Professional Resume Template for
Animator
Kaelen J. Foster
Seattle, WA
(206) 555-0142
kaelen.foster@email.com
linkedin.com/in/kaelen-foster | github.com/kaelenfoster | kaelenfoster.portfolio
Professional Summary
Versatile Animator with a 5-year studio background creating 3D character animations and real-time cinematic sequences for gaming and commercial productions. Technical proficiency includes Maya, Blender, and Unreal Engine, with a focus on rigging, keyframe animation, and motion capture cleanup. Successfully reduced animation production cycle times by 18% and improved asset integration speed by 22% using automated rigging scripts. Proven ability to coordinate with rigging and tech art teams to deliver 15+ assets per sprint under strict optimization constraints.
Work Experience
Animator — Nexus Interactive Studios
Seattle, WA | June 2023 – Present
- Developed and refined 80+ high-fidelity character animations using Autodesk Maya, reducing rendering pipeline errors by 15%.
- Created 12 custom rigging templates for humanoid and creature models, accelerating the character setup process by 25% across the animation team.
- Cleaned up and retargeted 140+ minutes of motion capture data for a major AAA action title, saving 40 hours of manual keyframing.
- Collaborated with 3 technical artists to implement Unreal Engine Blueprints, improving character gameplay responsiveness by 18%.
Associate Animator — Vanguard Digital FX
Seattle, WA | June 2021 – May 2023
- Keyframed 45+ secondary and environmental animations for cinematic cutscenes, contributing to a 10% increase in scene visual fidelity scores.
- Optimized 200+ legacy animation files for mobile platform deployment, reducing memory footprint by 30% without visible quality loss.
- Supported the animation pipeline transition from 3ds Max to Maya, saving 15 days of onboarding time by compiling a 30-page rigging guide.
- Resolved 90+ animation bugs and collision glitches during the beta testing phase of an indie RPG, meeting the gold release deadline 1 week early.
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Animation
Oakridge Fine Arts University · Seattle, WA · 2021
Skills
Character animation, Rigging, Skinning, Keyframe animation, Motion capture cleanup, Autodesk Maya, Blender, Autodesk 3ds Max, Unreal Engine, Unity, Photoshop, ZBrush, Version control (Git, Perforce), Agile workflow
Projects
Real-Time Cinematic Short
Role: Lead Character Animator
Tools: Autodesk Maya, Unreal Engine 5, Perforce
Delivered 4 minutes of narrative cinematic animation under a tight 3-month schedule, reducing rendering time by 90% via Unreal's real-time viewport.
Mobile RPG Combat System
Role: Combat Animator
Tools: Blender, Unity, Photoshop
Designed 24 unique attack and hit-reaction animations for 8 character classes, increasing gameplay loop engagement ratings by 15%.
Certifications
- Autodesk Certified Professional: Maya for 3D Animation (2023)
- Unity Certified Associate: 3D Artist (2022)
Additional information
- Languages: English (Native), Japanese (Conversational)
- Volunteer Work: Mentorship advisor for regional youth digital arts workshops (2023-present)
- Availability: 2 weeks notice
Job Market Insights
Market data and opportunities for
Animator
Job Market Insights
$65,000
-
$125,000
Avg:
$98,000
Growth Outlook:
The demand for special effects artists and animators in the United States is projected to grow by 2% from 2024 to 2034. While slower than average, the increasing demand for high-quality visual effects and 3D animation in video games, film, and virtual production will create steady opportunities. Real-time rendering tools like Unreal Engine are becoming standard across pipeline workflows, requiring animators to continuously update their technical skills.
2% growth over 10 years
Key Skills Required
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