Motion Graphics Designer Job Description
Hire a Motion Graphics Designer to create animated visuals, title sequences and motion assets for video, social and web. This template helps you describe the role, responsibilities and the skills to look for when recruiting in the UK creative sector.
What does a Motion Graphics Designer professional do?
Design and animate motion graphics and short-form visual content using tools such as After Effects, Illustrator and Premiere; work with producers, editors and clients to deliver polished video and online assets to specification.
Motion Graphics Designer job description template
Use this employer-ready example as a starting point, then replace the placeholders and adjust the content so it accurately reflects your vacancy.
Motion Graphics Designer
About the role
[Company] is looking for an experienced Motion Graphics Designer to join our creative team in [Location]. You will produce animations, title sequences, social clips and motion assets from concept to delivery, collaborating with producers, editors and clients to meet briefs and delivery schedules. Please include a portfolio of recent work when applying. Salary: [Salary or range].
Key responsibilities
- Create motion graphics, animated sequences, title cards and social clips from concept through to final render.
- Develop storyboards, animatics or styleframes to communicate ideas and timings.
- Work with producers, editors, copywriters and sound designers to integrate motion assets into video projects.
- Prepare deliverables for multiple platforms (broadcast, web, social) and export to required codecs and aspect ratios.
- Maintain well-organised project files, version control and asset libraries.
- Estimate time and resource needs for projects and meet agreed deadlines.
- Conduct quality checks and troubleshoot animation, rendering or playback issues.
- Participate in creative reviews and contribute ideas to pitches and client presentations.
Essential skills and experience
- Strong showreel or portfolio demonstrating motion graphics work and process.
- Practical experience with After Effects and familiarity with Photoshop and Illustrator.
- Good understanding of timing, easing, typography and composition for motion.
- Experience delivering assets for web and social platforms with correct codecs and aspect ratios.
- Organised file management and basic project version control.
- Ability to communicate clearly with producers, clients and other creatives.
Desirable
- Experience with 3D tools such as Cinema 4D, Blender or Element 3D.
- Knowledge of Premiere Pro (or equivalent) and basic editing workflows.
- Experience with scripting or expressions in After Effects.
- Familiarity with motion design for UI or app interfaces.
- Broadcast delivery experience and understanding of technical specs for TV.
What we offer
- Competitive salary (enter specific band here)
- Pension contributions
- Flexible / hybrid working options
- Annual training or conference budget
- Company laptop and software licence provision
- Paid holiday and bank holidays
How to apply
Apply with your CV and any additional information requested. Make the interview process, closing date and any assessment stages clear where known.
Use this as a starting point rather than a final advert. The strongest version will reflect the real role, salary, location, systems, responsibilities, benefits and working arrangements.
What is a Motion Graphics Designer role?
Motion Graphics Designers plan and produce animated visual content used across video, web and social channels. They combine graphic design, animation and storytelling skills to convey messages and enhance video productions. Work ranges from short promo clips and infographics to title sequences and explainer animations, often working within briefs and alongside producers, editors and audio specialists.
Core tools
After Effects plus Illustrator and Photoshop form the typical toolkit; Premiere, Cinema 4D or Blender are common additions.
Typical outputs
Title sequences, brand stings, animated social content, infographics and lower-thirds for broadcast and online video.
Working style
Collaborative with producers and editors; balances creative input with meeting client briefs and technical delivery requirements.
Typical Motion Graphics Designer responsibilities
Responsibilities should reflect the real scope of the vacancy rather than every task someone in this profession might ever complete.
Create motion graphics
Create motion graphics, animated sequences, title cards and social clips from concept through to final render.
Develop storyboards
Develop storyboards, animatics or styleframes to communicate ideas and timings.
Work with producers
Work with producers, editors, copywriters and sound designers to integrate motion assets into video projects.
Prepare deliverables for multiple platforms
Prepare deliverables for multiple platforms (broadcast, web, social) and export to required codecs and aspect ratios.
Maintain well-organised project files
Maintain well-organised project files, version control and asset libraries.
Estimate time
Estimate time and resource needs for projects and meet agreed deadlines.
Conduct quality checks
Conduct quality checks and troubleshoot animation, rendering or playback issues.
Participate in creative reviews
Participate in creative reviews and contribute ideas to pitches and client presentations.
Motion Graphics Designer skills and experience to look for
Keep the essential list focused on what the person really needs to perform the role. Move useful-but-trainable experience into desirable criteria.
Usually worth prioritising
- Strong showreel or portfolio demonstrating motion graphics work and process.
- Practical experience with After Effects and familiarity with Photoshop and Illustrator.
- Good understanding of timing, easing, typography and composition for motion.
- Experience delivering assets for web and social platforms with correct codecs and aspect ratios.
- Organised file management and basic project version control.
- Ability to communicate clearly with producers, clients and other creatives.
Useful where relevant
- Experience with 3D tools such as Cinema 4D, Blender or Element 3D.
- Knowledge of Premiere Pro (or equivalent) and basic editing workflows.
- Experience with scripting or expressions in After Effects.
- Familiarity with motion design for UI or app interfaces.
- Broadcast delivery experience and understanding of technical specs for TV.
See our guide to what to include in a job advert before publishing.
How to write a Motion Graphics Designer job advert
Small role-specific details can make the advert much easier for suitable candidates to assess.
Lead with portfolio requirements
Ask for a showreel or curated portfolio and specify preferred file links or formats so candidates supply relevant examples up front.
Be specific about outputs
State the typical deliverables (e.g. 15–30s social clips, 4K title sequences, broadcast-ready masters) so applicants know the technical expectations.
Clarify working pattern
Indicate whether the role is studio-based, hybrid or remote and whether occasional on-site shoots or client meetings are required.
Describe seniority and scope
Explain whether the role involves mentoring, client-facing responsibilities or end-to-end project ownership to attract the right level of candidate.
Motion Graphics Designer salary considerations
Salaries for motion graphics roles vary. Several factors influence pay — use these points to set a realistic range for the level you’re hiring.
depending on experience
- Use a genuine range
- Separate variable pay
- Avoid “competitive” alone
- Match salary to seniority
What Motion Graphics Designer candidates will want to know
Practical details can influence whether a suitable candidate applies, even when the title and salary are attractive.
Is this role hybrid, studio-based or fully remote?
Candidates will want to know on-site expectations, studio facilities and any required in-person meetings or shoots.
Which software and versions do you use?
Knowing your toolchain (AE, Premiere, C4D, plugins) helps applicants confirm technical fit and licence needs.
What are typical project timelines and workloads?
Experienced applicants will check average turnaround, peak periods and expectations around overtime or tight deadlines.
Will I be client-facing or working internally?
Clarify whether the role involves direct client contact, pitches and feedback sessions or primarily internal delivery.
Are training and development opportunities provided?
Candidates often prioritise access to courses, conferences and software training when choosing roles.
Where to post a Motion Graphics Designer job
Promote this role on a mix of channels: broad UK job boards to capture general creative talent, specialist design and animation boards for experienced motion designers, and creative communities or showreel platforms to target portfolio-led candidates. Also consider agency networks and local film/production groups where freelance or broadcast-skilled designers commonly look for work.
Motion Graphics Designer job description FAQs
How should I assess a candidate's portfolio?
Look for recent, relevant work that demonstrates range and technical execution. Prioritise pieces that show process (concept, storyboards, final) and include client context, deliverables and the candidate’s role. Check playback quality and hosted links rather than large attachments.
Do I need to require a degree for this role?
A formal qualification can be helpful but is not mandatory. Practical experience, a strong portfolio and demonstrable software skills are usually more important in hiring decisions.
Is it common to set a practical test for applicants?
Short, paid task-based tests are common for mid-weight and senior hires to demonstrate approach and speed. Keep tasks time-limited and clearly aligned to everyday work to make them fair and scalable.
Should I hire freelance or permanent for motion design?
Use freelancers for short-term peaks, specialised 3D work or one-off campaigns. A permanent hire makes sense for steady ongoing content, brand consistency and when mentoring or longer-term ownership is required.
What notice period or start time should I expect?
Notice periods vary; many candidates require a month or more to transition from permanent roles. Freelancers and contractors can often start sooner but may have commitments to finish.
Ready to post your vacancy?
Use the template above to assemble your advert, insert company specifics and portfolio instructions, then advertise across job boards and creative networks to attract qualified motion designers.
