📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Creative Automation Designer
🔹 Company: DEPT®
🔹 Location: London or Manchester, Hybrid
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Marketing & Technology
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-08
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Designing and animating templates using Adobe After Effects for creative automation
- Solving creative challenges with novel technical solutions
- Becoming an expert in Lightspeed™, DEPT®'s proprietary Adobe After Effects extension
- Collaborating with a team to build reusable creative automation templates
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong background in motion design and animation, with a focus on Adobe After Effects. Previous experience in creative automation is not required but would be beneficial.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Build reusable creative automation templates in Adobe After Effects
✅ Use Adobe After Effects expression controls, expressions, pseudo effects, and essential graphics to create highly customizable, but lean templates
✅ Solve creative challenges and automation with novel and clever technical solutions
✅ Become an expert in Lightspeed™ — DEPT®'s proprietary Adobe After Effects extension for building and designing creative automation templates
✅ Take pride in your work and have excellent project file ‘housekeeping’ skills — name your layers!
✅ Suggest ways to improve and enhance DEPT®'s processes
✅ Be an ambassador of the entire creative automation discipline and department
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work well with others.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Motion Design, or a related field
Experience: Proven experience (2-5 years) in the motion design and animation industry
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in the motion design and animation industry
- A strong working knowledge of Adobe After Effects and its many workflows
- The ability to independently write and understand intermediate to advanced expressions in Adobe After Effects
- A well-rounded knowledge of the basic principles of JavaScript and experience writing simple scripts in After Effects using ExtendScript
- A keen interest in and knowledge of third-party scripts, plugins, and extensions for Adobe software
Preferred Skills:
- Exposure to Creative Automation
- Experience working with Celtra or Smartly
- Knowledge of other high-level programming languages such as TypeScript or Python
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong portfolio showcasing their motion design and animation skills will be highly considered.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £35,000 - £45,000 per annum (based on experience and location)
Benefits:
- Possibilities to do what you do best and to develop your skills further with training development and certifications
- A flexible, hybrid working policy
- The choice of medical healthcare providers (Bupa or Medicash)
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays and your birthday off each year
- Company pension scheme
- EAP scheme
- Ride to work scheme
- Enhanced family friendly policies
- Buddy Program: You will be paired with a ‘Buddy’ to help you through your first weeks’ at DEPT®
- Global Annual DEPT® Cares Day which cadets can donate their skills to support local charities
- Other soft benefits including refreshments provided in the office and a social calendar with weekly and monthly events on a team and agency level
Working Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours per week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a role of this level and location. Actual salary may vary based on experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Marketing & Technology
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees
Founded: 2015
Company Description:
- DEPT® is a pioneering technology and marketing services company that creates end-to-end digital experiences for brands
- DEPT® is committed to making a positive impact on the planet and since 2021 has been Climate Neutral and B Corporation certified
- DEPT®'s culture is ’big enough to cope and small enough to care’, allowing them to work for any brand in the world with the speed, agility, flexibility, and personal relationships of a boutique agency
Company Specialties:
- Digital Craftmanship
- Campaigns
- Social
- Data Driven Marketing
- B2B Marketing
- Digital Marketing
- Creativity
- Technology
- Strategy
- Digital
- Brand
- Advertising
- Design
- Data
- Intelligence
- Organisation
- UX
- Agency
- Content
- Digital Products
- and AI
Company Website: www.deptagency.com
ASSUMPTION: DEPT® is a well-established company with a strong reputation in the marketing and technology industry. They have a global presence and work with a wide range of clients.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Creative Automation Manager
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (2-3 days per week in the office)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow into a senior role within the creative automation team
- Opportunities to work on a variety of projects for different clients
- possibility to develop skills in related areas such as data-driven marketing or technology
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for career growth and development within a dynamic and innovative team.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative office spaces in London and Manchester
Office Location(s): London, Manchester
Geographic Context:
- London: A vibrant, multicultural city with a thriving creative industry
- Manchester: A dynamic, up-and-coming city with a growing digital and tech scene
Work Schedule: Full-time (37.5 hours per week) with flexible working hours
ASSUMPTION: Both London and Manchester offer vibrant, multicultural environments with a strong creative industry and a wealth of opportunities for personal and professional growth.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video call with the HR team
- Technical assessment (creative automation task)
- Final interview with the Creative Automation Manager and a member of the leadership team
Key Assessment Areas:
- Technical skills in Adobe After Effects and related software
- Problem-solving skills and ability to think creatively
- Attention to detail and quality assurance
- Communication and collaboration skills
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant experience and projects in your resume and portfolio
- Tailor your application to demonstrate your understanding of the role and DEPT®'s company culture
- Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your motion design and animation skills
- Be ready to discuss your creative process and problem-solving approach during the interview
ATS Keywords: Adobe After Effects, Creative Automation, Motion Design, Animation, JavaScript, Problem Solving, Attention to Detail, Collaboration
ASSUMPTION: DEPT®'s application process is designed to assess technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit. Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate their skills and experience throughout the process.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe After Effects
- Adobe Creative Suite
- JavaScript
- ExtendScript
- Lightspeed™ (DEPT®'s proprietary Adobe After Effects extension)
ASSUMPTION: This role requires proficiency in Adobe After Effects and related software, as well as a basic understanding of JavaScript and ExtendScript.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Pioneering: Always leaning forward, thinking of what we can create tomorrow that does not exist today
- Curious: Always eager to learn and explore new ideas and technologies
- Collaborative: Working together to achieve common goals and create pioneering work
Work Style:
- Dynamic and fast-paced, with a focus on innovation and creativity
- Collaborative and team-oriented, with a strong emphasis on communication and communication
- Flexible and adaptable, with a willingness to take on new challenges and learn new skills
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a proven track record of pioneering new ideas and approaches in your previous roles?
- Are you comfortable working in a dynamic, collaborative environment and adapting to change?
- Do you have strong communication and collaboration skills, and are you able to work effectively with a diverse team?
ASSUMPTION: DEPT® values candidates who are pioneering, curious, and collaborative, with a strong work ethic and a willingness to adapt to new challenges.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment may require adaptability and flexibility
- Collaborating with a diverse team may require strong communication and communication skills
- The role may require working on multiple projects simultaneously, which may be challenging for some individuals
- The role may require occasional travel to other DEPT® offices or client sites
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong communication, collaboration, and adaptability skills, as well as a willingness to take on new challenges and learn new skills.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Creative Automation Designer vs. Motion Designer: Creative Automation Designer requires a stronger focus on technical skills and problem-solving, while Motion Designer may require more artistic and storytelling skills
- Industry-specific context: DEPT® works with a wide range of clients across various industries, so experience in a specific industry may not be required
- Career path comparison: Creative Automation Designer may lead to roles such as Senior Creative Automation Designer, Creative Automation Manager, or related roles in technology or data-driven marketing
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to combine creative and technical skills in a dynamic and innovative environment.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a reusable template for a social media campaign that can be easily customized with different content
- Creating an interactive ad for a website that uses data feeds to dynamically generate content
- Designing and animating a series of explainer videos for a product launch
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of work that a Creative Automation Designer may be expected to undertake, from simple template creation to complex, interactive campaigns.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the most challenging projects that the team has worked on recently, and how did you approach them?
- How does the team collaborate and communicate to ensure that projects are completed on time and to a high standard?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the role and the company?
- How does the company support work-life balance, and what flexibility is there for remote work?
- What is the company's approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how does this translate into the day-to-day work environment?
ASSUMPTION: These questions can help applicants better understand the role, the team, and the company culture, and demonstrate their interest in the position.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare a cover letter that demonstrates your understanding of the role and DEPT®'s company culture
- Be ready to discuss your creative process and problem-solving approach during the interview
- Follow up with the HR team one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
