Senior Prop Design & Rig Artist (2D)

About The Role

As our Senior Prop Design and Rig artist, you will be utilising your previous experience along with your understanding of design, to take an asset from concept thumbnail, through design approval and into a rig ready for animation.

This opportunity is for talent with a passion for problem solving, organisation and finding the optimal balance of functionality, usability and performance in the rigs that their team produces.

We're looking at this role to start in early November 2024.

The successful candidate will need to be based in the UK for the duration of the role.

Day To Day

• Taking prop designs from concept to production level design, and then rigging for animation.
• Analyse prop designs and animatics for rigging requirements.
• Develop rigs for props and FX designs.
• Boost rig performance with Master Controllers and other Harmony tools.
• Address feedback from the Director and Animation Supervisor.
• Rig complex props.
• Collaborate with the lead prop design & rig artist to oversee an episode each
• Responsible for watching animatics and making sure that animators will get what they need for their episode.
• Ensure your episode's assets are tracked and visible to production.
• Provide technical demos and user guides to the animation team.
  
  

About You

Must Have:

• Excellent knowledge of Harmony and rigging.
• Rigging experience within a 2D animation pipeline.
• Design experience.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Ability to take direction and feedback on, and ability to make changes where necessary.
• Great attention to detail and a love for problem solving.
• Ability to lead on communication and collaborate with other artists within the team.
  
  

Bonus Points

• Knowledge of the full 2D Animation Pipeline.
  
  

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 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.

Desired Skills and Experience

Series

• Episodic, Series
• TV, 2D Skills
• ToonBoom Harmony, Design
• Prop Design, Design
• Visual Development, Key Personnel Titles
• Director, Key Personnel Titles
• Supervisor, Levels
• Lead, Levels
• Senior