Art Director, Motion

Jobtailor

Chicago (IL)

On-site

USD 120,000 - 180,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking a senior motion designer and leader to drive concept development and creative direction for high‑impact campaigns. You will craft styleframes, storyboards, and manage 3D/2D motion projects, guiding cross‑functional teams to deliver cohesive work.

You will mentor junior designers, participate in pitches, and stay ahead of industry trends to continually elevate the studio’s creative output. A strong portfolio and leadership experience are essential.

Qualifications

7+ years of experience in motion design or animation, with at least 1-2 years in a senior or leadership role.

Responsibilities

Lead concept development and the realization of creative direction for motion projects.
Create styleframes and storyboards that define tone, motion language, and aesthetic.
Oversee/guide and participate in the execution of 3D/2D motion graphics, ensuring quality and cohesion.
Collaborate with creative directors, producers, and designers to shape campaign narratives.
Give thoughtful and actionable feedback that elevates the work.
Direct small to mid-size teams of animators and designers across various projects.
Contribute to pitch decks, treatments, and new business efforts when needed.
Stay ahead of industry trends, tools, and techniques to continuously elevate our creative output.

Skills

Motion Design

Art Direction

Team Leadership

Visual Storytelling

Adobe Creative Suite

Cinema 4D

Redshift

Tools

Cinema 4D

Redshift

After Effects

Illustrator

Photoshop

Premiere

Houdini

XParticles

Marvelous Designer

Substance Painter

Job description

Lead concept development and the realization of creative direction for motion projects.
Create styleframes and storyboards that define tone, motion language, and aesthetic.
Oversee/guide and participate in the execution of 3D/2D motion graphics, ensuring quality and cohesion.
Collaborate with creative directors, producers, and designers to shape campaign narratives.
Give thoughtful and actionable feedback that elevates the work.
Direct small to mid-size teams of animators and designers across various projects.
Contribute to pitch decks, treatments, and new business efforts when needed.
Stay ahead of industry trends, tools, and techniques to continuously elevate our creative output.

Requirements

A stunning portfolio demonstrating strong art direction in motion across multiple styles and platforms.
7+ years of experience in motion design or animation, with at least 1-2 years in a senior or leadership role.
Strong background in visual storytelling, typography, color theory, and design principles.
Expertise in Cinema 4D, Redshift, and Adobe Creative Suite (After Effects, Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere).
Familiarity with Houdini, XParticles, Marvelous Designer, or Substance Painter is a bonus.
Excellent communication skills – both visual and verbal.
Ability to manage timelines, provide mentorship, and balance hands-on work with strategic thinking.
A deep passion for craft and a desire to push what’s possible in motion.

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in motion design and animation, with a strong focus on visual storytelling, art direction, and team leadership. Proficient in industry-standard tools and techniques to create compelling motion graphics and elevate creative output.

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