Intermediate & Senior Designer/Concept Artist (On-Site)

Company Overview

     ICON Creative Studio is Canada’s largest independently owned animation entertainment company, located in the historic Gastown district of Vancouver, BC. Our talented team includes specialists across the entire animation pipeline, working alongside creative and management professionals to deliver outstanding animated content.

Known for our commitment to quality, efficiency, and timely deliveries, ICON has partnered with distributors, broadcasters, and leading streaming platforms worldwide to create and produce noteworthy, impactful projects.

We operate from a holistic philosophy, leveraging the unique skill sets of our team members to maximize production efficiency while maintaining an optimal balance of creativity and quality on-screen.

Why work at ICON?

• Collaborate on top-tier feature and episodic CG franchises for major streaming platforms, including Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, Amazon, Peacock, and Paramount+.
• Be part of a diverse team of artists from around the globe who have joined us here in British Columbia.
• Work with the latest tools and software, ensuring you're always equipped to do your best work.
• Be part of a studio that upholds a premium standard of quality across all productions, putting every resource into what’s on-screen.
• Enjoy flexibility, autonomy, and a supportive workplace culture.
• Access direct deposit and a generous benefits package.
• Grow with us through continuous learning opportunities, mentorship, and empowering you to achieve your professional goals.

Intermediate Designer / Concept Artist

Job Overview

     As an Intermediate Designer/Concept Artist, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the visual identity of the show. Your creative skills will be showcased through the design of compelling characters, engaging environments, and visual development that support the overall narrative. Working closely with the animation and art teams, you will help bring imaginative worlds to life, ensuring designs are both visually appealing and feasible for production.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the art and animation teams to support the overall aesthetic vision of the project.
• Design and develop unique character concepts that align with the show’s style and narrative.
• Create environment designs that establish mood, tone, and atmosphere.
• Contribute to storyboards and visual development art that clearly communicate narrative direction.
• Present and communicate design ideas effectively, refining concepts based on feedback.
• Work alongside directors, animators, and fellow artists to ensure consistency and cohesion across the series.
• Stay up to date with industry trends, new techniques, and emerging technologies in animation and concept art.

Skills and Experience:

• Degree in Fine Arts, Animation, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Prior experience as a Designer / Concept Artist in the animation industry.
• Strong understanding of art fundamentals, including anatomy, perspective, and color theory.
• Proficiency in Photoshop; familiarity with Maya, Nuke, Premiere, or other Effects and Surfacing software is an asset.
• Ability to adapt to quick changes and meet production deadlines.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work within the animation pipeline and production schedule.

Senior Designer / Concept Artist

Job Overview

     As a Senior Designer/Senior Concept Artist, you will play a key role in defining and elevating the visual identity of the show. Your extensive experience and creative expertise will be instrumental in ensuring the highest quality in character designs, visually stunning environments, and compelling asset designs. Collaborating closely with the Art Director, you will help the effort to bring imaginative worlds to life, ensuring a seamless integration of design elements with the overall narrative.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work closely with the art director to help realize the overall aesthetic vision for a project.
• Develop advanced and innovative designs that push the boundaries of the show's aesthetic and narrative.
• Guide and inspire junior designers, helping them develop their skills and contribute to the overall excellence of the team.
• Collaborate with the animation and art teams to ensure asset designs are executed effectively for animation without compromising visual appeal.
• Strategically design and illustrate environments that elevate the overall visual style of the show.
• Lead efforts to establish and communicate the mood, tone, and atmosphere of different settings within the series.
• Contribute strategic and high-level ideas to enhance the overall visual storytelling of the series.
• Effectively communicate and present advanced concepts, incorporating feedback to refine and improve designs.
• Stay at the forefront of industry trends, new techniques, and emerging technologies in animation and concept art.

Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Animation, or a related field.
• Experience as a Designer / Concept Artist in the animation industry.
• Possess a high level of understanding of art fundamentals.
• Great problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage a demanding and complex daily schedule.
• Adaptable to quick changes and limitations.
• Must be fluent in Photoshop and have a rudimentary understanding of Maya, Nuke, Premiere, and various Effects and Surfacing software platforms.
• Have a clear understanding of the animation pipeline and production schedule and work within those parameters.

This is a Union position and the terms and conditions of employment are covered by a collective agreement.

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In accordance with British Columbia's pay transparency legislation, the wage displayed reflects the minimum rate established under ICON's collective agreement. Additional compensation may be considered based on experience, qualifications, and project needs, where permitted by the collective agreement.

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ICON Creative Studio is an equal-opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

- Worked on several games that have been released as an environment artist - Ideally you have previous experience working with various titles related to environments (props artist, lighting artists, texture artist, level artist, etc) - Very strong artistic eye in general, knowledge in art (painting, drawing, cinema, video games etc) - Great technical skills to understand the impact that world building and props creation can have on performances - Great observation skills, understanding the impact each object placed in the world could have on its surroundings or on itself - Attention to details and storytelling in a scene and prop - Feeling perfectly confident with real time editors like Unreal engine - Feeling comfortable with Procedural environments creation techniques (Houdini, Blender etc) is a great plus - Knowledge using shaders would be a plus - Ability to meet deadlines and work independently, sharing updates on a regular basis - Great sense of communication and being team player - Advanced English skills