As Art Director you will be responsible for creating and maintaining the visual style and quality of our animation on a new 2D TV series. Working closely with the Director and Line Producer, you will also inspire and elevate the artists to deliver their best work and have fun while doing it!

You will be familiar with animation production pipelines and have demonstrable experience of hands-on production work. You will also have experience working in a fast-paced environment and be a team player with a positive, can-do attitude.

Day to Day:

• Create concept art and character designs that define the series and brand.

• Provide and manage practical art direction from animatic through to the end of compositing across all departments.

• Facilitate the requirements for story and the Directors’ vision for characters, sets and props that establish and maintain the show’s unique visual style throughout the animation pipeline. 

• Work closely with the Director and Storyboard Supervisor to assess the scope for each episode, and collaborate with the Lead Designer to create and plan new locations, ensuring that the assets align with the story's requirements

• Analyse scripts to determine key characters, props and sets.

• Develop and communicate a clear design vision (including characters, locations, props, backgrounds, lighting, and colour) that will support and maintain the overall creative vision and quality for the story and style of the project.

• Liaise with the Line Producer to agree the best use of budget and schedule of work, finding practical solutions to creative problems

• Take the design lead on bibles, style guides, and pitch decks.

Must Have:

• Demonstrable experience in a Lead Designer or Art Director position in TV animation pipeline

• Proven leadership and communication skills with the ability to meet deadlines and keep a team on schedule.

• Experience supervising a design team - delegating, giving feedback, and providing constructive criticism to artists.

• Working knowledge of tools and software including Photoshop, or other applicable design software.

• Ability to create concepts for characters, props and sets

• Ability to adapt and work within different styles as required.

• Strong drawing and painting skills

• Strong organization and time management skills.

• Strong knowledge of colour theory and lighting.

• Experience of planning and assessing the design needs from script, and brief the concept team accordingly.

• Able to think laterally and creatively problem solve and produce great design solutions efficiently while working to tight deadlines.

• Knowledge of storyboarding and cinematography.

Bonus Points:

• 3D experience is an advantage

Blue Zoo is a leading animation studio in the UK, with a world-class reputation as the go-to place for creating bold, fun and characterful animation. Established in London in 2000, the studio has grown to become the largest dedicated CG animation studio in the UK, picking up a shelf full of BAFTAs, an Annie and an Emmy along the way!

We couldn’t be prouder that Blue Zoo is the first major animation studio in the world to receive B Corp certification. We’ve been independently certified by B Lab, a non-profit organisation who award the B Corp certification. The certification verifies companies who are working to improve the lives of employees as well as industries as a whole. The certification process involves over 170 rigorous metrics to improve the lives of our staff, customers, suppliers, and the local community, ensuring we are not just saying we are ethical with empty gestures, but independently evidencing it.

We are going through an exciting period of growth and are building a studio that is full of amazingly talented, happy artists, making work they are proud of, which in turn makes a small contribution to a happier world. Blue Zoo believes that a healthy balance in our lives - whatever our situation - is key to supporting the wellbeing of our staff. We offer flexible working to support this.

We look for people who have expertise, enthusiasm and are motivated to make things better. You’ll work alongside a talented and diverse group of people who respect each other's differences and seek to understand and embrace fresh perspectives. 

What we’ve got for you:

• Winner of Best Places to Work in TV 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2024.
• Inclusive self-funded shorts programme.
• Many fun in person and remote social events throughout the year.
• Bi-monthly employee feedback and engagement programme.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including loads of discounts and offers.
• Online wellbeing programme.
• Profit share (for employees who have been with us for 2+ years).

Blue Zoo is committed to creating and nurturing an inclusive studio that promotes and values diversity and invites everyone to ‘bring their whole selves’ to work. We believe that companies that truly embrace and value diversity, and create an environment where everyone from any background can do their best work, are better companies. 

To be engaged our people have to feel included and valued. We work hard to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is embedded in the way we work, not just an initiative. We strive to engender a studio community that feels a deep sense of pride and commitment that transcends any role, department or level and works together to produce excellent and engaging work.