Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Motion Graphic Designer

💰 $65,000 - $110,000

DesignMarketingCreativeAnimation

🎯 Role Definition

The Motion Graphic Designer is a key creative force responsible for bringing our brand's story to life through compelling animation and video. This role involves conceptualizing, designing, and executing high-quality motion graphics for a variety of platforms, including social media, digital advertising, web, and internal communications. You will work closely with marketing, product, and creative teams to transform complex ideas into visually stunning and easy-to-understand content that drives engagement and reinforces our brand identity.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Junior Graphic Designer
  • Video Editor
  • Freelance Animator

Advancement To:

  • Senior Motion Graphic Designer
  • Art Director
  • Creative Director

Lateral Moves:

  • Video Producer
  • UI/UX Designer (with a focus on micro-interactions)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conceptualize, storyboard, and execute original, high-quality motion graphics and animations for marketing campaigns, product launches, and social media content.
  • Translate complex concepts and data-driven insights into clear, engaging, and visually appealing animated videos and explainers.
  • Collaborate closely with creative directors, art directors, and marketing strategists to ensure all motion content aligns with brand guidelines and campaign objectives.
  • Design and produce a wide range of animated assets, including title sequences, lower thirds, transitions, logo animations, and full-scale animated shorts.
  • Edit raw video footage, incorporating graphics, sound effects, and music to create polished and professional final video products.
  • Manage the entire video production pipeline from pre-production (storyboarding, style frames) to post-production (editing, color grading, sound mixing, and final delivery).
  • Develop and maintain a comprehensive library of motion graphics assets and templates to ensure consistency and improve workflow efficiency across the creative team.
  • Stay current with the latest trends, techniques, and technologies in motion design, animation, and video production to continually push the creative envelope.
  • Incorporate feedback from stakeholders and peers effectively, iterating on designs to achieve the best possible creative outcomes while meeting project deadlines.
  • Optimize video and animated content for various platforms (e.g., Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, web) by understanding and applying best practices for each format.
  • Create compelling animated data visualizations and infographics to make complex information accessible and engaging for our target audience.
  • Work with the social media team to develop short-form video content and animated GIFs that drive engagement and virality.
  • Animate characters and objects in both 2D and 3D environments to create dynamic and narrative-driven visual stories.
  • Participate in brainstorming sessions and contribute creative ideas for new video-based content strategies and campaigns.
  • Ensure all final deliverables meet technical specifications and are exported in the correct formats for web, broadcast, or internal use.
  • Manage multiple projects simultaneously, effectively prioritizing tasks and communicating progress to project managers and team leads.
  • Develop style frames and mood boards to establish the visual direction and tone for new motion projects before entering full production.
  • Integrate live-action footage with computer-generated imagery (CGI) and visual effects (VFX) to create seamless and immersive visual experiences.
  • Provide creative and technical guidance to junior designers and freelancers, ensuring high standards of quality and consistency.
  • Perform color correction and audio mixing to enhance the overall quality and emotional impact of video projects.
  • Archive and organize project files and final assets meticulously for future use and easy retrieval.
  • Research and select appropriate audio, including music and sound effects, to complement the visual narrative and enhance viewer experience.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist the design team with static graphic design tasks, such as creating social media graphics or presentation decks, when motion project workload allows.
  • Contribute to the evolution of the company's visual brand identity by exploring new animation styles and visual techniques.
  • Collaborate with the web development team to implement animated elements and micro-interactions on the company website.
  • Participate in sprint planning, creative reviews, and agile ceremonies within the marketing and creative teams.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Expert-level proficiency in Adobe After Effects for animation, compositing, and visual effects.
  • Strong skills in Adobe Premiere Pro for video editing, sequencing, and post-production.
  • Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop for creating and preparing vector and raster assets for animation.
  • Experience with 3D modeling and animation software such as Cinema 4D, Blender, or Maya is highly desirable.
  • Solid understanding of design principles, including composition, color theory, typography, and visual hierarchy.
  • Knowledge of video codecs, compression standards, and best practices for exporting video for various digital platforms.
  • Familiarity with audio editing and mixing within Premiere Pro or using tools like Adobe Audition.
  • Experience with storyboarding and creating animatics to plan and visualize sequences before production.
  • Knowledge of industry-standard plugins like Red Giant Suite, Trapcode Suite, and Video Copilot.
  • Ability to create and rig characters for 2D animation.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional creativity and a strong sense of visual storytelling.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to articulate creative concepts and receive constructive feedback.
  • Strong time management and organizational skills, with the ability to handle multiple projects and meet tight deadlines.
  • A keen eye for detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality, polished work.
  • Proactive problem-solving abilities, especially when facing creative or technical challenges.
  • Adaptability and a willingness to learn new software, tools, and techniques.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent professional experience.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) or a related degree.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Graphic Design
  • Animation
  • Film & Video Production
  • Digital Media

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-7 years of professional experience in motion graphics design.

Preferred:

A strong online portfolio showcasing a diverse range of high-quality motion graphics, animation, and video editing projects is required for consideration.

Explore More Careers