About Afrotoons
Afrotoons is a children’s media and animation company creating culturally authentic, engaging, and educational content inspired by African stories, characters, landscapes, and imagination.
About the Role
We are looking for a talented and collaborative 2D Animator to help lead the production of original animated projects rooted in African storytelling and folklore.
You will be responsible for translating scripts and creative briefs into compelling visual sequences—from rough thumbnail boards and storyboards to polished animation. This is a hands-on, creatively demanding role that requires strong drawing fundamentals, adaptability, attention to detail, and enthusiasm for working within a close-knit production team.
Key Responsibilities
Storyboarding & Visual Development
- Translate scripts and creative briefs into clear and compelling visual sequences.
- Create rough thumbnails, storyboards, scene layouts, and animation plans.
- Apply strong visual storytelling principles, including composition, camera angles, staging, pacing, and transitions.
- Identify potential continuity or staging issues early and propose practical solutions.
2D Animation Production
- Develop and animate sequences in line with each project’s established visual style and tone.
- Create expressive character animation, movement, acting, and lip-sync.
- Work within established character designs, colour palettes, and visual style guides.
- Revise storyboards and animation passes based on feedback and production requirements.
Creative Collaboration
- Collaborate closely with the director, art director, animators, and other artists to maintain visual consistency across scenes.
- Participate in regular review sessions and incorporate feedback promptly and professionally.
- Give and receive constructive creative feedback within a collaborative team environment.
- Contribute to the development and refinement of each project’s visual language where appropriate.
AI-Assisted Creative Workflow
- Use approved AI tools to support visual research, concept development, and production efficiency.
- Experiment with AI-assisted workflows while maintaining originality, artistic quality, and Afrotoons’ creative standards.
- Refine AI-generated ideas into original, human-directed creative work.
- Follow Afrotoons’ guidelines on responsible AI use, copyright awareness, and ethical creative practice.
- We value creativity, originality, and responsible AI use. AI is a tool that enhances human creativity—it never replaces it.
Required Skills & Experience
- Strong traditional drawing skills, including character expression, gesture, anatomy, perspective, and staging.
- Demonstrated experience in 2D animation and storyboarding for animation, film, television, or other motion media.
- Proficiency in at least one industry-standard animation or storyboarding tool, such as Toon Boom Storyboard Pro, Toon Boom Harmony, Moho, Adobe Animate, TVPaint, Procreate, or a similar platform.
- Solid understanding of film grammar, including shot composition, camera angles, transitions, pacing, and visual storytelling.
- Ability to work within established character designs, colour palettes, and visual style guidelines.
- Ability to manage multiple production tasks and meet agreed deadlines.
- Comfortable giving and receiving constructive creative feedback within a team environment.
Nice to Have
- Experience working on African or African-diaspora-focused creative projects.
- Experience in character animation, acting, and lip-sync.
- Experience supporting or leading a small animation production team.
- Ability to contribute original creative ideas during development and pre-production.
- Familiarity with responsible AI-assisted creative workflows.
- Experience creating animated content for children.
Attributes We’re Looking For
- Collaborative and respectful in a creative team environment.
- Receptive to feedback and willing to revise work based on creative direction.
- Adaptable and able to respond positively when the creative vision or production requirements evolve.
- Self-motivated, organised, and able to manage time effectively.
- Detail-oriented, with a strong focus on consistency, continuity, and production quality.
- Culturally aware, with a genuine interest in African culture, folklore, storytelling, and visual aesthetics.
- Passionate about animation and children’s entertainment.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should submit both:
- CV or résumé
- Animation and storyboarding portfolio
Applications should be sent to:
careers@afrotoons.com
Please use “2D Animator Application – [Your Name]” as the email subject.