Layout
Layout is a crucial step in animation production that comes between storyboarding and final animation. It's like creating a detailed blueprint for each scene, showing exactly where characters will be placed, how the camera will move, and what the environment will look like. Think of it as similar to staging a play - layout artists decide where everything goes and how it moves through the scene. When someone mentions layout work in animation, they're talking about this planning stage that helps everyone understand how the final animation will look and feel.
Examples in Resumes
Created detailed Layout drawings for 12 episodes of an animated series
Led the Layout department for a feature-length animated film
Developed camera movements and character staging through Layout work
Translated storyboards into refined Layout drawings for animated commercials
Supervised Layout artists and maintained consistent visual style across projects
Typical job title: "Layout Artists"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Layout Artists
Online Communities
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you manage a layout team while ensuring consistency across different scenes?
Expected Answer: A senior layout artist should discuss their experience in creating style guides, reviewing team members' work, establishing clear workflows, and maintaining communication between storyboard and animation teams.
Q: How do you handle complex camera movements in layout while keeping scenes clear for animators?
Expected Answer: They should explain their process for planning camera paths, marking key positions, and creating clear instructions for the animation team, including how they consider technical limitations.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you translate storyboard panels into layout drawings?
Expected Answer: They should describe their process of interpreting storyboard poses, adding dimensional space, and ensuring consistency in character size and positioning across scenes.
Q: What considerations do you take into account when planning character staging?
Expected Answer: They should discuss how they consider screen composition, character interaction space, background elements, and how to guide the viewer's eye through the scene.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the basic elements you include in a layout drawing?
Expected Answer: They should mention character positions, background elements, camera framing, and basic scene measurements that help animators understand the space.
Q: How do you ensure your layouts maintain proper scale and perspective?
Expected Answer: They should explain using reference lines, character height charts, and basic perspective principles to keep consistent proportions throughout scenes.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic drawing skills
- Understanding of perspective
- Knowledge of camera angles
- Basic character staging
Mid (2-5 years)
- Complex camera movements
- Detailed environment planning
- Character and prop placement
- Scene composition
Senior (5+ years)
- Team supervision
- Technical problem-solving
- Production pipeline management
- Style guide development
Red Flags to Watch For
- Inability to draw basic perspectives
- No understanding of camera movements
- Lack of knowledge about animation production pipeline
- Poor communication skills with team members
