Layout Artist Job Description, Salary, Skills & Software

What does a layout artist do?

A 3D layout artist establishes the virtual camera(s) for each shot—its perspective and point of view, angle, depth, scale, and movement. They help frame all the elements and the action in a shot through traditional screen language (close-up, mid-shot, wide-shot, etc.) to tell the story in the most compelling way. (The role of a 2D layout artist is similar, except that everything is “flat.”)

In traditional 2D hand-drawn animation, layout artists shape the frame's perspective by illustrating backgrounds. The size of background objects relative to foreground action impacts viewer perception and emotions. 2D layout artists draw from storyboards but focus on precise definition within each animation frame.

Layout artists works in collaboration with the VFX supervisor or Director to establish the look and feel of the cameras and the environment of an animated sequence. They are the stylistic and technical eye of the entire shot and help determine the action (animation).

3D layout artist job description

Layout artist teams are often required to interpret storyboards and animatics which they apply to their final layout scenes. This helps determine the position of characters within frame according to the dialogue and action of the script.

Layout artists are also often required to assemble an environment using assets created by a 3D modeler or purchased from an asset library such as Megascans or Unreal Engine Marketplace.

Role & responsibilities of a layout artist in film and games:

Translating storyboards to shots
Environment blocking and creating backgrounds that support the narrative of the story
Setting the camera path of a scene
Defining the perspective of the scene
Ensuring continuity between shots
Experimenting with camera angles to arrive at the best shots

Skills required to become a 3D layout artist

Although technically, this job does not usually involve any direct animation, it is a useful skill for animators to learn and can involve rough animation blocking, if required. It's also useful for layout artists to learn basic animation. Layout artists must have a sense of scale and the ability to realize background, characters and objects that work in proportion with each other to create a believable world.

Film and game studios may look for the following skills in layout artists:

Advanced visual skills of scale, proportion, point of view, perspective, size, color, form, composition, and depth of field
Knowledge of the basics of animation
Skill working with virtual cameras and an understanding of different lenses
Basic understanding of anatomy
Training in computer animation, fine art or film direction
Understanding of filmmaking techniques such as cinematography, lighting, acting, blocking, choreography, etc
Advanced knowledge of environments and landscapes
Awareness of the history of animation and/or filmmaking