2D Character Layout Artist – Anime Series (Flexible Work)

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

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.