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Motion Design Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

1000heads

Associate Motion Director

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$120K - $160K/yr

You'll help shape the creative direction of motion projects, balancing hands-on design skills with the ability to guide and mentor motion design talent. While animation expertise is a big plus, a ...

1000heads

Associate Motion Director

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$120K - $160K/yr

You'll help shape the creative direction of motion projects, balancing hands-on design skills with the ability to guide and mentor motion design talent. While animation expertise is a big plus, a ...

Kurppa Hosk

Motion Designer

Chicago, IL · On-site

While the primary focus is 2D motion design, experience with video editing is a strong advantage. This role is based in Chicago (with a commitment of 3 days onsite). As part of Eidra's expanding U.S ...

MVP One

Motion Designer

Chicago, IL

Design and produce motion graphics and videos for marketing campaigns, product demo videos, social media, web, paid advertising, presentations, and events. * Collaborate with marketing, product, and ...

MVP One

Motion Designer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$75K - $95K/yr

Design and produce motion graphics and videos for marketing campaigns, product demo videos, social media, web, paid advertising, presentations, and events. * Collaborate with marketing, product, and ...

MVP One

Motion Designer

Chicago, IL · On-site

Design and produce motion graphics and videos for marketing campaigns, product demo videos, social media, web, paid advertising, presentations, and events. * Collaborate with marketing, product, and ...

MVP One

Motion Designer

Chicago, IL · On-site

Design and produce motion graphics and videos for marketing campaigns, product demo videos, social media, web, paid advertising, presentations, and events. * Collaborate with marketing, product, and ...

Thinkingbox

Senior Motion Designer - The Heist

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$85K - $95K/yr

Who We Are Hi! We're The Heist, the motion design, live action, and post production studio within Thinkingbox, the Brief-to-Built agency. We bring together directors, designers, animators, editors ...

Thinkingbox

Senior Motion Designer - The Heist

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$85K - $95K/yr

Who We Are Hi! We're The Heist, the motion design, live action, and post production studio within Thinkingbox, the Brief-to-Built agency. We bring together directors, designers, animators, editors ...

Thinkingbox

Art Director, Motion - The Heist

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$120K - $150K/yr

Who We Are Hi! We're The Heist, the motion design, live action, and post production studio within Thinkingbox, the Brief-to-Built agency. We bring together directors, designers, animators, editors ...

Syndigo

Senior Art Director

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

The Senior Art Director combines exceptional design craft, conceptual thinking, motion design expertise, and a deep understanding of modern marketing principles to create work that advances business ...

Syndigo

Senior Art Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

Motion Graphics & Multimedia: * Design and produce high-quality motion graphics, animations, product videos, event content, social media assets, and multimedia experiences. * Develop storyboards ...

EXP

Senior Video + Multimedia Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

Build scalable video and motion design systems, including standard workflows and templates for recurring content * Define EXP's motion brand identity, including animation style, typography ...

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All JobsMotion Design JobsMotion Design Jobs in Illinois

Motion Design information

See Illinois salary details

$14

$35

$66

How much do motion design jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for motion design in Illinois is $35.70, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.02 and $41.25 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much money do motion designers make?

Motion designers typically earn a median annual salary of around $55,000 to $75,000, depending on experience, location, and skill level. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced professionals with advanced skills in software like After Effects or Cinema 4D can earn higher salaries or freelance rates. Salaries can also vary based on whether the work is full-time, freelance, or contract-based.

What is a motion design?

A Motion Design job involves creating animated graphics, visual effects, and multimedia content for digital media, film, television, advertising, and social media. Motion designers use software like After Effects, Cinema 4D, and Blender to animate typography, illustrations, and 3D elements. Their work enhances storytelling, branding, and user engagement across various platforms. This role often requires a mix of design skills, animation knowledge, and technical expertise.

Is it hard to get a job in motion design?

Landing a job in motion design can be competitive, as it requires a strong portfolio, proficiency in tools like Adobe After Effects and Cinema 4D, and relevant skills in animation and visual storytelling. Building a solid network and gaining experience through freelance projects or internships can improve employment prospects.

Is motion design a good career?

Motion design is a viable career that involves creating animated visuals for media, advertising, and entertainment using tools like Adobe After Effects and Cinema 4D. It requires creativity, technical skills, and often a portfolio or certification to succeed. The field offers opportunities in advertising agencies, media companies, and freelance work, with job prospects growing alongside digital media consumption.

What types of projects and daily tasks can I expect as a motion designer?

As a Motion Designer, you will work on a variety of projects, including creating animated graphics for commercials, social media content, web videos, film, and broadcast work. Daily tasks typically involve conceptualizing storyboards, designing visual assets, animating sequences, and collaborating closely with art directors, video editors, and copywriters. You may also participate in client meetings to understand project goals and make revisions based on feedback. The role often requires managing multiple projects simultaneously and balancing creative innovation with client or brand guidelines. This dynamic environment offers frequent opportunities to develop new techniques and grow your portfolio.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the motion design position, and why are they important?

To thrive in Motion Design, you need expertise in animation principles, graphic design, and visual storytelling, often supported by a degree in design or a related field. Proficiency with tools such as Adobe After Effects, Cinema 4D, and motion graphics software is highly valued, and certifications in these programs can be advantageous. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help differentiate top performers in this field. These skills ensure the delivery of visually compelling content, effective collaboration with creative teams, and the ability to meet client or project goals efficiently.

What are the most commonly searched types of Motion Design jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Motion Design jobs in Illinois are:
What are popular job titles related to Motion Design jobs in Illinois? For Motion Design jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Motion Design jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Motion Design jobs in Illinois are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Motion Design jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Motion Design job openings:
Motion Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Motion Design job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $74,260 per year, or $35.7 per hour.

Associate Motion Director

1000heads

Chicago, IL • Hybrid

$120K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Overview We are looking for an Associate Motion Director with a strong foundation in motion design and a keen eye for crafting clean, branded content across digital and social platforms. You'll help shape the creative direction of motion projects, balancing hands-on design skills with the ability to guide and mentor motion design talent. While animation expertise is a big plus, a deep understanding of animation principles and how to apply them in fast-moving, social-first contexts is essential. The ideal candidate thrives at the intersection of creativity and execution, elevating ideas into polished, effective, and culturally relevant visual storytelling. As Associate Motion Director, you'll play a key role in shaping how brands show up across digital and social channels, combining hands-on design with creative leadership to guide a team of designers while producing work that is culturally relevant and visually exceptional. Responsibilities Set the vision and standards for motion design at 1000Heads Apply motion and animation principles to social-first campaigns, short-form video, and branded content Partner with creative and design leads to bring ideas to life through storyboarding, motion tests, and final execution Mentor and nurture junior and mid-level motion designers, helping them grow in craft and confidence Maintain a consistent design language across motion assets, keeping content polished, professional, and aligned with brand standards Stay plugged into social and digital culture—adapting styles and techniques that resonate with audiences in real time Occasionally contribute hands-on design and animation to set the creative bar and push the work forward Build a network of motion freelancers and partners to ensure delivery during peaks Qualifications Hybrid role with 2 days per week in-office from one of these US locations: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, or Miami 6+ years of professional experience in motion design or animation, ideally with a focus on social-first and branded content Strong portfolio showcasing motion design, animation understanding, typography, and visual storytelling Experience leveraging AI tools in the motion design practice Proficiency in Adobe After Effects and Adobe Creative Suite; experience with Premiere and 3D tools (Cinema 4D, Blender) a plus Demonstrated ability to create clean, branded visuals that adapt to multiple digital platforms Experience mentoring and providing constructive feedback to design talent Strong collaboration and communication skills; comfortable working in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments Passion for creativity, culture, and using motion design to elevate brand storytelling Benefits Medical, dental, vision, and more Generous time off package, including the last week of the year 401k & Roth retirement investment options with employer match after one year Gym and professional development stipends Culture Club with monthly activities like sports, games and happy hours DEI Council and Employee Resource Groups Commute and parking benefits Wellness program focusing on mental, physical and financial well-being And much more Salary Range $120,000 - $160,000 per year About 1000heads 1000heads combines expertise in data & analytics, strategy, technology and creativity to help brands build Social Age brands. We provide a fully integrated, end-to-end Social Transformation proposition to blue-chip clients, including data & analytics, strategy and implementation. With a global footprint, we employ over 200 people across 12 offices worldwide. Our clients include Alphabet, Nature Made, The North Face, San Pellegrino, Amazon, Cisco, and Diageo. 1000heads is an Equal Opportunities Employer devoted to an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity. We welcome applicants irrespective of age, sex, race, ethnicity, disability and other factors that do not affect an individual's ability to perform the job. For more information, visit 1000heads.com. #J-18808-Ljbffr

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