15 Animation Interview Questions and Answers

Animation is a rapidly growing field with many opportunities for those with the right skillset. If you’re hoping to land a job in animation, you’ll likely need to go through an interview process.

While the specific questions you’ll be asked will depend on the company and position you’re interviewing for, there are some common animation interview questions that you can expect. By preparing answers to these questions, you’ll increase your chances of impressing the interviewer and landing the job.

In this guide, we’ll cover some of the most common animation interview questions and provide sample answers to help you prepare for your next interview.

1. What is animation?

This question is a basic one that an interviewer might ask to see if you have the animation skills necessary for the job. Your answer should include what animation is, how it’s used and examples of animations in popular culture.

Example: “Animation is the process of creating moving images by drawing or painting pictures on transparent sheets. It can be done with computers, but traditionally, animators use pencils and paper. Animation has been around since the early 1900s when Walt Disney created Mickey Mouse. Today, there are many types of animation, including 2D and 3D computer-generated animation, stop motion animation and claymation.”

2. How did the field of animation evolve over time?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the animation industry and how it has changed over time. It also allows you to show that you are passionate about this field and have been following its progress for some time.

Example: “The first animated film was created in 1908 by J. Stuart Blackton, who called it ‘Humorous Phases of Funny Faces.’ The film was made up of drawings with no sound or color. In 1927, Walt Disney released his first animated film, which was called ‘Steamboat Willie’ and featured Mickey Mouse. This was the first cartoon to feature synchronized sound.

In 1937, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was released and became the first full-length animated movie. It won an Oscar for Best Music Score. In 1968, Hanna-Barbera Studios produced the first ever Saturday morning cartoon series called ‘The Huckleberry Hound Show.'”

3. Can you explain what rotoscoping is?

This is a question that allows you to show your animation skills and knowledge. Rotoscoping is an animation technique where animators trace over live-action footage or frames from previously animated films. This process can be used for both 2D and 3D animation, so it’s important to understand the basics of this animation method when answering this interview question.

Example: “Rotoscoping is a technique in which animators use real life footage as reference points for their animations. In my last role, I was tasked with rotoscoping scenes for our next project. I found that using actual footage helped me create more realistic animations. It also allowed me to focus on specific movements rather than creating them from scratch.”

4. What do you understand about hand-drawn animation?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of animation. It also allows you to show the interviewer that you have experience with this type of animation and can apply it in your work.

Example: “Hand-drawn animation is an art form where animators draw each frame by hand. This process takes much longer than other forms of animation, but it’s often used for more complex scenes or characters. I’ve worked on several projects using hand-drawn animation, including one where we had to animate a scene with over 100 frames.”

5. What do you understand by cel animation?

This question is a great way to test your animation knowledge. It also allows you to show the interviewer that you have experience with cel animation and can use it in your work.

Example: “Cel animation is an older form of animation where each frame is hand-drawn on sheets of transparent cellulose acetate, or cels. The cels are then laid over one another to create movement. Cel animation was popularized by Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs movie. I used this type of animation when creating my senior project at school.”

6. What are some examples of stop motion animation?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the animation process. It also allows you to show how you apply what you know in real-world situations. When answering this question, try to think of examples that are relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Example: “Stop motion animation can be used to create many different types of effects and movements. Some common uses include creating objects that move on their own, making objects appear as if they’re alive or bringing toys to life. I’ve seen stop motion animation used in commercials, movies and even music videos.”

7. Do you think stop motion animation is being replaced by CGI or 3D animation? If yes, why?

This question is a great way to see how you think about the animation industry and its trends. It’s also an opportunity for you to show your knowledge of current events in the field.

Example: “I don’t believe stop motion animation will be replaced by CGI or 3D animation anytime soon. Stop motion has been around since the early 1900s, so it’s definitely proven itself as a viable form of animation. I do think that CGI and 3D animation are becoming more popular because they’re easier to use than stop motion. However, there are still plenty of opportunities for animators who specialize in stop motion.”

8. What do you understand about computer generated imagery (CGI)?

CGI is a major part of the animation industry, and employers want to make sure you have an understanding of how it works. Use your answer to explain what CGI is and why it’s important in this field. You can also share any experience you’ve had with CGI.

Example: “CGI is a process that uses computers to generate images. It’s used for many different things, including creating special effects in movies and video games. I understand that CGI is a useful tool because it allows animators to create more realistic animations than they could by hand. In my last role, I worked on several projects that used CGI, including one where I created a 3D model of a character.”

9. What’s your opinion on 3D animated movies and series? Are they better than 2D animations? Why or why not?

This question is a great way to see how you feel about the animation industry and what your opinions are on different types of animations. You can use this opportunity to show that you’re passionate about the field, but also willing to be open-minded when it comes to other people’s opinions.

Example: “I think both 2D and 3D animated movies and series have their own unique advantages. I personally prefer 3D because I love seeing characters come to life in front of my eyes. However, I understand why some people prefer 2D animations. The hand-drawn style is beautiful and unique, which makes it appealing to many viewers.”

10. What is a character rig in context with animation?

A character rig is a set of controls that animators use to move characters in an animation. This question helps the interviewer assess your knowledge of animation and how you apply it to projects. In your answer, define what a character rig is and describe its purpose.

Example: “A character rig is a system of controls used by animators to manipulate a character’s movement. It includes controls for things like a character’s arms, legs, mouth and facial expressions. I’ve worked on several projects where we needed to create complex rigs to animate specific movements or actions.”

11. What’s the difference between frame rate and bit depth?

This question tests your knowledge of animation terminology. Frame rate and bit depth are two terms that you may need to know when working in the animation industry. Your answer should show that you understand what these terms mean and how they’re used in the animation process.

Example: “Frame rate is a measurement of how many frames per second an animation displays. The higher the frame rate, the smoother the animation appears. Bit depth refers to the number of colors available for each pixel on screen. A high bit depth means more color options, which can make the animation look better.”

12. What are some common problems that animators face when working on an animation project?

This question can help the interviewer determine your problem-solving skills and how you handle challenges. Your answer should show that you are willing to take on a challenge and find solutions to problems.

Example: “One of the most common issues animators face is having too many characters in an animation project. This can make it difficult for animators to create unique movements for each character, which may lead to similar body language or gestures among different characters. Another issue is time management. Animators often have tight deadlines to meet, so they need to prioritize their work and plan out their schedules accordingly. Finally, animators also face technical difficulties when working with complex software.”

13. What are some examples of a software program used for animation?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of animation software. You can answer this question by naming the programs you have used and explaining what they are used for.

Example: “There are many different types of software that I’ve used in my career as an animator. Some examples include Autodesk Maya, which is one of the most popular 3D modeling and animation software programs on the market. It’s also very easy to use, so it’s a good choice for beginners. Another program I’ve used is Softimage XSI, which is another 3D modeling and animation software. This program has some advanced features that make it useful for more experienced animators.”

14. What do you understand by key framing and tweening?

This question is a great way to test your animation knowledge. It also allows you to show the interviewer that you understand how these processes work and can apply them in your own work.

Example: “Key framing and tweening are two different methods of creating animations. Key framing involves drawing each frame of an animation, while tweening uses pre-made frames to create movement between objects. I find both methods useful depending on what I’m animating. For example, key framing is best for more complex movements, while tweening is better for simple movements.”

15. What do you understand by interpolation?

This is a basic animation question that you may be asked in an interview. It’s important to show your interviewer that you understand the basics of animation and can apply them to real-world situations.

Example: “Interpolation is the process of creating smooth transitions between two points. In my last role, I was tasked with animating a character walking across the screen. To do this, I used interpolation to create a smooth transition from one point to another. This allowed me to make sure the character didn’t appear to teleport or move erratically.”