2D Character Design Lead

Job Description

Boulder Media is on the lookout for a 2D Character Design Lead. It is a full-time, specified-purpose role with hybrid working arrangements (i.e., remote and in-studio working). The successful candidate will be available to start in Summer 2025 and is required to be based in Ireland. The closing date for the applications is the 21st April 2025.

About us

Established in 2000, Boulder Media has become one of Ireland's largest animation studios. Combining our passion, expertise, and experience, we believe in the power of our creativity and our ability to deliver world-class animated entertainment experiences. Boulder has produced many great shows, including Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, The Amazing World of Gumball, El Tigre, Wander Over Yonder, My Little Pony: Pony Life, DC Super Hero Girls, Transformers Cyberverse, Danger Mouse, Cat Burglar, and the Netflix hit feature film – My Little Pony: A New Generation.

About our culture

Boulder Media is not only a very hard-working creative studio, but we also have a jam-packed social calendar. From celebrating the end of each show with wrap parties to our famous Halloween fancy dress and Christmas celebrations to bake-offs, table quizzes, dungeons & dragons, online and offline meet-ups, and sketch-ups. We put on cultural events to celebrate our international staff and make them feel at home, away from home. What makes Boulder Media special is the people that fill the studio and bring life to everything we do. Boulder is a family, a very nurturing and open space for all to come and be themselves and express who they are through creativity. We would love you to be part of our animation adventure!

About the role

The Character Design Lead works closely with the Client (if required) and in-house Supervisor/Animation Director/Rigging Supervisor to keep quality and style consistent across all character design elements, including mains, secondary, and incidental characters. Also manages the quality and style of any additional design material across the design team, such as mouth charts, hand comps expressions and poses sheets, where required for the show.

Skills & Other Requirements

***Key Responsibilities ***

• Work closely with the Supervisor/Animation Director/Rigging Supervisor/Animators/Leads/Riggers to ensure the visual target is always exceeded and stylistically consistent.
• Reviewing character design packs. Assessing the materials and keeping effective communication on missing or unclear materials.
• Reviewing additional design assets to ensure that they satisfy their intended design and are ready for rigging and animation.
• Ensuring approved client design runs through to rig completely.
• Complete all rough, revised and final designs necessary by the assigned deadlines.
• Ensure the completion of model packs, including turnaround model sheets, action and acting pose sheets, expression model sheets, hand charts, mouth and eye charts.
• Responsible for clean-up, colour models, special shadow and texture indications if required.
• Follow directions and address notes provided by the supervisor/or client instructions.
• Provide further adjustments, where necessary, based on rigging considerations or character complexity considerations.
• Keeping files and material locations updated and in good order.
• Responsible for reviewing and interviewing potential candidates, training them, assigning work to them, as well as appraising employee performance and resolving interpersonal and performance issues.
• Mentoring artists by providing creative and technical training, guidance and feedback.
• Responsible for producing a set output per week as set out in the schedule for any given project assigned to you.
• Keep your team motivated and encouraged throughout the process.
• As part of your continuous development, you are expected to keep up to date with the latest initiatives and developments in your area of expertise/role, such as (but not limited to) training, learning and development initiatives, and mentoring.
• Any other duties company management may deem necessary and reasonably require from time to time.

What would we look for?

• Minimum of 2 years' experience working as Character Design Lead.
• Extensive understanding of the animation production process.
• Extensive knowledge of Photoshop.
• Extensive knowledge of colour, lighting and posing.
• Exceptional drawing skills.
• Good time management skills and an ability to work to deadlines.
• Excellent communication and strong interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to interact with team members of different disciplines.
• Open to direction and can visually interpret other people's ideas.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multiple tasks in a fast-paced production.
• Fluent in English, both spoken and written.

What do we offer?

• Competitive salary, depending on skills and experience;
• 21 days holidays per annum (pro rata);
• An extra day off for Good Friday each year;
• Time off for Christmas;
• Paid sick leave;
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity package;
• Death-In-Service Benefit;
• Employee Assistance Programme;
• Vision/Eye Care;
• Temporary Remote Work Abroad;
• Various in-house social events such as Cake & Fruit Day, Screening nights, Games nights, to name a few.

Boulder Media is an equal opportunity employer committed to supporting diversity and inclusion within our work environment. All applicants, regardless of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, or membership of the Travelling Community, will be given equal consideration for employment based on their skills, experience, and potential.

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. Please contact us at [email protected] to request accommodation.