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Animation Design Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Mechanical Design Engineer

Phoenix, AZ

$75K - $102K/yr

... animation, etc.) Experience utilizing GD&T including application in inspection and use of ... design challenges Proficient with MS products - Lync, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word ...

Design Lead

Phoenix, AZ ยท On-site +1

Create GIFs, short animations, lightweight motion graphics, and product explainer visuals for web ... Design annual trade show booth concepts and supporting event assets, including booth graphics ...

Marketing Design Intern - 2025 Summer Intern

Mesa, AZ ยท On-site

$15 - $19.75/hr

Experience with motion graphics or animation * Understanding of design principles and current visual trends * Ability to translate technical information into visually compelling content * Strong ...

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Animation Design information

See Arizona salary details

$9

$36

$65

How much do animation design jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for animation design in Arizona is $36.73, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.38 and $59.57 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the job of an animation designer?

An animation designer creates visual sequences and motion graphics for various media, including films, video games, and advertisements. They use tools like Adobe After Effects, Maya, or Blender and often collaborate with other creative professionals to develop engaging animated content. Strong artistic skills, knowledge of animation principles, and proficiency with animation software are essential for this role.

How much does an animation designer make?

Animation designers typically earn a median annual salary of around $60,000 to $80,000, depending on experience, location, and skill level. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced designers with advanced skills in software like Adobe After Effects or Maya can earn higher salaries, especially in competitive markets.

What is the difference between Animation Design vs Motion Graphics Design?

AspectAnimation DesignMotion Graphics Design
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in animation, graphic design, or related fieldsOften requires similar credentials, with emphasis on graphic design and digital media
Work EnvironmentWorks in animation studios, film, gaming, or advertisingWorks in advertising agencies, media companies, or digital marketing
Industry UsageUsed for character animation, storytelling, and 3D animationUsed for branding, promotional videos, and visual effects

Animation Design focuses on creating animated content, including characters and storytelling, often in 3D or traditional animation. Motion Graphics Design emphasizes animated graphic elements for branding, advertising, and digital media. While both roles involve animation skills and similar credentials, their applications and industries differ, making each specialized for distinct creative outputs.

What careers can you do with animation?

Animation design skills can lead to careers such as 2D or 3D animator, character designer, motion graphics artist, visual effects artist, or storyboard artist. These roles are common in industries like film, television, video game development, advertising, and digital media, often requiring proficiency in tools like Adobe After Effects, Maya, or Blender. A strong portfolio and understanding of storytelling, timing, and software are essential for these careers.

How does an animation designer typically collaborate with other departments during a project?

Animation designers often work closely with a variety of teams, including scriptwriters, storyboard artists, voice actors, and software developers. Effective communication and regular feedback loops are essential, as animation designers need to ensure their visuals align with the narrative and technical requirements. Collaboration may involve attending cross-functional meetings, sharing progress updates, and revising work based on input from directors or marketing teams. This teamwork approach helps ensure the final animation meets both creative and business objectives.

Does Disney still hire 2D animators?

Disney continues to hire 2D animators for certain projects, especially in legacy and specialized animation departments. However, the company has shifted focus toward 3D animation and digital techniques, so opportunities for 2D animation roles are more limited than in the past.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Animation Designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Animation Designer, you need a solid foundation in visual storytelling, drawing, and animation principles, often supported by a degree in animation, graphic design, or a related field. Mastery of industry-standard software such as Adobe After Effects, Autodesk Maya, or Toon Boom Harmony, along with a strong portfolio, is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective collaboration are crucial soft skills for delivering engaging animations and working with diverse teams. These skills ensure the creation of compelling, high-quality animations that meet client needs and industry standards.

What is animation design?

Animation design is the process of creating visual sequences that give the illusion of movement, often for use in films, television, video games, advertisements, or online content. Animation designers use various techniques, including 2D, 3D, stop-motion, and computer-generated imagery, to bring stories and ideas to life. The role involves storyboarding, drawing, modeling, texturing, and animating characters or objects. Animation designers often collaborate with writers, directors, and other artists to achieve a cohesive visual narrative. Creativity, technical skill, and attention to detail are essential traits for success in this field.
Infographic showing various Animation Design job openings in Arizona as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 69% Full Time, and 31% Part Time. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $76,390 per year, or $36.7 per hour.
Assistant Professor of Animation- Arizona Location

Assistant Professor of Animation- Arizona Location

Huntington University

Peoria, AZ โ€ข On-site

Full-time

This job post hasย expired today.ย Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Huntington University has an opening for an Assistant Professor of Animation in our Peoria, Arizona location.

Under the direction of the Dean of the Arts and Dean of Huntington University Arizona, the Assistant Professor of Animation (11-Month Contract) will serve as a full-time faculty member committed to excellence in teaching, student mentorship, curriculum development, and program growth within Huntington University Arizonaโ€™s Animation program.

This position is designed for a faculty member who thrives in a hands-on, project-based learning environment and who is passionate about equipping students to grow in both their artistic craft and vocational calling. The faculty member will contribute to the continued development of the animation program through high-quality instruction, collaborative program support, and ongoing engagement with current practices in the animation and digital media industries.

The ideal candidate will help prepare students to excel in their artistic expression, technical proficiency, and professional readiness, while encouraging them to steward their God-given talents in ways that impact the world for Christ.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Strong personal Christian commitment and faith in Jesus Christ and a desire to serve others
  • Commitment to the mission of Huntington University as a comprehensive Christian College dedicated to educating men and women to impact our world for Christ
  • Demonstrated understanding of Christian higher education, preferred
  • Positive interpersonal skills and a team player
  • Excellent communications skills
  • Demonstrated administrative and supervisory skills
  • Commitment to continuous process improvement
  • Animation production experience required
  • Collaborative teaching experience in the field of animation and digital media
  • 5 years' experience in professional digital media preferred
  • Completion of doctorate or MFA preferred
  • Exemplify a Christian vision for the arts and possess a strong desire for achieving excellence in the classroom and in film/media production

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Primary instructional responsibilities may include teaching 3D rendering, modeling, character animation for games and video, 2D computer animation and motion graphics.
  • Responsible for helping design curriculum for 24 credit hours of study per year. Content, syllabi, projects, and curriculum from previous semesters will be available to aid in classroom planning and preparation.
  • Responsible for prompt communication of grades and project feedback to students via the Universityโ€™s online portal.
  • Responsible for offering technical assistance for minor/routine software or hardware issues that arise and to promptly report larger technical issues to IT Services.
  • Responsible for occasionally learning new software and skillsets to stay up to date with modern animation industry trends

General Information: Huntington University is an independent, Christian liberal arts university. Employees of Huntington University subscribe to the Statement of Faith that is identical to that of the National Association of Evangelicals. Statement of Faith

Work Schedule: This is a full-time, 11-month, exempt faculty position.

To Apply: Review the full job description attached for a complete list of responsibilities and qualifications. Apply via ADP, using your personal email, and upload a cover letter, resume and list of references with your completed application. Questions can be emailed to Andy McKee, Director of Human Resources.