A Guide to Hiring Motion Graphics Designers in 2025: Key Steps, Costs, and Top Providers

Struggling to find the right motion graphics designer or realizing your in-house team can’t keep up with growing demands? You’re not alone. As your business expands, so do the expectations for engaging, dynamic content.

Whether you’re looking to outsource for flexibility or searching for top-tier freelance talent to fill a gap, hiring the right motion graphics professional is critical to keeping your brand’s visual storytelling on point. 

In this guide, we’ll explore what it takes to hire a designer who can elevate your projects, the costs involved, and how to streamline the process. Let’s ensure you’re equipped with the insights needed to find the best fit without wasting time or resources.

What Does a Motion Graphics Designer Do?

Motion graphics designers create animated visual content that combines design principles with movement to tell stories and communicate messages effectively. They work across digital media platforms to bring static designs to life through strategic animation and visual effects.

Motion graphics designers can:

• Create animated graphics for digital media: Develop visually appealing animations for websites, social media, and mobile applications to captivate audiences.
• Develop visual effects for video content: Enhance video projects with compelling visual effects that add depth and excitement.
• Design motion-based elements for websites and apps: Craft interactive and dynamic elements that enhance user experience and interface design.
• Produce engaging animations for marketing campaigns: Create animations that align with marketing objectives to capture attention and convey messages effectively.
• Collaborate with video editors and creative teams: Work closely with other creatives to integrate motion graphics seamlessly into larger projects.
• Enhance storytelling through dynamic visuals: Utilize motion to strengthen narratives and emphasize key points within digital content.
• Create title sequences and transitions for video projects: Design and animates visually appealing title sequences and smooth transitions to enhance video flow.
• Ensure brand consistency in all motion graphics: Align motion graphics with brand guidelines to maintain a cohesive visual identity across all media platforms.

Should You Hire a Motion Graphics Designer or Outsource?

For most growing businesses, hiring a dedicated motion graphics designer—whether remote or in-office—delivers better long-term value than project-based outsourcing.

While freelancers work for occasional one-off design projects, a dedicated team member understands your brand deeply and creates cohesive visual content that builds recognition over time.

The outsourcing vs. dedicated design hire decision often comes down to your content volume and growth trajectory. If you're creating motion graphics monthly or have ambitious marketing goals, a dedicated designer becomes essential. They learn your brand voice, understand your audience, and can work efficiently without the ramp-up time that comes with each new freelancer.

Here's why dedicated hiring usually wins for scaling businesses:

• Brand consistency and deeper understanding: A dedicated designer learns your brand guidelines, audience preferences, and visual style, creating cohesive content that builds recognition
• Better collaboration and communication: Working with the same person eliminates constant onboarding and builds efficient workflows with your marketing team
• Long-term cost efficiency: While the upfront investment is higher, dedicated designers become more efficient over time and eliminate per-project markups from agencies or freelance platforms
• Strategic thinking beyond execution: A team member can contribute ideas for campaigns, suggest improvements to your visual strategy, and help plan content calendars

That said, outsourcing design services makes sense for businesses with truly sporadic needs, perhaps one explainer video per year or occasional social media campaigns. But if motion graphics support your core marketing strategy, investing in dedicated talent pays off through better results and lower long-term costs.

‍Where to Find and Hire Motion Graphics Designers

‍Some countries have become popular hubs for sourcing skilled graphic designers, each offering unique advantages. Here’s a list of countries commonly recognized for having a wealth of talent providing these services:

Argentina 

Known for its highly skilled and English-proficient talent, Argentina offers competitive pricing and a strong creative industry, making it an ideal location for sourcing motion graphics designers.

Brazil

With a burgeoning tech scene, a wealth of creative agencies, and the sixth-largest economy in the world, Brazil is a prime destination for businesses seeking innovative design solutions.

Colombia 

Colombia has rapidly gained attention for its vibrant digital media sector and the availability of qualified motion graphics professionals.

Mexico

As a close neighbor to the US, Mexico provides not only cultural and time zone advantages but also a talented pool of designers proficient in English.

India

Renowned for its vast array of digital services, India provides excellent cost savings and a deep pool of creative and technical expertise.

Poland

Europe’s growing tech hub, Poland, is noted for its highly educated workforce and expertise in cutting-edge design and technology.

The Philippines

Known for its English proficiency and customer-centric approach, the Philippines offers reliable service delivery and creative talent.

Vietnam

As an emerging digital powerhouse, Vietnam provides a balance of cost-effectiveness and artistic skill across various digital media sectors.

Essential Skills and Qualifications to Look for When Hiring Motion Graphic Designers

The best motion graphics designers combine technical software mastery with strong visual storytelling abilities and collaborative communication skills. Look for candidates who can demonstrate both creative vision and technical execution in their portfolios.

Below are key areas to focus on when evaluating potential hires.

Deep knowledge of animation techniques

A professional motion graphics designer should understand all kinds of animation principles, including timing, easing, and movement dynamics. Mastery of 2D and 3D animation techniques is vital for crafting fluid and engaging visuals. These skills are the foundation of motion design, which integrates animation with visual storytelling to enhance viewer engagement.

Typography expertise

Ideal candidates should have a developed eye for style, font pairing, and kinetic typography, enabling them to integrate text seamlessly into animations while enhancing readability and aesthetic appeal.

Software proficiency

Proficiency in industry-standard software is essential for delivering high-quality work. Designers should be adept at Adobe After Effects, Cinema 4D, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Premiere Pro. 

Interpersonal communication skills

Beyond technical abilities, effective motion graphics designers must excel in communication and teamwork. They should be able to interpret project briefs, provide constructive feedback, and collaborate with other members of the creative team. 

7 Steps to Hire the Right Motion Graphics Designer

Hiring the right motion graphics designer is crucial for creating visually engaging content that aligns with your project goals and brand vision. 

By following a structured approach, you can ensure that you find a professional who not only possesses the necessary skills but also fits seamlessly into your team.

Here are seven steps to guide you through the hiring process.

1. Define project scope and requirements

Begin by clearly outlining the specifics of your project, including objectives, budget, and deadlines. Being explicit about your needs will help you identify candidates whose skills and experience match your vision. 

2. Craft a detailed job description

Develop a comprehensive designer job description that highlights the required skills, qualifications, and experience. Include any software proficiency requirements and specify the nature of the work, whether freelance, part-time, or full-time.

3. Leverage professional networks

Use industry-specific platforms such as Behance and Dribbble or work with a recruitment partner that specializes in design talent to find potential candidates. These platforms allow you to review portfolios and get a sense of a designer’s style and capabilities before direct engagement.

4. Evaluate portfolios thoroughly

Assess the portfolios of prospective designers to determine their competency and style. Look for creativity, versatility, and examples of work relevant to your project to ensure alignment with your creative needs.

5. Conduct in-depth interviews

Arrange interviews with shortlisted candidates to discuss their experience and process. Use this opportunity to evaluate their communication skills and ensure they can articulate ideas clearly and collaborate well with your internal team.

See our list of interview questions for design talent for some inspiration on what to ask.

6. Administer a skills test

Consider assigning a small, paid project or skills test to evaluate practical abilities and see how candidates perform under real-world conditions. Our recruiters usually suggest this step as it can help determine their proficiency and problem-solving capabilities in animation and design.

7. Check references and review feedback

Ask for references from previous clients or employers and inquire about their work ethic, reliability, and creativity. Customer testimonials and reviews can provide valuable insights into how a designer collaborates and delivers results.

How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Motion Graphics Designer?

Hiring a graphic designer ranges from $95,700,000 to $149,000 in the US. But that drops significantly when you hire from outside the US. 

For example, from our experience placing designers, if you hire from Latin America you are looking at the following average annual salaries compared to hiring in the US:

Of course, that is the average annual salary. If you are engaging a contractor or freelancer, you’ll be paying per-project or hourly rates. The hourly rates for freelance motion graphics designers, on Upwork for example, can range anywhere from $28 an hour to $35+ an hour.

Per-project or hourly rates of a motion graphics designer can vary widely based on several critical factors, including:

• Experience and skill level: More experienced designers with extensive portfolios and advanced skills command higher rates, reflecting their ability to deliver high-quality work efficiently.
• Project complexity and scope: Simple animations or short videos are less costly than projects requiring complex visual effects, 3D animations, or a large volume of deliverables. 
• Geographic location: Hiring designers from countries with lower costs of living can reduce expenses compared to sourcing talent from regions with higher living costs, like the United States or Western Europe.
• Project duration: Long-term projects or retainer agreements may lead to negotiated rates, whereas short-term or one-off projects might carry a higher per-hour or per-project fee.
• Freelance vs. full-time: Freelancers often provide flexibility and can be cost-effective for temporary projects, while full-time hires entail expenses like benefits and overheads but offer consistency and ongoing support.

Top 3 Companies for Hiring Motion Graphics Designers

With so many options out there, it can be tough to know where to begin. If you’re overwhelmed with where to start your search for a skilled motion graphics designer, here’s a list of companies that connect businesses with high-quality motion graphics talent. 

Whether you’re looking for freelance or contract designers or a full-service recruiting agency, these providers (listed in no particular order) are excellent starting points to find the right fit for your project needs.

1. Near

Near (Hire With Near) is a full-service staffing and recruiting agency that helps US companies of all sizes hire top-performing remote talent in Latin America across finance, accounting, sales, software engineering, AI, data, design, marketing, operations, and virtual assistance.

When it comes to motion graphics designers, we specialize in connecting you with experienced Latin American motion designers who bring the same creative expertise and technical skills as top US talent—but at significantly lower costs.

Our done-for-you hiring process gets you from job brief to signed offer in under 3 weeks, with candidate lists delivered in just 3 days.

With Near, you'll never pay anything upfront. Once you make a hire, you can choose between a one-off fee and a monthly fee, depending on whether you prefer us to handle payroll and compliance. We have a pre-vetted talent pool of over 45,000 candidates, but we don't just search there. We find you talent that meets your exact requirements and expectations.

The real advantage of hiring LatAm motion graphics talent? You get real-time collaboration from close time zones. While your new designer works during overlapping US business hours, you'll benefit from the cultural alignment and English fluency that makes Latin American talent particularly effective for US companies building visual content.

Best for: Hiring a dedicated motion graphics designer as a full-time team member

2. Flatworld Solutions

Flatworld Solutions is a global IT, business consulting, and outsourcing company providing a wide variety of services. Since 2004, it has provided global services from India, the Philippines, Bolivia, and Colombia.

Its motion graphics design services include special effects, 3D modeling and animation, and product modeling and design services.

Best for: Occasional or project-based motion graphics needs

3. Motion the Agency

Since 2019, Motion has provided design services to companies, particularly through high-quality video content. It received multiple awards from Clutch in 2024.

Its services include UI animation, 2D animations, 3D animations, branded motion graphics, sizzle reels, and product videos.

Best for: High-end, one-off branded video projects

Final Thoughts

Hiring the right motion graphics designer can be a game-changer for your brand. Whether you’re producing engaging explainer videos, eye-catching corporate content, or dynamic animations, it’s all about finding talent that not only understands your vision but also brings the creativity and technical skills to execute it flawlessly.

Instead of navigating the hiring process alone, why not partner with experts who can streamline the search and connect you with top talent?

At Near, we take pride in offering personalized recruitment support that doesn’t stop once you make a hire. We make it easier for start-ups and businesses to scale their teams with top-tier professionals based in Latin America.

Ready to find your ideal motion graphics designer? Book a free consultation call with us today. Let Near help you bring your creative vision to life with the perfect talent match!

FAQ: Hiring Motion Graphics Designers

What's the difference between a motion graphics designer and a video editor?

Motion graphics designers create animated visual elements, typography, and effects from scratch, while video editors primarily assemble and cut existing footage. 

Motion graphics designers focus on animation principles and visual storytelling, whereas video editors concentrate on pacing, transitions, and narrative flow of recorded content.

If you need a video editor, see our guide on how to hire a great video editor.

How long does it take to hire a motion graphics designer?

With traditional recruiting methods, finding the right motion graphics designer typically takes 4-8 weeks or longer. However, working with specialized recruitment partners like Near can reduce this timeline to under 3 weeks, with initial candidate presentations in just 3 days.

What are the benefits of hiring motion graphics talent from Latin America?

Latin American motion graphics designers offer several advantages: overlapping time zones with the US for real-time collaboration, strong English proficiency, cultural alignment with US business practices, and 30–70% cost savings compared to US salaries.