Senior Motion Designer

Thesis•Portland, OR

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Thesis is an independent agency working at the intersection of creativity, strategy, and technology. As a Senior Motion Designer, you will shape and deliver high-impact animation and motion graphics across brand, digital, campaign, and content experiences. You will translate complex ideas and static brand systems into dynamic motion that elevates narrative, strengthens brand identity, and engages audiences. You will own the craft from concept development, styleframes, and storyboarding through animation, sound integration, and technical delivery. Embedded in multidisciplinary teams, you will collaborate with design, editorial, and creative leads, contribute to creative exploration, and mentor emerging motion designers. You will also explore AI and emerging tools to support creative workflows while preserving human craft and artistic judgment. Thesis uses a hybrid work model, with in-office collaboration Tuesday through Thursday and remote work on Mondays and Fridays. The agency prioritizes candidates based in the Portland Metro area for this arrangement. No travel is anticipated. The position involves using standard office equipment and computers, extended periods of sitting and computer use, and occasional bending, reaching, lifting, pushing, and pulling up to 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodations are available for these requirements.

Requirements

5–7 years of professional experience crafting animation and motion graphics in an agency, content studio, or in-house creative setting.
Deep mastery of animation principles, including timing, easing, spatial rhythm, typography, composition, and visual flow.
Expertise in Adobe After Effects, Illustrator, Photoshop, and video editing workflows using Premiere.
Working knowledge of 3D software such as Cinema 4D or Blender, and sound synchronization.
Ability to build belief in ideas through styleframes and motion tests and to articulate creative rationale.
Strong organization and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple deliverables and shifting priorities amid ambiguity and fast agency cycles.
Collaborative, accountable, low-ego approach and passion for elevating craft and colleagues.
Bachelor’s degree in Motion Design, Animation, Graphic Design, or equivalent practical experience.

Nice To Haves

Curiosity and willingness to experiment with AI, emerging technology, and new ways of making and animating.
Based in the Portland Metro area to support the hybrid work arrangement.

Responsibilities

Lead the design and animation of motion content across social, product, brand, campaign, and experiential assets.
Translate static design systems, typography, and storyboards into compelling motion with intentional pacing, visual rhythm, and brand alignment.
Develop styleframes, storyboards, and motion prototypes for internal exploration and client-facing reviews.
Manage technical execution and delivery, including project file organization, render optimization, audio synchronization, and multi-format output.
Partner with Creative Directors, Art Directors, Designers, Copywriters, and Editors to shape cohesive visual narratives and unified brand systems.
Participate in creative brainstorms and concept development, offering ideas for how motion can elevate storytelling.
Collaborate across Strategy, Technology, and Production to reduce handoffs, protect creative ambition, and ensure seamless delivery.
Use AI and emerging design and animation tools to accelerate exploration, prototype motion concepts, and increase team creative leverage.
Partner with Creative and Technology leads to explore animation workflows, rendering techniques, and tools.
Scale creative output with modern technology while preserving human craft, originality, and artistic judgment.
Mentor and guide junior motion designers and interns through feedback, timing critique, and technical troubleshooting.
Set a high creative and technical standard for the motion discipline and foster ownership, craft rigor, and autonomy.
Balance creative ambition with scope, timing, technical constraints, and project realities.
Participate in client-facing presentations as a motion design specialist and collaborate with external production partners and vendors.