Character Designer

(immediate start)

About Elk Studios and the Project

We are on the lookout for experienced Character Designer to join the growing team as we start production on an exciting new long form 2D animated series.  We are looking for a like minded, experienced and enthusiastic Designer to come onboard the already established crew.  The show is a 2D Toon Boom Harmony series for BBC/WDR  based on a very well-known children's book property.  The crew will reach a capacity of approx 60 people for this show.

We are based on Bridge Street in Dundalk town centre and we are a hybrid studio; the full crew working 3 days a week in house (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) and 2 days remotely. We’ve chosen to work like this as we are a creative industry and need to come together in person to collaborate as a team and to work through any issues as they arise.  It’s a great way for all of us to upskill and learn from one another.  Being able to work from home 2 days a week, allows flexibility to our work/life balance.  Work Life balance is one of the guiding principles of our ethos, and we feel that the 3/2 day split goes some way in achieving this.

About The Role

We are looking for an experienced Character Designer to come onto a show with a clearly established style and look to continue designing episodic characters and variants for the series. The ideal candidate will be someone who has good production experience designing characters for a rigged 2D production and can adapt to an established style while adding their own flair to new characters.

KEY TASKS AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

  • Work closely with the Art Director to design concepts for new characters within the existing style of the show

  • breakdown characters into turnarounds/modelsheets with custom facial expressions

  • help troubleshoot potential design issues in turnarounds while liaising with the Art Director, Animation Director and Rigging Supervisor to create efficient turnarounds and designs that will be easily understandable by the rigging and animation departments

  • Maintain neat and tidy folder structures of all characters modelsheets and assets

  • Collaborate with and mentor junior artists who will work alongside in designing simple costume changes/ turnarounds

  • Take daily feedback on designs and offer creative and collaborative suggestions for problem solving design issues

Must Have:

  • Experience in designing characters for a long form 2D show

  • ability to emulate different styles of drawing

  • experience in drawing detailed turnarounds of characters

  • excellent drawing ability including good gesture drawing and costume design

  • excellent knowledge of digital drawing software like adobe Photoshop or Clip Studio Paint/ Procreate or similar

  • Must be eligible to work in the Republic of Ireland and located/ able to relocate to Ireland.

Bonus Points:

  • Experience using industry tracking software.

  • Experience designing assets specifically for Toon Boom Harmony

Elk is an equal opportunities employer committed to supporting diversity and inclusion within our work environment. All suitably qualified and eligible applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, or membership of the Travelling Community.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment

Only applications submitted through this portal will be eligible for consideration