2026 Talent Development Program - Look Development Apprenticeship

The 2026 Talent Development Program - Look Development Apprenticeship at Walt Disney Animation Studios offers emerging artists an immersive experience. Under Disney mentors, apprentices will hone skills, refine disciplines, and engage in a real-time production environment. The first four months focus on introducing LookDev art, studio culture, and production, with nurturing mentorship. A review determines future assignments and promotional opportunities in production. This onsite role in Burbank starts January 2026.

Must Have

• Examples of authored materials, textures, and procedural instancing (i.e, vegetation, etc)
• Examples of assets created and brought to technically efficient and artistically appealing final completion
• Ability to interpret and execute key aesthetic elements from visual development artwork into an asset
• Demonstrated ability to physically paint
• Strong problem solving skills
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment

Good to Have

• Proficiency with Maya, Photoshop, Mari, Substance, or equivalent 3D and 2D tools
• Experience with procedural instancing
• Understanding of shaders and physically based rendering
• Experience/Enthusiasm to scripting
• Knowledge of UNIX/Linux environment

Perks & Benefits

• Medical benefits
• Financial benefits
• Other benefits
• Nurturing mentorship with a Disney artist

Job Summary:

2026 Talent Development Program - Look Development Apprenticeship

Join us for an opportunity to experience the art of animation and be a part of Walt Disney Animation Studios. The Talent Development Apprenticeship Program is an immersive experience available for emerging artists. Under the guidance of Disney mentors, the Talent Development Apprenticeship Program offers a unique opportunity to hone and understand skills, refine and strengthen key disciplines, and engage in a real-time production environment.

The deadline for applications is November 30, 2025, 11:59 PM PST.

Look Development Artists focus on creating the materials, textures, and procedurals that define the look of 3D environments. We are looking for artists that have a great eye and exceptional critical thinking skills with regards to art direction.

As part of the Look Development Apprenticeship Program, the first four months of your program are structured to introduce you to the art of LookDev, our studio culture, and our production environment. These initial months will showcase the skills and philosophies of our Look Development department while providing you nurturing mentorship with a Disney artist. A four month review provides you with real-time feedback and determines future assignments and promotional opportunities that would bring your skills into real-time production environments.

This role will be based onsite at our Burbank studio. Estimated start is January 2026

Am I Eligible?

• 18 years or older

• Emerging artists with less than 5 years experience in the Animation industry

• Recent graduates - Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Reels/portfolios/demonstrated skills should include:

• Examples of authored materials, textures, and procedural instancing (i.e, vegetation, etc)

• Examples of assets created and brought to technically efficient and artistically appealing final completion

• Ability to interpret and execute key aesthetic elements from visual development artwork into an asset

• Demonstrated ability to physically paint

• Strong problem solving skills

• Ability to work in a collaborative environment

• Proficiency with Maya, Photoshop, Mari, Substance, or equivalent 3D and 2D tools - This is a plus

• Experience with procedural instancing is a plus

• Understanding of shaders and physically based rendering a plus

• Experience/Enthusiasm to scripting a plus

• Knowledge of UNIX/Linux environment a plus

How to Apply:

• Create or update your profile and apply online

• Resume with month and year of expected graduation date

• Portfolio in PDF and/or website (don’t forget to include your password, if applicable)

The pay rate for this role in Burbank, California is $30.77 per hour. Select benefits may be provided as part of the compensation package, such as medical, financial, and/or other benefits. To learn more about our benefits visit: https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.

About Walt Disney Animation Studios:

Combining masterful artistry and storytelling with groundbreaking technology, Walt Disney Animation Studios is a filmmaker-driven animation studio responsible for creating some of the most beloved films ever made. Disney Animation continues to build on its rich legacy of innovation and creativity, from the first fully-animated feature film, 1937's “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” to the upcoming fall 2024 feature, “Moana 2.” Among the studio's timeless creations are “Pinocchio,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “The Jungle Book,” “The Little Mermaid,” “The Lion King,” “Frozen,” “Zootopia,” and “Encanto.”

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with The Secret Lab, which is part of a business we call Walt Disney Animation Studios.

The Secret Lab is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.