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Contract Motion Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Fact and Fiction

Editor

Niwot, CO · On-site

$350 - $450/day

Familiarity with VFX, compositing, or more advanced motion design * Experience with DaVinci Resolve ... Contract terms are competitive and based on experience, with remote eligibility during the ...

Fact and Fiction

Editor

Niwot, CO · On-site +1

$350 - $450/day

Familiarity with VFX, compositing, or more advanced motion design * Experience with DaVinci Resolve ... Contract terms are competitive and based on experience, with remote eligibility during the ...

Mastech Digital

Senior Brand Designer

San Francisco, CA · Remote

$50 - $55/hr

This is a Contract position, and the client is looking for someone to start immediately. Duration ... Photoshop - Motion design experience (After Effects preferred) - Strong communication and ...

BayOne Solutions

Visual Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

San Francisco, CA OR San Jose, CA Contract Duration: 12 months with possible extension About the ... Experience with Android, Material design, motion design, and 3D tools. * Ability to take design ...

Mastech Digital

Senior Brand Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$50 - $55/hr

This is a Contract position, and the client is looking for someone to start immediately. Duration ... Photoshop - Motion design experience (After Effects preferred) - Strong communication and ...

smartdept. inc.

Digital Designer

Deerfield, IL · On-site

This is a remote contract opportunity. As a Digital Designer, you'll create engaging assets across ... Design engaging graphics and motion assets for social media platforms (Instagram, LinkedIn ...

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Contract Motion Design information

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$14

$36

$68

How much do contract motion design jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract motion design in the United States is $36.84, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.88 and $42.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Contract Motion Design vs Freelance Motion Designer?

AspectContract Motion DesignFreelance Motion Designer
CredentialsPortfolio, proficiency in motion design software, sometimes specific certificationsPortfolio, software skills, no formal certifications required
Work EnvironmentTypically employed by a company or agency on a temporary basisSelf-employed, working independently for multiple clients
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by companies hiring for specific projects or short-term needsUsed by individuals offering services across various industries

Contract Motion Design involves working temporarily for a company or agency, often with a fixed project scope. Freelance Motion Designers operate independently, managing multiple clients. Both roles require strong motion design skills, but contract roles are usually more structured with defined employment terms, while freelance roles offer more flexibility but require self-management.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract Motion Designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Motion Designer, you need expertise in animation principles, graphic design, and proficiency with software like Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro, and Cinema 4D, often backed by a relevant degree or portfolio. Familiarity with project management tools, industry-standard plugins, and sometimes certifications in motion graphics software are typically expected. Strong communication, creativity, and the ability to adapt quickly to client feedback and shifting project requirements set top performers apart. These skills ensure high-quality, on-brand visual content is delivered efficiently, meeting client expectations and project deadlines.

What are some common challenges faced by contract motion designers, and how can they be effectively managed?

Contract motion designers often face challenges such as tight deadlines, varying client expectations, and the need to quickly adapt to different brand styles. Effectively managing these challenges involves maintaining clear communication with clients, setting realistic timelines, and building a flexible workflow. Additionally, staying organized with robust project management tools and continuously updating your design skills can help ensure you deliver high-quality work on schedule while meeting diverse client needs.

What is a contract motion designer?

A contract motion designer is a professional who creates animated graphics and visual effects for various media, such as videos, advertisements, and digital content, typically on a freelance or temporary basis. They work with clients or agencies on specific projects, bringing stories and concepts to life through motion graphics. Unlike full-time employees, contract motion designers are hired for set durations or projects, allowing for flexibility and exposure to diverse industries. Their skills often include proficiency in software like After Effects, Cinema 4D, and Adobe Creative Suite.
More about Contract Motion Design jobs
What cities are hiring for Contract Motion Design jobs? Cities with the most Contract Motion Design job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Motion Design jobs? The most popular types of Motion Design jobs are:
What states have the most Contract Motion Design jobs? States with the most job openings for Contract Motion Design jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Contract Motion Design jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Motion Design jobs are:
Contract Motion Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Motion Design job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 62% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $76,634 per year, or $36.8 per hour.

Editor

Fact and Fiction

Niwot, CO • On-site

$350 - $450/day

Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

As a Fact & Fiction Editor, you live in the cut and you care about every frame. You're a craftsperson who can take a project from string-out to final master, shaping story in the edit and carrying it through color, mix, graphics, and online finishing. You'll work closely with Creatives, Producers, and our wider post team to turn footage into work that stands out.
We're looking for an editor who can own a job end to end and move comfortably between long-form storytelling and quick-turn social cutdowns. The kind of editor who quietly handles the whole pipeline, the cut, the color, the mix, the graphics, the finish, and treats that as just doing the job. Creative, collaborative, detail-obsessed, and able to keep high-quality work moving on time in a fast-paced environment. If this sounds like you, read on.
Day in the Life
  • Take projects from raw footage to final delivery: assembly, story edit, picture lock, color, mix, graphics, and online finishing
  • Cut across formats and lengths, from broadcast and brand films to social cutdowns, product videos, and quick-turn content
  • Collaborate with Creatives and Producers to understand the vision, then bring your own instincts to make the work better, not just execute the boards
  • Manage your own media: organized projects, clean bins, reliable backups, and version control that someone else could pick up without a treasure hunt
  • Handle color grading and audio mixing to a broadcast-ready standard, or know when to hand off to a specialist and prep cleanly for them
  • Build and animate graphics and titles as the job calls for, from lower thirds to light motion design
  • Deliver to spec across platforms and clients, managing the details of codecs, frame rates, aspect ratios, and platform requirements
  • Keep work moving on tight timelines without sacrificing craft, flagging risks early and offering solutions
  • Maintain the standards and best practices that keep our post pipeline efficient and consistent
  • Contribute to a collaborative post culture where the instinct is to make the work better, together

Here's what you need to get our attention:
  • 3+ years of professional editing experience at an agency, production company, post house, or in-house creative team
  • A reel or portfolio link showing range and craft across formats (required - applications without one won't be reviewed)
  • Strong command of Adobe Premiere Pro

Here's what will make us call you for sure:
  • An editor who can take a job all the way: edit, color, mix, graphics, and online finishing, without needing to hand it off at every stage
  • Strong story instincts and the ability to find the cut that elevates the creative
  • Color grading skills in Premiere or DaVinci Resolve
  • Audio mixing and sweetening chops, with an ear for clean, polished sound
  • Motion and graphics ability in After Effects, from titles and lower thirds through light motion design
  • Fluency in the rest of the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Audition)
  • Rock-solid media management, project organization, and version control
  • Working knowledge of delivery specs across broadcast, digital, and social platforms
  • Comfortable taking creative direction and running with it independently, without hand-holding
  • Calm under tight timelines, with a track record of delivering on time and on spec
  • Exceptional communication and collaboration skills

Not required, but it'll give you an edge
  • An interest in post-producing your own work: scoping, scheduling, and managing post jobs from intake to delivery
  • Familiarity with VFX, compositing, or more advanced motion design
  • Experience with DaVinci Resolve for finishing and color
  • Knowledge of usage and licensing as it touches stock, music, and footage
  • Experience mentoring or directing junior editors and assistants

This role starts as a contract-to-hire engagement, with a clear path to full-time for the right fit.
We use the initial contract period as a working try-out on both sides. You get a real look at how we operate, the kinds of projects you'll be working on, and the team you'll be working on them with. We get to see your craft in motion, how you navigate a fast-paced post pipeline, and how you show up day to day. When it's working, and we expect it to, we move to a full-time conversation.
Contract terms are competitive and based on experience, with remote eligibility during the engagement. Full-time conversion is hybrid out of our Niwot, CO office and includes the full benefits package below.
Day rate: $350-$450/day DOE, remote eligible.
Full-time conversion (for the right fit): $70-$85K DOE, hybrid out of our Niwot, CO office, plus full benefits below.
What full-time at Fact & Fiction looks like:
    • A clear path from permalancer to full-time for the right person.
    • A killer culture with team members who have your back!
    • Flex PTO plan for work-life balance with supplemental family leave.
    • Generous holidays including a reduced schedule between Christmas and New Years.
    • Strong health plans - We even cover our employees' dental and vision premiums.
    • Long-term and short-term disability.
    • Access to Flexible Spending Accounts Plan.
    • 401(k) with company match (up to 4%), fully vested from day one.
    • Employee Assistance Program.
    • Life Insurance.

COME AS YOU ARE: your gender, your gods, who you love, what you look like, where you came from, or who you know don't make a difference here. Fact & Fiction is an open-minded meritocracy built on good work and good people. If you're smart, kind, and great at what you do, come as you are.

Apply