Hybrid Motion Designer: End-to-End Creative Lead

Critical Playground LLC; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary sacrifice pension

Cycle-to-work scheme

Professional development budget

Generous holiday allowance

Extra holiday anniversaries

Sabbatical program

Job summary

Critical Playground LLC in London is seeking a Midweight Motion Designer to join our creative team, producing animated assets for brands across websites, apps, and products with energy and craft.

You will lead concepting, storyboarding, and animation, collaborating with designers and developers while managing multiple priorities in a hybrid London office. Strong storytelling and 3–5+ years’ experience with After Effects are essential.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of professional experience in an agency or freelance.
• Proficiency in After Effects and Premiere Pro; experience with plug-ins and mentoring juniors.
• Good knowledge of pace and timing.
• Passion for storytelling and crafting memorable motion pieces.
• Interest in digital design including websites, product design and apps.
• Strong awareness of project timelines and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Familiarity with Frame.io and Lottie.
• Bonus: Blender or other 3D tools, SFX, sound design.

Responsibilities

• Understand briefs and develop fully developed creative ideas to pitch to clients.
• Lead full project lifecycle from script development, concept ideation, storyboarding to production and delivery.
• Accurately estimate project complexity and deliver within timelines and budgets.
• Liaise with voiceover artists to create engaging storyboards and animatics.
• Collaborate with designers and developers to bring projects to life.
• Share inspiration, contribute ideas and provide creative input throughout the process.
• Manage time effectively to deliver on brief and schedule.

Skills

After Effects

Premiere Pro

Storytelling

Time management

Prioritization

Collaboration

Motion design

Web & product design interest

Tools

Frame.io

Lottie

Blender

SFX

Sound design

Job description

Critical Playground LLC in London is seeking a Midweight Motion Designer to join our creative team, producing animated assets for brands across websites, apps, and products with energy and craft.

You will lead concepting, storyboarding, and animation, collaborating with designers and developers while managing multiple priorities in a hybrid London office. Strong storytelling and 3–5+ years’ experience with After Effects are essential.