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Animation Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

2K

Senior Technical Animation Designer

San Mateo, CA

$108K - $161K/yr

We are looking for a Senior Technical Animation Designer to be responsible for designing, creating, and maintaining animation systems that drive the gameplay motion of our characters. This will ...

2K

Senior Technical Animation Designer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$108K - $161K/yr

We are looking for a Senior Technical Animation Designer to be responsible for designing, creating, and maintaining animation systems that drive the gameplay motion of our characters. This will ...

IDW

Motion Designer

Oakland, CA · On-site

W work collaboratively with clients, internal designers, and production artists to create stand-alone animations and compelling high-quality videos. The role includes start-to-finish motion design ...

STAHL

Audio-Visual Animator

Port Hueneme, CA · On-site

Collaborate with directors, designers, and other creative staff to conceptualize and implement ... Maintain up-to-date knowledge of animation techniques, trends, and technology. Assist in pre ...

Aquent

Motion & Character Designer

Glendale, CA · On-site

$58.60 - $65.11/hr

In this pivotal role, you'll be at the forefront of defining how animation behaves inside our ... As a Sr. Product Designer, you will play a crucial role in enhancing our digital experiences by ...

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All JobsAnimation Designer JobsAnimation Designer Jobs in California

Animation Designer information

See California salary details

$35K

$82.1K

$108.6K

How much do animation designer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for animation designer in California is $82,059.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,200.00 and $107,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 industry. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced professionals with advanced skills in software like Adobe After Effects or Maya can earn higher salaries. Salaries can also vary based on whether they work freelance or for a company.

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 background in art and design principles, animation techniques, and a degree or certification in animation or related fields. Proficiency with industry-standard software like Adobe After Effects, Autodesk Maya, or Blender is typically required. Strong creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help Animation Designers collaborate and innovate within production teams. These skills are crucial for producing engaging, high-quality animations that meet creative briefs and client expectations.

What are some common challenges Animation Designers face when working on collaborative projects?

Animation Designers often work closely with illustrators, writers, sound designers, and developers, which can present challenges in aligning creative visions and managing revisions. Balancing artistic expression with project requirements or client feedback is a frequent hurdle. Additionally, meeting tight deadlines while ensuring consistency and high-quality animation across various platforms requires excellent communication, flexibility, and strong organizational skills. Embracing feedback and adapting quickly are key to thriving in this collaborative environment.

Does Disney still hire 2D animators?

Disney Animation Studios continues to hire 2D animators, especially for projects that preserve traditional animation techniques. While 3D animation has become dominant, there is still demand for skilled 2D artists for specific films, television, and educational content, often requiring proficiency in software like Toon Boom or Adobe Animate.

Is AI replacing 3D animators?

AI technology is increasingly used to assist 3D animators by automating repetitive tasks and enhancing workflow efficiency. However, the role of an animation designer remains essential for creative direction, storytelling, and complex character work that require human judgment and artistic skills. AI tools serve as complements rather than replacements in the animation industry.

What are Animation Designers?

Animation Designers are creative professionals who develop visual effects and animated sequences for various media, such as films, television, video games, and online content. They use specialized software to create 2D or 3D animations, working closely with directors, illustrators, and other team members to bring ideas to life. Their job often involves storyboarding, character design, and ensuring the animation aligns with the project's vision. Animation Designers play a key role in shaping the look, feel, and movement of characters and environments. Their work requires a blend of artistic talent, technical skills, and attention to detail.

What do animation designers do?

Animation designers create visual content by designing and producing animated images, sequences, and characters for various media such as 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 visual stories. Strong artistic skills, knowledge of animation principles, and proficiency with animation software are essential for this role.

What is the difference between Animation Designer vs Motion Graphics Artist?

AspectAnimation DesignerMotion Graphics Artist
Required CredentialsTypically a degree in animation, graphic design, or related fieldOften a degree in graphic design, multimedia, or animation
Work EnvironmentFilm, TV, advertising, gaming, digital mediaAdvertising, broadcast, digital media, social media content
Employer & Industry UsageMedia companies, animation studios, game developersAdvertising agencies, TV networks, digital content creators

Animation Designers focus on creating animated sequences and characters, often for films, games, or digital media. Motion Graphics Artists specialize in designing animated graphic elements for videos, commercials, and digital platforms. While both roles involve animation skills, Animation Designers typically work on character and scene animation, whereas Motion Graphics Artists focus on animated visuals and text. The roles often overlap, but their primary applications and outputs differ based on industry needs.

What are popular job titles related to Animation Designer jobs in California? For Animation Designer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Animation Designer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Animation Designer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Animation Designer jobs? Cities in California with the most Animation Designer job openings:
Animation Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animation Designer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $82,059 per year, or $39.5 per hour.

Senior Technical Animation Designer

31st Union

San Mateo, CA

$108K - $161K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

WE ARE GAME MAKERS

Who We Are:

We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art, united by our core values and inspired by a culture of inclusivity to build amazing games that thrill players everywhere. We pursue growth and innovation in an environment of safety and trust. Our culture is built on the belief that the more varied voices in our collective will strengthen our team and our games.  We are looking for our next teammate who will raise our bar and make us better.

What We Need:

We are looking for a Senior Technical Animation Designer to be responsible for designing, creating, and maintaining animation systems that drive the gameplay motion of our characters. This will include features that support major gameplay mechanics, such as locomotion and abilities, UI selection animations, and procedural solutions.

You will be a communication hub in addition to the technical aspect of the job. You'll need to ensure that everyone has the information they need to be successful. This role is focused on technical animation, but will also work with design and engineering teams to translate needs across those subject areas.

Who You Are:

  • Collaborate closely with teams across Animation, Engineering, and Design to help deliver a cohesive, high-quality animation style that supports an immersive gameplay experience.
  • Work with key stakeholders to define goals and implement scalable solutions that streamline animation content creation and integration.
  • Take initiative in building and refining animation systems, carefully balancing performance needs with desired in-game behaviors.
  • Provide and offer technical support and mentorship to animators, contributing to their development while promoting effective cross-disciplinary communication.
  • Regularly document processes and share insights to help improve team workflows and knowledge sharing.

What Will Make You a Great Fit:

  • Shipped at least one AAA title with 4+ years of professional animation experience in Maya
  • Strong understanding of third-person shooter mechanics and in-engine animation systems (state machines, blendspaces, animation graphs)
  • Proficient with run-time and procedural animation tools such as IK, Control Rig, retargeting, ragdolls, and motion matching
  • Experienced in Unreal Engine (2+ years), including scripting with Blueprints and/or C++, and solid foundation in vector math and code concepts.
  • Skilled at bridging disciplines with strong problem-solving and communication abilities.
  • Continuously up to date with the latest in Unreal, Maya, and animation technologies; portfolio demonstrating expertise.

The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $108,900 and $161,160 per year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations.

Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards and eligibility to participate in our 401(K) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program.

Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including: medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage; 14 paid holidays per calendar year; paid vacation time per calendar year (ranging from 15 to 25 days) or eligibility to participate in the Company's discretionary time off program; up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year; paid parental and compassionate leave; wellbeing programs for mental health and other wellness support; family planning support through Maven; commuter benefits; and reimbursements for fitness-related expenses. Ontario only: The use of Artificial Intelligence is not being used to screen candidates. The position is for an existing vacancy.

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