Regional Only | Prop Designer

Vfxwire; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Zoo is seeking a Prop Designer to create props and set designs for our shows. You’ll move from rough concepts to final approved drawings under the Art Director’s supervision, exploring references and story needs while delivering clear, on brief concepts.

Based in the UK outside the M25 as required by the client, you’ll collaborate with Design and Asset departments, manage assets and deadlines, and help push our visuals with strong drawing, colour, lighting and 3D awareness.

Qualifications

• Portfolio demonstrating a variety of prop design options that fit into a story/world.
• Strong knowledge of design tools (Cintiq, Photoshop) and related software.
• Excellent time management to meet deadlines from concept to final deliverables.

Responsibilities

• Produce detailed prop and set drawings at correct scale.
• Collaborate with Design and Asset Departments.
• Interpret concepts and support team members as required.
• Manage assets and time to meet deadlines.
• Research and provide exploratory sketches for props and sets based on the approved brief.
• Respond positively to notes and feedback.

Skills

Prop design

3D production

Team collaboration

Time management

Drawing & painting

Color theory

Volumes & turnarounds

3D prop design

Feedback handling

Attention to detail

Storytelling

Cinematic flair

Tools

Cintiq

Photoshop

Blender

Job description

About The Role

As Prop Designer you will be producing designs for props and sets based on the style of the show. Working from rough concept to final approved designs under the Art Director's supervision. You will explore and deliver final concepts based on relevant references, story and staging needs and work within the boundaries of a given brief. You are always striving to improve your skills and are happy to support other members of the team.

The successful candidate will need to be based regionally in the UK, outside of the M25 as per client requirements, and will require the right to work in the UK.

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

Day to Day:

• Produce detailed drawings at correct scale, detailing any prop specifications within the set.
• Collaborate/communicate with the Design and Asset Departments.
• Working as part of a team to interpret assigned concepts and supporting other members of your team when required
• Managing your assets and time efficiently to meet deadlines.
• Researching and providing exploratory sketches for props and sets based on the approved brief with a focus on story and staging requirements.
• Responding positively to notes and feedback.

Must Have:

• Adaptable to different design requirements of the show - organic to mechanical etc.
• A portfolio that demonstrates a variety of prop design options that fit into a story/world.
• Be able to present work in a clear and concise manner that demonstrates thought process and purpose.
• Strong knowledge of tools and software such as Cintiq, Photoshop, or other applicable design software.
• Creative flair.
• Good understanding of colour, lighting and value structure.
• Strong understanding of volumes, turnarounds and spatial planning.
• Able to visually develop and design props and sets for 3D production through sophisticated exploratory designs.
• Being a team player and great collaborator.
• Creative problem solving.
• Able to give and receive design related feedback.
• Excellent time management skills in meeting design deadlines from concept to final deliverables.
• Strong aesthetic judgement with strong skills in drawing, painting and attention to detail.

Bonus Points:

• Understanding of 3D design and modelling workflow.
• Understanding of Blender.
• Good skills in graphic design and stylized textures is a plus.
• A passion for cinematography or video games.
• Knowledge of 3D animation workflow.
• Passion for storytelling.

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.