Junior Motion Designer - The Heist

The Heist; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

In-office Mon-Thu

Remote Fridays (optional)

Flexible time off

401k matching

Dog-friendly office

Team events

Job summary

The Heist in Chicago is seeking a junior animator to contribute to 2D/3D motion projects, social content, and AR assets.

You’ll work from sketch to finished animation, collaborating with directors, designers, and editors, and grow your skills in After Effects and 3D tools while meeting tight deadlines.

This role offers a collaborative culture with growth opportunities across campaigns from micro-content to short films and access to ongoing learning and exposure to AR and UI motion.

Qualifications

• 0-2 years at an agency or animation studio.
• Strong portfolio of 2D/3D motion work.
• Proficient with the Adobe suite, especially After Effects.
• Able to take direction and meet deadlines.
• Curious and eager to learn new software.

Responsibilities

• Create 2D and 3D animation for web, social, and AR projects.
• Learn new skills and software driven by curiosity.
• Stay current with design trends and best practices.
• Estimate time to tasks accurately.
• Adapt to roadblocks with a solution-driven approach.

Skills

2D/3D animation

After Effects

C4D/Blender/Maya

Portfolio reel

Deadline-driven

Team collaboration

Self-driven

Tools

Cinema 4D

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.

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

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.