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Animation Design Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

SOM

Design Architect

Washington, DC · On-site

Leads design documentation including but not limited to drawings, sketches, physical models, renderings, and animations for regular internal and external meetings and milestone deliverables. * Design ...

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All JobsAnimation Design JobsAnimation Design Jobs in Washington

Animation Design information

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$11

$44

$79

How much do animation design jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for animation design in Washington is $44.64, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.76 and $72.40 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 popular job titles related to Animation Design jobs in Washington? For Animation Design jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Animation Design jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Animation Design jobs in Washington are:
Animation Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animation Design job openings in Washington as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 60% Full Time, 36% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,843 per year, or $44.6 per hour.
Visuals & Graphics Editor

Visuals & Graphics Editor

Middle East Broadcasting Networks

Arlington, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Job Announcement
Visuals & Graphics Editor
The Visuals & Graphics Editor is responsible for creating dynamic visual and motion graphic content that enhances MBN's storytelling across video, digital, and social platforms. This role develops high-quality graphics, animations, and reusable templates while leveraging modern design technologies, including AI-powered tools, to streamline production, improve efficiency, and maintain editorial integrity.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
  • The following tasks are considered essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions:
  • Collaborate closely with creative, editorial, and production teams to design impactful, content-driven visuals and motion graphics optimized for multiple screen sizes and digital platforms
  • Design motion graphics packages aligned with MBN's visual identity across shows, digital products, and social media
  • Develop reusable motion graphic templates (e.g., MOGRT files or any backend coding) for efficient production in Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects and similar tools.
  • Create high-quality 2D animations and motion graphics to support editorial storytelling
  • Produce basic 3D animations and visual elements when needed
  • Integrate overlays, lower thirds, explainers, and data visualizations directly into video timelines
  • Collaborate with editors and video producers to align graphics with story beats, pacing, and transitions
  • Design thumbnails, carousels, infographics, and visual assets optimized for mobile-first and social platforms
  • Design and produce visually engaging newsletter and web layouts in PDF format, ensuring consistency with brand guidelines, strong visual hierarchy, and readability across digital platforms.
  • Apply and maintain brand guidelines to ensure visual consistency across all platforms and products
  • Leverage AI-powered design tools for asset generation, animation assistance, rapid prototyping, ideation, and workflow automation
  • Use AI tools responsibly to accelerate production while maintaining editorial accuracy and visual quality
  • Manage multiple design projects simultaneously in a fast-paced production environment
  • Maintain organized design systems, templates, and asset libraries
  • Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, including AI-driven creative tools, and digital storytelling best practices
  • Contribute to a collaborative, cross-functional creative environment

Other Duties:
Perform additional job-related duties and take on new responsibilities as needed based on organizational requirements and circumstances.
Qualifications and Requirements:
Required:
  • 3-5 years of professional experience in motion graphics, visual design, or digital content creation
  • Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including After Effects, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Premiere Pro
  • Experience creating motion graphic templates (MOGRTs) and reusable design systems
  • Strong understanding of typography, layout, color theory, composition, and visual hierarchy
  • Demonstrated portfolio of professional 2D motion graphics work
  • Ability to translate editorial narratives into clear, compelling visuals and animations
  • Experience producing graphics in fast-paced digital or newsroom environments
  • Strong collaboration, communication, and time management skills.
  • Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

Preferred
  • Basic 3D animation skills (Cinema 4D, Blender, or similar tools)
  • Experience using AI-powered creative tools (e.g., Runway, Adobe Firefly, generative design platforms, or similar technologies)
  • Familiarity with social-first storytelling for platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and others
  • Experience in broadcast, media, or news organizations

MBN is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity.

Apply