2D Character Layout Artist – Anime Series

Jobtailor; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in Vancouver, Canada, seeks a skilled Character Layout artist for 2D traditional animation. You will translate storyboards into clear character layouts, stage characters, and craft poses that convey action, emotion, and intent.

The role requires interpreting storyboards and dialogue, maintaining proportions and continuity, and delivering within production schedules. Collaboration with directors and teams is essential to ensure cohesive animation.

Qualifications

• Experience in character layout in 2D traditional animation production
• Strong understanding of character posing, staging, composition, and visual storytelling
• Ability to interpret storyboards, animatics, and dialogue
• Good understanding of animation principles and how layout supports animation
• Strong attention to character proportions, positioning, and continuity
• Ability to work efficiently within production deadlines

Responsibilities

• Translate storyboards and animatics into character layouts
• Stage and position characters within each scene
• Create clear poses communicating the action, emotion, and intent of the scene
• Establish character placement, screen direction, eyelines, and interaction with props and environments
• Block key character movements and poses to support dialogue and performance
• Work with camera and composition to stage characters effectively
• Maintain character proportions, scale, and continuity between scenes
• Identify and resolve staging or continuity issues before animation
• Work with Animation Directors and Supervisors to address notes and make revisions
• Follow production schedules, pipelines, and file standards

Skills

Character Layout

Character Posing

Staging

Composition

Visual Storytelling

Animation Principles

Continuity Management

Scene Blocking

Character Proportions

Dialogue Interpretation

Job description

• Translate storyboards and animatics into character layouts
• Stage and position characters within each scene
• Create clear poses communicating the action, emotion, and intent of the scene
• Establish character placement, screen direction, eyelines, and interaction with props and environments
• Block key character movements and poses to support dialogue and performance
• Work with camera and composition to stage characters effectively
• Maintain character proportions, scale, and continuity between scenes
• Identify and resolve staging or continuity issues before animation
• Work with Animation Directors and Supervisors to address notes and make revisions
• Follow production schedules, pipelines, and file standards

Requirements

• Experience in character layout in 2D traditional animation production
• Strong understanding of character posing, staging, composition, and visual storytelling
• Ability to interpret storyboards, animatics, and dialogue
• Good understanding of animation principles and how layout supports animation
• Strong attention to character proportions, positioning, and continuity
• Ability to work efficiently within production deadlines

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in character layout for 2D traditional animation, with a strong focus on character posing, staging, and visual storytelling. Proficient in maintaining character proportions and continuity while adhering to production schedules and standards.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Character Layout in 2D Animation
• Character Posing and Staging
• Visual Storytelling
• Animation Principles
• Production Deadline Management

Hard Skills

• Character Layout
• Character Posing
• Staging
• Composition
• Visual Storytelling
• Animation Principles
• Continuity Management
• Scene Blocking
• Character Proportions
• Dialogue Interpretation

Soft Skills

• Attention to Detail
• Efficient Work Ethic

Industry Keywords

• 2D Traditional Animation
• Production Schedules
• Animation Production
• Storyboards
• Animatics