Blue Zoo Animation Studio

About the Company

Celebrating over 25 years of Blue Zoo! We’re one of the UK’s leading animation studios with an enviable client list and a shelf full of BAFTAs for our trademark CG character animation. We’ve produced some of the most well-loved kids shows on TV, memorable commercials, and our animated shorts are rapidly gaining recognition for artistry and innovation. Our passion for our craft and storytelling in the most engaging way has always been at the core of what we do, and that integrity has earned us a worldwide reputation for creating brilliant animation for broadcast, commercials and digital content.

Listed Jobs

Company Name

Blue Zoo Animation Studio

Job Title

Regional Only | Lead 3D Character Animator

Job Description

Job Title: Lead 3D Character Animator Role Summary: Lead animator responsible for managing a team of 3D character animators, ensuring high‑quality performances, clear storytelling, and timely delivery of animation shots within a TV‑animation production pipeline. Expectations: * Own the creative and technical quality of character animation from blocking to final polish. * Lead, mentor, and develop a small animation team, fostering collaboration and growth. * Maintain communication with animation leadership and production, proactively addressing deadlines and workload concerns. Key Responsibilities: * Direct daily team meetings, track progress, and enforce production schedules. * Review and implement director notes and feedback to refine performances. * Mentor less experienced animators and conduct performance reviews. * Troubleshoot pipeline and animation issues, coordinating with supervisors and leads. * Report team progress, concerns, and well‑being to Head of Animation. * Maintain high creative standards and adherence to brief across all completed shots. Required Skills: * Advanced knowledge of body mechanics, posing, and character performance. * Proficiency in Maya (or equivalent 3D animation software). * Strong time‑management, prioritisation, and organisational abilities. * Excellent communication, motivation, and team‑building skills. * Creative problem‑solving and independent initiative. * Ability to receive and act on constructive feedback. Bonus Skills: * Prior experience as a Lead Animator in a TV animation production. * Scripting knowledge (Python or MEL). * Basic drawing, acting, or dance skills. * Familiarity with Shotgun, FTrack, or similar pipeline tools. * Understanding of a 3D production pipeline. Required Education & Certifications: * Minimum of a university degree (or equivalent) in Animation, Film, Computer Graphics, or related field. * Current right to work in the UK.

London, United kingdom

On site

Senior

11-02-2026

Company Name

Blue Zoo Animation Studio

Job Title

Experienced 2D Environment Designer

Job Description

**Job Title** Experienced 2D Environment Designer **Role Summary** Create 2‑D environments for a 2.5‑D animation production from initial concept to final approved artwork. Collaborate closely with the Art Director and creative team to develop visual ideas that support storytelling and meet production deadlines. **Expectations** * UK‑based with right to work in the UK * Ability to work under tight schedules and manage own workload * Willingness to receive and incorporate constructive feedback from directors and art leadership **Key Responsibilities** 1. Contribute to creative briefing with the Art Director. 2. Generate loose concept sketches, compositional elements, and refine designs through successive passes. 3. Research and produce exploratory sketches for interior and exterior sets aligned with approved brief. 4. Create detailed drawings at correct scale, including prop callouts and technical specifications. 5. Produce technical‑design sheets (turnarounds, functionality explanations). 6. Communicate design options to directors to align with their vision. 7. Collaborate with other designers to elevate aesthetic and visual development. 8. Meet submission deadlines from concept to final deliverables. **Required Skills** * Strong drawing skills – perspective, volume, spatial planning * Advanced proficiency in Photoshop (or equivalent digital medium) * Deep understanding of 2‑D TV show production scope * Excellent communication and collaboration abilities * Ability to stage action scenes within sets * Rapid first‑pass creation and detailed refinement under time constraints * Autonomous time management, prioritisation, and scope breakdown skills * Strong aesthetic judgment, colour, lighting, and value sense * Detailed knowledge of volumes, turnarounds, and spatial layout **Required Education & Certifications** * Relevant degree, diploma, or equivalent experience in 2‑D art, illustration, or animation design **Bonus Skills** * 3‑D design and modelling workflow knowledge * Graphic design and stylised texture creation * Familiarity with animation pipeline beyond the art department * Experience with Ftrack * Passion for storytelling ---

London, United kingdom

On site

02-03-2026