Motion graphics designer

Guardian News and Media Limited; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Employee assistance program (EAP)

Paid volunteer leave

Diversity and inclusion groups

Guardian digital subscription

Job summary

Guardian Australia is seeking a motion graphics designer to join our editorial team, crafting motion graphics and animations for on-site and off-platform videos, social carousels and explainers. The role focuses on clear storytelling, strong typography and brand consistency across Guardian Australia’s multimedia output.

The position is a full-time, 12-month contract available in Sydney or Melbourne, with hybrid working.

Qualifications

• At least four years of professional experience creating high quality motion graphics and animation.
• Ability to translate ideas into engaging visual storytelling with strong typography, color and composition.
• Experience developing video formats and styles such as explainers, news video and documentaries.
• Experience collaborating with video producers, designers and editors in a digital newsroom is advantageous.
• Proficiency with the practical aspects of video production from concept to post-production, including sound and music.

Responsibilities

• Design motion graphics and animation for videos on and off-platform.
• Create bespoke, audience-focused motion graphics and explanatory animations for varied video productions.
• Develop graphics templates for video producers and editors and maintain brand assets.
• Maintain high Guardian style and branding across all graphics and templates.
• Collaborate with journalists, designers, developers and editors across Guardian Australia.
• Contribute to interactive journalism projects as needed.
• Undergo training as required.

Skills

Motion graphics

Animation

After Effects

Illustrator

Photoshop

Premiere Pro

Typography

Brand guidelines

Collaboration

Deadline management

Tools

After Effects

Illustrator

Photoshop

Premiere Pro

Job description

Guardian Australia is part of Guardian News & Media (GNM), publisher of theguardian.com. As a leading global media organisation, we are renowned for our pioneering independent journalism and our award-winning digital products.

We are seeking for a motion graphics designer to join our editorial team, to design motion graphics and animation for the Guardian Australia's multimedia department, including onsite and off-platform videos, social carousels and explainers crafting strong motion graphics/animations which explain complex stories and ideas and engage our audience.

This role is being offered on a full-time, 12-month contract, with early starts and/or late finishes. This role is open to candidates based in either Sydney or Melbourne.

In this role you will…

• Design motion graphics and animation for use in videos on and off-platform.
• Create bespoke audience-focused motion graphics and explanatory animations to a consistently high standard for one-off video productions across all areas of our digital journalism.
• Create graphics templates for video producers and editors to use in their productions, and maintain our portfolio of existing brand graphics and template assets.
• Use imagination and flair to maintain and develop consistent high standards of design, Guardian style & brand and visual reporting, and work closely with the design department.
• Liaise with video producers, multimedia editors, journalists, social video producers, art directors, designers, developers and other specialists at Guardian Australia.
• Work on interactive journalism projects as required.
• Undertake training as required.

You'll bring….

Knowledge and experience

• At least four years of professional experience of creating high quality motion graphics and animation, translating ideas into engaging, dynamic, visual storytelling with strong use of typography, colour, composition and brand.
• Demonstrable interest in visualising data and explanatory design, and understanding of how to use animation/motion to simplify complex topics.
• Experience developing new video formats, styles and guidelines, such as explainers, news video and documentaries.
• Experience of working collaboratively with video producers, designers and editors.
• Comfortable in the practical aspects of video production; from concept, to design, to animation, post-production and understanding how to incorporate sound and music.
• Experience working in a digital newsroom is an advantage.
• Ideally, you'll have a demonstrable ability to bring a diverse perspective to this role.

Skills / behaviours

• A strong understanding of Illustrator, After Effects, Photoshop and Premiere Pro is preferred.
• Additional technical specialism, e.g. Photoshop animation, stop motion or sound design is advantageous.
• Able to manage projects to strict deadlines.
• Good understanding of After Effects expressions, and how to create and maintain our Motion Graphics Templates used for branding in Adobe Premiere Pro edits.
• Good editorial judgement, with an interest in and knowledge of current affairs and world events.
• Collaborative, open and inclusive in approach.
• Enthusiastic about experimenting with new formats and ways of reaching audiences.
• Understanding of audience needs and behaviour across different platforms.
• Comfortable engaging with analytics to take a data-informed approach to decision-making.
• Open to learning new skills and adaptable in applying your existing expertise in new ways.
• Keen to innovate and experiment in your daily work, seeing every outcome as a chance to learn and improve.
• Ability to follow senior editorial and art direction.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and manage time effectively, with attention to detail and patience.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team, and accept constructive feedback.
• Understanding of our values - honesty, integrity, courage, fairness, and a sense of duty to the reader and the community.
• A passion for independent journalism and an understanding of our editorial code and values

About working at Guardian Australia…

• Hybrid working
• Employee assistance program (EAP) to support employee wellbeing
• Paid volunteer leave
• Dedicated diversity and inclusion employee groups, action plans (including our Reconciliation Action Plan) and cultural competency training
• Guardian digital subscription

This role is being offered on a full-time, 12-month contract, with early starts and/or late finishes. This role is open to candidates based in either Sydney or Melbourne.

Closing date for applications

Thursday, 22 October 2026

GNM Australia Limited (Guardian Australia) is proud to be a fair and ethical employer. Australian editorial minimum rates of pay by band and grade are outlined in the Journalists (GNM Australia Pty Ltd) Enterprise Agreement 2024 for roles that fall under its coverage.

We believe that our role in the Australian media is to give a voice to the most marginalised people in society and value and respect all differences in all people — including people of colour, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from different social classes, people with diverse gender and sexual identities, and people with disabilities (seen and unseen). We believe that these communities must be centred in the work we do, bringing a new perspective and a diversity of thought. We also encourage flexible working and aim to create a work environment where all employees feel respected.