Hiring a motion graphic designer in 2025?
You’re not alone and you’re not imagining things. The best candidates are snapped up fast, and most job descriptions don’t help.
Vague roles attract mismatched applicants. That means reviewing irrelevant portfolios, wasting time in interviews, and restarting the process all over again.
Let’s fix that.
This guide gives you ready-to-use templates for every level:
Senior. Junior. Entry-level. Freelance.
So you can move faster, attract better candidates, and hire with confidence.
What Does a Motion Graphic Designer Do?
A motion graphic designer creates animated visuals that communicate ideas through movement, timing, and design. They’re behind the logo animations, explainer videos, onboarding walkthroughs, and scroll-stopping social ads your audience remembers.
Unlike static graphic designers, they bring designs to life. Unlike video editors, they create from scratch—not just trim and sequence footage. And while they often collaborate with animators, they focus on visual storytelling using design and motion rather than character animation.
✅ Motion graphic designer job description typically includes:
- Designing animated graphics for video, web, or mobile
- Creating transitions, overlays, and branded visual elements
- Working with tools like After Effects, Premiere Pro, or Cinema 4D
- Collaborating with creative, product, or marketing teams
- Ensuring visual consistency across formats and channels
🔎 Looking for a digital-first motion graphics role? We’ve got a template for that too.
What Skills Are Required for Motion Graphics Designers?
Hiring a motion designer in 2025? You’ll need more than someone who can drag keyframes. Here’s what to look for:
6 Must-Have Skills
- Adobe After Effects (non-negotiable)
- Premiere Pro
- Motion design principles (easing, timing, keyframes)
- 2D animation & transitions
- Typography and visual hierarchy
- Asset prep and storyboarding
5 Nice-to-Haves
- 3D animation (Cinema 4D, Blender)
- Sound design basics
- Scripting or expressions (e.g. After Effects expressions)
- Experience with Lottie, SVG, or motion for web
- Illustration or static design crossover
Top candidates also know how to collaborate across teams—from marketing and product to UX/UI and video. They’re as comfortable in a stand-up meeting as they are in a Figma file.
Motion Graphics Designer Salary (2025 Guide)
How much should you budget for a motion graphic designer? Here’s a quick 2025 snapshot based on US averages:
🌍 Offshore rates in Eastern Europe, LATAM, or Southeast Asia range from $25–$60/hr, depending on skill and availability.
Tip: Motion designers with 3D or product marketing experience often sit at the top end of these bands.
Motion Graphic Designer Job Description Templates (Copy & Paste)
Ready-to-go job descriptions to help you move fast. These are built for real-world hiring: clear, keyword-optimized, and designed to attract the right talent. Just copy, paste, and customize.
Senior Motion Graphic Designer Job Description
Looking for a creative lead to bring motion to life? Our team is seeking a Senior Motion Graphic Designer with strong conceptual thinking, mastery of After Effects, and the ability to manage motion projects from storyboard to final delivery.
Responsibilities:
- Own the animation process from briefs to final renders
- Lead ideation and storyboarding with cross-functional teams
- Build high-quality motion for ads, social, product launches
- Collaborate with marketing, design, and product teams
- Stay ahead of motion trends, 2D/3D styles, and best practices
Requirements:
- 5+ years experience in motion design
- Expert in After Effects, Premiere Pro, Illustrator
- Strong visual storytelling, type, and pacing
- Portfolio that shows a range of motion styles
Junior Motion Graphic Designer Job Description
We’re hiring a Junior Motion Graphic Designer to join our creative team and help bring energy to our digital experiences.
Responsibilities:
- Animate visual assets for ads, email, product videos
- Assist with storyboarding, asset prep, and editing
- Work alongside designers and video editors
- Receive and apply feedback in real time
Requirements:
- 1–2 years experience or solid portfolio
- Proficient in After Effects and motion principles
- Eye for composition, timing, and detail
- Bonus: familiarity with Canva or Lottie
Entry-Level Motion Graphic Designer Job Description
Just starting out? We’re looking for an Entry-Level Motion Designer with strong fundamentals and a desire to grow.
Responsibilities:
- Support senior team members on animation tasks
- Learn industry tools and creative pipelines
- Animate templates, text effects, and transitions
- Organize and prep assets for motion use
Requirements:
- Portfolio showing motion basics (school or self-taught welcome!)
- Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite
- Good communication and a collaborative mindset
Freelance Motion Graphic Designer Job Description
Need motion magic on demand? We’re seeking a Freelance Motion Graphic Designer for on-call animation support across marketing, product, and social channels.
Responsibilities:
- Deliver animations on brief and on time
- Work with remote teams (Slack, Zoom, Asana)
- Provide rounds of revisions where needed
- Maintain organized files and exports
Requirements:
- 3+ years freelance experience or agency background
- Must have own motion setup (After Effects, plugins, etc.)
- Strong time management and fast turnaround
Hybrid Designer-Animator Job Description
We’re seeking a creative Hybrid Motion + Visual Designer who can own both still and motion assets, bringing consistency across formats.
Responsibilities:
- Create brand visuals in both static and motion formats
- Design animated banners, carousels, product GIFs
- Collaborate with marketing, web, and product
- Maintain visual cohesion across assets
Requirements:
- Strong in After Effects + Figma or Photoshop
- Understands storytelling across formats
- Able to deliver assets in multiple file types
FAQ: Motion Graphic Designer Hiring Guide
1. What is the difference between a motion designer and a video editor?
Motion designers focus on animated visuals and movement design (think explainer videos, animated ads, UI animations). Video editors assemble footage, audio, and effects to tell a story from recorded video.
2. What skills do I need to be a motion graphics designer?
Core skills include After Effects, motion timing, animation principles, typography, and composition. Nice-to-haves: 3D, sound design, and scripting.
3. How much does a freelance motion graphic designer earn?
Freelance motion designers in the US typically earn between $45–$90/hr, depending on experience and project scope. Offshore rates may range from $25–$60/hr.
4. Is motion graphics the same as animation?
Not exactly. Motion graphics is a subfield of animation focused on graphic elements (text, shapes, icons). Animation includes full character animation, storytelling, and frame-by-frame work.
5. How do I write a motion graphic designer job description?
Start with the level of hire (junior, senior, freelance), list key responsibilities, highlight required skills/tools, and be clear about deliverables. Use our templates above to skip the guesswork.
