Senior Motion Designer

Thinkingbox is seeking a Senior Motion Designer for The Heist, a hands-on role centered on craft and creative leadership. Based in Chicago, IL with a hybrid schedule, you will partner closely with Art Directors and Creative Directors to shape 2D and 3D motion graphics, mentor teammates, and help projects move smoothly from early exploration through production.

What you’ll do

• Design and animate compelling 2D and 3D motion graphics across a range of styles and platforms.
• Create storyboards, styleframes, and motion explorations that support the creative vision.
• Collaborate with Art Directors, Creative Directors, Producers, and other designers throughout production.
• Own complex assignments end-to-end, handling creative and technical challenges independently.
• Maintain craft, consistency, and polish across every deliverable.
• Share thoughtful feedback and mentorship to junior designers to raise overall team quality.
• Stay current with emerging tools, workflows, and technologies that improve both process and creative output.
• Accurately estimate effort, communicate progress, and support projects staying on schedule.

What you bring

• 5+ years of professional experience in motion design, animation, or a related creative field.
• A portfolio showing exceptional design taste, animation principles, and versatility across styles.
• Advanced proficiency in After Effects, Cinema 4D, Redshift, and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Strong foundation in typography, composition, color, pacing, and visual storytelling.
• Experience working through professional production pipelines from concept to final delivery.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate across disciplines.
• A proactive, solution-oriented mindset with confidence to own work while supporting the team.

Tools and technologies

• After Effects
• Cinema 4D
• Redshift
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Houdini
• X-Particles
• Marvelous Designer
• Substance Painter
• Unreal Engine

Bonus points

• Experience with Houdini, X-Particles, Marvelous Designer, or Substance Painter.
• Experience with Unreal Engine, AI-assisted creative workflows, or other emerging motion technologies.
• Experience with live action, editorial, or VFX pipelines.

Compensation and schedule

Salary: USD 90,000 - 100,000 per year. Experience level: 5+ years.

• Monday - Thursday in office
• Fridays are remote optional

Benefits

• 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