Overview

Animal Logic – the studio that brought you Peter Rabbit – is looking for a Technical Surfacing Artist. The Technical Surfacing Artist will engage in technical troubleshooting, developing workflows, and prototyping complex looks. This role will also be responsible for giving models the visual surface qualities that make them appear believable. Lookdev/Surfacing can include: texture painting; procedural texturing; shading networks; sculpting; grooming; and UV layout. This is a fulltime, contract role that reports to the Surfacing Supervisor and Artist Management.

Responsibilities Include:

• Delve into the technical side of surfacing, supporting the creation of high-quality stylized or photo-realistic assets that meet the technical and aesthetic standards of the project
• Troubleshoot issues in areas such as shaders, renders and surfacing tools, and pro-actively escalate tickets as required
• Provide technical solutions to visual problems
• Create hand-painted or procedural textures, to the necessary level of detail for production assets
• Create procedural rigs for grooming and instancing
• Work closely with the Lead and Supervisor to help achieve the project’s visual goals
• Take direction from the Surfacing Lead, and present solutions or questions to pro-actively improve asset quality
• Create and update technical documentation for surfacing workflows
• Share knowledge and communicate openly with other artists on your team
• Participate in reviews as required
• Assist with resource management and project clean up on an ongoing basis

Requirements:

• 3+ years’ experience on feature films, TV, and/or animated features, with a focus in Surfacing
• Production experience with Houdini
• Production experience in Maya, Mari and Nuke
• Experience in a modern raytracing package
• Thorough understanding of, and experience working in, a physically based shading system
• Proven ability with node-based procedural shading, grooming and instancing
• Proven ability with node-based or procedural grooming and/or instancing tools
• An understanding of lighting and colour theory in feature film production
• 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:

• Knowledge or experience with USD pipelines
• Working experience with Python and/or VEX
• Experience with shader writing
• Experience with Substance Designer and/or sculpting tools (Mudbox)

Salary range CAD$80 – 120k 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.