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Animation Design Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

$16 - $21.50/hr

Apparel Design Merchandise concepts, wearable branding, and product design * Animation / Motion Short-form content, storytelling, and character animation for Adventure Ted Core Responsibilities

$15.25 - $20.25/hr

Apparel Design Merchandise concepts, wearable branding, and product design * Animation / Motion Short-form content, storytelling, and character animation for Adventure Ted Core Responsibilities

$15 - $20/hr

Apparel Design Merchandise concepts, wearable branding, and product design * Animation / Motion Short-form content, storytelling, and character animation for Adventure Ted Core Responsibilities

$15.75 - $21/hr

Apparel Design Merchandise concepts, wearable branding, and product design * Animation / Motion Short-form content, storytelling, and character animation for Adventure Ted Core Responsibilities

$16.25 - $21.50/hr

Apparel Design Merchandise concepts, wearable branding, and product design * Animation / Motion Short-form content, storytelling, and character animation for Adventure Ted Core Responsibilities

$15 - $19.75/hr

Apparel Design Merchandise concepts, wearable branding, and product design * Animation / Motion Short-form content, storytelling, and character animation for Adventure Ted Core Responsibilities

$16.25 - $21.50/hr

Apparel Design Merchandise concepts, wearable branding, and product design * Animation / Motion Short-form content, storytelling, and character animation for Adventure Ted Core Responsibilities

$16 - $21.25/hr

Apparel Design Merchandise concepts, wearable branding, and product design * Animation / Motion Short-form content, storytelling, and character animation for Adventure Ted Core Responsibilities

$16 - $21.25/hr

Apparel Design Merchandise concepts, wearable branding, and product design * Animation / Motion Short-form content, storytelling, and character animation for Adventure Ted Core Responsibilities

$17.50 - $23.50/hr

Apparel Design Merchandise concepts, wearable branding, and product design * Animation / Motion Short-form content, storytelling, and character animation for Adventure Ted Core Responsibilities

$16 - $21.25/hr

Apparel Design Merchandise concepts, wearable branding, and product design * Animation / Motion Short-form content, storytelling, and character animation for Adventure Ted Core Responsibilities

Senior Gameplay Animator

Orange, CA · On-site

$88K - $120K/yr

... animation systems * Collaborate with the design and engineering teams to ensure animations align with gameplay mechanics and technical constraints. * Iterate and refine animations based on feedback ...

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Showing results 1-20

Animation Design information

See California salary details

$10

$38

$69

How much do animation design jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for animation design in California is $38.89, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.59 and $63.12 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.

What jobs can you do with animation?

With a background in animation design, you can pursue roles such as 2D or 3D animator, motion graphics artist, character designer, storyboard artist, or visual effects artist. These jobs often require proficiency in software like Adobe After Effects, Maya, or Blender and may involve working in film, television, advertising, gaming, or online media industries.

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.

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 animation and specialized productions. 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.
What are the most commonly searched types of Animation Design jobs in California? The most popular types of Animation Design jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Animation Design jobs in California? For Animation Design jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Animation Design jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Animation Design jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Animation Design jobs? Cities in California with the most Animation Design job openings:
Infographic showing various Animation Design job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 11% As Needed, 50% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 16% Nights. Highlights an 73% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 23% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,900 per year, or $38.9 per hour.

Animation Intern (Unpaid for Course Credit Only)

Dreamscape Learn

Culver City, CA

Other

Posted 20 days ago


Job description

We're looking for a creative and motivated Animation Intern to support our design and content team. This internship is ideal for students interested in animation, motion graphics, and storytelling who want hands-on experience working on real projects in a collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

  • Assist with creating 3D animations for digital experiences
  • Help with props, vehicles, basic character or environment animation
  • Collaborate with designers, artists, and cross-functional teams to bring
  • concepts to life
  • Revise animations based on feedback and project needs
  • Help organize animation assets and files

Requirements

  • Currently enrolled student pursuing Animation, Motion Design, Game Design, or a related field
  • Familiarity with animation principles (timing, spacing, squash & stretch, etc.)
  • Experience or coursework using tools such as Premiere Pro, Blender, Maya, Unity, or similar
  • Strong attention to detail and willingness to learn
  • Ability to take direction and meet deadlines
  • Portfolio or samples of animation work (class projects welcome)

Nice to Have

  • Experience with Unity, Unreal Engine, or interactive media
  • Basic drawing, 3D modeling, or rigging skills
  • Interest in immersive, educational, or interactive experiences
  • Previously played vr games content

Benefits

  • Real-world animation experience on active projects
  • Mentorship and feedback from experienced creatives
  • Portfolio-worthy work
  • Exposure to a professional creative production pipeline
  • Exposure to real world tracking documents like Jira, Confluence and Shotgun
  • School credit (as approved by your academic program)

Disclaimer: This internship is an unpaid educational opportunity intended to provide training and experience related to Human Resource Management. It is offered for academic credit only in connection with an accredited educational program. Participation is designed for the benefit of the student and does not create an employment relationship. Interns will not displace regular employees and will work under close supervision to support their learning experience. Completion of this internship does not entitle the intern to a job at Dreamscape Learn (or continued employment) at the conclusion of the program.