POSTED: 12th January 2026
STARTING DATE: As soon as possible
FULL TIME, ROTTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS

MISSION TO METRICS

The mission of The Ocean Cleanup is to develop and scale technologies to rid the world’s oceans of plastic. To achieve our mission, we must effectively tell our story to a broad range of stakeholders.

The Ocean Cleanup is seeking a Graphic and Motion Designer to join its Media Studio team. The designer will create engaging visuals and animations that bring the organization’s mission and projects to life. This role combines creativity and technical skill to produce high-quality content for campaigns, social media, and storytelling that inspire global awareness and action.

THE ASSIGNMENT

The candidate will create visually compelling graphic, motion, and 3D designs that align with The Ocean Cleanup’s brand and mission. This includes developing motion graphics, animations, and visual effects (VFX) for campaigns, social media, and storytelling content to enhance visual impact. Responsibilities also involve producing production-ready artwork for both print and digital media, such as infographics, presentations, and marketing materials. The role requires designing clear and engaging data visualizations and illustrations that translate complex technological concepts into accessible visuals. Additionally, the candidate must deliver consistent, innovative, and high-quality creative outputs within established project timelines.

The Graphic and Motion Designer reports to the Head of Media Studio. PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Even if you don’t meet every professional qualification listed, we strongly encourage you to apply if you believe you have the right skills, experience, and motivation to contribute to our mission. We recognize that talent and potential come in many forms, and we value diverse perspectives and unconventional career paths. If you’re passionate about the work we do and confident in your ability to make an impact, don’t hesitate to submit your application—we’d love to hear from you

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Motion Design, Animation, Visual Communication, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience).
• 3–5 years of professional design experience, ideally in a creative agency, production studio, or in-house design team.
• Proven expertise in motion design, animation, and visual effects (VFX) for digital platforms and storytelling.
• Strong proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (After Effects, Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere Pro, InDesign);
• Experience with Cinema 4D, Blender, or similar 3D tools is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to create data-driven graphics, infographics, and visual narratives.
• Strong understanding of brand systems, composition, color, and typography.
• Ability to translate complex technical and environmental concepts into clear, engaging visuals.
• Experience producing content for multi-channel campaigns, including web, social media, presentations, and print.
• Excellent attention to detail, organization, and project management skills.
• Passion for environmental storytelling and alignment with The Ocean Cleanup’s mission.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken, with strong communication and presentation skills.
• Additional languages are considered an advantage.
  
  

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Creative and curious, with a passion for visual storytelling and finding fresh ways to communicate complex ideas.
• Collaborative and open-minded, thriving in a multidisciplinary, international, and mission-driven team.
• Self-motivated and adaptable, able to manage multiple projects independently.
• Detail-oriented and quality-driven, ensuring consistency and excellence across all creative outputs.
• Purpose-driven, with a genuine interest in sustainability, innovation, and contributing to The Ocean Cleanup’s mission to rid the world’s oceans of plastic

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

• Starting date: As soon as possible;
• Location : The role is based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
• Work permit: A valid European Union work permit is required for this position.
• At The Ocean Cleanup, we believe we are stronger together by harnessing the uniqueness each individual brings. We take a fair, transparent, and equal-opportunity approach to hiring. We welcome special needs requests and strongly encourage applicants of all genders, ethnicities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. We particularly value multilingual candidates and those with experience in diverse cultural contexts.