SR. MOTION DESIGNER

Cella is seeking a contract Senior Motion Designer to join onsite in Glendale, California. The role centers on crafting motion for mobile apps and web platforms, combining 2D and 3D character animation with interactive motion experiences. The position offers an hourly rate of USD 55 - 60 and targets professionals with at least three years of hands-on animation experience and a bachelor’s degree in an art-related field.

Responsibilities

• Create & Build: Develop 2D and 3D character animations, motion graphics, and interactive motion experiences optimized for mobile apps and web platforms.
• Rive Implementation: Deliver production-ready interactive animations in Rive, including state machines, transitions, and character rigs.
• UI Optimization: Design micro-interactions, loading animations, icon animations, and transitions that balance storytelling craft with practical product delivery.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with engineering, product, and internal departments to understand technical scope, delivery requirements, and asset optimization constraints.
• System Evolution: Expand, explore, and elevate the established motion style and visual systems of existing products to meet and exceed industry standards.
• Pitch & Present: Confidently articulate motion design goals and present visual explorations to managers, principal designers, and executive leadership.
• Design Culture: Participate in brainstorms, project kickoffs, and visual critiques; receive direction and foster production innovation by sharing best practices.
• Experience: Minimum of 3 years of professional animation, motion design, or UX motion design experience, ideally on branded campaigns, commerce, hospitality, or entertainment products.
• Character Expression: Demonstrated ability to animate characters with personality, weight, and emotional expressiveness across diverse visual styles.
• Technical Tool Stack: Expert proficiency in Rive (state machines, rigs, interactive assets).
• Mastery of After Effects.
• Tool Familiarity: Comfortable working with Maya, Cinema 4D, or equivalents.
• Motion Principles: Strong understanding of core motion principles and how they apply to product UI, including timing, easing, anticipation, and staging.
• Problem Solving: Exceptional creative problem-solving skills with the ability to balance high-end craft with tight production constraints and timelines.
• Soft Skills: Self-starter with attention to detail, clear communication, a positive attitude, and affinity for potential Disney-brand environments.
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in an art-related field or equivalent relevant work experience.

Requirements

• 2D/3D Character Animation: Strong ability to convey weight, personality, and emotional life in digital characters.
• UX Motion Design / Rive Proficiency: High proficiency in Rive, capable of building state machines, interactive animations, and character rigs for real-time delivery.
• Scalable Product Motion: Fluency in After Effects, Figma, and 3D tools (Maya, Cinema 4D) to design micro-interactions, loading states, UI transitions, and motion systems at scale.

Technologies

• Rive
• After Effects
• Maya
• Cinema 4D
• Figma

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Prescription drug coverage
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• AD&D insurance
• Life insurance
• Short-term disability
• 401K plan