3D Character Design Lead – TV Featurette

Bardel Entertainment

Character Design Lead guiding a team in producing 3D character designs for animation. Collaborating with Art Directors and ensuring quality in the visual direction.

Posted 5/15/2026full-timeVancouver • 🇨🇦 CanadaSenior💰 CA$1,800 - CA$2,200 per weekWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Collaborate closely with the Art Director.
Guide and mentor a team of Character Designers, providing creative feedback to ensure designs achieve the quality standards.
Collaborate with the Modeling and Surfacing departments by providing visual references, paintovers, and feedback.
Develop and refine character designs in collaboration with the Art Director and Director.
Create key character designs, expressions, poses, and model sheets that align with the project’s visual style.
Lead and supervise a team of Character Designers by assigning work and providing feedback.
Ensure all character designs maintain a high level of quality and align with the established art direction.
Provide paintovers, references, and visual feedback to support the Modeling and Surfacing teams.
Maintain a strong focus on creative continuity, silhouette, appeal, anatomy, and functionality throughout production.
Prepare and present artwork deliverables for reviews, approvals, and production milestones.
Provide creative solutions that support both the artistic vision and production deadlines.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Proven experience working in animation, preferably within a 3D animation pipeline.
TV featurette or feature animation experience preferred.
Experience leading or mentoring designers within a fast-paced production environment.
Experience collaborating with CG departments including Modeling and Surfacing.
Experience working within CG production pipelines and collaborating with downstream departments.
Strong character drawing skills, including expressions, poses, appeal, silhouette, and model sheet creation.
Strong understanding of anatomy, particularly animal anatomy.
Strong painting and rendering abilities with artwork that reflects intended final 3D quality.
Ability to develop designs that support storytelling, performance, and animation needs.
Excellent artistic judgment with a strong eye for consistency, detail, and creative continuity.
Strong communication, collaboration, and mentorship skills.
Ability to provide actionable creative feedback and guide artists toward successful outcomes.
Experience using Photoshop and other industry-standard design tools.
Understanding of 3D workflows and asset translation for modeling and surfacing.
Blender knowledge a plus.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Pay Range: CAD $1,800 - $2,200 per week
Flexible work environment
Extended Health and Wellness from day 1
RRSP matching

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

character design3D animationanatomypaintingrenderingmodel sheet creationstorytellingcreative feedbackvisual referencesCG production pipeline

Soft Skills

mentorshipcollaborationcommunicationartistic judgmentcreative continuitydetail orientationleadershipproblem-solvingteam supervisionfeedback provision