Junior Motion Designer

Designer Jobs; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible time off

Paid vacation

Sick days

Dog-friendly offices

Office lunches

Industry events

Job summary

Thinkingbox, through its The Heist team, is seeking a Junior Motion Designer to support 2D and 3D motion across web, social, and experiential formats. This Chicago hybrid role sits within an animation team shaping motion from sketches to finished animation.

You will contribute to UI/asset motion for AR experiences and client projects, learning new tools, and solving production roadblocks with a practical mindset.

Qualifications

• 0-2 years of experience at an agency or animation studio.
• Strong familiarity with the Adobe suite, especially After Effects.
• Portfolio demonstrating graphical 2D and 3D motion design.
• Demo reel or portfolio showing a well rounded and nuanced motion body of work.
• Ability to take direction and feedback.
• Capacity to meet deadlines, work within a team, and also work independently when needed.
• Experience with C4D, Blender, or Maya and Redshift is a big bonus.

Responsibilities

• Create 2D and 3D animation for platforms including web, social media, out of home activations, and standalone content.
• Translate ideas from sketch to animation, helping develop motion that supports campaign goals.
• Support efforts to bring UI and assets for AR apps and other projects to life.
• Adapt to project roadblocks with a solution driven approach.
• Estimate time accurately for assigned tasks to help keep projects on track.

Skills

0-2 years experience

Adobe suite

After Effects

2D/3D motion design

Demo reel/portfolio

Direction & feedback

Deadlines

Team collaboration

C4D

Blender

Maya

Redshift

Tools

C4D

Blender

Maya

Redshift

Adobe suite

After Effects

Job description

Thinkingbox, through its The Heist team, is hiring a Junior Motion Designer to support 2D and 3D motion across a mix of digital and experiential formats. This Chicago hybrid role sits within an animation team where you will help shape motion from early sketches through finished animation, contributing to work that spans web, social, out of home activations, and standalone content.

You will also collaborate on motion that brings UI and assets to life, including support for AR app experiences and other client projects. If you enjoy learning new tools, staying current with visual art trends, and solving production roadblocks with a practical, solution-driven mindset, this position is built for you.

What You’ll Do

• Create 2D and 3D animation for platforms including web, social media, out of home activations, and standalone content.
• Translate ideas from sketch to animation, helping develop motion that supports campaign goals.
• Support efforts to bring UI and assets for AR apps and other projects to life.
• Adapt to project roadblocks with a solution driven approach.
• Estimate time accurately for assigned tasks to help keep projects on track.

What You Bring

• 0-2 years of experience at an agency or animation studio.
• Comfort using the Adobe suite, with strong familiarity in After Effects.
• Portfolio work that demonstrates graphical 2D and 3D motion design skills.
• A demo reel or portfolio showing a well rounded and nuanced motion body of work.
• Ability to take direction and feedback.
• Capacity to meet deadlines, work within a team, and also work independently when needed.
• Experience with C4D, Blender, or Maya and Redshift is a big bonus.

Technologies

• Adobe suite
• After Effects
• C4D
• Blender
• Maya
• Redshift

Compensation & Schedule

• Salary: USD 60,000 - 70,000 per year
• Location: Chicago, IL (hybrid)
• Schedule: Monday to Thursday in office (Fridays remote optional)

Benefits

• Flexible time off, including paid vacation and sick days.
• Culture supported by consistent team-building events.
• Employee recognition and incentive programs.
• Seasonal celebrations and gatherings throughout the year.
• Office lunches.
• Branded company swag.
• Access to industry events, learning opportunities, and non-profit outreaches.
• Dog-friendly offices.
• Unlimited coffee, drinks, and snacks.
• Flex work and travel options.
• Comprehensive extended health benefits.
• 401k matching.

AI Tools in the Hiring Process

Thinkingbox may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses to identify potential inconsistencies or verification signals based on available information. These tools assist the recruitment team but do not replace human judgment, and final hiring decisions are made by humans.