Motion Designer (Contract)
Job Title: Motion Designer (contract)
Location: Kansas City, MO- IN OFFICE
Company: Wide Awake Films
Job Overview:
Wide Awake Films is seeking a Motion Designer (Contract) to support animation and graphics production across films, museum exhibits, and digital media. This role focuses on creating animated graphics, titles, diagrams, and maps that support visual storytelling in historical media projects. The position is structured as a contract role, with engagements typically running 1–3 months and renewable up to 6 months depending on project needs.
Key Responsibilities
Design and animate motion graphics for film and museum media
Create animated maps, diagrams, and informational graphics
Work closely with editors to integrate motion graphics into films
Prepare graphics and assets for post-production pipelines
Revise animations based on client and creative feedback
Required Skills
Advanced Adobe After Effects
Strong Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop skills
Solid motion design and animation fundamentals
Solid experience in Adobe Premiere
Ability to work efficiently within an established visual style
Strong Bonus Skills
3D experience (Blender preferred)
Experience with animated maps or geographic visualization
Documentary or historical storytelling experience
Contract Structure & Potential for Long-Term Role
This position is structured as a contract engagement, designed to support active projects within Wide Awake Films’ production pipeline.
Contractors will typically work a set number of hours per week or month, depending on project needs and availability. This role is not initially structured as a full-time position but offers consistent project-based work within our studio’s post-production team.
Initial contracts may run 1–3 months, with the possibility of extensions up to 6 months depending on project timelines.
For the right candidate, this role may evolve into a longer-term or full-time opportunity as the studio continues to grow and expand its production capacity.
Ideal Candidate
Someone who:
enjoys turning complex information into clear visuals
works well within a collaborative editorial pipeline
can move quickly in a production environment
This is an in-studio position based at our Kansas City office and requires working on-site with our production and post teams.
Typical Hours
Approximately 15–30 hours per week depending on project needs
Flexible scheduling coordinated with the post-production team
Compensation will depend on experience, motion design ability, and familiarity with tools such
as After Effects, Illustrator, and 3D workflows.
Candidates with 3D experience (Blender or similar) are especially encouraged to apply.
Application
To apply, please send resume and reel or relevant work examples to: jobs@wideawakefilms.com
About Wide Awake Films
Wide Awake Films is a Kansas City–based production studio and one of just a handful nationwide specializing in cinematic historical storytelling for museums, documentaries, and public audiences. Our team produces films, animations, and interactive media for institutions and not-for-profits across the country, including projects connected to the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
Our work combines historical research, cinematic storytelling, and visual design to bring the past to life for millions of viewers and museum visitors.
We are a collaborative team of filmmakers, historians, editors, and animators who care deeply about craft, authenticity, and storytelling.