Apparent Communications
Motion Design Director
Redfern
Full-time
Job description
Allow us to introduce ourselves
We’re Apparent, a full-service, independent agency made up of 140 thinkers, creators and solution-makers doing what we do best. One thing you should know about us: we’ve got an entrepreneurial spirit, and we know the work worth doing doesn’t fit into neat, tidy boxes. And neither should you, for that matter.
Our warehouse space in Redfern is here for you to gather, make stuff you’re proud of and grow your strengths (even if they have nothing to do with your job description). We punch well above our weight, with some of the biggest clients in the world on our roster, from tech giants like Google and IBM, to local icons like Tourism Australia and Cricket Australia.
Our approach? We call it the red thread. In other words, it’s the thing that connects everything we do, from the customer, through to the client and brand. On any given day you can expect to cross paths with someone in strategy, brand, creative, content production, social media, UX/UI, technology and media planning and buying. Oh and dogs, too. You’ll definitely cross paths with adorable dogs.
A few things you’ll like about working here:
1. A flexible and hybrid working policy
2. Generous parental leave and summer days off
3. Heaps of growth and training opportunities
4. 24/7 access to our employee assistance program for you and your family
The role
We are seeking a motion lead to step in, lead, grow and inspire a talented team of animators–pushing how we approach storytelling in video, motion and animation-led projects. You’ll be part of a broader multi-disciplinary creative team of designers, writers, illustrators, UXIers, writers and art directors, being the champion of all things moving.
We believe motion not only makes our work come alive, it moves people on an emotional level. We are looking for someone to champion the art of storytelling, knowing what goes into a captivating story and how we can practically pull it all off (within budgets, timeframes and brand-guidelines).
Working closely with Art Directors, Designers and Illustrators you’ll be a key part of a team creating animations for use in social and digital content.
5. Directly managing a tight-knit team of talented Animators and Designers.
6. A natural storyteller, who can take a simple idea and flesh it out into a captivating piece of video.
7. Coordinating, directing and collaborating with illustrators, writers, producers, VO artists, sound designers, video directors, musicians and art directors, to ensure every ingredient in a video fits seamlessly.
8. Leading cross team projects, educating and facilitating discussions on how we approach motion design and video edits.
9. Diving into projects, with your hands on the tools. Whether you’re storyboarding, script writing, animating or playing with a new experimental tool. We’re after a motion lead who still loves being hands on, making magic happen. You’re consistently setting a high standard for our other animators to follow, while also maintaining a beginners mindset.
10. Building out, finessing and standardising our approach and process for motion design and video production as an agency.
11. A production mindset on how we can deliver the highest quality of work, within budgets and timelines that range from tiny to huge.
Skills
Desired Skills and Experience:
12. 7+ years design experience as a motion designer.
13. Experience leading, mentoring, managing and directing designers, animators and editors. Experience managing direct reports is a must.
14. An eye for design, strong creative, problem solving and organisational skills and ambition to create groundbreaking work.
15. Ability to operate in a fast-paced creative environment.
16. Exceptional communication skills for rationales, project feedback, team reviews and client comms.
17. A curiosity with an eagerness to learn, collaborate, share ideas, push boundaries and keep your finger on the pulse.
18. Ability to build strong relationships with clients.
19. Great presentation and persuasive skills. An ability to upsell and push our clients towards that one adventurous idea.
20. Expert knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite – After Effects, Illustrator, Photoshop, Premier Pro, Cinema 4D.
21. We all like to dabble a bit and pick up new tools, so extra software skills (or a desire to learn them on the fly) include Cavalry, Rive, Houdini and Blender.
22. Fundamental knowledge of sound design.
If this sounds like you, please email yourshowreel link and resume to
We look forward to hearing from you – The team at Apparent
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
At Apparent, we are committed to fostering a workforce that embraces all aspects of diversity and inclusion and where practices are equitable to ensure our people experience a sense of belonging. From day one, you’ll be encouraged to bring your whole self to work and will be supported to perform at your best. Should you require any adjustments to the recruitment process in order to equitably participate, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application.
We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities, and of all ages, nationalities, backgrounds and cultures.