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Entry Level Indie Animation Studio Jobs in Chicago, IL

PULSE STUDIO, LLC

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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 ...

All JobsIndie Animation Studio JobsEntry Level Indie Animation Studio JobsEntry Level Indie Animation Studio Jobs in Chicago, IL

Entry Level Indie Animation Studio information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$15

$23

$29

How much do entry level indie animation studio jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level indie animation studio in Chicago, IL is $23.15, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.05 and $25.53 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are entry level jobs at an indie animation studio?

Entry level jobs at an indie animation studio typically include roles such as production assistant, junior animator, storyboard artist, or intern. These positions often involve supporting senior team members, assisting with animation tasks, organizing assets, and helping with day-to-day studio operations. Entry level employees gain valuable experience in the animation pipeline and have the opportunity to learn a wide range of skills in a creative environment. The collaborative nature of indie studios means newcomers often take on diverse responsibilities and contribute directly to projects.

What kinds of projects and tasks can I expect to work on as an entry-level team member at an indie animation studio?

As an entry-level professional at an indie animation studio, you will likely contribute to a variety of tasks across the animation pipeline, including assisting with storyboarding, character design, background creation, and possibly some basic animation or editing. You may also help with administrative duties, file management, or social media updates, depending on the studio's size. Collaboration is key, so expect to work closely with a small, tight-knit team and have opportunities to provide creative input. The dynamic environment often means wearing multiple hats and learning new skills on the job, making it a great place to grow your portfolio and industry knowledge.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive at an entry-level position in an indie animation studio?

To thrive in an entry-level role at an indie animation studio, you need a foundational understanding of animation principles, basic drawing or design skills, and often a relevant degree or portfolio. Familiarity with industry-standard software like Adobe Creative Suite, Toon Boom, or Blender is typically required. Strong teamwork, adaptability, and clear communication help you stand out, especially in collaborative, fast-paced environments. These skills and qualities are crucial for producing creative, high-quality work and contributing effectively to small, dynamic teams.

What is the difference between Entry Level Indie Animation Studio vs Entry Level Animation Assistant?

AspectEntry Level Indie Animation StudioEntry Level Animation Assistant
CredentialsBasic animation skills, portfolio, possibly a degree in animation or related fieldSimilar credentials, often with some technical or software knowledge
Work EnvironmentSmall teams, independent projects, flexible schedulesStudio settings, collaborative environment, structured tasks
Industry UsageUsed by independent creators, small studios, freelance workCommon in larger studios, production houses, and animation departments

While both roles involve foundational animation skills, an Entry Level Indie Animation Studio typically refers to work in small, independent projects with flexible environments. An Entry Level Animation Assistant often works within larger studios, supporting production tasks. The main difference lies in the work setting and project scale, though credentials and skills required are quite similar.

What are the most commonly searched types of Indie Animation Studio jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Indie Animation Studio jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Indie Animation Studio jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Entry Level Indie Animation Studio jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Indie Animation Studio jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Indie Animation Studio jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Entry Level Indie Animation Studio jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Entry Level Indie Animation Studio job openings:

Entry Level Indie Animation Studio jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Indie Animation Studio job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 66% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 62% In-person, and 38% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,162 per year, or $23.2 per hour.

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

Re-posted 10 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.