1

Freelance Motion Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Collaborate with freelance motion designers or external partners when appropriate Requirements * 5-8+ years of professional motion design experience, ideally in an agency or studio environment

Collaborate with freelance motion designers or external partners when appropriate Requirements * 5-8+ years of professional motion design experience, ideally in an agency or studio environment

Collaborate with freelance motion designers or external partners when appropriate Requirements * 5-8+ years of professional motion design experience, ideally in an agency or studio environment

Collaborate with freelance motion designers or external partners when appropriate Requirements * 5-8+ years of professional motion design experience, ideally in an agency or studio environment

Collaborate with freelance motion designers or external partners when appropriate Requirements * 5-8+ years of professional motion design experience, ideally in an agency or studio environment

Senior Motion Designer

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$100 - $150/hr

With a strong command of motion design and animation, as well as video editing, they can move ... Overseeing freelancers and agency partners in video editing and post-production on projects where ...

Senior Motion Designer

New York, NY · On-site

$110K - $145K/yr

With a strong command of motion design and animation, as well as video editing, they can move ... Overseeing freelancers and agency partners in video editing and post-production on projects where ...

Senior Motion Designer (Remote)

New York, NY · Remote

$116K - $132K/yr

Freelance Senior Motion Graphics Designer (2D) We are looking for a Senior 2D Motion Specialist to ... System BuildingAssemble robust motion design guidelines, modular toolkits, and template assets for ...

New

Showing results 21-40

Freelance Motion Design information

See salary details

$14

$47

$132

How much do freelance motion design jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance motion design in the United States is $47.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.28 and $61.78 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is freelance motion design?

Freelance motion design involves creating animated graphics and visual effects on a project-by-project basis, rather than working as a full-time employee for one company. Motion designers use tools like After Effects, Cinema 4D, and Blender to produce videos, advertisements, explainer animations, and more. As freelancers, they manage their own clients, set their rates, and have flexibility over their work schedules. This career requires both creative and technical skills, as well as the ability to communicate with clients and meet deadlines.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance motion designer?

To thrive as a Freelance Motion Designer, you need a strong foundation in animation principles, graphic design, and proficiency with industry-standard software like Adobe After Effects and Cinema 4D. Familiarity with project management tools and, in some cases, a portfolio or motion graphics certification can be advantageous. Exceptional communication, time management, and creative problem-solving skills help freelancers collaborate effectively and meet client expectations. These skills are vital to consistently deliver high-quality work on time, maintain client relationships, and succeed in a competitive freelance market.

How do freelance motion designers typically manage client communication and project expectations?

Freelance motion designers often work with multiple clients at once, making clear communication essential for successful project delivery. They usually establish expectations upfront by discussing project timelines, deliverables, revisions, and feedback processes in their contracts or proposals. Regular check-ins—via email, video calls, or project management tools—help keep both parties aligned and minimize misunderstandings. By proactively sharing progress updates and seeking feedback at key milestones, motion designers ensure the final product meets client needs while staying on schedule.

What is the difference between Freelance Motion Design vs Motion Graphics Artist?

AspectFreelance Motion DesignMotion Graphics Artist
CredentialsPortfolio, proficiency in design softwarePortfolio, proficiency in design software
Work EnvironmentIndependent, remote or client sitesStudio, agency, or freelance
Employer/IndustryClients across various industriesMedia, advertising, entertainment
Search/Comparison IntentYesYes

Freelance Motion Designers and Motion Graphics Artists often share similar skills and work environments, such as proficiency in animation software and working with clients or studios. The main difference is that Freelance Motion Designers operate independently, managing their own clients and projects, while Motion Graphics Artists may work within studios or agencies. Both roles require a strong portfolio and creative skills, but freelancers have more flexibility and responsibility for business management.

More about Freelance Motion Design jobs

What cities are hiring for Freelance Motion Design jobs?

Cities with the most Freelance 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 Freelance Motion Design jobs?

States with the most job openings for Freelance Motion Design jobs include:

Infographic showing various Freelance Motion Design job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,230 per year, or $47.7 per hour.

Motion Designer

Sköna

Hayward, CA • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 9 days ago


Job description

Sköna is seeking a Motion Designer to be our first in-house motion hire, helping shape how motion shows up across client work, pitches, and internal brand storytelling. This is a hands-on role for someone who wants to do more than execute deliverables. You’ll help define our motion offering, establish scalable workflows and best practices, and influence how motion fits into the Agency at every level.


As our first motion designer, you’ll collaborate closely with designers, writers, creative directors, and clients on a wide range of projects, from brand motion identities to campaign assets to product videos. You have a strong eye for craft, pacing, and detail, and understand how motion can elevate a brand when it’s integrated seamlessly into a larger creative idea. You’re comfortable owning projects end to end, moving fluidly from rough explorations to fully polished execution, managing multiple workstreams and adapting your motion style to fit a wide range of brands and executions.


Come join us at Sköna

We’re a small (but mighty) global creative agency with roots in Stockholm and a heart in San Francisco - think Scandinavian minimalism meets West Coast quirkiness. We help B2B and tech companies transform into brave brands through strategy, design, campaigns, events, and digital experiences.


You won’t be a cog in a machine here. You’ll have real autonomy and a direct hand in shaping the brands of high-growth tech companies at the edge of AI and beyond. Our team runs flat, collaboratively, and with no room for bureaucracy. Culture isn’t a perk, it’s the point: we take work-life balance seriously, every day is “Bring Your Dog to Work Day”, and we unite our two global offices every year for a retreat. Ultimately, we are committed to providing an environment that allows you to both thrive and do meaningful work.


Responsibilities

  • Design and animate motion graphics across brand systems, campaigns, social and digital assets, videos, pitches, and presentations
  • Lead motion projects from concept to final delivery, including storyboarding, style exploration, animation, and production-ready exports
  • Identify opportunities where motion can strengthen storytelling, user experiences, and creative concepts
  • Help shape Sköna’s motion offering by establishing best practices, refining our motion process, and contributing to how we package motion work for clients
  • Collaborate closely with creative directors, designers, copywriters, and producers to ensure motion is conceptually strong and well integrated into the final product
  • Maintain consistency with brand and campaign guidelines where appropriate, while ensuring visual quality across all outputs
  • Manage multiple projects and deadlines, delivering high-quality, production-ready work
  • Support internal marketing efforts through design and animation of social media graphics, case studies, and agency reels
  • Proactively identify opportunities for motion within existing brand and campaign platforms
  • Collaborate with freelance motion designers or external partners when appropriate


Requirements

  • 5–8+ years of professional motion design experience, ideally in an agency or studio environment
  • Strong foundation in design and branding, with a keen eye for typography, layout, composition, and visual hierarchy.
  • Strong portfolio demonstrating both conceptual thinking and high-quality execution
  • Advanced proficiency in After Effects and strong animation fundamentals
  • Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite
  • Strong foundation in design principles, with the ability to create compelling layouts, visual systems, and compositions across both motion and static applications
  • Solid understanding of typography, layout, composition, and design systems
  • Experience creating motion for branding, campaigns, and digital/social platforms
  • Experienced in leveraging AI in your workflow
  • Comfortable taking work from concept to final execution
  • Proficient working within a collaborative creative team
  • Bachelor’s degree in design, animation, or related field preferred


Nice-to-Haves

  • 3D experience, C4D and Redshift
  • Cavalry
  • Rive, Lottie
  • UI/UX and web prototyping experience


6 Signs That You Are the Right Candidate - Sköna's values

  • Creative problem solver - you have an entrepreneurial spirit, and you are proactive
  • Dogged curiosity - you have a curious spirit
  • Fun to work with - You make work fun and you have great people skills
  • Humble confidence - You know what you know, own what you don't
  • Team Sköna first - You defend the work, back the team, and push back when it matters, because clients come and go, but Sköna endures.
  • Embrace discomfort - you think outside the box and are open to new ideas, types of work, and ways of doing things.


Benefits

  • Salary commensurate with experience
  • 401(k) plan matching
  • Competitive vacation policy + tenure program
  • 10 work-from-anywhere days
  • Paid federal company holidays + winter holiday closure
  • Full medical/dental/vision package to fit your needs
  • Commuter benefits
  • Weekly team lunch and snacks provided
  • Learning & development budget


Salary Range

$110,000 - $140,000


Sköna is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race (including traits associated with race, such as hair texture and hairstyles like braids, locs, and twists), color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic or combination of those characteristics.