Look Dev Artist - Experienced

As a Look Development Artist, you will play a key role in shaping the visual identity of our projects, working across a diverse variety of formats, feeding into ZooLab projects, long-form and feature animation.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the team at a pivotal stage as we step into our first feature production. You will help establish, define and maintain the visual language and Look Dev standards for the project, working closely with Directors and Supervisors to develop high-quality, production-ready assets and looks.

We are looking for a passionate artist who loves character animation and has a strong understanding of 3D Look Development. You will bring together an excellent eye for colour, materials, lighting and detail with the technical ability to build robust, efficient setups within a production pipeline.

The role encompasses all aspects of Look Development, including shading, texturing, surfacing, groom and lighting, with a strong emphasis on artistic quality, problem-solving and collaboration.

We are very happy to discuss flexible, hybrid and remote working options for all our vacancies.

Please note that this vacancy can close early if we receive a high number of applications.

Day to day

• Establish, document and maintain Look Development standards, workflows and best practices across the project, ensuring consistency and quality throughout production.
• Create and maintain Look Dev templates, master shaders, lighting setups and other reusable assets to support an efficient production pipeline.
• Work closely with Production and CG Supervisors to identify risks, dependencies and technical requirements early, helping to ensure Look Dev work remains achievable within production schedules and resources.
• Work collaboratively and flexibly with other departments across the entire studio, adapting to changes in creative direction and production requirements as needed.
• Ensure Look Dev setups are efficient, scalable and suitable for production, considering render times, scene performance, memory usage and downstream workflows.
• Identify and communicate pipeline issues or limitations, working with CG and Pipeline teams to develop appropriate solutions.
• Ensure consistency of materials, shaders, colour, lighting and surface treatment across assets and sequences, working closely with Art Direction and Supervisors.
• Oversee the translation of approved visual development into repeatable, production-ready Look Dev solutions.
• Lead the planning, prioritisation and distribution of Look Development work across the team, balancing production requirements, artist strengths and available resources.
• Provide day-to-day support and guidance to Look Development Artists, helping to unblock technical or creative challenges and ensuring the team has the information and resources needed to deliver effectively.
• Review and give clear, constructive feedback on the work of other artists, ensuring it meets the required creative and technical standards.
• Translate creative briefs and visual references into compelling, technically robust CG looks.
• Develop innovative artistic and technical solutions to complex Look Development challenges.
• Play an active role in brainstorming, visual development and R&D, contributing ideas that push the quality and ambition of our work.
• Identify and establish solutions and approaches to solve challenges independently and proactively.
• Manage time and resources effectively, balancing hands-on Look Development with team support, reviews, R&D and production responsibilities.
• Develop high quality shading and lighting setups to establish all aspects of Look Development.
• Take responsibility for presenting Look Dev work for creative approval and incorporating feedback through to final sign-off.
• Help define approval milestones and ensure approved looks are clearly documented and communicated to the wider team.
• Work hands-on with a team of talented artists to ensure the technical and artistic brief is met and help train and guide more junior members of the team.
• Strive to push the quality of visuals created at the studio through R&D of new workflows and practices, including the sourcing of and training in new software and tools.