Character Designer - TV Featurette

For more than 35 years, Bardel Entertainment has led the animation industry through unwavering commitment to quality, creativity, and innovation. We are an internationally recognized, Emmy Award®-winning studio – in two prominent Canadian cities, Vancouver and Montreal – and the creative force behind top audience hits such as The Dragon Prince, Rick and Morty, Teen Titans Go!, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. 

We’re seeking an Intermediate Character Designer to join our TV movie production. Working closely with the Art Director, you’ll support the team with primarily technical design tasks, including model sheets, technical turnarounds, and related character documentation.

Candidates must be based in BC, Canada.

Core Responsibilities 

• Create model sheets and technical turnarounds and/or other technical design tasks.
• If needed, conceptualize and create additional character designs that align with the overall look, attitude, and style of the project.

• Maintain creative continuity and consistency across all character designs.  

• Ensure preparation and presentation of all artwork deliverables are prepared for required meetings. 

• Interpret and adjust work based on notes from leads, supervisors, and directors.  

• Work on other design tasks as needed, from simple to moderately difficult. 

Collaboration & Workflow 

• Collaborate with leadership, production, and team members to solve problems and share insights.  

• Engage in dailies, rounds, and team discussions to contribute to creative and technical improvements.   

• Adhere to pipeline workflows and technical requirements for seamless integration into the production process.   

• For senior artists, actively mentor junior team members by providing constructive feedback, guidance, and support. 

Time Management & Communication 

• Maintain consistency in quality while meeting production needs. 

• Manage time effectively, working with production to stay on schedule. 

• Keep the team and production staff informed about progress, challenges, and solutions. 

Experience 

• Previous experience as a Character Designer or similar role in animation. 

Skills & Communication 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to promote solutions, share knowledge, and incorporate feedback. 

• Familiarity with Maya, Blender, and ShotGrid is a plus. 

A portfolio that demonstrates: 

• A diverse selection of character designs that highlight distinctive styles and nuanced personalities.

• Strong understanding of anatomy with proficiency in various art styles.  

• Demonstrated proficiency in Photoshop.  

• Demonstrated ability to create character designs that translate effectively into 3D.  

• Strong sense of costume design and appeal. 

• Strong grasp of storytelling and character development through design.

Pay Range: CAD $1,300 - $1,550 per week   

This salary range reflects our current expectations for these roles as of this posting’s date. Your final salary offer will consider various key factors, including your education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographical location, as well as the needs and requirements of the business. 

Flexible work environment, Extended Health and Wellness from day 1, RRSP matching are just some of the benefits. For more details, check out our website. 

At Bardel, we recognize that flexibility is key to doing great work. Our hybrid work environment is a valued perk designed to support individual accountability and empower our teams to work where they’re most productive. We offer the choice to work remotely, balanced with intentional in-person time for collaboration, creativity, and team building. This role requires in-studio attendance at our Vancouver studio during onboarding and predetermined Rush Weeks. 

If this seems like a good fit, what are you waiting for, get your application in!