Meantime Roles
We uncover what the life of an illustrator at meantime truly looks like.
What Does an Illustrator Do at Animator Companies Like Meantime?
In animation, the end result often gets all the attention. The smooth transitions, the clever timing, the satisfying movement. But before anything moves, it has to be designed. And that’s where the illustrator comes in!
At Meantime Studio, illustration is a key part of our animation process. Whether we’re working on a motion-led explainer, a campaign film, or a digital story, our illustrators help shape the entire visual world before the animators ever start moving a pixel. For animator companies like ours, illustration isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s a foundation.
Setting the Visual Language
In animation, especially for branded content and short-form digital work, there’s no time to explain. Every frame has to speak volumes, and the style has to be right from the first second. That’s where illustration comes in.
Our illustrators help define the tone and personality of a piece: Are we grounded or playful? Bold or minimal? Hand-drawn or geometric? They create style frames, character designs, and storyboards that set the look and feel for the entire animation. This visual groundwork is what gives the rest of the team — from scriptwriters to animators — a clear, cohesive direction.
“Great illustration; thoughtful, on-brand, and beautifully executed, gives your animation the edge. It builds visual trust. It tells your story faster. And it makes the whole piece feel tailor-made.”
Telling Stories Visually
Take our work for the First Nation National Guardians Network, for example. The animation was part of a wider campaign that also included documentary content, and the goal was to explain the mission and values of the Guardians in a simple, warm, and respectful way. Our illustration team developed a series of textured, organic visuals that reflected the land, people, and wildlife the Guardians protect. It was all about tone — keeping things accessible, meaningful, and beautifully understated. Once the illustrations were locked, our animators brought them to life — but it was the illustrators who first translated the script into a visual story.
Collaboration is Everything
Unlike in publishing or static design, illustration for animation is deeply collaborative. Our illustrators don’t just pass off their work and walk away. They work closely with the animation lead (like our very own Jack Purling), checking how designs will move, adapting artwork for layered scenes, and anticipating how a composition will transition from one moment to the next. This back-and-forth between illustration and animation is what separates the best animator companies from the rest. It’s not about isolated departments — it’s about creative synergy
Craft That Adds Meaning
In animation, especially for social and web formats, illustration can carry emotional weight. A single character’s expression. A carefully chosen colour palette. A metaphor drawn into the background. These details matter. They’re what make an animation feel human, intentional, and memorable. At Meantime, we believe this level of care in illustration is part of what makes our animations stand out. It’s not just about making things look nice. It’s about making things feel right.
Want animation that’s crafted from the first sketch to the final frame? Our illustration and animation teams work side by side to bring your story to life. Let’s make something that moves, and moves people.
Like what you see? Let’s work together