Art Director

Blue Zoo Production; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading animation studio in Greater London is looking for an Art Director to create and maintain the visual style of the show. In this role, you will lead the design team, ensuring that visual solutions align with the narrative while mentoring artists to excel in their craft. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience in CG Animation, strong leadership skills, and excellent aesthetic judgement. This is a fantastic opportunity to inspire creativity in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a Lead Designer or Art Director position in CG Animation.
• Proven leadership abilities to manage a design team.
• Strong understanding of the animation pipeline.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate story requirements and Directors’ vision for characters and sets.
• Develop and communicate a clear design vision.
• Oversee workflow to ensure deadlines are met.

Skills

Strong drawing and painting skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Leadership skills

Time management skills

Aesthetic judgement

Knowledge of colour theory and lighting

Creative problem-solving

Tools

Cintiq

Photoshop

Job description

As Art Director you will be responsible for creating and maintaining the visual style and quality of the show. Working closely with the Director and Production Managers, as well as clients/Producers, to deliver visual solutions for the show’s story requirements. As Leader of the Design Team, the Art Director will also inspire and elevate the artists to deliver their best work and have fun while doing it!

You will be familiar with the animation pipeline and have demonstrable experience of hands‑on production work for design and colour. You will also have experience working in a fast‑paced environment and be a team player with a positive, can‑do attitude.

This role is due to start in January 2026.

Please note that this vacancy can close early if we receive a high number of applications.

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

Day to Day

• Facilitating the requirements for story and the Directors’ vision for characters, sets and props that establish and maintain the show’s unique visual style throughout the animation pipeline.
• Analyse episodic scripts to determine key characters, props and sets.
• Develop and communicate a clear design vision (including characters, locations, props, backgrounds, lighting, and colour) that will support and maintain the overall creative vision and quality for the story and style of the project.
• Liaise with production managers and coordinators to agree the best use of budget and schedule of work, finding practical solutions to creative problems and working to a TV production turnaround.
• Manage the art department of four designers and provide practical direction to the pre‑production and lighting/comp teams.
• Oversee workflow to ensure all deadlines are met, communicating with the Animation Director and/or other departments to anticipate and tackle potential design and production challenges and issues.
• Liaise and communicate with the client team.
• Mentor and support the Design team and cultivate positive team morale.

Must Have

• Previous experience in a Lead Designer or Art Director position in CG Animation.
• Excellent aesthetic judgement with strong drawing and painting skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to meet deadlines and keep a team on schedule.
• Experience supervising a design team, including delegating, giving feedback, and providing constructive criticism to creatives.
• Comprehensive knowledge of tools and software such as Cintiq, Photoshop, or other applicable design software.
• Ability to create concepts for characters, props and sets and ability to adapt and work within different styles as required.
• Understanding and experience leading in a TV or Game animation pipeline.
• Strong organization and time management skills.
• Strong knowledge of colour theory and lighting.
• Experience of planning and assessing the design needs from scripts and brief of the concept team accordingly.
• Knowledge of storyboarding and cinematography.
• Able to think laterally and creatively to problem‑solve and produce great design solutions efficiently while working to tight deadlines.

Bonus Points

• 3D experience is an advantage.
• You volunteer for new challenges, you care passionately about your work, you’re super organised.
• You thrive in a studio environment, you can focus on your work in a busy studio.
• You like to learn new things, and you learn quickly.
• When things change you can roll with the punches.
• You enjoy creative problem solving – you love taking on challenges and finding creative solutions. You don't get flustered easily.
• If you don't know the answer you'll dig until you find it.