Not To Scale Signs NERDO for Representation
May 7, 2026
Landing that first job in animation can be tough, so Stash is excited to present these real-world tips from an industry insider: Rachel Ashley, head of artistic recruitment at animation powerhouse Titmouse.
Your application needs to align with the studio to which you are applying. An animation studio focused on kids content does not want to see an illustrated frog orgy. If you want to work on an adult comedy, the recruiter will expect to see that reflected in your work (here’s where your frog orgy shines). If you want to work on both pre-school and R-rated horror content, separate those samples entirely and only send the relevant samples to the hiring manager.
If you have multiple skill sets, organize your work by job title within your portfolio. Entry-level artists like to group all of their work in one section. This can be overwhelming for a hiring manager looking for just one skill set. You can absolutely have a section that contains everything from your “Peter Pan goes to Juvie” project, but make sure you separate the skill sets into different sections as well. For example, the character designs from all your projects should live under a “Character Design” section.
“A portfolio tends to suffer when an entry-level artist tries to focus on too many things at once. Figure out what you’re truly best at and make that the focus of your portfolio.”
Specialize your skill set. Rarely do I encounter entry-level applicants that are truly advanced in multiple skill sets. A portfolio tends to suffer when an entry-level artist tries to focus on too many things at once. Figure out what you’re truly best at and make that the focus of your portfolio. Once you enter the job market, you should be able to tell a hiring manager exactly what you do and exactly what type of roles you’re interested in.
Take the advice you receive with a grain of salt (even my own!). If you ask an industry professional for advice, more likely than not, they’ll give you advice based on their own personal experience. If you ask a couple more industry professionals, eventually you’ll find one that says the exact opposite of the first. Embrace advice from a variety of sources and eventually you will discover which bits of advice are most useful to you.
Make sure your portfolio is accessible and easy to navigate. A recruiter may only have time to spend mere seconds on your portfolio. The first impression matters. Test your website on different devices and browsers.
You will be judged based on the weakest piece in your portfolio.
Request portfolio feedback from industry professionals. An honest professional will tell you which pieces are the strongest and weakest in your portfolio. But as I mentioned in tip #4, make sure you ask more than one person before you gut your portfolio.
Variety in your work will open you up to more job opportunities. This could mean a mix of cute, scary, and comedic work intended for different audiences. Variety also refers to the way you draw – don’t forget about your line weight, line quality, textures, proportions, and the complexity or simplicity of your line work. Get comfortable using different Photoshop brushes.
Be empathetic in your work. Young professionals tend to create characters that are a reflection of themselves. This is a lovely sentiment, but I encourage you to consider different body types, backgrounds, ethnicities, disabilities, etc. Recognize the key traits that make a character unique. For example, an elderly man with a bad hip will move and stand differently than a toddler that’s learning how to walk.
Never stop learning. Stay curious. Your education does not end the moment you graduate. Attend figure drawing sessions, join a plein air painting group. There are hundreds of courses taught online by industry professionals, take advantage of them.
Post your work online. The more you post your work, the more likely a recruiter, director, or other person of power will see it. The more they see your name, the more they think of you. Think of yourself as an earworm – you want to be the tune they keep humming for inexplicable reasons.
Find your inspiration outside of animation. If you are only pulling inspiration from animated content, it will begin to noticeably regurgitate in your work. Watch documentaries. Join a book club. Sit in the park and people watch. Write down the funny moments that happen day-to-day. Let all of those things influence your work.
“Apply for the roles you want with vigor, but consider other departments that will help you get your foot in the door.”
Think outside of the box and be adaptable. The industry is always changing, and it’s no secret that it’s hard to land a creative role right out of college. Apply for the roles you want with vigor, but consider other departments that will help you get your foot in the door. Most departments need an assistant or coordinator. Focus on landing a job in any animation studio in any capacity. Once you’re in, you can network and meet with creatives at the studio. People are much more likely to agree to a coffee or lunch if you work at the same studio. Plus, you’ll be making money while you work towards your overall goal.
Include a balance of personal work vs professional work. There are roles that will ask you to draw in the style of someone else, and there are roles where you will be the driving creative force. Don’t lose sight of the reason you wanted to work in animation in the first place. The world is waiting to see what you will create, be it frog orgy or otherwise.
Rachel Ashley previously led recruitment at Nickelodeon Animation and Riot Games where her credits included Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Spongebob Squarepants, and Star Trek Prodigy.
Checkout the full range of Titmouse animation work here.
