Experienced 2D Environment Designer

We are looking for a talented and experienced 2D Environment Designer to join our brand new 2.5D production. You will hold good experience within 2D, though 3D knowledge is welcome. You will be designing environments based on the style of the show, from concept through to final approved artwork, working under the supervision of the Art Director and Directors. This is an exciting role that involves being at the forefront of visual idea development. We’re looking for a passionate individual who loves animation, exploring design, composition and conveying story through their artwork. You will carry out research and explorations through references and spatial planning, with story and 2D needs in mind, and work within the boundaries of a given brief. You will always be striving to improve your skills and support other members of the team.

Must Have

• Good drawing skills including perspective and understanding of volumes.
• High level of skill in the digital medium (Photoshop).
• Strong understanding of the scope required for a 2D TV show.
• Excellent communication skills.
• An understanding of how to stage actions within sets.
• Ability to produce a final layout for the set.
• Able to work in quick turnaround time for first passes and be able to work in detail and quality in stages.
• Able to work autonomously with good time management and prioritisation skills
• Able to communicate the scope of work and break down process if required to help anticipate workload and be able to deliver on schedule.
• Able to take creative direction and constructive feedback from the Director and Art Director, and able to make changes to the work.
• Excellent aesthetic judgement with strong drawing and painting skills and attention to detail
• Excellent understanding of colours, lighting and value structure.
• Excellent understanding of volumes, turnarounds and spatial planning.
• Excellent time management skills to meet design deadlines from concept to final deliverables.

Good to Have

• Understanding of 3D design and modelling workflow.
• Good skills in graphic design and stylized textures.
• Knowledge of the animation pipeline and process beyond the Art Department, to be able to communicate and collaborate with other artists within the team.
• Experience using Ftrack.
• Passion for storytelling.

Perks & Benefits

• Winner of Broadcast Best Places to Work in TV 2019, 2020, 2022, 2024 & 2025.
• 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).

About The Role

We are looking for a talented and experienced 2D Environment Designer to join our brand new 2.5D production. You will hold good experience within 2D, though 3D knowledge is welcome. You will be designing environments based on the style of the show, from concept through to final approved artwork, working under the supervision of the Art Director and Directors.

This is an exciting role that involves being at the forefront of visual idea development. We’re looking for a passionate individual who loves animation, exploring design, composition and conveying story through their artwork.

You will carry out research and explorations through references and spatial planning, with story and 2D needs in mind, and work within the boundaries of a given brief. You will always be striving to improve your skills and support other members of the team.

The successful candidate will need to be based in the UK and will require the right to work in the UK. We are very happy to discuss flexible, hybrid and remote working options for all our vacancies.

Please note that this vacancy can close early if we receive a high number of applications. We will be reviewing and shortlisting for this from January 2026 onwards. The roles are due to start in early 2026.

Day to Day:

• Contribute to the creative briefing process with the Art Director.
• Bring creative ideas to the table in line with the specified brief.
• Create loose design ideas during the exploration stage. This will include producing rough sketches and developing compositional elements to realise the depicted scene.
• Detail the concept work after reviewing stages and several passes if required.
• Research and provide exploratory sketches for interior and exterior sets based on the approved brief.
• Produce detailed drawings at correct scale with prop callouts detailing any prop specifications within the set.
• Work with other designers and Art Director, to help elevate the aesthetic and visual development process.
• Producing detailed drawings at correct scale with prop callouts detailing any prop specifications within the set.
• Provide detailed technical-design sheets, including turnarounds and functionality explanations of the subject matter.
• Clearly communicating with the directors to understand and represent design options in order to meet their vision for sets and need for story.

About You

Must Have:

• Good drawing skills including perspective and understanding of volumes.
• High level of skill in the digital medium (Photoshop).
• Strong understanding of the scope required for a 2D TV show.
• Excellent communication skills.
• An understanding of how to stage actions within sets.
• Ability to produce a final layout for the set.
• Able to work in quick turnaround time for first passes and be able to work in detail and quality in stages.
• Able to work autonomously with good time management and prioritisation skills
• Able to communicate the scope of work and break down process if required to help anticipate workload and be able to deliver on schedule.
• Able to take creative direction and constructive feedback from the Director and Art Director, and able to make changes to the work.
• Excellent aesthetic judgement with strong drawing and painting skills and attention to detail
• Excellent understanding of colours, lighting and value structure.
• Excellent understanding of volumes, turnarounds and spatial planning.
• Excellent time management skills to meet design deadlines from concept to final deliverables.

Bonus Points:

• Understanding of 3D design and modelling workflow.
• Good skills in graphic design and stylized textures.
• Knowledge of the animation pipeline and process beyond the Art Department, to be able to communicate and collaborate with other artists within the team.
• Experience using Ftrack.
• Passion for storytelling.

About Us

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 Broadcast Best Places to Work in TV 2019, 2020, 2022, 2024 & 2025.
• 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.