1

Motion Design Intern Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Communications Intern

Arlington, VA ยท On-site

$17.25 - $23/hr

Pitch in on design for social media, websites, or motion graphics * Assist in company social media presence and outreach * Leave with an effusive recommendation and demonstrable work to show future ...

Communications Intern

Arlington, VA ยท On-site

$17.25 - $23/hr

Pitch in on design for social media, websites, or motion graphics * Assist in company social media presence and outreach * Leave with an effusive recommendation and demonstrable work to show future ...

Communications Intern

Arlington, VA ยท On-site

$17.25 - $23/hr

Pitch in on design for social media, websites, or motion graphics * Assist in company social media presence and outreach * Leave with an effusive recommendation and demonstrable work to show future ...

Motion Design Intern information

See Washington salary details

$10

$20

$34

How much do motion design intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for motion design intern in Washington is $20.57, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.96 and $23.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a motion design intern do?

A Motion Design Intern assists in creating animated graphics, visual effects, and motion-based content for videos, advertisements, or digital platforms. They typically work under the guidance of senior motion designers, helping with storyboarding, animation, and editing tasks. Interns often use software like Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro, and Cinema 4D to bring creative ideas to life. This role is a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience, enhance technical skills, and learn about the workflow of professional motion design projects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a motion design intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Motion Design Intern, you need a solid understanding of animation principles, graphic design, and storytelling, typically demonstrated by a relevant portfolio and coursework. Familiarity with industry-standard tools like Adobe After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, and sometimes Cinema 4D is highly valued. Creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate effectively with team members set standout interns apart. These skills and qualities are crucial for producing engaging visual content and contributing meaningfully to fast-paced creative projects.

What are some common challenges motion design interns face during their internship, and how can they overcome them?

Motion Design Interns often encounter challenges such as adapting to new animation software, meeting tight deadlines, and aligning their creative vision with client or brand guidelines. To overcome these hurdles, it's helpful to proactively seek feedback from senior designers, participate in team critiques, and dedicate time to learning the studio's preferred tools and workflows. Building strong communication skills and staying open to constructive criticism can also make it easier to collaborate effectively and grow as a designer.

What is the difference between Motion Design Intern vs Motion Graphics Designer?

AspectMotion Design InternMotion Graphics Designer
Required CredentialsTypically pursuing or recent graduate in design, animation, or related fieldProfessional experience or portfolio demonstrating motion design skills
Work EnvironmentInternship setting, learning-focused, often part-time or temporaryFull-time or freelance roles, more independent responsibilities
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in creative agencies, media companies, and studios for entry-level rolesCommon in advertising, entertainment, and digital media industries

In summary, a Motion Design Intern is an entry-level position focused on learning and gaining experience, often held by students or recent graduates. A Motion Graphics Designer is a more experienced professional responsible for creating motion graphics independently. The internship serves as a stepping stone toward a full-time career in motion design.

What are the most commonly searched types of Motion Design jobs in Washington?

The most popular types of Motion Design jobs in Washington are:

What job categories do people searching Motion Design Intern jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Motion Design Intern jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Motion Design Intern jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Motion Design Intern job openings:

Infographic showing various Motion Design Intern job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 85% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,777 per year, or $20.6 per hour.

Motion Graphic Designer Intern

Washington, DC โ€ข Hybrid

Rising Tide Interactive
Marketingย โ€ขย 11 - 50 employees

$17.95/hr

Full-time, Part-time, Internship

Re-posted 28 days ago


Job description

Rising Tide Interactive is currently accepting Motion Graphic Designer internship applications for our paid Summer/Fall 2026 Internship Program. Our interns will have the opportunity to join us in our work creating digital creative for Democratic campaigns, committees, PACs, and nonprofits to develop and implement the digital strategies that win races and create change. You'll get training, hands-on design opportunities, and mentorship to learn the ins and outs of digital graphic design and video production processes as well as tactics and creative management from a dedicated team of creatives.

What you'll do:

  • Create original graphic assets for cross team design and video projects
  • Assist Video Editors and create original :30 second, :15 second, and :6 second videos from start to finish
  • Produce additional sizes and versions of existing static designs and optimizing motion graphics for online platforms
  • Recommend visuals for RTI's digital videos by finding stock footage and imagery for a variety of projects
  • Watch, organize, and catalog video footage and files
  • Organize assets for the Creative Team, including managing physical video drives (shipping, retrieving, downloading, uploading)
  • Assist the Creative Team with other tasks that align with your skills and goals
  • This internship can be customized to your skills and goals - if you are more interested in the creative and technical aspects of video editing, we'll give you tasks that help you grow those skills, or if you are more interested in backend production process and project management, we'll pivot your tasks that way.

The important stuff:

  • Paid internship? Yep! We pay $17.95/hour
  • This internship is full-time (up to 35 hours/week)
  • Summer/fall internships typically run from May 25th to December 12th, but we're flexible with start/end dates.ย 
  • Location: Washington, DC -ย  this position will be based in our office in Washington, DC on a hybrid work schedule. Our typical schedule is two days a week in the office and three days remotely. Due to the nature of this role, more time in the office may be required on an as-needed basis to support management of physical video drives.
  • We will provide a laptop

Nuts & bolts:

  • Let us know if you're interested in part-time or full-time work (or both) and what your availability is for the semester.
  • Applications will be accepted until the end of the day on Friday, May 1st and must include a cover letter and resume. Final selection decisions will be communicated by Friday, May 15th.
  • Proficiency in Adobe Premiere and After Effects is required for this position.

About Rising Tide Interactive:

Rising Tide Interactive works with Democratic campaigns, committees, PACs, and nonprofits to develop and implement the digital strategies that win races and create change. Since 2011, we've worked with clients like Sens. Tim Kaine and Jacky Rosen, Voto Latino, FWD.us, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. We're ready for our best election cycle yet in 2026.

Excited about this role but not sure if you meet all of the qualifications? We encourage you to apply anyway. We're always looking for talented people of all backgrounds to join our team. We prioritize creating a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming environment where everyone is empowered to do their best work. Candidates from all backgrounds, including people of color, women, members of the LGBTQ community, and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.ย 

If you require a reasonable accommodation to fully participate in the job application or interview process, please email hr@risingtideinteractive.com with the subject line "Accommodations Request".