Mid Weight to Senior Motion Graphics Specialist (12-Month Maternity Cover)

We are seeking a Mid Weight to Senior Motion Graphics Specialist with expert After Effects proficiency, strong skills in 2D motion design, demonstrable experience in 3D animation (e.g., using Element 3D, Cinema 4D, or Blender), and excellent Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop capabilities. Please note: This is a 12-month fixed-term contract to cover a period of maternity leave based out of our Ho Chi Minh City office in District 1.

what3words has a different creative model. You will be an integral part of our experienced, full-service video department and will work closely with our motivated, award-winning marketing and design studio. You’ll need to be proactive and enjoy the rapid pace of a tech company that’s creating a global standard for location. 

We create a large variety of projects, from use case films to advertising campaigns, for many countries, and we’re always trying to improve.

Responsibilities: 

• Animated Storytelling & Conceptualization: Develop and craft compelling animated narratives and motion graphics sequences. Transform briefs, concepts, and scripts into engaging visual stories for campaigns, sales materials, PR, and social channels. This includes creating style frames, storyboards, and animatics that effectively visualize the intended motion.

• Motion Design & Animation: Lead the design and execution of high-impact, innovative motion graphics from initial concept to final delivery. This includes:

  • Designing and animating dynamic titles, intricate 2.5D / 3D animations, data visualizations, and complex graphical sequences.

  • Developing and animating 3D scenes, objects, and typography

  • Animating design assets and storyboards provided by our Design team, adding creative flair and fluid motion.

• Visual Consistency & Brand Alignment: Ensure all motion graphics maintain a consistent visual style, typography, and colour palette, adhering strictly to what3words’ brand guidelines and ensuring optimal legibility and impact across all outputs.

• Asset Management & Preparation: Prepare and manage graphical assets (vector, raster) from Illustrator, Photoshop, and other sources for optimal animation workflows within After Effects.

• Audio Integration & Timing: Select and integrate music and sound effects to enhance motion graphics; precisely time animations to audio cues. Perform basic audio editing for synchronization and impact within motion pieces.

• Project Organization: Maintain meticulous project organization for motion graphics projects, including consistent file management (AE projects, source assets, renders) and adherence to workflows, ensuring projects are accessible, versioned, and well-structured for team collaboration.

• Collaboration: Collaborate effectively with key creative and marketing teammates (e.g., Designers, Video Editors, Copywriters, Marketing Managers), clearly articulating motion concepts and visual approaches, incorporating stakeholder feedback, and delivering exceptional, brand-aligned animated content.

Skills: 

• You’ll be a strong visual storyteller who can transform concepts, scripts, and static designs into engaging, emotive, and clear animated content.

• Excellent motion design and animation skills with a keen eye for detail, timing, easing, pacing, rhythm, and composition. A strong understanding of traditional animation principles is crucial.

• Strong typographic and graphic design skills with the ability to create visually appealing and effective compositions.

• Experience in 3D animation principles and developing 3D elements using software like Element 3D, Cinema 4D, or Blender.

• A proven ability to identify, adapt, and implement new trends and techniques in motion graphics, especially for social platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

• A collaborative team player who works well with different teams and people across projects.

• Resourceful and quick-thinking, able to bring fresh creative ideas and solutions, and adapt to feedback in a fast-paced environment.

• Experience in managing multiple complex motion graphics projects simultaneously to a high standard, with the ability to work independently and meet tight deadlines.

• Demonstrated initiative, a proactive approach to learning and skill development (e.g., new plugins, techniques, software), and a history of successful creative experimentation in motion.

Software Knowledge:

• Expert proficiency in Adobe After Effects is essential.

• Strong proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop for asset creation and preparation is essential.

• Practical experience with 3D software such as Cinema 4D or Blender is required.

• Knowledge of relevant efficiency and specialty plugins for After Effects (e.g., for character rigging, particle systems, transitions, workflow enhancements) is advantageous.

• Good working knowledge of Adobe Premiere Pro for sequencing motion graphics and basic video integration is highly desirable.

• A deep understanding of end-to-end motion graphics workflows: asset preparation, animation best practices, optimizing renders, common codecs, export settings, and delivery best practices for various digital and social platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn. 

Experience:

• A significant track record of professional experience as a Motion Graphics Specialist/Designer/Artist is crucial, demonstrated through a strong portfolio showcasing a diverse range of high-quality animated work and creative concepts.

• Examples of innovative motion graphics for branded content, advertising campaigns, explainer videos, social media content (especially TikTok, Instagram, Facebook), and UI/UX animations are highly desirable.

• While we value ongoing curiosity and a passion for the craft, candidates for this senior role must demonstrate advanced motion design and animation skills, strong conceptual thinking, and independent project leadership in the motion graphics domain.

• Additional languages are a bonus but not required.

The role is based in our centrally located HCMC office. While you can work from the office five days a week if preferred, our Design team can choose to work up to two days a week from home. We also offer a six-week remote-work allowance; for up to six weeks a year, you can work from anywhere in the world (as long as you’ve got great WiFi and are happy to work with your main office timezone).

About us

what3words is revolutionising the way the world talks about location. Street addresses aren’t accurate enough to specify specific entrances, and they don’t exist for parks, rural areas and many parts of the world. This causes frustration, inefficiencies and can be dangerous.

That’s why we created what3words.

We have divided the globe into a grid of 3m x 3m squares, and given each one a unique combination of three words: a what3words address. It’s an easy way to find and share precise locations.

what3words is being used in 193 countries, and our monthly active users continue to grow at an impressive pace. Our tech is used by thousands of emergency services, delivery companies, eCommerce businesses, ride-hailing apps and NGOs, and is integrated into the navigation systems of millions of cars around the world.

Equality, diversity and inclusion at what3words

Our mission is to help everyone talk about everywhere, and we believe diverse perspectives make for a better company and better products too. We strongly encourage applications from underrepresented groups and are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in our hiring processes and company culture.

Benefits

We offer the following benefits to all permanent employees of what3words:

- Flexible working

- Competitve Salary

- 6 week remote working (work from anywhere) policy

- 25 days holiday: plus the option to buy more!

- Share options

- Private health insurance

- Wellbeing Days

- Generous parental leave policies

- Family friendly policies

- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

- Lunch & learn sessions

- Team social budget