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Traditional Animation Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

MVP One

Motion Designer

Chicago, IL · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Create animations using typography, icons, illustrations, video, and audio. * Edit and animate ... Competitive Traditional & Roth 401k retirement plan with employer match * Fitness center access in ...

MVP One

Motion Designer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$75K - $95K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Create animations using typography, icons, illustrations, video, and audio. * Edit and animate ... Competitive Traditional & Roth 401k retirement plan with employer match * Fitness center access in ...

MVP One

Motion Designer

Chicago, IL

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Create animations using typography, icons, illustrations, video, and audio. * Edit and animate ... Competitive Traditional & Roth 401k retirement plan with employer match * Fitness center access in ...

IGT

Art Lead

Chicago, IL

$90K - $110K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Strong traditional art skills, including drawing, painting, composition, typography, and graphic design. * Knowledge of animation principles, asset management, file organization, and product ...

Progressive Gaming

Art Lead

Chicago, IL

$90K - $110K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Strong traditional art skills, including drawing, painting, composition, typography, and graphic design. * Knowledge of animation principles, asset management, file organization, and product ...

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Traditional Animation information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$10

$40

$72

How much do traditional animation jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for traditional animation in Chicago, IL is $40.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.55 and $65.87 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What types of traditional animation jobs are there?

Traditional animation jobs include roles such as character animator, background artist, layout artist, and storyboard artist. These positions typically require skills in drawing, storytelling, and knowledge of animation principles, often using tools like pencil, paper, and digital software. Job opportunities can be found in animation studios, film, television, advertising, and game development industries.

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

To thrive in Traditional Animation, you need strong drawing abilities, a solid understanding of animation principles (like timing and movement), and often relevant educational background such as a degree in animation or fine arts. Familiarity with animation tools such as light tables, peg bars, and industry-standard software for scanning and compositing, as well as a portfolio demonstrating your work, are important. Creativity, keen attention to detail, time management, and teamwork are vital soft skills in this field. These combined skills ensure the creation of fluid, expressive animations that meet production deadlines and collaborative artistic standards.

What is a traditional animation?

A Traditional Animation job involves creating hand-drawn frames to produce fluid motion in animated films, television shows, advertisements, or video games. Animators sketch each frame on paper or digitally replicate the traditional process to bring characters and scenes to life. This role requires strong drawing skills, an understanding of motion, and knowledge of animation principles like timing and spacing. Professionals in this field may work as key animators, inbetweeners, or clean-up artists, depending on the production stage.

How to become a traditional animator?

To become a traditional animator, develop strong drawing skills and a solid understanding of animation principles such as timing and spacing. Obtain a degree or training in animation, art, or a related field, and gain experience through internships or personal projects using tools like pencil and paper or traditional animation software. Building a portfolio showcasing your work is essential for job applications in the field.

What does a typical workday look like for a traditional animator, and how do they interact with other team members?

A typical day for a traditional animator involves sketching or inking animation frames by hand, reviewing animatics or storyboards, and refining character movement to maintain consistency across scenes. Traditional animators often work closely with directors, layout artists, and clean-up teams to ensure visual continuity and incorporate feedback. Daily tasks may include attending team meetings, collaborating on scene revisions, and coordinating with digital departments if the project blends traditional and digital techniques. This collaborative environment allows animators to contribute their creative skills while working towards the shared vision of the animation project.

What are the most commonly searched types of Traditional Animation jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Traditional Animation jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Traditional Animation jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Traditional Animation jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Traditional Animation jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Traditional Animation jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Traditional Animation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Traditional Animation job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 61% Full Time, 37% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $84,445 per year, or $40.6 per hour.

Motion Designer

MVP One

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 17 hours ago

Job description

Do you want to take your career into one of the fastest-growing industries around?


About MVP One

MVP One is the leader in B2B SaaS solutions for asset-intensive industries, enabling teams to better manage their maintenance operations. Our user-friendly platform helps companies streamline workflows, reduce asset downtime, and optimize their human and capital resources. 


About the Role 

We are seeking a Motion Designer who can bring ideas to life through engaging animation and visual storytelling. This role supports marketing, product, and sales initiatives by creating high-quality motion graphics across digital channels. The ideal candidate has strong design fundamentals, a solid sense of timing and pacing, and the ability to translate concepts into clear, compelling visual narratives. 

What You Will Do

  • 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 creative stakeholders to interpret briefs and translate concepts into motion assets.
  • Create animations using typography, icons, illustrations, video, and audio.
  • Edit and animate video content, including lower thirds, transitions, explainers, and short-form videos.
  • Repurpose legacy video/motion content to align with current branding.
  • Maintain brand consistency across all motion and visual assets.
  • Manage multiple projects at once while meeting deadlines and production schedules.
  • Prepare files for delivery across multiple formats and platforms.
  • Stay current on motion design trends, tools, and techniques.

What We Are Looking For

  • 3 to 5 years of experience in motion graphics, animation, or a related field.
  • Strong proficiency in Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro, Illustrator, Photoshop, or similar tools.
  • Solid understanding of video production, sound design, storytelling, animation principles, typography, layout, and visual hierarchy.
  • Experience creating motion graphics for digital marketing channels.
  • Ability to take creative direction and feedback and iterate efficiently.
  • Strong attention to detail and time management skills.
  • Portfolio demonstrating motion design and animation work.
  • Must be local and able to travel to the Chicago office 2-3 times per week.


What We Offer

  • Full-time salaried position
  • Hybrid work schedule
  • Comprehensive health benefits package (health, dental, vision, short-term disability, life insurance)
  • Paid time off, including several holidays and floating holidays
  • Parental leave
  • Transit benefit program
  • Company laptop
  • Company meetups for all employees to connect in person and virtually
  • Competitive Traditional & Roth 401k retirement plan with employer match
  • Fitness center access in office building
  • Supportive and collaborative team culture
  • Training and development opportunities to help you grow your skills


Ready to Join Our Team? 

At MVP One, you will work with a collaborative team that values initiative, clear communication, and continuous improvement. We are committed to doing great work for our customers and building long-term careers for our people. If you are excited about creating content that drives real business impact, we would love to hear from you.


Remote or agency work is not being considered at this time.