Sr. UI Animator / Motion Designer [AQ-13396]
Aquent · Cupertino, CA · 4 wk ago
HybridArt & CreativeContract
About the role
We are seeking a senior talent to bring a new level of fluidity and delight to consumer software applications across major platforms. In this role, you will be at the forefront of design, translating complex interactions into seamless, engaging animations that elevate the user experience. Your work will directly influence the 'feel' of innovative products, making a tangible impact on how users interact with technology every day. This is an exciting chance to lead project workflows, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and set new standards for interactive design.
What You'll Do
- Design and animate UI motion for new features, screens, and complex interactions, ranging from subtle button behaviors to sophisticated real-time particle effects across various applications
- Lead specific application projects, guiding a collaborative team of designers and engineers to craft cohesive and compelling motion stories
- Partner closely with product designers to transform static concepts into interactive, animated prototypes, ensuring the 'feel' of the experience is validated on-device before full engineering investment
- Work directly with software engineers, providing precise motion specifications to guarantee animations ship exactly as intended, adhering to timing, easing, physics, and performance requirements
- Build and maintain a comprehensive motion design system and library, ensuring consistency and excellence across the entire product ecosystem
- Balance creative polish and high-end visual storytelling with technical constraints, including performance, platform guidelines, and device capabilities
- Communicate clearly and effectively with cross-functional teams regarding project scope, timelines, and technical trade-offs
What You'll Bring
- Experience: 4–10 years of dedicated experience in UI/interactive motion design (7–10 years preferred, but exceptionally talented candidates with a minimum of 4 years will be considered)
- Portfolio Requirement: A portfolio showcasing comprehensive, shipped UI/interactive motion work is strictly required for submission. Traditional motion graphics portfolios without clear user-interaction examples (e.g., app transitions, button states, expanding menus, or interactive game HUDs) will not be considered
- Software Expertise: Expert proficiency in After Effects; fluent in prototyping tools (Principle, Figma, etc.)
- Workflow Comfort: Comfortable with modern "vibe coding" workflows and utilizing AI/scripting tools to lean into quick prototyping
- Collaboration & Shipping: Proven track record collaborating directly with engineers to ship production motion, not just concept work
- Platform Guidelines: Strong grasp of leading mobile platform motion guidelines and core animation principles
- Project Management & Leadership: Excellent project management instincts, able to set and meet deadlines across multiple concurrent projects while delegating smaller tasks to focus on the bigger picture
Nice to Have
- 3D Animation/Design experience
- Basic coding or scripting knowledge to assist in building high-fidelity prototypes
- Experience designing motion systems for complex interactive environments, such as video games