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Illustrator Animation Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Product Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$140K - $210K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

A passion for building delightful user experiences with motion, illustration, animations, and high-quality interaction design. * Tenacity, pragmatism, and scrappiness - you value high degrees of ...

Product Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$140K - $210K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

A passion for building delightful user experiences with motion, illustration, animations, and high-quality interaction design. * Tenacity, pragmatism, and scrappiness -- you value high degrees of ...

Sales and Marketing Representative

Redlands, CA

$41K - $55K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Company Description From our headquarters in Redlands, California, our sales, marketing, and animation teams work together to create cutting-edge 3D animations and illustrations for trial lawyers to ...

Brand & Visual Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$70K - $85K/yr

Most importantly, you're passionate about digital media and animation, with the craft to bring ideas to life yourself. What You'll Do * Create on-brand illustrations, vector art, and graphics across ...

Sales and Marketing Representative

Redlands, CA · On-site

$41K - $55K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Company Description From our headquarters in Redlands, California, our sales, marketing, and animation teams work together to create cutting-edge 3D animations and illustrations for trial lawyers to ...

Brand & Visual Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$70K - $85K/yr

Most importantly, you're passionate about digital media and animation, with the craft to bring ideas to life yourself. What You'll Do * Create on-brand illustrations, vector art, and graphics across ...

Visual Media Compositor

Redlands, CA · On-site

$23 - $29/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

DK Global is a leading litigation visuals firm that creates high-impact 3D animations and medical illustrations to help trial attorneys communicate complex information and advocate for justice. The ...

Product Marketing III

Santa Clara, CA · On-site +1

$124K - $171K/yr

Graphic design and technical illustration * Animation and motion graphics * CAD, 3D modeling, or cross-sectional visualization * Prototyping or 3D printing for storytelling or demonstration use cases

Product Marketing III

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$124K - $171K/yr

Graphic design and technical illustration * Animation and motion graphics * CAD, 3D modeling, or cross-sectional visualization * Prototyping or 3D printing for storytelling or demonstration use cases

Art Director, Claude

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$142K - $149K/yr

Direct photo and video shoots, working with directors, photographers, illustrators, animators, and production partners to bring campaigns to life. * Flex between executing work in-house and directing ...

Showing results 21-40

Illustrator Animation information

What does an illustrator animator do?

An illustrator animator creates visual content by designing and drawing characters, environments, and objects, then bringing them to life through animation techniques. They combine their artistic skills with animation software to produce engaging sequences for films, games, advertisements, or digital media. This role often involves collaborating with writers, directors, and other artists to interpret ideas and deliver a cohesive visual story.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an illustrator animator?

To thrive as an Illustrator Animator, you need strong artistic ability, a solid understanding of visual storytelling, and proficiency in illustration and animation principles, often supported by a degree in animation, fine arts, or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects) and animation tools like Toon Boom or Blender is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication are essential soft skills that help bring concepts to life and facilitate collaboration with clients and teams. These competencies ensure high-quality, engaging animations that effectively communicate ideas and meet project goals.

How do illustrator animation professionals typically collaborate with other team members during a project?

Illustrator Animation professionals often work closely with animators, art directors, and project managers to bring visual concepts to life. Collaboration usually involves regular meetings to discuss style guides, storyboards, and animation sequences. Effective communication and feedback are key, as illustrators may need to adjust artwork based on animation requirements or client input. This collaborative environment helps ensure that the final animated product is cohesive and aligns with the project’s creative vision.

What is the difference between Illustrator Animation vs Graphic Designer?

AspectIllustrator AnimationGraphic Designer
CredentialsTypically requires skills in illustration, animation software, and design principlesRequires skills in visual communication, layout, and design software
Work EnvironmentOften works in animation studios, media companies, or freelanceWorks in advertising agencies, corporate branding, or print/digital media
Industry UsageUsed for animated videos, character design, and multimedia projectsUsed for branding, marketing materials, and visual identity

Illustrator Animation focuses on creating animated visuals and characters, combining illustration skills with animation techniques. Graphic Designers primarily develop static visual content for branding, advertising, and print. While both roles require strong design skills, Illustrator Animation emphasizes motion and storytelling through animation, whereas Graphic Design centers on visual communication in static formats.

Are illustrators still in demand?

Illustrators are still in demand in various industries such as publishing, advertising, and digital media, especially those skilled in digital tools like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. The need for visual content continues to grow with the expansion of online platforms, though competition remains high and staying updated with current design trends is important.

Can an illustrator be an animator?

Yes, an illustrator can become an animator by learning animation techniques, software such as Adobe After Effects or Toon Boom, and gaining experience in motion graphics. Many professionals in animation start with illustration skills and expand their expertise to include movement and timing. Having a strong portfolio that demonstrates both static and animated work is beneficial for transitioning between these roles.

What is the salary of an illustrator animation?

The average salary for an illustrator animation professional ranges from $40,000 to $80,000 per year, depending on experience, location, and skill level. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced animators with specialized skills or working in high-demand markets can earn higher salaries.

What cities in California are hiring for Illustrator Animation jobs?

Cities in California with the most Illustrator Animation job openings:

Infographic showing various Illustrator Animation job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 85% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 8% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution.

Creative Director (Brands, Consumer Products, Licensing)

INVIZ

Santa Monica, CA

$115K - $125K/yr

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago


Job description

Who We're Looking For

A hands-on creative leader with exceptional illustration skills who can both create compelling designs and guide others. You thrive at the intersection of digital IP and physical products, having translated entertainment properties into consumer goods. You understand licensing partnerships and can refresh style guides seasonally. Most importantly, you're passionate about digital media and animation, with the artistic skills to bring concepts to life yourself.

What You'll Do

  • Create and refresh compelling style guides for our licensing partners
  • Develop brand identity systems including logos, typography, and visual language
  • Design key art, illustrations, and product applications with your own skills
  • Interface with licensing partners to ensure brand consistency
  • Act as the creative anchor across all projects and mediums of our IP
  • Collaborate with external art and animation teams to maintain brand integrity
  • Supervise our art director and creative team while maintaining hands-on design work
  • Develop product designs across hardlines (toys) and softlines (apparel, bedding, etc)

What You Need

  • Exceptional illustration and vector art skills with a strong portfolio
  • Experience designing for consumer products across multiple categories
  • Background in entertainment, gaming, or digital media brand licensing
  • Knowledge of typography, layout design, and brand identity systems
  • Experience supervising design teams while maintaining creative output
  • Understanding of manufacturing requirements for various product categories
  • Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Illustrator
  • Passion for digital content, animation, and emerging entertainment platforms

Ready to shape the future of digital entertainment brands? Let's talk.


INVIZ logo

About INVIZ

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Arts, entertainment, and recreation

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Santa Monica, CA, US

Year founded

2018