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Animation Designer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

The Mill

Designer/Animator

Chicago, IL

A Designer/Animator needs to be highly visually creative with an excellent knowledge of design techniques and the software and hardware he or she operates. Requirements: * Previous Design Studio ...

The Mill

Designer/Animator

Chicago, IL · On-site

A Designer/Animator needs to be highly visually creative with an excellent knowledge of design techniques and the software and hardware he or she operates. Requirements: * Previous Design Studio ...

Kurppa Hosk

Motion Designer

Chicago, IL · On-site

We're looking for a 2D Motion Designer to join our creative team and help bring ideas to life ... Create polished 2D motion graphics and animations for digital campaigns, social media, websites ...

Starcom Mediavest Group Germany Gmbh

Designer

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$53K - $79K/yr

Saatchi & Saatchi Health is looking for a versatile digital Designer with graphics, animation, and video editing skills to join our team. In this role, you'll be responsible for bringing visual art ...

MVP One

Motion Designer

Chicago, IL · On-site

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 ...

MVP One

Motion Designer

Chicago, IL

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 ...

MVP One

Motion Designer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$75K - $95K/yr

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 ...

Publicis Groupe Holdings B.V

Designer

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$53K - $79K/yr

Overview Saatchi & Saatchi Health is looking for a versatile digital Designer with graphics, animation, and video editing skills to join our team. In this role, you'll be responsible for bringing ...

Thinkingbox

Senior Motion Designer - The Heist

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$85K - $95K/yr

We bring together directors, designers, animators, editors, and technologists to create work that moves. From brand films to broadcast spots to social campaigns and experiential content, our team ...

Tt

Computational Designer

Chicago, IL

$70K - $85K/yr

Your Role As a Computational Designer & Visualization Specialist in our Chicago office, you will ... Create diagrams, graphics, animations, and video content for internal and client-facing ...

Thinkingbox

Senior Motion Designer - The Heist

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$85K - $95K/yr

We bring together directors, designers, animators, editors, and technologists to create work that moves. From brand films to broadcast spots to social campaigns and experiential content, our team ...

Luci

Junior Graphic Designer

Lincolnwood, IL · On-site

$55K - $65K/yr

Head of Design Summary/Objective The Junior Graphic Designer at Luci supports the Design Team by ... Create PowerPoint animations that clarify ideas and add energy without distraction. * Translate ...

smartdept. inc.

Branding Designer

Chicago, IL · On-site

smartdept. is searching for a Branding Designer for a financial services client located in Chicago ... Motion or digital animation skills * Chicago area with hybrid availability a plus

PULSE STUDIO, LLC

Be Seen First

Mid-Level Scenic & Event Designer 2026

Chicago, IL · On-site

$25 - $35/hr

Set Design, Exhibit Design, Tradeshow Design, Product/Prototype Renderings, Animations, Interior ... Generate creative designs based on project/client needs * Produce high quality renderings for ...

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All JobsAnimation Designer JobsAnimation Designer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Animation Designer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$36.6K

$85.7K

$113.4K

How much do animation designer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for animation designer in Chicago, IL is $85,722.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,800.00 and $112,400.00 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 specialized skills or advanced software knowledge can earn higher salaries. Freelance or contract work can also influence earnings.

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 jobs in the US pay 300,000 a year?

For an animation designer, earning $300,000 annually typically requires senior-level experience, advanced skills in industry-standard software, and often working in high-paying sectors such as film, gaming, or advertising. Such salaries are rare and usually involve leadership roles, freelance contracts, or working for large studios with extensive portfolios.

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 animators for specific films, television, and educational content, often requiring proficiency in software like Toon Boom or Adobe Animate.

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 Chicago, IL? For Animation Designer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Animation Designer jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Animation Designer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Animation Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animation Designer job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 66% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 3% Temporary, 4% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 73% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 23% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $85,722 per year, or $41.2 per hour.
Designer/Animator

Designer/Animator

The Mill

Chicago, IL

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

Company Description

The Mill has been creating world-class visual effects built on creative excellence and cutting-edge technologies for over twenty-eight years. We believe in creating work that touches people emotionally, that becomes popular culture and that people love, talk about and want to share. We believe in great ideas beautifully told.

Job Description

We are currently looking for an experienced Designer/Animator to join our New York studio. 

The role of The Mill Designer/Animator is to work with his or her fellow Designers, Senior Designers, and fellow artists. A Designer/Animator needs to be highly visually creative with an excellent knowledge of design techniques and the software and hardware he or she operates. 

Requirements: 

  • Previous Design Studio experience preferred.  
  • Help provide artistic direction to generate inspirational, conceptual and creative ideas with the rest of the design team. 
  • Work with the CD and fellow designers to conceptualize based on design briefs, execute the work, be it illustration, 2D or 3D design. 
  • Create, design and animate where necessary, in collaboration with others or individually to suit the task at hand. 
  • Be involved throughout the project, ensuring a reliable contact with clients and the team to deliver results that meets and exceeds expectations. 
  • Present concepts and design ideas to the Mill team, listening to feedback and making recommendations where appropriate. 
  • Ability to work efficiently, handling a vast variety of problems at the same time.  
  • Experience preparing presentations with strict deadlines. 
  • Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite - InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Bridge. 
  • Proficient in After Effects and C4D. 
  • Detail Oriented, proactive & organized. 
  • Communicates well with others, remains calm under pressure. 
  • Experience with AR a plus (AR Studio, Lens Studio) 
Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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