2D Character Layout Artist (Anime Series)

Bardel-Entertainment; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 64,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work environment

Extended Health and Wellness from day

RRSP matching

Job summary

Bardel Entertainment in Vancouver, BC is seeking a Character Layout Artist to bridge storyboard panels and animation. You will translate storyboards into clear, well-staged scenes with precise posing, layout decisions, and camera interaction.

You’ll collaborate with Animation Supervisors, Directors, BG, and Animation teams to ensure the story, dialogue, and performance are clearly communicated before full animation begins. Contract for late September, 3 weeks with potential extension.

Qualifications

• Experience in character layout for 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 that communicate action, emotion, and intent.
• Establish character placement, screen direction, eyelines and interaction with props/environments.
• Block key character movements to support dialogue and performance.
• Coordinate with camera/composition to ensure effective staging.
• Maintain proportions, scale, and continuity between scenes.
• Identify and resolve staging or continuity issues before animation.
• Collaborate with Animation Directors and Supervisors on revisions.

Skills

2D layout

Character posing

Staging & composition

Visual storytelling

Storyboard interpretation

Production deadline discipline

Job description

OUR STORY

For more than 35 years, Bardel Entertainment has been growing and evolving, yet at our core, we remain grounded in the creative roots of the craft of animation. Our pursuit of fresh ideas, techniques, and technologies is driven by the belief that together, through creativity and collaboration, we can accomplish anything! If you want to be part of an environment that empowers you to experiment, learn, and contribute to exciting projects, come and join us.

Role Overview:

The Character Layout Artist bridges Storyboard and Animation. You will take storyboard panels and animatics and turn them into clear, well-staged scenes by positioning characters, setting poses, and establishing how characters interact with the environment and camera.

You’ll work closely with Animation Supervisor and Directors, BG, and Animation teams to make sure the story, dialogue, and intended performance are clearly communicated before a scene moves into full animation.

Location: Vancouver, BC

Duration: Late September (3 week contract with potential for extension)

What You’ll Do

• Translate storyboards and animatics into character layouts.
• Stage and position characters within each scene.
• Create clear poses that communicate 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 ensure characters are staged 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.

What You’ll Bring:

• 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.

Pay Range: CAD $1400 - $1600 per week

This salary range provided reflects our current expectations for these roles as of this posting’s date. Your final salary offer will consider various key factors, including your education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographical location, as well as the needs and requirements of the business.

Flexible work environment, Extended Health and Wellness from day 1, RRSP matching are just some of the benefits. For more details, check out our website.