ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Animation Design Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Leidos

Senior 2D and 3D Graphic Designer

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$82K - $149K/yr

Design and develop 2D and 3D visual assets including graphics, animations, infographics, and data visualizations. * Create compelling visual content for executive briefings, dashboards, training ...

SRI Tech solutions Inc

Lead UI Designer

Columbia, MD · On-site

Apply heuristics to design problems involving color or font choice, layout, photography or spot art ... Develop 2D and 3D Animation using Flash. Develop Flash /Director based customer Animations Develop ...

SRI Tech solutions Inc

Lead UI Designer

Columbia, MD · On-site

Apply heuristics to design problems involving color or font choice, layout, photography or spot art ... Develop 2D and 3D Animation using Flash. Develop Flash /Director based customer Animations Develop ...

Mto

Graphics Specialist

Washington, DC · Hybrid

$110K - $140K/yr

Conceptualize, design, revise, and oversee completion of presentations, graphics, charts, graphs, illustrations, and animations. * Ability to multi-task, receive direction, delegate assignments ...

Cyrten

Graphic Designer 24-64

Chantilly, VA

Demonstrated experience with graphic design, including animation and 3D animation. * Demonstrated experience creating print products such as posters, books, and presentation materials. * Demonstrated ...

IRONMARK

Senior Graphic Designer

Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site

$65K - $90K/yr

The ideal candidate brings 7+ years of professional design experience in either an in-house ... Produce motion graphics and animations to support multimedia storytelling and campaign initiatives

IRONMARK

Senior Graphic Designer

Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site

$65K - $90K/yr

The ideal candidate brings 7+ years of professional design experience in either an in-house ... Produce motion graphics and animations to support multimedia storytelling and campaign initiatives

J5 Consulting

Software Developer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

Demonstrated experience using content creation and management tools for web design, web development, programming, graphic design, animation, videography, photography and audio recording, editing and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsAnimation Design JobsAnimation Design Jobs in Washington

Animation Design information

See Washington salary details

$11

$44

$79

How much do animation design jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 11, 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.

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 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
Senior 2D and 3D Graphic Designer

Senior 2D and 3D Graphic Designer

Leidos

Alexandria, VA • On-site

$82K - $149K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago

Leidos rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 146 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

55th of 426 rated business services

Job description

This Department of War enterprise data and analytics program delivers mission-critical capabilities that enable leaders across the Department to make faster, better-informed decisions using trusted data at scale. Leidos Digital Modernization sector is seeking an experienced Senior 2D and 3D Graphic Designer to support the delivery, enhancement, and adoption of enterprise data and analytics products used across multiple DoD organizations.
In this role, you will work alongside government partners, engineers, and other industry teammates to translate operational and strategic requirements into scalable, production-ready solutions. You will contribute directly to product planning, execution, and continuous improvement-helping ensure capabilities are delivered efficiently, aligned to mission priorities, and positioned for sustained success.
This position offers the opportunity to work on a high-visibility, enterprise program at the intersection of data, analytics, and emerging AI technologies. Ideal candidates are motivated by mission impact, comfortable operating in complex stakeholder environments, and interested in building deep domain expertise while delivering capabilities with real-world national security outcomes.
Primary Responsibilities:
  • Design and develop 2D and 3D visual assets including graphics, animations, infographics, and data visualizations.
  • Create compelling visual content for executive briefings, dashboards, training materials, and program communications.
  • Develop 3D models, renderings, and animations to represent system architectures, workflows, and mission scenarios.
  • Translate complex technical concepts (e.g., data pipelines, AI/ML workflows, system integrations) into clear and engaging visuals.
  • Collaborate with engineers, data scientists, product teams, and stakeholders to gather requirements and develop visual solutions.
  • Support development of visual content for user training, onboarding materials, and knowledge management systems .
  • Ensure all visual products align with branding, accessibility (e.g., Section 508), and communication standards.
  • Iterate on designs based on stakeholder feedback and evolving program needs.
  • Optimize visual assets for use across multiple platforms, including web, presentations, and interactive environments.
  • Maintain and organize design assets, templates, and visual libraries.
  • Support rapid development of visual content in support of Agile delivery cycles.
  • Participate in SAFe ceremonies including PI Planning, backlog refinement, sprint reviews, and retrospectives.

Basic Qualifications:
  • Active Secret clearance.
  • Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, Digital Media, Animation, or related discipline and 8 years of relevant experience OR Master's degree in a related field and 6 years of relevant experience.
  • Minimum of 8 years of experience in graphic design, with a focus on 2D and 3D visualizations.
  • Experience designing both 2D and 3D visual content in professional or enterprise environments.
  • Experience with design and visualization tools such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects) and 3D tools (e.g., Blender, Maya, 3ds Max, or similar).
  • Experience developing visual content for presentations, training materials, or digital platforms.
  • Strong ability to translate complex concepts into clear and visually compelling designs.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.
  • Knowledge of accessibility standards and best practices in visual design.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Active TS/SCI clearance.
  • Experience supporting visualization efforts in DoD or Federal environments.
  • Experience creating visuals for data analytics, AI/ML, or system architecture concepts.
  • Experience with motion graphics, animation, or interactive media.
  • Familiarity with UX/UI principles and design for digital applications.
  • Familiarity with data visualization tools such as Tableau or Power BI.
  • Experience supporting knowledge management or training platforms.
  • Portfolio demonstrating a range of 2D and 3D design work.
  • Knowledge of DoD branding and communication standards.
  • Experience with animation and motion graphics.

#ADVANA
If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.
Original Posting:
May 6, 2026
For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.
Pay Range:
Pay Range $82,550.00 - $149,225.00
The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

What Leidos employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Leidos logo

About Leidos

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainable practices. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Reston, VA, US

Social media

FacebookTwitter

View All Leidos Jobs

Apply