Lead 3D FX Artist

Blue Zoo Animation Studio; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Wellbeing programme

Profit share

Discounts and offers

Online wellbeing programme

Social events

Engagement programme

Job summary

Blue Zoo Animation Studio is seeking a Lead FX artist to drive the creative and technical direction of FX across a project. You will lead a small team, collaborate with supervisors, and deliver high-quality FX that align with the director’s vision.

The role requires strong knowledge of FX pipelines, animation timing, and a proactive, detail-oriented approach. Flexible, hybrid, and remote working options are discussed during the recruitment process.

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of the movement of FX and animation.
• Knowledge of multiple FX pipelines and best practices.
• Ability to assetize assets and organize asset libraries.
• Experience delivering FX across a variety of artistic styles.
• Strong eye for timing and FX detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver high-creative FX outputs to a high standard.
• Review animatics and advise FX approach to meet the brief.
• Collaborate with the 3D/2D FX team and Creative CG Supervisor.
• Ensure FX assets meet specifications provided by departments.
• Communicate Directors’/Clients’ vision and feedback to the team.
• Provide references and keyframes for big FX moments.
• Brief on cartoon timing and shape for clear briefing.
• Suggest creative outcomes and technical solutions for efficiency.
• Maintain constant communication with the Creative CG Supervisor.
• Help the team stay on schedule and support Production with bids.
• Lead FX across the project and create 3D FX if needed.
• Provide day-to-day support to FX artists to overcome challenges.

Skills

FX leadership

Team mentoring

Creative problem solving

FX pipelines

Animation knowledge

Communication

Proactive

Job description

About The Role

Our Lead FX artists are creative problem solvers who understand the priorities of effects and the creative vision of the production. They are the decision makers of the FX department and are fully embedded within the show's creative leadership team, using their experience to find the right technical solution.

Your day to day will involve leading and supporting a team - whilst collaborating with other Supervisors/ HOD’s and other FX artists within the project - to oversee the creative/technical leadership and delivery of the project to scope, schedule and creative/technical expectations.

We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate thorough attention to detail, the ability to think outside the box, be super pro-active and have an autonomous work ethic, alongside the ability to quickly integrate and communicate well within a small team.

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

We are very happy to discuss flexible, hybrid and remote working options for all our vacancies.

Day To Day

• Leading the effective delivery of FX outputs to a high creative standard and expected technical execution.
• Review Animatic’s and contribute to conversations about which FX approach is required to meet the brief. And drawing over animatics to give clear direction with assistance from the 2D FX Artist.
• Working with the 3D & 2D FX team & Creative CG Supervisor to understand the limitations of the scope
• Deliver to the stylistic, creative and scope needs
• Ensure FX assets/shots meet specifications provided by all relevant departments with support from the Creative CG Supervisor
• Interpret and communicate the Directors'/Clients' vision and feedback to the team for FX needs
• Advising and providing references/keyframes for big effect moments to include in the creative from early stage to achieve the director’s vision
• Understand concepts of cartoon timing and shape to give clear briefing and feedback
• Suggest creative outcomes and technical solutions, to the best of your ability for efficiency and standardisation for FX
• Keep in constant communication and collaborate with the Creative CG Supervisor
• Help the team keep on schedule and support Production when the schedule shifts by providing bids and assumptions
• Contribute to Art Directed abstract or stylised FX
• Contribute to problem solving or/and design solutions for stylised and abstract effects
• Lead FX across the project & create 3D FX if/when needed
• Provide day-to-day support to FX Artists to overcome challenges etc.

About You

Must Have

• In-depth understanding of the movement of FX & Animation
• Knowledge of multiple FX pipelines and software, with an understanding of the FX workflow and best practices
• Understand the efficiencies of assetising assets and organisation of asset libraries to work in conjunction with the Animation supervisors.
• Creativity to drive process, flexibility to find the best solution, whether that be through 2D keyframe/2D effects/3D keyframed Assets/3D Simulation
• Knowledge and experience in delivering FX assets/shots across a variety of different artistic styles.
• A strong eye for detail, a good sense of timing, and an understanding of techniques and technologies relating to Animation
• Great communication and a motivational team leader, naturally sharing your knowledge and skills with other team members.
• Problem solving skills to find the best approach to meeting the brief as well as troubleshooting production & technical issues
• Able to prioritise workload with conflicting deadlines & tight schedules
• Flexibility in working with multiple departments
• Clear, decisive and calm under pressure
• Constantly seeking personal and professional improvement within their role
• Ability to respond positively to feedback and develop from it.
• Creative with a good artistic eye

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 & 2026.
• 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.