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Rough Animation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

You're comfortable owning projects end to end, moving fluidly from rough explorations to fully ... Support internal marketing efforts through design and animation of social media graphics, case ...

You're comfortable owning projects end to end, moving fluidly from rough explorations to fully ... Support internal marketing efforts through design and animation of social media graphics, case ...

You're comfortable owning projects end to end, moving fluidly from rough explorations to fully ... Support internal marketing efforts through design and animation of social media graphics, case ...

Graphic Designer

Jacksonville, FL · On-site

$25 - $40/hr

Our work is technical, visual, and often hard to explain without a clear drawing or short animation ... Comfort working from rough sketches, photos, product data sheets, and verbal briefings. * Clean ...

$100 - $125/hr

Ability to own a project end to end, from rough concept through storyboarding, design, animation, and final production. * Range across brand systems, product storytelling, campaign work, and more ...

Graphic Designer

Jacksonville, FL · On-site

$25 - $40/hr

Our work is technical, visual, and often hard to explain without a clear drawing or short animation ... Comfort working from rough sketches, photos, product data sheets, and verbal briefings. * Clean ...

You're comfortable owning projects end to end, moving fluidly from rough explorations to fully ... Support internal marketing efforts through design and animation of social media graphics, case ...

You're comfortable owning projects end to end, moving fluidly from rough explorations to fully ... Support internal marketing efforts through design and animation of social media graphics, case ...

$100 - $125/hr

Ability to own a project end to end, from rough concept through storyboarding, design, animation, and final production. * Range across brand systems, product storytelling, campaign work, and more ...

Motion Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$125 - $150/hr

You're comfortable owning projects end to end, moving fluidly from rough explorations to fully ... Support internal marketing efforts through design and animation of social media graphics, case ...

You're comfortable owning projects end to end, moving fluidly from rough explorations to fully ... Support internal marketing efforts through design and animation of social media graphics, case ...

You're comfortable owning projects end to end, moving fluidly from rough explorations to fully ... Support internal marketing efforts through design and animation of social media graphics, case ...

You're comfortable owning projects end to end, moving fluidly from rough explorations to fully ... Support internal marketing efforts through design and animation of social media graphics, case ...

UI Artist

Foster City, CA · On-site

$80 - $100/hr

Take rough mockups or product specifications and turn them into production-ready screens * Make ... Experience making animations/motion graphics (Lottie, After Effects, etc.) is also a plus Benefits ...

Member of Design Staff

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$100K - $300K/yr

You are exceptional at turning rough interaction concepts and wireframes into polished, production-ready interfaces * You can't get enough of micro-interactions, animation, and interaction details ...

Build basic animations. Create static assets for organic posts and paid campaigns. You'll see a ... Rough cuts feel different in a room. This won't be a fit if: * You need extensive creative briefs ...

... CG animation to ensure that posing, staging, and cutting is both inventive and producible. * Translate script pages and written or verbal descriptions into visual, ranging from rough thumbnail ...

... or CG animation to ensure that posing, staging, and cutting is both inventive and producible. Translate script pages and written or verbal descriptions into visual, ranging from rough thumbnail ...

... animation -- that support or encompass video messaging * Build and maintain motion graphics templates that keep recurring series on brand and on schedule * Manage project timelines from rough cut ...

Showing results 41-60

Rough Animation information

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$31K

$63.9K

$132.5K

How much do rough animation jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for rough animation in the United States is $63,866.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,500.00 and $62,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is rough animation?

Rough animation is an early stage in the animation process where animators create loose, unpolished sketches or drawings to plan out the movement, timing, and overall action of characters and objects. These rough versions help visualize the sequence before it is cleaned up and finalized. Rough animation allows for feedback and adjustments, making it an essential step in producing smooth and dynamic animated scenes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a rough animator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Rough Animator, you need strong drawing skills, a deep understanding of motion and timing, and a solid grasp of animation principles, often supported by formal art or animation training. Familiarity with industry-standard software like Adobe Animate, Toon Boom Harmony, or TVPaint is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate effectively help animators stand out in a team environment. These skills are crucial because they ensure the creation of dynamic, believable animations that serve as the foundation for polished final sequences.

What are some common challenges faced by rough animators in a production pipeline, and how can they be addressed?

Rough animators often face tight deadlines and the challenge of interpreting storyboards into dynamic, expressive motion while maintaining consistency with the creative vision. Collaboration with directors and other team members is key, as feedback cycles can be frequent and require adaptability. Staying organized and open to revisions helps manage workload, and strong communication skills ensure that the animator's work fits seamlessly with the rest of the animation pipeline.

What is the difference between Rough Animation vs Key Animation?

AspectRough AnimationKey Animation
PurposeInitial, loose sketches to establish motion and timingRefined, detailed frames that define the main poses
Detail LevelLow, focusing on movement and flowHigh, emphasizing clarity and precision
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, pre-production stagesAnimation studios, production stages
Required SkillsBasic drawing, understanding of timingStrong drawing skills, understanding of anatomy and motion

Rough Animation involves creating loose sketches to plan out motion, while Key Animation focuses on detailed frames that define the main poses. Both roles are essential in the animation process, with Rough Animation serving as the foundation for the more polished Key Animations.

Infographic showing various Rough Animation job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 71% Full Time, and 29% Contract. Highlights an 71% In-person, and 29% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,866 per year, or $30.7 per hour.

Motion Designer

Alameda, CA • On-site

Sköna
Marketing • 11 - 50 employees

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

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


Key responsibilities

  • Design and animate motion graphics across various assets including brand systems, campaigns, social media, videos, pitches, and presentations

  • Lead motion projects from concept through final delivery, including storyboarding, style exploration, animation, and exports

  • Collaborate with creative team members and external partners to ensure motion work is integrated and aligned with project goals


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.