Where imagination is being re-imagined.

Industry: Animation and Post-production
Company Size: 201-500 employees

Skydance Animation

Savvy Admin PROD

Skydance Animation is seeking an experienced Visual Development Artist to join our team on an upcoming feature film. In this role, you will help shape the worlds our story takes place in by developing compelling, immersive environments that support narrative, mood, themes, and character.

You will generate a wide range of visual development materials, including environmental designs, drawings, models, floor plans, and set dressing elements, all while ensuring consistency with the film’s established style, story themes, and overall visual quality. Working closely with Production Designer, art department, and creative leadership you will help define the look and feel of fully realized worlds that enhance storytelling and create a rich cinematic experience.

The ideal candidate has a strong sense of design, composition, and storytelling through environments, with the ability to translate narrative needs into believable, visually engaging spaces.

**Previous Experience On a Feature Animated Film Is Required.**

**This position is based in Los Angeles, California, and requires the selected candidate to work in an on-site hybrid capacity.**

**Responsibilities**

- Create art for project concepts, environments, set designs, and related visual development elements (textures and surface details are a plus)

- Generate work across all stages of development, including sketches, rough explorations, refined designs, and final environment concepts

- Develop environment designs, including turnarounds, floor plans, and layout studies to support spatial storytelling and production needs

- Create set dressing and environmental detail callouts to help define world-building elements and visual continuity

- Produce 2D and/or CG visual development models to explore scale, composition, and cinematic staging of environments

- Conduct visual and narrative research to inform design decisions and ensure environments feel grounded, intentional, and story-driven

- Develop presentation materials that clearly communicate design intent, mood, and storytelling purpose

- Brainstorm and explore inventive environmental ideas that enhance storytelling, deepen world-building, and reinforce tone and emotion

- Apply strong knowledge of architecture, landscape design, and spatial composition to create believable and engaging environments

- Contribute creative solutions, respond effectively to feedback, and iterate on designs throughout production

- Meet production schedules and deadlines while maintaining a high level of artistic quality and consistency

- Maintain organized files following show-specific versioning and naming conventions

- Proactively communicate questions, issues, or production concerns to supervisors and production staff

- Revise and resubmit work as needed based on feedback from the Production Designer or Art Department leadership

- Collaborate closely with the Production Designer, art team, leadership, and production staff regarding status updates, progress, and any production challenges

**Requirements**

- 8+ years of experience in environment design/ visual development on animated feature films

- Strong visual storytelling skills, with the ability to design environments that support narrative, mood, and character action

- Advanced proficiency in Adobe Photoshop

- Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to present work clearly and respond effectively to feedback

- Strong understanding of architecture, perspective, composition, and spatial design

- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as collaboratively within a team environment

- Adaptable and responsive to evolving creative direction and production needs

- Working knowledge of Autodesk Maya, Blender, or ZBrush is a plus

- Must be, or be willing to become, a member of The Animation Guild Local 839

The compensation range for this non-exempt position in Los Angeles, CA is $2,900-4,000/week. The rate offered may vary based on the candidate’s location, qualifications, experience and relevant expertise, among other factors. The range indicated is for base salary only and does not reflect the total compensation package, including bonus, benefits, etc.

#Animation

Visual Development Artist

Skydance Animation is seeking an experienced Character Designer to join our team on an upcoming feature film. In this role, you will play a pivotal part in bringing stories to life by shaping the look, personality, and visual identity of our characters. From early concept exploration to final design execution, you will craft compelling, expressive designs that resonate with both the narrative and audience.

Working closely with directors, art leads, and fellow creatives, the Character Designer will contribute to the development of unique character styles, produce high-quality design assets, and help maintain a cohesive visual language throughout the film. The ideal candidate has a strong foundation in drawing, a keen sense of storytelling through design, and the versatility to explore a wide range of shapes, styles, and emotional expression.

**Previous Experience On a Feature Animated Film Is Required.**

**This position is based in Los Angeles, California, and requires the selected candidate to work in an on-site hybrid capacity.**

**Responsibilities**

- Develop original artwork for project concepts and characters, including exploratory designs, refined assets, and surface details

- Produce a wide range of visual development work from quick sketches and rough ideation to fully realized, production-ready character designs

- Create clear and expressive character turnarounds, pose sheets, and supplementary drawings in 2D and/or CG visual development formats

- Conduct visual and thematic research to inform design choices, ensuring authenticity, originality, and alignment with the story and world

- Design and assemble compelling presentation materials that effectively communicate creative ideas to internal teams and leadership

- Collaborate in brainstorming sessions to generate inventive concepts that enhance storytelling, bringing depth, humor, emotion, and personality to each character

- Apply a strong understanding of human and/or animal anatomy to create believable, dynamic, and appealing character designs

- Contribute creative problem-solving solutions, respond thoughtfully to feedback, and iterate efficiently on designs throughout the production process

- Manage time effectively to meet production schedules and deadlines while maintaining a high level of quality

- Maintain organized, production-ready files in accordance with the show’s naming conventions and versioning systems

- Communicate proactively with supervisors and production partners regarding progress, questions, and any potential challenges

- Revise and update designs as needed based on feedback, ensuring all work meets the creative vision before final approval

- Partner closely with the Production Designer, Art Director, Lead Character Designer, and production staff to provide status updates and address any issues that arise

**Requirements**

- 8+ years of character design experience on animated feature films

- Strong visual storytelling skills, with the ability to design characters that support narrative and performance

- Advanced proficiency in Adobe Photoshop

- Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to present work and respond effectively to feedback

- Solid understanding of human and/or animal anatomy

- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as collaboratively within a team

- Adaptable and responsive to evolving creative direction and production needs

- Working knowledge of Autodesk Maya, Blender, or ZBrush is a plus

- Must be, or be willing to become, a member of The Animation Guild Local 839

The compensation range for this non-exempt position in Los Angeles, CA is $2,900-4,000/week. The rate offered may vary based on the candidate’s location, qualifications, experience and relevant expertise, among other factors. The range indicated is for base salary only and does not reflect the total compensation package, including bonus, benefits, etc.

#Animation

Character Designer

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