Senior Motion Designer

Key Responsibilities 

• Create distinctive, sophisticated motion design for Windows, Surface and Services across campaigns, brand systems, social, digital, web, film, retail, experiential and other customer-facing touchpoints.  

• Help define and evolve motion languages for our brands, establishing principles for timing, rhythm, easing, transitions, choreography and behavior.  

• Translate static visual identity systems into expressive motion systems that feel native to movement rather than simply animated versions of static designs.  

• Concept, design and execute motion from early exploration and styleframes through animation, refinement and final delivery.  

• Develop kinetic typography, graphic animation, transitions, image choreography, product motion, compositing and other forms of motion expression.  

• Explore how typography, shape, color, imagery, product and interface elements behave over time to create distinctive and recognizable brand expression.  

• Bring a sophisticated understanding of timing, pacing, rhythm, weight, dimensionality, hierarchy and visual continuity to every execution.  

• Develop scalable motion principles and behaviors that can work consistently across formats, channels, aspect ratios and customer experiences.  

• Partner closely with the Head of Design and design team to ensure motion is considered as a fundamental component of the visual identity rather than an executional layer added at the end.  

• Collaborate with Creative Directors in Art & Film to integrate motion design thoughtfully into advertising and film while complementing the narrative, cinematography and editorial approach of the work.  

• Work with designers and copywriters to explore how typography, language, imagery and graphic systems can come alive through movement.  

• Create motion explorations, prototypes and studies that allow teams to understand the potential of an idea before committing to final execution.  

• Apply motion systems across a wide spectrum of expressions, from short-form social and digital assets to campaign films, launch moments, retail environments and large-format displays.  

• Direct and collaborate with motion studios, animators, editors, CG artists, VFX artists and other specialist partners when projects require external production.  

• Maintain an informed point of view on contemporary motion design, animation, typography, filmmaking, design, technology and culture, bringing new influences and techniques into the work.  

• Push beyond expected approaches to technology marketing, continually exploring new ways movement can make the brands feel more distinctive, expressive and culturally relevant.  

• Balance multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining an exceptional level of craft and attention to detail.  

• Contribute to a design culture centered on experimentation, curiosity, collaboration and world-class craft.  

Required/minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree or Certificate in Design, Fine Arts, Human Computer Interaction, Visual Communications or related art field AND 4+ years experience in art design or a related art field working on computer games or entertainment. OR equivalent experience.

Additional or preferred qualifications:

• Significant professional experience as a Motion Designer, Senior Motion Designer, Motion Design Director or equivalent within a leading design studio, motion studio, advertising agency, production company, in-house creative organization or similar environment.  

• An outstanding portfolio or reel demonstrating exceptional motion design, visual craft and a highly developed understanding of movement.  

• Deep expertise in motion design principles including timing, rhythm, pacing, transitions, choreography, composition, typography and animation.  

• Demonstrated ability to develop motion concepts and systems rather than simply animate predetermined static designs.  

• Exceptional understanding of typography and graphic design, with the ability to think equally well in static composition and time-based media.  

• Strong experience designing motion for brands, campaigns and visual identity systems across multiple channels and formats.  

• Experience combining typography, graphic design, photography, product imagery, interface elements and other visual materials through motion.  

• Experience taking motion work from early concept and visual exploration through design, animation, production and final delivery.  

• Experience working collaboratively with designers, creative directors, art directors, editors, animators, CG artists, VFX artists and production partners.  

• Ability to articulate the thinking behind motion choices and provide clear creative direction to collaborators and external partners.  

• Exceptional visual taste, attention to detail and a strong point of view on contemporary motion design, design and culture.   

• Experience creating motion languages or motion systems for globally recognized consumer brands.  

• Experience developing motion as part of broader visual identity and brand design systems.  

• Experience creating high-profile motion work across campaigns, product launches, social, digital, film, retail, experiential and large-format environments.  

• Strong foundation in graphic design, typography, identity design or other visual design disciplines in addition to motion.  

• Experience developing kinetic typography and sophisticated typographic motion systems.  

• Experience collaborating with live-action filmmakers and editors to integrate graphic motion seamlessly into film and advertising.  

• Experience with 2D and 3D motion workflows, compositing, CG and other contemporary motion techniques.  

• Experience directing external motion studios, animators, CG artists and specialist production partners.  

• Experience experimenting with emerging tools, technologies and techniques that expand the possibilities of motion design.  

• Recognition from major motion, design, advertising or creative industry organizations is a plus.  

• Experience working in technology, entertainment, gaming, lifestyle, fashion, music or other culturally relevant consumer categories is a plus.