Senior Motion and Visual Designer, YouTube, Art Department

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Motion and Visual Designer, YouTube, Art Department

Company: Google

Location: San Bruno, California, United States

Job Type: On-site

Category: Design - Motion & Visual Design

Date Posted: June 6, 2025

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: On-site

🎨 Role Summary

• Define and implement YouTube's visual and motion language across all products.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to create compelling product features that enhance interactivity and delight users.
• Drive projects from concept to implementation, advocating for the YouTube brand and promoting motion guidelines.
• Work within existing motion capabilities and explore emerging technologies to push the boundaries of user experience.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

• Create high-quality design proposals and drive projects from concept to implementation.
• Advocate for the YouTube brand by developing and promoting motion guidelines, resources, and tools for YouTube Standards.
• Take ownership over a wide range of motion projects, from ideation to execution, art direction, and approvals.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to strategize, consult on, and implement a variety of compelling product features.
• Work within existing motion capabilities and actively explore emerging technologies to enhance user experience.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience in a design-related field.

Experience: 6 years of motion design experience in product design, UX design, or UX/UI animation. Preferred: 3 years of experience working in a complex, cross-functional organization and 2 years of experience leading design projects.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in motion design, with a focus on physics, patterns, and visual design elements.
• Strong understanding of UI elements (color, type, layout, iconography, surfaces) and experience working with the tools and cross-functional partners needed to maintain a polished user experience.
• Ability to advocate for principled design systems and consistent design language across multiple platforms.
• Strong sense of form, choreography, and composition.

Preferred Skills:

• Ability to be a strategic thinker who can work within constraints to deliver on a broader goal.
• Experience working with emerging technologies and exploring new design trends.
• Familiarity with Google's design systems and brand guidelines.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of motion design principles and their application to user interfaces.
• Showcase experience in defining and implementing visual and motion language systems for products.
• Include examples of cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management in design projects.
• Highlight any experience working with emerging technologies and exploring new design trends.

Process Documentation:

• Include case studies that detail your design process, from research and discovery to ideation, prototyping, and testing.
• Showcase your ability to advocate for design decisions and articulate design rationale to stakeholders.
• Demonstrate your understanding of Google's design systems and brand guidelines, and how you've applied them in your previous work.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $151,000 - $222,000 + bonus + equity + benefits. This range is determined by role, level, and location. Individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Benefits:

• Bonus
• Equity
• Benefits

Working Hours: Full-time position with standard working hours. May require occasional overtime or flexible scheduling to meet project deadlines.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Google is a multinational technology company that specializes in internet-related services and products, including online advertising technologies, search engine, cloud computing, software, and hardware.

Company Size: Google has over 10,000 employees and is one of the largest technology companies in the world.

Founded: Google was founded in 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin.

Team Structure:

• The YouTube Art Department is a cross-functional team responsible for defining and implementing the visual and motion language of the YouTube brand.
• The team works closely with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders to create compelling product features that enhance user experience.
• The team is led by a Design Director, who oversees the work of multiple designers, including Senior Motion and Visual Designers.

Methodology:

• Google follows a user-centered design approach, focusing on creating products that meet the needs of its users.
• The design process at Google involves research, ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration.
• Google's design system, Material Design, provides a comprehensive set of guidelines and tools for creating consistent and intuitive user experiences.

Company Website: https://www.google.com/

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: This role is a senior-level position, requiring a high degree of expertise in motion design and experience leading design projects.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Motion and Visual Designer reports directly to the Design Director of the YouTube Art Department.

Design Impact: This role has a significant impact on the YouTube brand and user experience. The Senior Motion and Visual Designer is responsible for defining and implementing the visual and motion language of the YouTube brand across all of its products.

Growth Opportunities:

• Proven performers in this role may have the opportunity to advance to a Design Director or other leadership position within the design organization.
• Google offers a range of learning and development opportunities, including design workshops, conferences, and mentorship programs.
• Designers at Google have the opportunity to work on a wide range of products and projects, providing ample opportunities for skill development and career growth.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: Google's offices are designed to foster collaboration and creativity, with open workspaces, meeting rooms, and recreational areas.

Office Location(s): San Bruno, California, United States

Design Workspace Context:

• Google's offices are equipped with the latest design tools and technology, including high-end workstations, large-format displays, and virtual reality equipment.
• Designers at Google have access to a wide range of collaboration tools and platforms, including Google Workspace and Figma.
• Google's design teams are highly collaborative, with regular design critiques, workshops, and team-building activities.

Work Schedule: Full-time position with standard working hours. May require occasional overtime or flexible scheduling to meet project deadlines.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

• Initial phone or video screen to assess communication skills and cultural fit.
• Design challenge or case study presentation to evaluate design skills and problem-solving abilities.
• On-site or virtual design critique with the design team to assess design thinking, collaboration, and communication skills.
• Final interview with the Design Director to discuss career aspirations, leadership potential, and fit within the design organization.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight your experience in defining and implementing visual and motion language systems for products.
• Include case studies that demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams to create compelling product features.
• Showcase your understanding of Google's design systems and brand guidelines, and how you've applied them in your previous work.
• Include any experience working with emerging technologies and exploring new design trends.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with Google's design systems and brand guidelines, including Material Design.
• Prepare a design challenge or case study that demonstrates your ability to define and implement visual and motion language systems for products.
• Practice presenting your design work and articulating your design rationale to stakeholders.

ATS Keywords:

• Design Skills: Motion Design, Visual Design, UX Design, Animation, Product Design, Design Systems, Design Thinking, Design Collaboration, Design Leadership
• Tools: Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro, Sketch, Figma, InVision, Zeplin, Google Workspace
• Methodologies: User-Centered Design, Design Thinking, Agile, Lean UX
• Soft Skills: Collaboration, Communication, Problem-Solving, Leadership, Adaptability, Creativity
• Industry Terms: Design Systems, Brand Guidelines, Motion Language, Visual Language, User Experience, Product Design, Design Thinking, Design Collaboration

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Adobe After Effects: Industry-standard motion graphics and visual effects software for creating cinematic visuals and dynamic animations.
• Adobe Premiere Pro: Professional video editing software for editing and producing high-quality videos and motion graphics.
• Sketch: Digital design platform for creating and collaborating on user interfaces, icons, and other design elements.
• Figma: Collaborative design platform for creating, prototyping, and handing off design files to developers.

Collaboration & Handoff:

• Google Workspace: Suite of cloud-based productivity and collaboration tools, including Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive.
• InVision: Digital product design platform for creating interactive prototypes, user flows, and design systems.
• Zeplin: Design handoff and collaboration platform for creating design systems, style guides, and design tokens.

Research & Testing:

• Google Analytics: Web analytics service for measuring and analyzing website traffic, user behavior, and site performance.
• Google Forms: Online survey and form creation tool for collecting and analyzing user feedback and data.
• UsabilityHub: Remote user testing platform for conducting unmoderated and moderated usability tests with real users.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

• User-Centered Design: Prioritize user needs and feedback in the design process to create products that meet the needs of users.
• Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams to create compelling product features that enhance user experience.
• Innovation: Explore new design trends and technologies to push the boundaries of user experience and create industry-leading products.
• Quality: Strive for excellence in design execution and attention to detail in all aspects of the design process.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders to create compelling product features that enhance user experience.
• Design Critiques: Participate in regular design critiques to provide and receive feedback on design work and articulate design rationale to stakeholders.
• Design Systems: Contribute to the development and maintenance of Google's design systems and brand guidelines to ensure consistency and scalability in design execution.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

• Complexity: Work on complex, cross-functional projects that require a high degree of collaboration and stakeholder management.
• Scale: Design for a global brand with a vast user base and diverse product offerings.
• Technology: Work with emerging technologies and explore new design trends to push the boundaries of user experience.
• Speed: Work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment that requires adaptability and flexibility.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Design Workshops: Participate in design workshops and conferences to learn from industry experts and expand your design skills and knowledge.
• Mentorship: Seek out mentorship opportunities from experienced designers within the organization to gain insights and guidance on career development and growth.
• Leadership Development: Take on leadership roles in design projects and initiatives to develop your leadership skills and potential.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

• Design Language Systems: Describe your experience defining and implementing visual and motion language systems for products. Walk through your process and provide specific examples of your work.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Discuss your experience working with cross-functional teams to create compelling product features. Provide specific examples of your ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders and manage design projects.
• Design Thinking: Explain your approach to design thinking and problem-solving. Provide specific examples of how you've used design thinking to create innovative solutions to design challenges.

Company Culture Questions:

• Google Design Culture: Describe your understanding of Google's design culture and how you would contribute to it as a member of the YouTube Art Department. Provide specific examples of how you've demonstrated Google's design values in your previous work.
• Design Team Dynamics: Discuss your experience working in a design team and how you would contribute to the team dynamics of the YouTube Art Department. Provide specific examples of how you've collaborated effectively with design teams in previous roles.
• Design Impact: Explain how you would measure the impact of your design work on the YouTube brand and user experience. Provide specific metrics and KPIs that you would use to evaluate the success of your design projects.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Case Study Structure: Organize your portfolio around specific case studies that demonstrate your ability to define and implement visual and motion language systems for products. Use a clear and concise structure to present your design process, solutions, and outcomes.
• Visual Presentation Techniques: Use high-quality visuals and animations to illustrate your design work and articulate your design rationale to stakeholders.
• Interactive Demonstration: Include interactive elements in your portfolio to demonstrate your ability to create engaging and intuitive user experiences.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Customize your resume and portfolio to highlight your motion design skills and experience working on complex, cross-functional projects.
• Prepare a design challenge or case study that demonstrates your ability to define and implement visual and motion language systems for products.
• Familiarize yourself with Google's design systems and brand guidelines, including Material Design.
• Practice presenting your design work and articulating your design rationale to stakeholders.