Senior Motion Designer

Tracks and Layers is a creative studio based in Ancoats, Manchester. We've been having fun making things move since 2014 and specialise in crafting captivating motion graphics and animation for production companies and broadcasters. Our goal is to delight and surprise audiences with our visually stunning creations. Our clients include the likes of the BBC, Channel 4, ITV, Channel 5, Love Productions, Manchester United, UKTV and many more.

Summary

A Senior Motion Designer at Tracks and Layers has over 6 years of experience and the role includes leading motion design projects, mentoring & inspiring the team, working creatively with clients, and delivering high quality work across multiple simultaneous projects.

Details

Job Title: Senior Motion Designer

Salary Range: between £45,000 – £50,000, plus medical insurance, bonuses, flexible hours, and a creative work environment.

Experience Level: 6+ years of extensive experience in motion design including leading teams

Location: 3 days per week in the co-working space in Ancoats, Manchester (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)

Contract: Full time (Following successful 3 month probation)

Role Definition

As a Senior Motion Designer at Tracks and Layers, you will be a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience and a high level of expertise in motion design. This role is tailored for individuals with a minimum of 6 years of experience, showcasing the ability to lead and oversee the entire motion design process with creativity, innovation, and a focus on achieving the highest quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

The core daily responsibilities for this role include the following:

• Lead and oversee the entire motion design process, from conceptualisation to completion, ensuring a seamless and impactful final product.
• Provide creative direction and guidance to the team, fostering a collaborative and innovative design environment.
• Collaborate closely with clients to deeply understand their vision, requirements, and objectives, translating them into compelling motion design solutions.
• Work with the Studio Manager and Creative Director across multiple simultaneous projects, providing creative ideas and accurate time estimations for project pitches, and ensuring the creative team appreciates the need to work within allocated times and tasks.
• Implement innovative and advanced motion design techniques, staying abreast of industry trends and pushing the boundaries of creative expression.

Additional Responsibilities

As a Senior Motion Designer at Tracks and Layers, your role extends beyond the core responsibilities to include:

• Mentoring and developing the skills of junior and mid-level team members, fostering their growth within the organisation.
• Contributing to the strategic planning and continuous improvement of design processes.
• Collaborating with the leadership team on the overall creative vision and direction of the studio.
• Taking a leadership role in the exploration and implementation of new technologies and tools within motion design.

Person Specification

The right person for this role has a wide range of soft skills that impact how they lead a team and deliver projects.

• They must be excited by the creative process, with a desire to push boundaries and try new ways of achieving great results, from both a visual and technological angle.
• They can problem-solve with confidence, and know how to bring the best out of their team, helping with development and skill-sharing.
• They have experience in fast-paced agencies or similar environments, so they're comfortable producing project pitches and translating creative ideas to clients, whilst appreciating the need to keep work on time and to budget.
• They can take the initiative and approach new ideas with positivity and curiosity, and enjoy making the work fun for everyone involved.

The Senior Motion Designer may be a generalist, or specialise in one of a variety of motion design styles, but must have a background in fundamental design principles. The right person may not have all of the desirable software or design skills, but the focus will be on the above soft skills that affect overall team culture.

Key Skills and Experience

• Exceptional proficiency in a range of motion design software and techniques.
• Extensive experience in leading and managing the entire motion design process, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of design principles.
• Proven ability to collaborate with clients, providing creative solutions that align with their vision and brand.
• Strong time management skills, with the ability to handle multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Advanced knowledge and implementation of cutting-edge motion design techniques and trends.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas effectively.
• Desire to contribute to the ongoing development of team and studio culture, with a passion for sharing knowledge and increasing well-being.

Desirable software skills include After Effects, Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and Cinema 4D. Desirable design experience includes a range of the following: character animation, illustration, concept design, storyboarding, motion graphics, 3D design & animation, editing, print graphics, and VFX.

What We Offer

• Private medical insurance after 3 months probation period.
• Flexible working policy.
• Vibrant, creative studio environment.
• Ongoing personal training and development plan.
• Regular team social events and activities.
• Competitive salary with yearly reviews.
• Ongoing development of people-first studio culture and key values.
• The Tracks and Layers team works together in a co-working office in Ancoats (Manchester) 3 days per week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday), so this commitment is essential to the role.