Junior Motion Designer - The Heist

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

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible time off

Dog-friendly offices

Unlimited coffee, drinks, and snacks

401k matching

Comprehensive extended health benefits

Office lunches

Branded company swag

Job summary

The Heist, a Thinkingbox motion design studio in Chicago, seeks an early-career animator to shape 2D/3D visuals for social campaigns, AR apps, and UI motion. You’ll move from sketch to animation on micro-content and short films, and contribute to campaigns from concept to finish.

Ideal candidate has up to 2 years in an agency, is proficient in After Effects, and can showcase a diverse motion portfolio with a reel. The role values curiosity, deadline discipline, and teamwork.

Qualifications

• 0–2 years in an agency or animation studio.
• Comfortable using the Adobe suite, especially After Effects.
• Demonstrate 2D/3D motion design in your portfolio.
• Include a demo reel showing a well-rounded motion portfolio.
• Able to take direction, meet deadlines, and collaborate.
• Experience with C4D, Blender or Maya and Redshift is a bonus.

Responsibilities

• Create 2D and 3D animation for web, social, and out-of-home content.
• Learn new skills and software driven by curiosity.
• Stay updated on design trends and best practices.
• Accurately estimate time for tasks.
• Adapt to roadblocks with solution-driven thinking.

Skills

2D/3D motion design

Portfolio + demo reel

Team collaboration & taking direction

Tools

After Effects

C4D

Blender

Maya

Redshift

Job description

Who We Are

Hi! We’re The Heist, the motion design, live action, and post production studio within Thinkingbox, the Brief-to-Built agency.

We bring together directors, designers, animators, editors, and technologists to create work that moves. From brand films to broadcast spots to social campaigns and experiential content, our team blends craft and curiosity to push ideas further. Across our studios, collaboration is real, feedback is open, and culture matters. We take the work seriously. Ourselves, a little less so.

The Opportunity

As a member of the animation team you're going to have your hands and creative say on all things motion. Our diverse projects are going to push your creative boundaries on work from designing looks and animation. You’re going to be going from sketch to animation on micro-content campaigns, creating 2D and 3D assets to help realize AR apps, motion designing for projects ranging from smaller social media campaigns to short animated films , or even bringing UI to life with motion for high profile microsites or out-of-home activations.

What You'll Be Doing

• 2D and 3D animation for platforms including but not limited to web, social media, out of home activations and good ol’ standalone content
• A willingness to learn new skills and software driven by your own curiosity
• Keep up to date with current design, visual art trends and best practices
• Accurately estimate time to assigned tasks
• Adapt to project roadblocks with a solution driven approach

What You'll Bring

• 0-2 years at an agency or animation studio
• Comfortable using the Adobe suite, especially After Effects
• Demonstrate graphical 2D and 3D motion design skills in your portfolio
• A demo reel or portfolio demonstrating a well rounded and nuanced motion portfolio
• Ability to take direction and feedback
• Ability to hit deadlines, work in a team, but also go solo from time to time
• Experience using C4D, Blender or Maya and Redshift is a big bonus

Additional Info

• Monday - Thursday in office (Fridays are remote optional)
• Flexible time off, including paid vacation and sick days
• Consistent culture and 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

$60,000 - $70,000 a year

Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as internal equity, candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role. If your compensation expectations fall outside of this range, we still welcome your application.

Equal Opportunity

At The Heist, we’re committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, heard, and empowered to thrive. We believe that diversity is our creative strength – it's the range of perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds that fuels our best ideas and most innovative solutions. We welcome and encourage applicants of all races, ethnicities, genders, identities, abilities, ages, sexual orientations, and backgrounds to apply. Your voice matters here.