Art Director

Blue Zoo Animation Studio; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading animation studio in the UK is seeking an Art Director to oversee the visual quality of animation projects. This role involves collaborating with directors, managing a team of designers, and ensuring creative solutions align with project requirements. Candidates should have previous experience in CG Animation, strong aesthetic judgment, and excellent leadership skills. The position offers flexible working options and is set to start in January 2026. Join a reputable studio committed to diverse and inclusive workplace values.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Comprehensive benefits package

Inclusive social events

Profit share for long-term employees

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a Lead Designer or Art Director position in CG Animation.
• Experience supervising a design team.
• Knowledge of storyboarding and cinematography.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain the visual style and quality of the show.
• Facilitate requirements for story and the Directors’ vision.
• Manage the art department and provide direction.

Skills

Excellent aesthetic judgement

Strong drawing and painting skills

Excellent verbal and written communication

Proven leadership skills

Strong organization and time management

Understanding of colour theory and lighting

Ability to adapt and work within different styles

Creative problem-solving skills

Tools

Cintiq

Photoshop

Job description

About The Role

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!

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.
• Liaising 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.
• Managing the art department of four designers and providing 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
• Liaising and communicating with the client team.
• Mentor and support the Design team and cultivate positive team morale

About You

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 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 are 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.

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 Broadcast Best Places to Work in TV 2019, 2020, 2022, 2024 & 2025.
• 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.