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Animation Design Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Xponential Fitness

Digital Graphic Designer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$71K - $75K/yr

Develop multimedia content ideas in collaboration with design and marketing teams * Create and edit digital images, video animation, and textual animations. * Help maintain and build brand standards ...

Ember Lab

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 ...

Ember Lab

Senior Gameplay Animator

Orange, CA

$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 ...

Ember Lab

Senior Gameplay Animator

Orange, CA · On-site

... 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 ...

Ten4

Senior Gaming Animator

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$129K - $148K/yr

Design hand-keyed animation with a highly intuitive and developed understanding of body mechanics, force, balance, timing, and believability * Use motion capture, video, and thumbnail sketches as ...

Ten4

Senior Gaming Animator

Redwood City, CA

$129K - $148K/yr

Design hand-keyed animation with a highly intuitive and developed understanding of body mechanics, force, balance, timing, and believability * Use motion capture, video, and thumbnail sketches as ...

Bonfire Studios

Lead Gameplay Animator

Irvine, CA · On-site +1

Partnering with cross-discipline leads (design, engineering, art, production) to align animation with gameplay systems, technical realities, and the overall player experience. * Owning combat feel ...

Bonfire Studios

Lead Gameplay Animator

Irvine, CA

Partnering with cross-discipline leads (design, engineering, art, production) to align animation with gameplay systems, technical realities, and the overall player experience. * Owning combat feel ...

Pacific Fusion

Mechanical Design

Fremont, CA

$83K - $112K/yr

Create 3D renders and technical animations using Creo data for internal design reviews. * Transform ... raw engineering models into high-fidelity visual assets for executive-level decision-making.

STAHL

Audio-Visual Animator

Port Hueneme, CA · On-site

Bachelor's degree in Animation, Multimedia Arts, Graphic Design, or a related field. Proficiency in animation and visual effects software such as Adobe After Effects, Maya, Blender, or similar tools.

Stahl Companies

Audio-Visual Animator

Port Hueneme, CA · On-site

Qualifications: • Bachelor's degree in Animation, Multimedia Arts, Graphic Design, or a related field. • Proficiency in animation and visual effects software such as Adobe After Effects, Maya ...

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Animation Design information

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$10

$38

$69

How much do animation design jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 10, 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.

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.
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:
Animation Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animation Design job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 3% Full Time, 69% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 22% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,900 per year, or $38.9 per hour.
Digital Graphic Designer

Digital Graphic Designer

Xponential Fitness

Irvine, CA • On-site

$71K - $75K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 25 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Graphic Designer
Department: Marketing
Salary Range: $71,00 - $75,000 per year
Reports To: Vice President - Integrated Marketing & Strategy
Work Schedule: Monday - Thursday in office, Fridays WFH
Who We Are
Xponential Fitness, LLC (NYSE: XPOF) is a leading global franchisor of health and wellness brands. Through its mission to make boutique health and wellness experiences accessible to everyone, the Company operates a diversified platform of five brands spanning across verticals including Pilates, barre, stretching, strength-training, and yoga. In partnership with its franchisees, Xponential brands offer energetic, accessible, and personalized workout experiences led by highly qualified instructors in studio locations across 49 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, and 30 countries globally. Xponential's portfolio of brands includes Club Pilates, the largest Pilates brand in the United States; StretchLab, a concept offering one-on-one and group stretching services; YogaSix, one of the largest franchised yoga brands in the United States; Pure Barre, a total body workout that uses the ballet barre to perform small isometric movements, and one of the largest Barre brand in the United States; and BFT, a functional training and strength-based program.
Position Summary:
Xponential Fitness is looking for a Graphic Designer to join the in-house creative team. You will be working closely with our Integrated Brand Marketing team to design and produce high-end visual, textual, and animated content for social media, emails, websites, print collateral, presentations, retail graphics and more.
The ideal candidate is extremely well-rounded for an array of project needs and has experience working across the complete Adobe Suite with strong capabilities in animation design, video editing and print design. To ensure success, you should have a background in digital design, excellent communication skills, ability to incorporate feedback, and the ability to collaborate on projects.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Design creative assets following brand positioning and standards. Design creative assets across website, social, digital, email, video, retail, and print assets for brand and marketing promotional campaigns.
  • Develop multimedia content ideas in collaboration with design and marketing teams
  • Create and edit digital images, video animation, and textual animations.
  • Help maintain and build brand standards, organization, and cohesion across different channels and creative assets
  • Create and build print materials to be used in studio spaces
  • Participate in the creative process and bring design trends and concepts to life
  • Collaborate with Art Director and Marketing Director on all photo/video shoot planning. Assist on photoshoots along-side photographers and videographers
  • Manage own workload to meet all deadlines and ensure all key reviewers approve creative assets before finalizing
  • Minimal travel required for events
  • Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:
  • Expertise in Adobe Suite including InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, AfterEffects, Figma, and Google Workspace
  • Knowledge of Ceros a plus
  • Experience designing digital and print assets
  • Knowledge of motion graphic animation and basic video editing
  • Strong understanding of digital content including mobile ads, platforms, and applications
  • Strong understanding of campaign management - from messaging to design treatments and objectives (i.e. lead generation, sales, call-to-action)
  • Must be detail oriented, team oriented and have a positive, can-do attitude
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact with brands and their teams
  • Organizational skills with a strong focus on file preparation

Benefits:
  • Competitive Salary ($71,000 - $75,000) depending on experience
  • Comprehensive Medical, Dental and Vision benefits
  • Opportunities for additional bonuses
  • Cell Phone Allowance
  • 401k plan with 4% company match
  • Complimentary corporate memberships to XPLUS and XPASS
  • Discounts on retail brand merchandise
  • On Campus Amenities: Reborn Coffee Shop, Hangar 24, Mini Putting Green, Basketball Court, Bird Sanctuary, Car Washing Services (M/W), Dry Cleaning Services

Xponential Fitness LLC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Pay Range: $71,000 - $75,000 per year
Xponential Fitness logo

About Xponential Fitness

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Xponential Fitness, headquartered in Irvine, CA, US, is a powerhouse in the global fitness industry. Established in 2017, the firm specializes in franchising diverse and complementary fitness brands. Operating in the wellness and health sector, the company's portfolio boasts eight unique brands, including Club Pilates, CycleBar, StretchLab, Row House, AKT, YogaSix, Pure Barre, and STRIDE. In a few short years, Xponential Fitness has gained momentum by curating the largest curated portfolio of boutique fitness brands worldwide. Its mission is capturing every segment of the fitness market, ambitiously striving to make boutique fitness accessible to everyone.

Industry

Performing arts, spectator sports and event promotion

Company size

201 - 500 Employees

Headquarters location

Irvine, CA, US

Year founded

2017

Social media

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