for you to follow up on applications and keep in touch with recruiters. Notify recruiters that you would love to stop into the office after submitting your application. This will provide a more personal interaction with the hiring managers, leaving a more impactful impression. If you are applying for a remote position, sending out an additional email, message, or phone call to the hiring manager will get your name out there and bring more attention to your application. 

Develop the skills you need to get an animation job at Netflix with Coursera

To get an animation job at Netflix, you’ll need a solid set of skills and a dynamic portfolio. Continue learning about animation and design on Coursera to build the in-demand abilities and knowledge that can help set you on your chosen career path. For example, you might explore crafting an excellent user experience (UX) with Google’s UX Design Professional Certificate or Adobe’s Adobe Graphic Designer Professional Certificate