Animator/Designer
The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York, NY seeks a full-time, on-site animator and designer. This position is a part of a multimedia program that produces an ongoing series of HD documentary video, geovisualization, and animation segments covering current science topics for exhibition in museum halls and on the AMNH website. The Animator/Designer is responsible for creating 3D and 2D animations as well as designing templates and other graphical elements to maintain high production values and consistency in the program’s visual style.
The Animator/Designer will be expected to:
- Develop 3D animations for HD documentary video in a variety of modes: technical/informational graphics, GIS mapping, data visualization, titles, etc.
- Develop monthly animations that employ 3D development and 2D compositing
- Work closely with producers, writers, and scientific advisers to see projects through from concept to completion
- Create storyboards, mockups, and prototypes to effectively communicate design ideas
- Help troubleshoot and advance production methods for a variety of distribution streams
- Stay current with new developments in design and digital media; adopt new software and techniques as needed
- Accept and offer feedback among multiple parties in a highly collaborative work environment
- Maintain high standards of creativity, accuracy, and dependability
Required proficiencies:
- Maya and Maya Embedded Language
- Adobe Creative Suite, particularly AfterEffects
- UNIX, particularly command-line rendering
- BFA and at least 5 years of professional experience in a relevant production environment or an MA and at least two years of professional experience
- Strong time-management skills to keep pace with deadline-oriented production
- Strong design skills, including typography, 3D modeling, lighting, audio, and timing
Desired proficiencies:
- GIS, particularly QGIS and GDAL and/or ArcGIS
- Final Cut Pro
- Perl
- Javascript (for use with After Effects)
- Quicktime Pro
- Enthusiasm for science and science communication to public audiences
Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and a link to an online reel to vawilliams@amnh.org
The American Museum of Natural History is one of the world’s preeminent scientific and cultural institutions. Since its founding in 1869, the Museum has advanced its global mission to discover, interpret and disseminate information about human cultures, the natural world and the universe through a wide-ranging program of scientific research, education and exhibition. The Museum is renowned for its exhibitions and scientific collections, which serve as a field guide to the entire planet and present a panorama of the world’s cultures.
The American Museum of Natural History is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Museum does not discriminate due to age, sex, religion, race, color, national origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other factor prohibited by law. Qualified candidates of diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels. Please be advised that due to the high volume of applicants, we are only able to contact those candidates whose skills and background best fit the needs of the open position.
