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Shadow Animation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SHADOW

Art Director

New York, NY · On-site

$90K - $115K/yr

SHADOW is seeking an Art Director with 4-6 years of design and art direction experience, preferably ... animation platforms, including Premiere Pro and After Effects. * Innovative: You are always on the ...

SHADOW

Senior Art Director

New York, NY · On-site

$110K - $150K/yr

SHADOW is seeking an Senior Art Director with 6-8 years of design and art direction experience ... editing and animation platforms, including Premiere Pro and After Effects. * Leadership ...

SHADOW

Art Director

New York, NY

$90K - $115K/yr

SHADOW is seeking an Art Director with 4-6 years of design and art direction experience, preferably ... animation platforms, including Premiere Pro and After Effects. * Innovative: You are always on the ...

ACLC

Graphic Artist

Randolph, TX · On-site

$145K - $174K/yr

Adjusts and improves the appearance of animations by altering facets such as light, color, shadow, or transparency * Collaborates with other animators, artists, and others to create complete ...

New

Advanced Computer Learning Company

$116K - $139K/yr

Adjusts and improves the appearance of animations by altering facets such as light, color, shadow, or transparency * Collaborates with other animators, artists, and others to create complete ...

Gn

3D Generalist & Motion Designer

Chicago, IL

Strong grasp of: * Animation principles (timing, easing, anticipation, etc.) * 3D Product ... Shadow the Brand Director and key partners (Social, Ecommerce, Influencer, Product) in recurring ...

Netflix

Compositor - Ink

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$68.75 - $93.27/hr

Apply a strong understanding of light, shadow, color, shape and composition to solve design and effects challenges, particularly in stylized animation imagery. * Work within traditional, GenAI, and ...

Netflix

Compositor - Ink

Los Gatos, CA · On-site

$68.75 - $93.27/hr

Apply a strong understanding of light, shadow, color, shape and composition to solve design and effects challenges, particularly in stylized animation imagery. Work within traditional, GenAI, and ...

Netflix

Compositor - Ink

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Apply a strong understanding of light, shadow, color, shape and composition to solve design and effects challenges, particularly in stylized animation imagery. * Work within traditional, GenAI, and ...

Netflix

OR · On-site

Apply a strong understanding of light, shadow, color, shape and composition to solve design and effects challenges, particularly in stylized animation imagery. * Work within traditional, GenAI, and ...

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

Contribute to deployment and release strategies such as canary, blue/green, and shadow deployments ... capture and animation pipeline technologies, graphics, build and infrastructure for studio ...

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Shadow Animation information

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$10

$39

$70

How much do shadow animation jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for shadow animation in the United States is $39.41, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.88 and $63.94 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by shadow animators and how can they overcome them?

Shadow animators often face challenges in ensuring that shadows are both realistic and consistent with the lighting and movement within a scene. Balancing artistic intent with technical constraints, such as rendering limitations and tight deadlines, can also be demanding. Effective collaboration with lighting artists and other animators is essential to maintain visual continuity. To overcome these challenges, shadow animators should stay updated on the latest animation tools, actively communicate with their team, and regularly seek feedback to refine their work.

What is Shadow Animation?

Shadow animation refers to the techniques and processes used to create realistic or stylized shadows for animated characters, objects, or environments in films, video games, and other visual media. Shadow animators work alongside other animators to add depth, dimension, and visual interest by carefully simulating how light interacts with surfaces. This can involve both manual animation and the use of software tools to achieve the desired effects. Accurate shadow animation is essential for creating believable scenes and enhancing the overall quality of the animation.

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

To thrive as a Shadow Animator, you need strong drawing skills, a solid understanding of movement and lighting, and typically a background in animation or visual arts. Proficiency with animation software such as Adobe After Effects, Toon Boom, or Autodesk Maya is essential, and some roles may require a portfolio or related certification. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong communication skills are crucial for collaborating with teams and bringing realistic shadow effects to life. These abilities are important to ensure the animation integrates seamlessly with the overall visual narrative and enhances the storytelling quality.

What is the difference between Shadow Animation vs 2D Animator?

AspectShadow Animation2D Animator
Required SkillsSpecialized in creating shadow effects and silhouettesDesigns and animates 2D characters and scenes
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, film, and game industriesAnimation studios, advertising, film, and TV
CertificationsAnimation, graphic design, or related fieldsAnimation, illustration, or related degrees

Shadow Animation focuses on creating shadow effects and silhouettes, often used in visual storytelling and special effects. 2D Animators develop full character animations and scenes. While both roles require animation skills and similar certifications, Shadow Animation specializes in shadow effects, whereas 2D Animators work on complete character movements and scenes.

Infographic showing various Shadow Animation job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% Internship, 3% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 67% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 29% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,974 per year, or $39.4 per hour.
Art Director

Art Director

SHADOW

New York, NY • On-site

$90K - $115K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

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

Job description

SHADOW is seeking an Art Director with 4-6 years of design and art direction experience, preferably working with consumer brands. This is a cross-divisional agency role, responsible for executing campaign concepts and developing visual assets and design elements for SHADOW's full roster of clients. The ideal candidate has a proven ability to manage a robust workload in a dynamic setting.
What You Bring:
  • Portfolio: You have an impressive portfolio of creative work that demonstrates an ability to deliver across various forms of art direction and design
  • Technical Know-How: You are fluent in Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and comfortable with video editing and animation platforms, including Premiere Pro and After Effects.
  • Innovative: You are always on the pulse of design, video, style and cultural trends, and have the necessary context to think unconventionally and deliver cutting edge work.
  • Organized: You can own and manage projects independently or incorporate within a team, always delivering on deadlines. You're buttoned-up and can juggle multiple different projects at once.
  • Communication & Presentation skills: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills. Comfortable with client communication and presenting creative concepts both externally and internally.

What You Do:
  • Creative Ideation: Develop and design concepts for client projects in collaboration with the creative, strategy and social divisions, including social media content, photo/video, events/experiences, digital/web and more. This includes overseeing the creation of moodboards, storyboards, and design mocks, working with creative leads to ensure all client-facing presentations meet agency standards of polish and impact. You're capable of both directing and doing the work, consistently elevating every design touchpoint.
  • Campaign Work: Execute campaign ideas and visual elements across a number of mediums, including print and graphic design, video, motion, experiential and digital/web.
  • Brand Identity: Thoughtfully and creatively help brands establish their design guidelines and identity
  • Asset Creation: You direct the asset compilation, design and layout of company decks, presentations, client strategies and other miscellaneous materials.
  • Relationships: Build and maintain agency rolodex of creative talent including photographers, designers, directors, illustrators, animators, etc. Oversee and mentor designers.

Please note that if you are to progress in the interview process, an assignment will be included as part of the candidate assessment.
A quick note: This job description is meant to provide an overview of the role and its core responsibilities, but it's not a complete list of everything the position may involve. As our teams and business continue to grow, responsibilities may shift and evolve based on company and client needs.
Annual Compensation
$90K - $115K (commensurate with experience)
What We Provide:
  • Medical + dental + vision insurance
  • Generous PTO and paid holidays
  • Dedicated mental health days
  • Unlimited sick time
  • Give Back. We want SHADOWs to extend their hearts and give back to their various communities and interests, on the clock! We offer 40 hours of paid VTO annually (voluntary time off)
  • 401(k) retirement plan with matching
  • Pre-tax commuter and healthcare benefits
  • 12 weeks paid leave for new parents
  • Individualized career mapping
  • Summer Fridays (early close Fridays Memorial Day - Labor Day)
  • Hybrid work schedule (1-3 days in office per week, depending on role)

While SHADOW intends to maintain these employee benefits, the Company reserves the right to modify, amend or terminate these benefits at any time and for any reason.
Additional Information
SHADOW promotes a diverse and high performing company culture. SHADOW is dedicated to providing equal opportunities to all qualified persons, and to recruit, hire, train, promote, and compensate persons in all jobs without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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