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Remote Animation Studio Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Thinkingbox

Senior Motion Designer - The Heist

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$85K - $95K/yr

We bring together directors, designers, animators, editors, and technologists to create work that ... Across our studios, collaboration is real, feedback is open, and culture matters. We take the work ...

Thinkingbox

Senior Motion Designer - The Heist

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$85K - $95K/yr

We bring together directors, designers, animators, editors, and technologists to create work that ... Across our studios, collaboration is real, feedback is open, and culture matters. We take the work ...

Thinkingbox

Art Director, Motion - The Heist

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$120K - $150K/yr

Across our studios, collaboration is real, feedback is open, and culture matters. We take the work ... Direct small to mid-size teams of animators and designers across various projects. * Contribute to ...

Thinkingbox

Art Director, Motion - The Heist

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$120K - $150K/yr

Across our studios, collaboration is real, feedback is open, and culture matters. We take the work ... Direct small to mid-size teams of animators and designers across various projects. * Contribute to ...

NxT Level

Technical Artist

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$130K - $156K/yr

Remote - US and Canada only thatgamecompany designs and develops artistically crafted, broadly ... animation, rigging, FX, and material tests. * Coordinate with art, technical, and studio leads to ...

All JobsAnimation Studio JobsRemote Animation Studio JobsRemote Animation Studio Jobs in Illinois

Remote Animation Studio information

How do remote animation studios typically coordinate teamwork and maintain creative collaboration across different locations?

Remote animation studios usually rely on a combination of cloud-based project management tools, video conferencing, and real-time collaboration software to coordinate teamwork. Artists, animators, and production staff often meet virtually for daily or weekly check-ins, share feedback through annotated reviews, and use shared asset libraries to ensure everyone is working with the latest files. This setup allows for flexibility, but also requires strong communication skills and self-motivation to keep projects on track. Many studios also host virtual brainstorming sessions or social events to foster a sense of team spirit and creative synergy, despite the physical distance.

What is the difference between Remote Animation Studio vs Remote Character Animator?

AspectRemote Animation StudioRemote Character Animator
CredentialsPortfolio, animation software skillsPortfolio, animation software skills
Work EnvironmentCollaborative teams, project-basedIndividual work, project-based
Industry UsageAnimation studios, media companiesMedia, gaming, advertising
Common Search IntentFinding full-service animation providersSeeking specialized character animation roles

Remote Animation Studios are comprehensive entities offering a range of animation services, often employing multiple animators. Remote Character Animators focus specifically on bringing characters to life through individual or team work. While both roles require animation skills and software proficiency, studios emphasize project management and collaboration, whereas character animators concentrate on character-specific tasks.

What is a remote animation studio?

A remote animation studio is a company or team that creates animated content while working from different locations rather than a centralized office. Artists, animators, writers, and producers collaborate virtually using digital tools to produce films, series, advertisements, or games. This setup allows studios to tap into global talent, offer flexible work arrangements, and often reduce overhead costs. Communication, project management, and file sharing are handled through online platforms to ensure smooth collaboration and timely project delivery.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a remote animation studio, and why are they important?

To excel in a remote animation studio, you need expertise in animation principles, strong artistic abilities, and experience with industry-standard software like Adobe After Effects and Autodesk Maya, often supported by a relevant degree or portfolio. Familiarity with collaborative platforms such as Slack, ShotGrid, and cloud-based asset management systems is also essential. Excellent communication, time management, and self-motivation are crucial soft skills for remote teamwork and meeting deadlines. These competencies ensure that high-quality animation projects are delivered efficiently while maintaining effective collaboration despite the physical distance.
What are the most commonly searched types of Animation Studio jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Animation Studio jobs in Illinois are:
What are popular job titles related to Remote Animation Studio jobs in Illinois? For Remote Animation Studio jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Remote Animation Studio jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Remote Animation Studio jobs in Illinois are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Remote Animation Studio jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Remote Animation Studio job openings:
Remote Animation Studio jobs near you

Senior Motion Designer - The Heist

Thinkingbox

Chicago, IL • On-site, Remote

$85K - $95K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

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, and technologists to create work that moves. From brand films to broadcast spots to social campaigns and experiential content, our team blends craft and curiosity to push ideas further. Across our studios, collaboration is real, feedback is open, and culture matters. We take the work seriously. Ourselves, a little less so.

The Opportunity

We're looking for a Senior Motion Designer who leads through craft. This is a hands-on role for someone who thrives inside the work while helping elevate the people around them.

You'll partner closely with Art Directors and Creative Directors to transform ideas into exceptional motion. Whether you're developing styleframes, designing key moments, building 3D scenes, or refining animation, you'll help establish the creative standard for every project you touch.

Beyond execution, you'll be a trusted teammate who mentors others, tackles creative and technical challenges, and helps guide projects through production with confidence and attention to detail.

What You'll Be Doing
  • Design and animate compelling 2D and 3D motion graphics across a wide range of styles and platforms.
  • Develop storyboards, styleframes, and motion explorations that support the creative vision.
  • Collaborate with Art Directors, Creative Directors, Producers, and fellow designers throughout production.
  • Take ownership of complex assignments, solving creative and technical challenges independently.
  • Help maintain a high level of craft, consistency, and polish across every deliverable.
  • Provide thoughtful feedback and mentorship to junior designers, helping raise the quality of the team.
  • Stay current with emerging tools, workflows, and technologies that improve both process and creative output.
  • Accurately estimate effort, communicate progress, and help projects stay on schedule.
What You'll Bring
  • 5+ years of professional experience in motion design, animation, or a related creative field.
  • A portfolio demonstrating exceptional design taste, animation principles, and versatility across styles.
  • Advanced proficiency in After Effects, Cinema 4D, Redshift, and Adobe Creative Suite.
  • Strong understanding of typography, composition, color, pacing, and visual storytelling.
  • Experience working within professional production pipelines from concept through final delivery.
  • Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate across disciplines.
  • A proactive, solution-oriented mindset with the confidence to own work while supporting the team.
Bonus Points!
  • Houdini, X-Particles, Marvelous Designer, or Substance Painter.
  • Unreal Engine, AI-assisted creative workflows, or other emerging motion technologies.
  • Experience with live action, editorial, or VFX pipelines.
Additional Info
  • Monday - Thursday in office (Fridays are remote optional)
  • Flexible time off, including paid vacation and sick days
  • Consistent culture and team-building events
  • Employee recognition and incentive programs
  • Seasonal celebrations and gatherings throughout the year 
  • Office lunches 
  • Branded company swag
  • Access to industry events, learning opportunities, and non-profit outreaches
  • Dog-friendly offices
  • Unlimited coffee, drinks, and snacks
  • Flex work and travel options
  • Comprehensive extended health benefits
  • 401k matching
$85,000 - $95,000 a year
Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as internal equity, candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role. If your compensation expectations fall outside of this range, we still welcome your application.

Equal Opportunity

At The Heist, we're committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, heard, and empowered to thrive. We believe that diversity is our creative strength - it's the range of perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds that fuels our best ideas and most innovative solutions. We welcome and encourage applicants of all races, ethnicities, genders, identities, abilities, ages, sexual orientations, and backgrounds to apply. Your voice matters here.

To Apply

Thank you for your interest in joining our team. Please submit your resume along with links to your online portfolio as part of your application (if applicable). Due to the volume of applications we receive, we're unable to respond to every submission. However, all applications are kept in our talent database and will be considered for future opportunities.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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