Senior Motion Designer

Thesis • Portland, OR

1d • $65,000 - $85,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Motion Designer is a key creative contributor responsible for crafting high-quality animation and motion graphics across a range of digital, brand, and content experiences. This role combines advanced visual storytelling with deep technical expertise, delivering animated content that enhances narrative, brand identity, and engagement across formats. Senior Motion Designers take ownership of projects from storyboard to final output and are often mentors to junior designers, helping raise the creative and technical bar across the team.

Requirements

• Expert in Adobe After Effects, Illustrator, Photoshop, and optionally Cinema 4D, Blender, or similar 3D tools.
• Versatile motion graphics generalist capable of handling diverse animation styles.
• Grounded in strong typography and graphic design foundational skills.
• Highly experienced in creating compelling styleframes that establish visual direction.
• Skilled in typography, composition, layout, and rhythm as they relate to animation and motion graphics.
• Solid grasp of animation principles (timing, easing, movement flow).
• Able to create styleframes and animate with precision and narrative purpose.
• Familiar with video editing workflows (Premiere, Final Cut) and sound sync.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage timelines and priorities across multiple deliverables.
• Bachelor’s degree in Motion Design, Animation, Graphic Design, or equivalent experience.
• 5–7 years of professional motion design experience in an agency, in-house, or content studio setting.
• Portfolio that shows high-level animation skills, storytelling ability, and versatility across formats.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and animation of motion content across social, product, brand, and campaign assets.
• Translate static design and storyboards into compelling motion, ensuring strong pacing, clarity, and brand alignment.
• Collaborate with creative leads, editors, designers, and copywriters to shape cohesive narratives and visual systems.
• Develop styleframes, storyboards, and animation prototypes for internal and client-facing reviews.
• Participate in creative brainstorms, offering ideas and solutions for how motion can elevate storytelling.
• Ensure technical execution, including file management, render optimization, and output delivery.
• Mentor junior motion designers, giving guidance on technique, timing, and feedback integration.
• Stay current on trends and techniques to keep motion language and workflows fresh and efficient.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior