Overview

Animal Logic – the studio that brought you Peter Rabbit – is looking for Surfacing Artists. The Surfacing Artist will be responsible for giving models the visual surface qualities that make them appear believable. Surfacing can encompass texture painting, procedural texturing, building shading networks, grooming and occasional sculpting or UV layout on animated feature films. This is a fulltime, contract role that reports to the Surfacing Supervisor and Artist Management.

Responsibilities Include:

  • Create high quality stylized (or occasionally photo-realistic) textures, either hand painted or procedural, to a level of detail necessary for production assets
  • Create stylized or photo-realistic shading, depending on project requirements
  • Create manual or procedural grooms as required, depending on the project and your area of focus
  • Take direction from the Surfacing Lead, and present solutions or questions to pro-actively improve asset quality
  • Share knowledge and communicate openly with other artists on your team
  • Pro-actively escalate technical issues to more senior artists or your Lead
  • Participate in reviews as required
  • Assist with resource management and project clean up on an ongoing basis

Requirements:

  • 3+ years’ experience on feature films (vfx), animated features, or high-end episodics
  • Past experience, demonstrated via reel, of feature animation quality texturing, shading and surfacing (preferably on photo-realistic material)
  • Experience with node-based procedural shading
  • Experience with grooming, hair/fur or instancing tools
  • Production experience in Houdini (or Maya), and with a modern raytracing package
  • Production experience in Mari
  • Excellent attention to detail
  • A passion for making beautiful looking cg assets by combining strong visual and technical skills
  • Excellence in problem solving, and balancing quick turnaround with long term quality
  • Strong communication skills, and the ability to efficiently organise and prioritise work across multiple areas
  • Strong written and verbal English language skills
  • Ability to work solo as well as collaboratively within a team environment
  • Ability to take direction and feedback and apply this to assets or shots; be willing to show WIP and take feedback

The following would be considered a bonus:

  • Houdini production experience is a clear bonus
  • An interest in technical surfacing and proceduralism, and/or technical troubleshooting
  • Experience with Substance Designer
  • An understanding of lighting and colour theory in feature film production
  • Sculpting experience (preferably with Mudbox)
  • Experience scripting in Python
  • Experience with Nuke
  • Advanced degree or significant training in at least one or more of the following disciplines: computer graphics, computer science, digital media, filmmaking, photography, graphic design / illustration, foundation arts (drawing, painting, sculpture)

Salary range CAD$70 – 115k and extended medical benefits. In addition, we include a comprehensive benefits package with paid vacation time, extended medical and dental, AD&D, LTD and Life insurance. Relocation assistance provided if required. If you are interested in applying for this role please fill out our online application form via our website http://www.animallogic.com/Careers/Jobs

We have animation studios in Sydney, Australia and Vancouver, Canada and a development office in Los Angeles. Our Vancouver studio is within the creative precinct of Yaletown and is currently working on DC Super Pets, set for release in 2022. Our business and work location for this role is 840 Cambie Street, Vancouver. Our contact number is 604 398 4800. This studio opened its doors in 2015 to begin work on the animated feature The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part, which was released in 2019.

About Animal Logic

Animal Logic is an independent Australian company that has been at the forefront of creating digital content, award winning design, visual effects and animation for the film and television industries for over 25 years. With creative studios in Sydney and Vancouver and offices for the company’s development arm, Animal Logic Entertainment, in Sydney and Los Angeles, Animal Logic continues to forge new partnerships and collaborations with leading studios and filmmakers to develop and produce stories that resonate with a global audience.

If you want to create GREAT WORK with GREAT PEOPLE then come and join us at Animal Logic!