At a Glance
- Tasks: Create stunning 2D animations for exciting mobile games and enhance user experiences.
- Company: Join a dynamic team in the fast-paced i-gaming industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, creative environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work closely with talented artists and game developers on multiple projects each month.
- Why this job: Be part of a collaborative team and bring games to life with your animations.
- Qualifications: Degree in Animation or related field; experience with animation tools like After Effects and Spine 2D.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We’re looking for a talented and creative Game Animator to join a highly experienced and collaborative team. This role focuses on producing engaging, high-quality animations for a wide range of mobile i-gaming / online lottery products, using a combination of in-house animation tools and industry-standard software. You’ll play a key role in enhancing the visual quality and user experience of our games. In addition to animation work, the role involves preparing and adapting artwork created by game artists—ensuring assets are animation-ready and optimised before being implemented into the game engine. This position suits someone who is self-sufficient, process-driven, and comfortable working at pace, as the business delivers a high volume of games on a consistent schedule and relies heavily on strong internal processes.
Key Responsibilities
- Create high-quality 2D animations using our in-house animation/game engine and tools such as After Effects and Spine.
- Prepare artists’ artwork for animation (Photoshop, sprite sheets, exports) and integrate assets into the game engine for testing and final delivery.
- Collaborate with product owners, artists, developers, and external art partners to understand animation requirements and ensure smooth integration.
- Conceptualise and storyboard animations to support strong visual storytelling.
- Optimise animations for performance across multiple devices and platforms.
- Take ownership of animation tasks, manage priorities, and meet deadlines without compromising quality.
- Contribute feedback to improve in-house animation tooling and workflows.
- Work closely with the Lead Animator to raise quality standards and refine animation processes.
- Stay up to date with animation trends, tools, and techniques.
Current team:
- 1 Animator (this hire will be the 2nd Animator)
- 12 Game Artists
This role will sit directly under the Lead Animator (Evelyn) and provide daily support across multiple teams. Collaboration across 4–5 internal teams, plus external art partners. Typically 1–2 games per month. Each project ranges from 3 symbols to full character animation. Strong support focus due to recent artist attrition — this hire is critical for stabilising timelines and supporting the wider art team.
Internal animation tool: Steep learning curve (~12 months to fully master)
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) in Animation or a related field.
- Experience in gaming or i-gaming.
- Proficiency with animation and creative tools, including: After Effects, Spine 2D, Game engines (Unity experience beneficial).
- Solid understanding of animation fundamentals: timing, spacing, weight, anticipation.
- Experience using JIRA, Confluence, or similar workflow tools.
- Understanding of game mechanics, UX, and performance considerations.
- Strong collaboration and communication skills.
- Highly organised, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing multiple projects.
Game Animator (Spine 2D) employer: develop
As a Central Government Sector Leader at our client, you will join an innovative AI-native consultancy that prioritises employee growth and offers a dynamic work culture. With a competitive salary and substantial bonus potential, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of public sector consulting while enjoying a flexible work environment in Farringdon, fostering collaboration and creativity among talented professionals dedicated to making a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Game Animator (Spine 2D)
✨Show Off Your Skills with a Killer Portfolio
As a graphic designer, your portfolio is your secret weapon! Make sure it's not just a collection of your work but showcases your creative process too. Use platforms like Behance or Dribbble to share your designs and gain visibility within the design community.
✨Get Involved in Design Meetups
Networking is key in the design world! Check out local design meetups or workshops where you can connect with other creatives and potential employers. This is a goldmine for finding unadvertised job openings at companies like develop.
✨Tailor Your Applications
When you’re applying for a full-time role at a creative company like develop, don’t go for a one-size-fits-all approach. Ensure your application highlights specific projects or styles that align with their brand image, showing that you’re a perfect fit for their team.
✨Leverage Social Media
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We think you need these skills to ace Game Animator (Spine 2D)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Portfolio:Your portfolio is your visual CV! Make sure to include a link to your best design projects that showcase your creativity and versatility. Tailor it to include works that relate to the kind of design work develop does, so they can see you in action.
Tailor Your CV for Design:When crafting your CV, highlight your design skills and software proficiencies, like Adobe Creative Suite or Sketch. Mention any relevant experience you have with branding, UI/UX design, or typography, as we want to see how you fit in with the creative team at develop.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, share your design philosophy and what excites you about working at develop. Let us know how you approach your design projects and any specific campaigns or themes that resonate with you, showing we’re not just a good fit but a perfect match!
Highlight Collaboration Skills:As a graphic designer, you often work with various teams and stakeholders. In your application, mention experiences where you've collaborated with others to bring a project to life, whether it's with clients, writers, or developers. This shows you can thrive in a team environment, which is key at develop.
How to prepare for a job interview at develop
✨Get Your Portfolio Ready
Your portfolio is your secret weapon in graphic design interviews! Make sure it's showing off your best work, with a variety of styles and projects that highlight different skills — from branding to digital illustration. Be prepared to talk through each piece, focusing on your creative process and the tools you used.
✨Know Your Design Tools Inside Out
Familiarity with software like Adobe Creative Suite is a must! Brush up on your skills with Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, as interviewers might dive into specific technical questions or ask for your workflow. If you’ve worked with any innovative tools or techniques, don't hesitate to showcase that expertise!
✨Prepare for Design Challenges
Some companies may throw a design challenge your way during the interview! This might involve sketching out ideas or solving a branding issue on the spot. Practising these quick thinking exercises beforehand can help us show off our creativity and adaptability.
✨Passion Counts
For a full-time position, showing genuine enthusiasm for design is key! Talk about your inspirations, the projects you're excited about, and why you're drawn to develop. They want to see not just a skilled designer, but someone who'll bring passion and fresh ideas to the team.
