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Animation Design Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Ten4

Senior Gaming Animator

Redwood City, CA

$129K - $148K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

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

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 · 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 ...

2K

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams to realize our creative ambitions. Together, we will stay current on technological advancements and ...

2K

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams to realize our creative ambitions. Together, we will stay current on technological advancements and ...

Cloud Chamber

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams to realize our creative ambitions. Together, we will stay current on technological advancements and ...

Cloud Chamber

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams to realize our creative ambitions. Together, we will stay current on technological advancements and ...

2K

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA

$124K - $142K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams to realize our creative ambitions. Together, we will stay current on technological advancements and ...

2K

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams to realize our creative ambitions. Together, we will stay current on technological advancements and ...

M&S Consulting

3D Animator

Pasadena, CA · On-site +1

Strong portfolio demonstrating cinematic 3D animation and visualization work * Experience working ... Experience working with CAD files and converting them into production-ready 3D assets * Background ...

Console

Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

... use a bit of animation flair, then dial it in Qualifications : Required : • 4+ years of full-time design or design engineering experience, and a strong grasp on front-end engineering • ...

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Showing results 41-60

All JobsAnimation Design JobsAnimation Design Jobs in California

Animation Design information

See California salary details

$10

$38

$69

How much do animation design jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 12, 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 jobs can you do with animation design?

Animation design skills can lead to roles such as 2D or 3D animator, motion graphics artist, character designer, storyboard artist, and visual effects artist. These jobs are common in industries like film, television, video games, advertising, and digital media, often requiring proficiency in tools like Adobe After Effects, Maya, or Blender.

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.

Are animation designers still in demand?

Animation designers are still in demand as visual content remains essential in entertainment, advertising, and digital media. Skills in software like Adobe After Effects, Maya, or Blender, along with a strong portfolio, can improve job prospects in this evolving industry.

What does an animation design do?

An animation designer creates visual sequences and motion graphics for various media such as films, video games, and advertisements. They use tools like Adobe After Effects and Maya to develop characters, backgrounds, and effects, often collaborating with other creative professionals to bring concepts to life.

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.

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 August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 85% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,900 per year, or $38.9 per hour.

Senior Gaming Animator

Ten4

Redwood City, CA

$129K - $148K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

Company Description

Here at Ten4, there's a core focus on Creative Services. By only recruiting for Digital Creatives we can give the best attention and satisfaction to both the clients and the candidates. Being a niche company provides the ability to source top notch candidates and to make the best connections possible. Ten4 works with some of the best ad agencies, start-ups, production studios, and video game shops. 

Job Description
  • Drive animation performance without pushing out of a believable and realistic style; your hand-keyed work will fit seamlessly with motion capture
  • Join forces with designers and engineers to create characters that are expressive and that still work with player control and AI
  • 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 reference for your process
  • Prototype gameplay by blocking animation quickly; when ideas are proven, polish animations to a high level
  • Provide thoughtful feedback to team members and be open to critique
  • Create multiplayer characters and AI that execute believable and memorable performances
Qualifications
  • 5+ years in game development with at least 2 shipped games
  • Experience OR interest in PC multiplayer games
  • Experience with in-game animation and Maya
  • College/University Degree in Character Animation or similar
  • Full comprehension of camera, layout, and stagingS
  • Self-directed and independent worker

Major Plus:

  • Excellent hand-keyed facial animation
  • Motionbuilder and Unreal Engine experience
  • First-person animations experience
  • strong design eye
  • Strong knowledge of cinematography, editing, and story development
  • Experience creating state machines and controller schemes
Additional Information

Benefits and Perks: 

  • Competitive Salary with Stock Options
  • An open/unlimited Paid Time Off and Vacation Policy
  • Great medical, dental, and vision coverage for employee and dependents covered at 80% and company paid One Medical Group membership on top of your medical plan
  • Team lunch outings covered by company

Apply