3D Character Design Lead - TV Featurette

Bardel Entertainment•Vancouver, BC

1d•CA$1,800 - CA$2,200•Hybrid

About The Position

For over 35 years, Bardel Entertainment has been a growing and evolving force in animation, staying true to its creative roots. The company fosters an environment that encourages experimentation, learning, and contribution to exciting projects. The Character Design Lead will collaborate closely with the Art Director, guiding and mentoring a team of Character Designers. This role involves providing creative feedback to ensure designs meet quality standards and align with the artistic vision. Additionally, the Lead will work with the Modeling and Surfacing departments, offering visual references, paintovers, and feedback to facilitate the successful conversion of 2D designs into 3D assets. Candidates must be based in BC, Canada.

Requirements

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.
A portfolio that demonstrates: Strong character design fundamentals, including shape language, appeal, anatomy, and expression.
A portfolio that demonstrates: Model sheets, turnarounds, pose sheets, and production-ready design packages.
A portfolio that demonstrates: Strong painting and rendering skills representative of final 3D visual quality.
A portfolio that demonstrates: Experience designing characters intended for CG production pipelines.
A portfolio that demonstrates: Ability to maintain consistency across multiple characters and styles.
A portfolio that demonstrates: Strong visual storytelling and understanding of personality through design.
A portfolio that demonstrates: Experience collaborating with downstream CG departments through callouts, paintovers, and supporting visual materials.

Nice To Haves

Blender knowledge a plus.

Responsibilities

Develop and refine character designs in collaboration with the Art Director and Director to support the overall visual direction of the production.
Create key character designs, expressions, poses, and model sheets that align with the project’s visual style and storytelling goals.
Lead and supervise a team of Character Designers by assigning work, providing feedback, and maintaining consistency across all deliverables.
Ensure all character designs maintain a high level of quality and remain aligned with the established art direction.
Provide paintovers, references, and visual feedback to support the Modeling and Surfacing teams in translating designs into 3D assets.
Maintain a strong focus on creative continuity, silhouette, appeal, anatomy, and functionality throughout production.
Participate in all “look of picture” reviews and creative meetings related to character development and visual continuity.
Prepare and present artwork deliverables for reviews, approvals, and production milestones.
Provide creative solutions that support both the artistic vision and production deadlines.
Collaborate closely with the Art Director, Director, Modeling, Surfacing, and Production teams to maintain consistency throughout the CG pipeline.
Partner with Production to prioritize work, manage schedules, and ensure timely completion of design deliverables.
Support and mentor Character Designers through ongoing feedback, guidance, and collaboration.
Work cross-functionally with downstream departments to ensure designs translate successfully into modeling, surfacing, and rigging workflows.
Participate in dailies, reviews, and team discussions to maintain alignment across departments and ensure design continuity.
Balance creative quality with production schedules and deadlines.
Ensure character design tasks are delivered on time and aligned with production milestones.
Maintain clear and proactive communication with leadership, production, and team members regarding progress, challenges, and creative solutions.
Provide clear, constructive, and actionable feedback in a collaborative and supportive manner.
Adapt to evolving creative direction and shifting production priorities in a fast-paced environment.