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Animator Illustrator Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Frontend Developer

Birmingham, MI

$99K - $115K/yr

Basic animation, video and design knowledge. Beginner level knowledge of code repository systems (I.e SVN / Git) Creative toolset knowledge and expertise (e.g. Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.

Frontend Developer

Birmingham, MI ยท On-site

$99K - $115K/yr

... animation, video and design knowledge. โ€ข Beginner level knowledge of code repository systems (I.e SVN / Git) โ€ข Creative toolset knowledge and expertise (e.g. Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, etc ...

Rich Media Designer

Berkley, MI ยท On-site

$750K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... animation, prototypes, or other digital creative work. * Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, especially Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects. * Experience with rich media or ad-building ...

Produce and guide others in the creation of high-quality concept visuals, including 2D illustrations, UI explorations, 3D digital models, and animations that bring future-state interactions to life.

Produce and guide others in the creation of high-quality concept visuals, including 2D illustrations, UI explorations, 3D digital models, and animations that bring future-state interactions to life.

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Animator Illustrator information

See Michigan salary details

$9

$34

$61

How much do animator illustrator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for animator illustrator in Michigan is $34.35, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.09 and $55.72 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Animator Illustrator vs Graphic Designer?

AspectAnimator IllustratorGraphic Designer
Required CredentialsTypically a degree in animation, illustration, or related fieldOften a degree in graphic design, visual communication, or related field
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, media companies, freelance projectsAdvertising agencies, corporate branding, print and digital media
Industry UsageUsed in film, TV, video games, online mediaUsed in branding, marketing, print, and digital design

Animator Illustrators focus on creating animated and illustrated content primarily for media and entertainment, while Graphic Designers develop visual concepts for branding, marketing, and print. Both roles require strong artistic skills and often overlap, but their primary outputs and work environments differ.

What is the salary of an animator illustrator?

The average salary for an animator illustrator varies depending on experience, location, and industry, but typically ranges from $40,000 to $80,000 annually. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced professionals with strong portfolios and skills in software like Adobe Creative Suite can earn higher wages.

What is an animator illustrator's salary?

The average salary for an animator illustrator varies by experience and location but typically ranges from $40,000 to $80,000 annually. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced professionals with strong skills in digital tools and animation software can earn higher salaries. Freelance work and specialization can also influence earnings.

What are some common challenges faced by animator illustrators when working on collaborative projects?

Animator Illustrators often work closely with art directors, writers, and other animators, which requires effective communication and flexibility. A common challenge is ensuring that individual artistic styles align with the project's overall vision, especially when multiple illustrators contribute to the same animation. Additionally, meeting tight deadlines while maintaining high quality can be demanding, as revisions and feedback loops are frequent in a collaborative environment. Successful Animator Illustrators are adaptable and open to constructive criticism to help bring creative concepts to life as a cohesive team.

What is an animator illustrator?

Animator Illustrators are creative professionals who combine the skills of both animation and illustration to produce visual content for various media, such as films, television, video games, advertisements, and digital platforms. They design characters, backgrounds, and scenes, and bring them to life through movement and storytelling techniques. Animator Illustrators often work with specialized software to create both static imagery and animated sequences, collaborating with other artists, directors, and clients to achieve the desired visual style and narrative. Their work can be found in everything from cartoons and commercials to educational content and web media.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an animator illustrator?

To thrive as an Animator Illustrator, you need a solid background in drawing, visual storytelling, and animation principles, often backed by a degree in animation, illustration, or a related field. Mastery of digital tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Toon Boom Harmony, and 3D animation software is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong collaboration skills set outstanding professionals apart in this field. These abilities are crucial for producing engaging visual content and effectively communicating ideas within creative teams.

Can an illustrator be an animator?

Yes, an illustrator can become an animator, as both roles involve strong drawing skills and visual storytelling. Many professionals transition by learning animation software like Adobe After Effects or Toon Boom and gaining experience in motion design. Having a background in illustration can provide a solid foundation for creating engaging animated content.

What are popular job titles related to Animator Illustrator jobs in Michigan?

For Animator Illustrator jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Michigan are hiring for Animator Illustrator jobs?

Cities in Michigan with the most Animator Illustrator job openings:

Infographic showing various Animator Illustrator job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 6% Internship, 70% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 79% In-person, 7% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $71,448 per year, or $34.4 per hour.

Graphic Designer (Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop, and Illustrator)

Detroit Engineered Products

Sterling Heights, MI โ€ข On-site

Other

Re-posted 13 days ago


Job description

Description
About the Role:
Join the Media Department within the Global Marketing & Communications team to develop high-quality graphic design that supports enterprise marketing, branding, advertising, data visualization, executive communications and events. This role is responsible for translating concepts, messaging and data into clear, visually compelling designs across print, digital and presentation platforms while maintaining brand consistency and design standards.
Major Activities Include:
Ensuring graphic design deliverables meet quality, schedule and brand standards while supporting marketing, communications and business objectives across internal and external channels. The Graphic Designer partners closely with marketing strategists, content creators, program teams and leadership to produce effective visual communications.
Responsibilities to Anticipate:
  • Design and produce high-quality graphic assets for marketing collateral, advertisements, brochures, reports, presentations, digital platforms and trade show materials.
  • Develop and enhance PowerPoint presentations for company leaders, business reviews, proposals and external communications.
  • Create data visualizations, infographics and charts that clearly communicate complex information.
  • Ensure consistent application of brand standards, typography, color and layout across all materials.
  • Prepare print- and publication-ready files, ensuring accuracy of specifications, color management, bleed, trim and production requirements.
  • Manage multiple design projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and quality expectations.
  • Participate in creative reviews, design critiques and project status meetings.
  • Maintain version control and documentation in accordance with department standards.
  • Support proposal development and executive communications as required.
  • Evaluate design trends, tools and workflows to improve creative quality and efficiency.

Minimum Qualifications / What you must have:
  • Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Fine Arts or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
  • 3-5 years of professional graphic design experience in a corporate, agency or enterprise environment.
  • Advanced proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator.
  • Expertise in PowerPoint, including executive-level presentation design and storytelling.
  • Experience developing print and digital marketing materials, advertisements and branded collateral.
  • Proven ability to create effective data visualizations and infographics.
  • Strong understanding of layout, typography, color theory and visual hierarchy.
  • Ability to communicate clearly with technical and nontechnical stakeholders.
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to manage priorities across multiple projects.
  • High attention to detail and commitment to design quality and brand consistency.

Additional Information:
  • Experience supporting large enterprises, government entities or highly regulated industries.
  • Familiarity with brand governance and visual identity systems.
  • Experience working with printers and external vendors.
  • Experience with motion graphics or light animation (After Effects).
  • Basic understanding of digital accessibility standards.