About the role
Company Overview
ICON Creative Studio is Canada’s largest independently owned animation entertainment company, located in the historic Gastown district of Vancouver, BC. The team includes specialists across the entire animation pipeline, working alongside creative and management professionals to deliver outstanding animated content. ICON is committed to quality, efficiency, and timely deliveries, partnering with distributors, broadcasters, and leading streaming platforms worldwide. The studio operates from a holistic philosophy, leveraging unique skill sets to maximize production efficiency while maintaining an optimal balance of creativity and quality on-screen.
Why work at ICON?
- Collaborate on top-tier feature and episodic CG franchises for major streaming platforms, including Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, Amazon, Peacock, and Paramount+.
- Be part of a diverse team of artists from around the globe who have joined us here in British Columbia.
- Work with the latest tools and software, ensuring you're always equipped to do your best work.
- Be part of a studio that upholds a premium standard of quality across all productions, putting every resource into what’s on-screen.
- Enjoy flexibility, autonomy, and a supportive workplace culture.
- Access direct deposit and a generous benefits package.
- Grow with us through continuous learning opportunities, mentorship, and empowerment to achieve professional goals.
Job Overview
ICON is seeking a Senior Art Director to help shape the visual identity of premium adult animation series. The role requires exceptional artistic vision combined with hands-on creative leadership to guide artists in bringing compelling characters, distinctive worlds, and visually striking storytelling to life. Responsibilities include defining artistic direction, establishing visual consistency, mentoring artists, and collaborating across departments to drive creative excellence from initial concepts through final delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide creative direction and leadership to the design team, ensuring the visual style aligns with the overall project goals.
- Collaborate with departments such as storyboarding, animation, and production to ensure a cohesive and unified visual narrative.
- Work closely with producers and project managers to define the artistic vision for each animation project.
- Develop and communicate design strategies that align with project timelines and budget constraints.
- Lead and mentor a team of talented designers, providing guidance, feedback, and support.
- Foster a collaborative and positive work environment that encourages creativity and innovation.
- Develop and communicate the artistic vision through concept art, storyboards, and other visual aids.
- Oversee the creation of character designs, background art, and visual elements that enhance the overall storytelling.
- Maintain a high standard of quality and consistency in all visual elements, ensuring they meet or exceed industry benchmarks.
- Conduct regular reviews of design work to provide constructive feedback and ensure alignment with project goals.
- Keep abreast of the latest trends and technologies in animation and design to ensure the studio remains at the forefront of innovation.
- Integrate new techniques and styles into projects when appropriate.
- Communicate effectively with artists from every department to ensure all visual guidelines are executed correctly.
- Work proactively with production to produce high-quality results within the appropriate budget and time frame.
- Mentor artists from various disciplines to help foster the overall artistic growth of the studio.
- Work effectively to solve design problems in a hands-on capacity.
- Work effectively and flexibly with time constraints to accommodate important project deliveries and remain accountable for the overall quality of the final product.
- Be a leader in dailies sessions and communicate visual direction clearly and concisely.
Skills and Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Animation, or a related field.
- 5+ years of relevant experience as an Art Director in the animation industry.
- Expert-level understanding of art fundamentals.
- Excellent problem-solving skills.
- Comfortable with public speaking.
- Excellent leadership skills.
- Ability to manage a demanding and complex daily schedule.
- Ability to communicate effectively and politely with clients.
- Adaptable to quick changes and limitations.
- Fluent in Photoshop.
- Rudimentary understanding of Maya, Nuke, Premiere, and various Effects and Surfacing software platforms.
- Ability to work through the pipeline from initial sketches to final color deliveries.
- Clear understanding of studio pipeline and production schedules; ability to work within those parameters.
Compensation and Employment Details
- Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
- Employment Type: Full-Time
- Department: Art
- Experience Level: Manager/Supervisor
- Annual Salary Range: $90,000.00 - $120,000.00
The wage range reflects compensation across all projects. The final salary will be determined based on the specific position, the current show assignment, and the applicant’s experience and portfolio.
Equal Opportunity Employer
ICON Creative Studio is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.