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Entry Level Animation Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

PULSE STUDIO, LLC

Be Seen First

Entry Level Scenic & Event Designer / Production Artist 2026

Lisle, IL · On-site

$20 - $30/hr

Entry-Level Scenic & Event Designer Pulse Studio LLC is a design previsualization firm based in ... Set Design, Exhibit Design, Tradeshow Design, Product/Prototype Renderings, Animations, Interior ...

Adidev Technologies

IOS Developer

Des Plaines, IL

$30 - $45/hr

... for entry-level and mid-level iOS developers with 1 year - to 3 years of experience. Must be a ... Core Animation, etc. Experience with Design Patterns such as MVC, MVVM, etc. Familiarity with ...

Adidev Technologies Inc

IOS Developer

Des Plaines, IL · On-site

... for entry-level and mid-level iOS developers with 1 year - to 3 years of experience. Must be a ... Core Animation, etc. Experience with Design Patterns such as MVC, MVVM, etc. Familiarity with ...

Adidev Technologies Inc

IOS Developer

Des Plaines, IL · On-site

$30 - $45/hr

... for entry-level and mid-level iOS developers with 1 year - to 3 years of experience. Must be a ... Core Animation, etc. Experience with Design Patterns such as MVC, MVVM, etc. Familiarity with ...

BISCO, Inc.

Creative Designer, Junior

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$55K - $64K/yr

Bachelor's degree in graphic design or similar field. * Entry-level position; portfolio and / or ... Creative thinker with strong design skills, sense of timing for videos / animations, ability to ...

BISCO, Inc.

Creative Designer, Junior

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$55K - $64K/yr

Bachelor's degree in graphic design or similar field. * Entry-level position; portfolio and / or ... Creative thinker with strong design skills, sense of timing for videos / animations, ability to ...

All JobsAnimation JobsEntry Level Animation JobsEntry Level Animation Jobs in Illinois

Entry Level Animation information

See Illinois salary details

$18K

$42K

$85.6K

How much do entry level animation jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level animation in Illinois is $42,032.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $30,711.00 and $45,190.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How to get an animation job with no experience?

Entry level animation jobs often require a strong portfolio demonstrating your skills in software like Adobe After Effects or Blender. Gaining experience through personal projects, internships, or online courses can help build your portfolio and improve your chances of securing an entry-level position.

How do I start my animation career?

To start an entry-level animation career, develop a strong portfolio showcasing your work, learn industry-standard software such as Adobe Animate or Blender, and gain foundational skills in drawing, storytelling, and timing. Pursuing relevant education, such as a degree or online courses, and gaining experience through internships or personal projects can also improve your job prospects.

What types of projects and daily tasks can I expect as an entry level animator?

As an entry level animator, you will typically work on a variety of tasks such as creating and revising animation sequences, assisting with storyboards, cleaning up frames, and supporting more senior animators with asset preparation. You'll often collaborate closely with designers, writers, and sound engineers to develop content for TV, web, video games, or advertising. The pace can vary depending on project deadlines, with some periods requiring faster turnaround times. This hands-on role is a great opportunity to build your portfolio, learn from experienced colleagues, and develop industry skills that open doors to advanced animation positions over time.

Will AI replace animators?

AI technology can automate certain repetitive tasks in animation, such as in-betweening or rendering, but it is unlikely to fully replace entry-level animators. Human creativity, storytelling, and artistic judgment remain essential in producing compelling animations, and animators who develop skills in digital tools and AI integration will continue to be valuable in the industry.

What are entry-level animator jobs?

Entry-level animator jobs involve creating basic animations for projects such as videos, games, or advertisements, often requiring skills in software like Adobe Animate or Blender. These roles typically require a portfolio or demo reel and may involve working under supervision to develop foundational animation skills and gain industry experience.

What is an Entry Level Animation job?

An Entry Level Animation job is a starting position in the animation industry, typically for recent graduates or those with little professional experience. These roles often involve tasks like creating simple animations, assisting senior animators, and working with storyboards or character designs. Responsibilities may vary depending on the company, but they generally focus on building foundational skills. Entry-level animators usually work in studios, gaming companies, advertising agencies, or freelance. This position provides essential experience to advance into more specialized roles in animation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Entry Level Animation position, and why are they important?

To thrive in an Entry Level Animation role, a solid understanding of animation principles, storyboarding, and basic drawing or modeling skills is essential, often supported by a degree or coursework in animation or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as Adobe Creative Suite, Toon Boom, Autodesk Maya, or Blender is highly beneficial. Creativity, strong attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with team members are key soft skills for success. These skills enable entry-level animators to produce quality work, learn quickly on the job, and contribute positively to creative projects.

What are the most commonly searched types of Animation jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Animation jobs in Illinois are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Animation jobs in Illinois? For Entry Level Animation jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Animation jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Animation jobs in Illinois are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Entry Level Animation jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Entry Level Animation job openings:
Entry Level Animation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Animation job openings in Illinois as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 18% As Needed, 42% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 18% Nights. Highlights an 73% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 23% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,032 per year, or $20.2 per hour.
Entry Level Scenic & Event Designer / Production Artist 2026

Entry Level Scenic & Event Designer / Production Artist 2026

PULSE STUDIO, LLC

Lisle, IL • On-site

$20 - $30/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

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Job description

Entry-Level Scenic & Event Designer

Pulse Studio LLC is a design previsualization firm based in Lisle, Illinois. Our designs allow clients to experience what their event or product will look and feel like before it’s ever built. We are looking for a strong 3D Designer to help us create stunning presentation visuals and digital assets for the following areas: Set Design, Exhibit Design, Tradeshow Design, Product/Prototype Renderings, Animations, Interior & Exterior Renderings, Mobile Marketing, Graphics & Web design and AR/VR content creation.

Responsibilities

  • Generate creative designs based on project/client needs
  • Produce high quality renderings for events, scenic stage designs, and product launches
  • Take a design idea from conceptual mood boards to final design
  • Model, texture and light all elements involved with the project
  • Understand the varieties of light setups from clean studio renderings to vibrant stage rendering
  • Coordinate with the rest of the project team in the execution of the project/assignments
  • Post-production work for final renderings

Skills and Abilities

  • Proficient in 3D Studio Max (DO NOT APPLY IF YOU DON'T KNOW THIS PROGRAM)
  • Knowledgeable in Unreal (Blueprints/Programming/Coding not required but is a plus)
  • Can create custom textures and materials for use in models
  • Can dynamically light a scene
  • Proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud, specifically Photoshop & Illustrator
  • Proficiency in Office 365 (Word, Excel and Outlook)
  • Ability to effectively meet deadlines
  • Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing
  • Ability to work in team environment

Qualifications

  • Work experience in Event Design, Trade Show Design, Theater or Architecture is a huge plus.
  • Any programming, C++, or HTML5 experience is not required but is a plus.
  • After Effects for motion graphics creation experience is not required but is a plus.
  • Knowledge of fabrication and tradeshow extrusion systems is not required but is a plus.

Please include a link to your portfolio with your application to be considered. (THIS IS MANDATORY. We need to see what level your skills are at.)

Pulse Studio is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We support diversity in the workforce.

Job Location - Lisle, Illinois. Ideally you work in our studio but will have flexibility with some days being remote.

Position Type - Contract to start (Hourly) / After 3 months Full Time is possible (Salary)

Our industry is fast paced with quick turnarounds. Our work varies from day to day, occasionally we work late to meet our clients’ expectations. Benefits include medical insurance, 401k with employer match, paid holidays, and vacation time.

Company Description

Pulse Studio got our start creating successful branded corporate events, trade-shows and exhibits. We are passionate about creating branded experiential designs from the overall physical experience down to the content you see on each screen. With our backgrounds in architecture, engineering, film and animation we were able to take our clients ideas and turn them into beautiful designs visualized in 3d. This is all created with fresh modern designs while always working with our clients to make sure we are embodying the message and story they want to tell.
Pulse serves as an extension of your design department. We work with our clients and their brand guidelines to create beautiful renderings, still images, custom video content, and motion graphics. We believe in a collaborative process between our clients and producers ensuring their satisfaction with the design and messaging we are creating. We have taken our roots of designing 3-dimensional branding experience and have evolved to help our clients create everything from the physical design down to the graphics, video content and interactive elements.
Our combined experience has created a base for us to understand our clients brands and turn those brands and stories into customer experiences. We are taking that all a step further to push digital content further for our clients. Environmental branding is no longer just a passive experience of showing static images. We want to interact with our content through touchscreens, VR/AR/MR, motion sensors, tablets, social media integration and more. That is just the beginning, every day we are looking at new technology to help our clients engage their customers. The more engaging the experience, the more brand awareness that create. That makes our clients happy and keeps them calling on Pulse for new projects.