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Art Director Motion Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Art Director, Motion - The Heist

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$120K - $150K/yr

The Opportunity We're on the hunt for an Art Director, Motion who can lead with vision, inspire teams, and push creative boundaries across a variety of motion design projects. In this hybrid hands-on ...

Art Director, Motion - The Heist

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$120K - $150K/yr

The Opportunity We're on the hunt for an Art Director, Motion who can lead with vision, inspire teams, and push creative boundaries across a variety of motion design projects. In this hybrid hands-on ...

Art Director

Los Angeles, CA

$130K - $136K/yr

Concept video and motion-based visual executions, and direct filmmaker and design maker partners. * Art Direction & Design Execution * Contribute to the visual direction and design execution of ...

Art Director

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$130K - $136K/yr

Concept video and motion-based visual executions, and direct filmmaker and design maker partners. * Art Direction & Design Execution * Contribute to the visual direction and design execution of ...

Art Director

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$130K - $136K/yr

Concept video and motion-based visual executions, and direct filmmaker and design maker partners. * Art Direction & Design Execution * Contribute to the visual direction and design execution of ...

Art Director

Covington, LA · On-site

$60K - $70K/yr

Art Director Company: POLA Marketing Location: Covington, LA Employment Type: Full-Time Reports To ... Motion, video editing, or 3D capability * Photography or styling background * Experience with pre ...

Art Director

New York, NY

$132K - $138K/yr

The Art Director will lead projects and teams to develop and build concepts, presentations ... motion graphics studio Conceptual development and layout skills, mastery of typography, color ...

Art Director

New York, NY · On-site

$132K - $138K/yr

The Art Director will lead projects and teams to develop and build concepts, presentations ... agency or motion graphics studio • Conceptual development and layout skills, mastery of ...

Art Director

New York, NY · On-site

$120K - $170K/yr

Art direct and oversee shoots, ensuring the creative vision is realized in photography, motion, and content production. * Assemble a library of creative references, including imagery, color palettes ...

Art Director

Boston, MA

$131K - $138K/yr

Our experiential agency is looking for an Art Director with 7+ years experience for an immediate ... Help shape immersive environments using graphics, motion, lighting, production * architecture and ...

Contract Art Director

Portland, OR · On-site

$128K - $134K/yr

Contract Art Director (August 2026 - February 2027) Nemo Design is looking for a talented Contract ... You'll work across a variety of brand, campaign, motion, digital, and content projects for clients ...

The Senior Art Director combines exceptional design craft, conceptual thinking, motion design expertise, and a deep understanding of modern marketing principles to create work that advances business ...

Art Director/Lead Designer

Malvern, PA · On-site

$118K - $124K/yr

You'll art direct projects across digital, motion, video, and experiential applications, partnering with a close-knit team of strategists, researchers, designers, writers, and creative leaders to ...

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Art Director Motion information

See salary details

$44.5K

$121.8K

$146.5K

How much do art director motion jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for art director motion in the United States is $121,757.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $121,000.00 and $127,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Art Director Motion, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Art Director Motion, you need strong visual storytelling abilities, a solid background in design or animation, and experience leading creative projects, often supported by a degree in graphic design, animation, or a related field. Proficiency with industry-standard tools such as Adobe After Effects, Cinema 4D, and motion graphics software is typically required. Exceptional communication, creative leadership, and collaboration skills help you guide teams and work effectively with clients and stakeholders. These skills are crucial to delivering compelling motion content that aligns with brand goals and excels in a fast-paced creative environment.

What is an Art Director Motion?

An Art Director Motion is a creative professional who oversees the visual style and direction of motion graphics, animations, and moving images in various media such as film, television, advertising, and digital platforms. They collaborate with designers, animators, and production teams to ensure the visual storytelling aligns with the project's goals and brand identity. Their responsibilities include conceptualizing motion projects, guiding the artistic vision, and supervising the production process to achieve cohesive and engaging results.

What is the difference between Art Director Motion vs Motion Designer?

AspectArt Director MotionMotion Designer
CredentialsBachelor's in Design, Art, or related field; experience in art directionBachelor's in Animation, Graphic Design, or related field; strong portfolio
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with creative teams, oversees visual styleCreates animations and visual effects, often independently or in small teams
Industry UsageAdvertising, film, TV, digital mediaAdvertising, film, TV, digital media
Search & Comparison IntentOften compared for leadership and visual style influenceCompared for technical animation skills

While both roles work within visual media, the Art Director Motion focuses on overseeing the overall visual style and creative direction, often leading teams. The Motion Designer primarily creates animations and visual effects, executing the artistic vision through technical skills. Understanding these differences helps employers and professionals identify the right role for specific projects.

How does an Art Director Motion typically collaborate with other creative team members during a project?

As an Art Director Motion, you'll work closely with animators, graphic designers, copywriters, and project managers to ensure the visual storytelling aligns with the project's goals. Collaboration often involves leading brainstorming sessions, providing feedback on storyboards and design concepts, and coordinating with editors to fine-tune motion graphics. You'll also communicate client feedback to the team and ensure that all visual elements maintain a consistent style and quality throughout production. This role requires strong leadership, clear communication, and the ability to inspire creative teams under tight deadlines.
More about Art Director Motion jobs
What cities are hiring for Art Director Motion jobs? Cities with the most Art Director Motion job openings:
What states have the most Art Director Motion jobs? States with the most job openings for Art Director Motion jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Art Director Motion jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Art Director Motion jobs are:
Infographic showing various Art Director Motion job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $121,757 per year, or $58.5 per hour.

Art Director, Motion - The Heist

Thinkingbox

Chicago, IL • On-site, Remote

$120K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

Who We Are

Hi! We're The Heist, the motion design, live action, and post production studio within Thinkingbox, the Brief-to-Built agency.

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 blends craft and curiosity to push ideas further. Across our studios, collaboration is real, feedback is open, and culture matters. We take the work seriously. Ourselves, a little less so.

The Opportunity

We're on the hunt for an Art Director, Motion who can lead with vision, inspire teams, and push creative boundaries across a variety of motion design projects. In this hybrid hands-on and leadership role, you'll take ideas from concept to execution, including: storyboarding, styleframing, directing motion designers, and overseeing high-caliber 3D and 2D content for social, branded, commercial, and experiential campaigns.

You'll collaborate with fellow creatives and cross-functional teams to shape the visual direction of projects that range from digital micro-content to full-length animated pieces. You'll ensure creative excellence while mentoring junior talent and maintaining efficiency and clarity throughout the production pipeline.

What You'll Be Doing
  • Lead concept development and the realization of creative direction for motion projects.
  • Create styleframes and storyboards that define tone, motion language, and aesthetic.
  • Oversee/guide and participate in the execution of 3D/2D motion graphics, ensuring quality and cohesion.
  • Collaborate with creative directors, producers, and designers to shape campaign narratives.
  • Give thoughtful and actionable feedback that elevates the work.
  • Direct small to mid-size teams of animators and designers across various projects.
  • Contribute to pitch decks, treatments, and new business efforts when needed.
  • Stay ahead of industry trends, tools, and techniques to continuously elevate our creative output.
What You'll Bring
  • A stunning portfolio demonstrating strong art direction in motion across multiple styles and platforms.
  • 7+ years of experience in motion design or animation, with at least 1-2 years in a senior or leadership role.
  • Strong background in visual storytelling, typography, color theory, and design principles.
  • Expertise in Cinema 4D, Redshift, and Adobe Creative Suite (After Effects, Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere).
  • Familiarity with Houdini, XParticles, Marvelous Designer, or Substance Painter is a bonus.
  • Excellent communication skills - both visual and verbal.
  • Ability to manage timelines, provide mentorship, and balance hands-on work with strategic thinking.
  • A deep passion for craft and a desire to push what's possible in motion.
Additional Info
  • Monday - Thursday in office (Fridays are remote optional)
  • Flexible time off, including paid vacation and sick days
  • Consistent culture and team-building events
  • Employee recognition and incentive programs
  • Seasonal celebrations and gatherings throughout the year 
  • Office lunches 
  • Branded company swag
  • Access to industry events, learning opportunities, and non-profit outreaches
  • Dog-friendly offices
  • Unlimited coffee, drinks, and snacks
  • Flex work and travel options
  • Comprehensive extended health benefits
  • 401k matching
$120,000 - $150,000 a year
Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as internal equity, candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role. If your compensation expectations fall outside of this range, we still welcome your application.

Equal Opportunity

At The Heist, we're committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, heard, and empowered to thrive. We believe that diversity is our creative strength - it's the range of perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds that fuels our best ideas and most innovative solutions. We welcome and encourage applicants of all races, ethnicities, genders, identities, abilities, ages, sexual orientations, and backgrounds to apply. Your voice matters here.

To Apply

Thank you for your interest in joining our team. Please submit your resume along with links to your online portfolio as part of your application. Due to the volume of applications we receive, we're unable to respond to every submission. However, all applications are kept in our talent database and will be considered for future opportunities.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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