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Animation Design Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Stay current on motion design trends, tools, and techniques. What We Are Looking For * 3 to 5 years of experience in motion graphics, animation, or a related field. * Strong proficiency in Adobe ...

Stay current on motion design trends, tools, and techniques. What We Are Looking For * 3 to 5 years of experience in motion graphics, animation, or a related field. * Strong proficiency in Adobe ...

Motion Designer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$75K - $95K/yr

Stay current on motion design trends, tools, and techniques. What We Are Looking For * 3 to 5 years of experience in motion graphics, animation, or a related field. * Strong proficiency in Adobe ...

What we're looking for * 5+ years of professional experience in motion design. * Strong portfolio showcasing high-quality 2D animation and motion graphics work. * Advanced proficiency in Adobe After ...

Strong visual communication and graphic design skills, with an emphasis on clarity and storytelling * Experience producing animations, renderings, or digital visualizations * Strong collaboration ...

Junior Graphic Designer

Lincolnwood, IL · On-site

$55K - $65K/yr

Interest in experience design and environmental graphics (signage, wayfinding, large-format storytelling). * Basic motion tools (After Effects) or strong animation instincts in PowerPoint.

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Animation Design information

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How much do animation design jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for animation design in Chicago, IL is $40.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.55 and $65.87 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 Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Animation Design jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Animation Design jobs in Chicago, IL? For Animation Design jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Animation Design job openings in Chicago, IL 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 $84,445 per year, or $40.6 per hour.

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

Do you want to take your career into one of the fastest-growing industries around?


About MVP One

MVP One is the leader in B2B SaaS solutions for asset-intensive industries, enabling teams to better manage their maintenance operations. Our user-friendly platform helps companies streamline workflows, reduce asset downtime, and optimize their human and capital resources.


About the Role

We are seeking a Motion Designer who can bring ideas to life through engaging animation and visual storytelling. This role supports marketing, product, and sales initiatives by creating high-quality motion graphics across digital channels. The ideal candidate has strong design fundamentals, a solid sense of timing and pacing, and the ability to translate concepts into clear, compelling visual narratives.

What You Will Do

  • Design and produce motion graphics and videos for marketing campaigns, product demo videos, social media, web, paid advertising, presentations, and events.
  • Collaborate with marketing, product, and creative stakeholders to interpret briefs and translate concepts into motion assets.
  • Create animations using typography, icons, illustrations, video, and audio.
  • Edit and animate video content, including lower thirds, transitions, explainers, and short-form videos.
  • Repurpose legacy video/motion content to align with current branding.
  • Maintain brand consistency across all motion and visual assets.
  • Manage multiple projects at once while meeting deadlines and production schedules.
  • Prepare files for delivery across multiple formats and platforms.
  • Stay current on motion design trends, tools, and techniques.

What We Are Looking For

  • 3 to 5 years of experience in motion graphics, animation, or a related field.
  • Strong proficiency in Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro, Illustrator, Photoshop, or similar tools.
  • Solid understanding of video production, sound design, storytelling, animation principles, typography, layout, and visual hierarchy.
  • Experience creating motion graphics for digital marketing channels.
  • Ability to take creative direction and feedback and iterate efficiently.
  • Strong attention to detail and time management skills.
  • Portfolio demonstrating motion design and animation work.
  • Must be local and able to travel to the Chicago office 2-3 times per week.


What We Offer

  • Full-time salaried position
  • Hybrid work schedule
  • Comprehensive health benefits package (health, dental, vision, short-term disability, life insurance)
  • Paid time off, including several holidays and floating holidays
  • Parental leave
  • Transit benefit program
  • Company laptop
  • Company meetups for all employees to connect in person and virtually
  • Competitive Traditional & Roth 401k retirement plan with employer match
  • Fitness center access in office building
  • Supportive and collaborative team culture
  • Training and development opportunities to help you grow your skills


Ready to Join Our Team?

At MVP One, you will work with a collaborative team that values initiative, clear communication, and continuous improvement. We are committed to doing great work for our customers and building long-term careers for our people. If you are excited about creating content that drives real business impact, we would love to hear from you.


Remote or agency work is not being considered at this time.