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Animation Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Aquent

Sr. UI Animator / Motion Designer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$81 - $91/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Nice to Have * 3D Animation/Design experience. * Basic coding or scripting knowledge to assist in building high-fidelity prototypes. * Experience designing motion systems for complex interactive ...

Absurd Ventures

Cinematic Technical Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$115K - $140K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Cinematic Technical Designer at Absurd Ventures, you will work closely with Mission Designers, Animators, and Engineers to build, integrate, and polish cinematic moments across a broad range of ...

Riot Games

Senior Animator - Unpublished R&D Product

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$114K - $130K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Working closely with designers, technical artists, engineers, and character artists, you'll own animation from ideation through implementation. You'll create memorable animation, define the feel of ...

31st Union

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA

$123K - $182K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

In this role, you'll collaborate closely with technical artists, game designers, producers ... Iterate on animation and player feel through playtesting and hands-on tuning. * Develop quick ...

Absurd Ventures

Cinematic Technical Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$115K - $140K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Cinematic Technical Designer at Absurd Ventures, you will work closely with Mission Designers, Animators, and Engineers to build, integrate, and polish cinematic moments across a broad range of ...

2K

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

In this role, you'll collaborate closely with technical artists, game designers, producers ... Iterate on animation and player feel through playtesting and hands-on tuning. * Develop quick ...

Roblox

3D Animator (Short Term)

San Mateo, CA · On-site

Iterate quickly based on feedback from animation leads, designers, and engineers * Export animations properly for Roblox Studio integration (using compatible formats and best practices) * Use ...

31st Union

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

In this role, you'll collaborate closely with technical artists, game designers, producers ... Iterate on animation and player feel through playtesting and hands-on tuning. * Develop quick ...

Superpower

Motion Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120K - $170K/yr

Design UI animations and micro-interactions that elevate the product experience * Collaborate with brand designers, product designers, and engineers to integrate motion into every surface * Work with ...

Riot Games

Senior Animator - Unpublished R&D Product

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$114K - $130K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Working closely with designers, technical artists, engineers, and character artists, you'll own animation from ideation through implementation. You'll create memorable animation, define the feel of ...

2K

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

In this role, you'll collaborate closely with technical artists, game designers, producers ... Iterate on animation and player feel through playtesting and hands-on tuning. * Develop quick ...

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Showing results 21-40

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 Aug 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.

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.

What is an animation designer?

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 developing animated images, characters, and scenes 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 bring concepts to life. Strong artistic skills, knowledge of animation principles, and proficiency in relevant 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.

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 and Blender, along with a strong portfolio, can improve job prospects in this evolving industry.

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 August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 75% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 4% Temporary, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 94% In-person, 4% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,059 per year, or $39.5 per hour.

Sr. UI Animator / Motion Designer

Aquent

Cupertino, CA • On-site

$81 - $91/hr

Temporary

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 9 days ago

Job description

Placement Type:
Temporary
Salary:
$81-91 Hourly
Aquent is proud to partner with a globally recognized leader in technology and innovation, a company renowned for shaping the future of digital experiences. This is an unparalleled opportunity to contribute to the evolution of consumer software applications, impacting millions of users worldwide with your creativity and technical prowess. As a vital member of their dynamic team, you will be instrumental in defining the interactive landscape of groundbreaking products, transforming static designs into captivating and intuitive user journeys.
Are you a visionary ready to push the boundaries of user experience? We are seeking a senior talent to bring a new level of fluidity and delight to consumer software applications across major platforms. In this role, you will be at the forefront of design, translating complex interactions into seamless, engaging animations that elevate the user experience. Your work will directly influence the 'feel' of innovative products, making a tangible impact on how users interact with technology every day. This is an exciting chance to lead project workflows, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and set new standards for interactive design, shaping the interactive landscape for millions.
What You'll Do
  • Design and animate UI motion for new features, screens, and complex interactions, ranging from subtle button behaviors to sophisticated real-time particle effects across various applications.
  • Lead specific application projects, guiding a collaborative team of designers and engineers to craft cohesive and compelling motion stories.
  • Partner closely with product designers to transform static concepts into interactive, animated prototypes, ensuring the 'feel' of the experience is validated on-device before full engineering investment.
  • Work directly with software engineers, providing precise motion specifications to guarantee animations ship exactly as intended, adhering to timing, easing, physics, and performance requirements.
  • Build and maintain a comprehensive motion design system and library, ensuring consistency and excellence across the entire product ecosystem.
  • Balance creative polish and high-end visual storytelling with technical constraints, including performance, platform guidelines, and device capabilities.
  • Communicate clearly and effectively with cross-functional teams regarding project scope, timelines, and technical trade-offs.

What You'll Bring
  • Experience: 4-10 years of dedicated experience in UI/interactive motion design (7-10 years preferred, but exceptionally talented candidates with a minimum of 4 years will be considered).
  • Portfolio Requirement: A portfolio showcasing comprehensive, shipped UI/interactive motion work is strictly required for submission. Traditional motion graphics portfolios without clear user-interaction examples (e.g., app transitions, button states, expanding menus, or interactive game HUDs) will not be considered.
  • Software Expertise: Expert proficiency in After Effects; fluent in prototyping tools (Principle, Figma, etc.).
  • Workflow Comfort: Comfortable with modern "vibe coding" workflows and utilizing AI/scripting tools to lean into quick prototyping.
  • Collaboration & Shipping: Proven track record collaborating directly with engineers to ship production motion, not just concept work.
  • Platform Guidelines: Strong grasp of leading mobile platform motion guidelines and core animation principles.
  • Project Management & Leadership: Excellent project management instincts, able to set and meet deadlines across multiple concurrent projects while delegating smaller tasks to focus on the bigger picture.

Nice to Have
  • 3D Animation/Design experience.
  • Basic coding or scripting knowledge to assist in building high-fidelity prototypes.
  • Experience designing motion systems for complex interactive environments, such as video games.

About Aquent Talent
Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world's biggest brands.
Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. We also offer free online training through Aquent Gymnasium. More information on our awesome benefits!
Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We're about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.
Client Description
Our client is a global leader in consumer technology, renowned for redefining the intersection of hardware, software, and services. Known for their uncompromising commitment to world-class design and user experience, they create products that have become essential to daily life. You will be joining a team that values craftsmanship and simplicity, working on high-impact projects that reach hundreds of millions of people worldwide.

Apply