What jobs can you get with an animation and illustration degree? Explore exciting possible career paths across film, games, VFX, design and creative industries.
An animation with illustration degree opens the door to far more careers than many people realise. These skills are used across film, games, TV, advertising, publishing and digital media, and demand continues to grow.
What roles are directly linked to animation and illustration?
Graduates often move into creative roles such as:
- Animator (2D, 3D or mixed media)
- Illustrator for books, editorial or digital platforms
- Character designer for animation, games or film
- Storyboard artist for film, TV and commercials
- Concept artist developing visual ideas for projects
These roles focus on visual storytelling, movement and design, which are the core strengths developed during the degree.
Can animation graduates work in games and VFX?
Yes: many animation and illustration graduates work in:
- Games studios as animators, artists or UI designers
- Visual effects studios creating assets, previs or motion elements
- Virtual production and XR environments
The crossover between animation, games and VFX is now stronger than ever, especially with real-time engines like Unreal.
Are there careers outside film and entertainment?
Animation and illustration skills are widely used in:
- Advertising and branding
- Motion graphics for social media and digital marketing
- Educational content and explainer videos
- Medical, architectural and technical visualisation
These industries often offer stable, long-term career paths.
Is freelance or self-employed work possible for animation and illustration graduates?
Many graduates choose to freelance, working as:
- Independent illustrators
- Motion designers
- Short-form content creators
A strong portfolio and professional practice skills are key here; something good degrees build into the course.
What really matters when applying for jobs?
Employers care less about job titles and more about:
- Your portfolio or showreel
- Your ability to communicate ideas visually
- Your understanding of production workflows
An animation and illustration degree gives you the structure, feedback and industry context needed to develop those strengths. With the right focus, this degree can lead to creative, varied and sustainable careers well beyond graduation.