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Iliyan Danev

@iliyandanev

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2D animator skilled in character design, storyboarding, and digital art.

United Kingdom

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What I'm looking for

I seek a collaborative animation role where I can further develop 2D character animation, storyboarding and digital illustration within a creative team that values learning and expressive storytelling.

I am a 2D animator currently completing a Master's in Animation at the University of Hertfordshire, passionate about character design, storyboarding and bringing expressive movement to life. I have developed personal and academic projects that sharpen anatomy, pose work and emotional storytelling.

My work spans short-form animated projects and collaborative campaigns where I contributed character design, storyboarding and final animation using tools such as Toon Boom Harmony, OpenToonz, Procreate, Procreate Dreams and Adobe suite. I produced a 2-minute animated short for master's coursework and a short advertising animation during my bachelor's studies.

I am energetic about learning new techniques, improving my digital toolset and working in team-based creative environments; I bring attention to detail, strong communication and a collaborative mindset to every project.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

2D Animator

University of Hertfordshire

Jan 2024 - Jan 2025 (1 year)

Developed a 2-minute 2D animated short handling character design, animation, and sound synchronization as part of master's coursework; produced ongoing character concept sketches to refine anatomy and style.

Opentoonz 2D Animation Storyboarding Toon Boom Harmony Adobe Photoshop

Animation Student

South Essex College of Further and Higher Education

Jan 2019 - Jan 2024 (5 years)

Collaborated on group animation projects contributing backgrounds and character motion and created personal sketch series exploring movement and expressive character design.

Storyboarding Adobe Photoshop Team Collaboration

2D Animator

University Centre South Essex

Jan 2022 - Dec 2022 (11 months)

Produced a short 2D animation for the 'Seesow' advertising campaign, contributing character design, storyboarding, and final animation using Toon Boom Harmony and Procreate.

2D Animation Storyboarding Toon Boom Harmony Adobe After Effects Collaboration Illustration

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

University of Hertfordshire

Master of Arts, Animation

2024 -

Activities and societies: Created ongoing sketch series of character concepts; experimented with Adobe Animate and Photoshop; produced a 2-minute 2D animated short handling design, animation, and sound.

Master's degree in Animation focusing on character design, 2D animation techniques, and production of a 2-minute animated short.

University Centre South Essex

Bachelor of Arts, Animation

2021 - 2024

Activities and societies: Produced short 2D animations using Toon Boom Harmony; developed personal character sketch series shared online; contributed to advertising campaign project.

Bachelor's degree (BA Hons) in Animation with coursework and projects emphasizing character animation, storyboarding, and collaborative short productions.

South Essex College of Further and Higher Education

Level 3 Extended Diploma, Creative Media Production (Animation)

2019 - 2021

Grade: Distinction

Activities and societies: Designed and storyboarded original characters; collaborated on group animation projects and contributed backgrounds and character motion.

Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production (Animation), focusing on storyboarding, character motion, and collaborative animation projects.