Find the latest motion designer jobs from game studios worldwide. UI animation, motion graphics, trailer production, and cinematic roles. Get curated opportunities delivered to your inbox every morning.
What you can expect to earn as a motion designer in the game industry.
Junior Motion Designer
$50K – $68K
Mid-Level Motion Designer
$68K – $95K
Senior Motion Designer
$90K – $125K
Lead Motion Designer
$120K – $155K
*US market data. Studios with strong trailer and marketing operations often pay at the higher end for experienced motion designers.
Skills Employers Look For
What studios expect from motion designer candidates.
🖥️ Software
Adobe After Effects
Cinema 4D
Adobe Premiere Pro
Blender (motion graphics)
Unity or Unreal (UI animation)
🎯 Technical Skills
Keyframe animation and easing
Typography in motion
Compositing and color grading
3D motion and camera animation
Sound sync and timing
🎮 Game Knowledge
UI animation principles
Trailer structure and pacing
Real-time UI animation (Unity/Unreal)
Marketing video formats
Cinematic pipeline workflow
💡 What Gets You Hired
Shipped game trailer or cinematic work
Strong showreel with variety
3D + 2D combined skills
Understanding of game UI motion
Speed and iteration ability
Motion Designer Jobs FAQ
What does a motion designer do in a game studio?
Motion designers in game studios create animated visuals across UI, cinematics, trailers, and marketing materials. They animate menu transitions, HUD elements, splash screens, and promotional content. Some work closely with VFX or UI teams, while others specialize entirely in cinematic or trailer production.
What software do motion designers use in games?
Adobe After Effects is the primary tool for most motion designer roles. Cinema 4D is widely used for 3D motion work. Many studios also require experience with Adobe Premiere for video editing, and some roles involve Unity or Unreal for real-time UI animation.
What is the average motion designer salary in games?
In the US: Junior Motion Designers earn $50K-$68K, Mid-Level $68K-$95K, Senior $90K-$125K, and Lead $120K-$155K. Studios with strong marketing and trailer production teams tend to pay competitively for experienced motion designers.
What is the difference between a motion designer and a VFX artist?
Motion designers focus on 2D and 3D motion graphics, UI animation, and video content. VFX artists work on real-time in-game visual effects like particles, explosions, and ability animations that run inside the game engine. The roles can overlap in cinematics and trailer production, but the day-to-day work is quite different.
Do motion designers need to know 3D software?
Increasingly yes. Most mid-to-senior motion designer roles now expect Cinema 4D or Blender experience alongside After Effects. Trailer production especially requires strong 3D skills. Junior roles may be more 2D-focused, but building 3D skills significantly expands your opportunities.
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