Art Director, Motion - The Heist

United States·ChicagoFull-Timeexecutive

DesignArt Director

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Overview

Who We Are Hi! We’re The Heist, the motion design, live action, and post production studio within Thinkingbox, the Brief-to-Built agency. We bring together directors, designers, animators, editors,

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DesignArt Director

Hi! We’re The Heist, the motion design, live action, and post production studio within Thinkingbox, the Brief-to-Built agency.

We bring together directors, designers, animators, editors, and technologists to create work that moves. From brand films to broadcast spots to social campaigns and experiential content, our team blends craft and curiosity to push ideas further. Across our studios, collaboration is real, feedback is open, and culture matters. We take the work seriously. Ourselves, a little less so.

We're on the hunt for an Art Director, Motion who can lead with vision, inspire teams, and push creative boundaries across a variety of motion design projects. In this hybrid hands-on and leadership role, you’ll take ideas from concept to execution, including: storyboarding, styleframing, directing motion designers, and overseeing high-caliber 3D and 2D content for social, branded, commercial, and experiential campaigns.

You’ll collaborate with fellow creatives and cross-functional teams to shape the visual direction of projects that range from digital micro-content to full-length animated pieces. You’ll ensure creative excellence while mentoring junior talent and maintaining efficiency and clarity throughout the production pipeline.

Lead concept development and the realization of creative direction for motion projects.

Create styleframes and storyboards that define tone, motion language, and aesthetic.

Oversee/guide and participate in the execution of 3D/2D motion graphics, ensuring quality and cohesion.

Collaborate with creative directors, producers, and designers to shape campaign narratives.

Give thoughtful and actionable feedback that elevates the work.

Direct small to mid-size teams of animators and designers across various projects.

Contribute to pitch decks, treatments, and new business efforts when needed.

Stay ahead of industry trends, tools, and techniques to continuously elevate our creative output.

A stunning portfolio demonstrating strong art direction in motion across multiple styles and platforms.

7+ years of experience in motion design or animation, with at least 1-2 years in a senior or leadership role.

Strong background in visual storytelling, typography, color theory, and design principles.

Expertise in Cinema 4D, Redshift, and Adobe Creative Suite (After Effects, Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere).

Familiarity with Houdini, XParticles, Marvelous Designer, or Substance Painter is a bonus.

Excellent communication skills – both visual and verbal.

Ability to manage timelines, provide mentorship, and balance hands-on work with strategic thinking.

A deep passion for craft and a desire to push what’s possible in motion.

Monday - Thursday in office (Fridays are remote optional)

Flexible time off, including paid vacation and sick days

Consistent culture and team-building events

Employee recognition and incentive programs

Seasonal celebrations and gatherings throughout the year

Office lunches

Branded company swag

Access to industry events, learning opportunities, and non-profit outreaches

Dog-friendly offices

Unlimited coffee, drinks, and snacks

Flex work and travel options

Comprehensive extended health benefits

401k matching

At The Heist, we’re committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, heard, and empowered to thrive. We believe that diversity is our creative strength – it's the range of perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds that fuels our best ideas and most innovative solutions. We welcome and encourage applicants of all races, ethnicities, genders, identities, abilities, ages, sexual orientations, and backgrounds to apply. Your voice matters here.

Thank you for your interest in joining our team. Please submit your resume along with links to your online portfolio as part of your application. Due to the volume of applications we receive, we’re unable to respond to every submission. However, all applications are kept in our talent database and will be considered for future opportunities.