Are you a master of composition with a keen eye for perspective and cinematic staging? Do you have the technical precision to turn a storyboard sketch into a fully realized architectural blueprint for animation? Happy Camper Media, a leading creative force in Quebec City’s animation scene, is looking for a talented 2D Layout Artist to join our “campsite” for an ambitious 2D animated feature film.
At Happy Camper Media, we believe that the best creative work happens when local talent gathers around a metaphorical campfire. Our studio is built on a culture of warmth, collaboration, and high-level artistry. We don’t just build sets; we build worlds. If you are looking for a professional environment that is as stimulating as it is enriching, we invite you to pull up a log and help us bring this story to life.
Job Overview: 2D Layout Artist
| Feature | Details |
| Company Name | Happy Camper Media |
| Primary Job Title | 2D Layout Artist |
| Secondary Title | Decoration & Background Artist |
| Employment Type | Multi-Month Contract (Project-Based) |
| Work Location | Quebec City, QC (On-site/Local Studio) |
| Core Software | Adobe Photoshop |
| Industry Sector | 2D Animated Feature Film |
| Reporting To | Layout Supervisor / Lead Artist |
We provide a professional structure that rewards the technical and artistic precision required for feature-length layout work. We offer competitive industry rates designed to support intermediate and senior-level artists who specialize as a 2D Layout Artist.
| Metric | Details |
| Estimated Salary | $58,000 – $84,000 CAD (Annualized / Experience Dependent) |
| Experience Level | Intermediate (2–3+ years professional experience) |
| Contract Status | Milestone-based with potential for extension |
| Work Environment | Modern studio infrastructure with a collaborative “campfire” vibe |
| Professional Growth | Direct mentorship from industry-leading supervisors |
As a 2D Layout Artist at Happy Camper Media, you are a primary pillar of our production pipeline. You are the architect of every shot, responsible for the preparation, organization, and finalization of the sets and layouts that define the film’s physical space.
Your role is to bridge the gap between the initial storyboard and the final animation. Based on established designs and directing instructions, you create clear, coherent, and technically sound plans. As a 2D Layout Artist, you provide the solid foundation upon which animators, riggers, and compositors build their work. Without your precision in perspective and staging, the world of the film cannot exist.
Preparation and Technical Staging
A 2D Layout Artist takes the raw narrative blueprints of the film and turns them into functional production environments.
- Design Refinement: Complete and refine provided set designs to ensure they meet the specific narrative and visual needs of the current sequence.
- Storyboard Interpretation: Analyze the storyboard and director’s notes to establish the perfect composition, focal length, and staging for every shot.
- Perspective Mastery: Ensure all layouts follow rigorous rules of perspective, providing a consistent 3D space for 2D characters to inhabit.
- Functional Layouts: Produce clear, legible sets that serve as an infallible guide for the animation, rigging, and editing teams.
Artistic and Technical Standards
Consistency is vital in feature film production, and the 2D Layout Artist is responsible for:
- Visual Continuity: Applying art direction guidelines meticulously to ensure the background style remains consistent across the entire production.
- Pipeline Integration: Respecting the technical parameters established by the studio’s management, including specific file nomenclature, layer structures, and naming conventions.
- Iterative Feedback: Adjusting and polishing layouts based on feedback from the Director, Art Director, or your immediate supervisor to reach the required quality threshold.
Cross-Departmental Collaboration
Animation is a collaborative journey, and the role of the 2D Layout Artist involves:
- Progress Monitoring: Working closely with your supervisor to validate visual intentions and ensure the production is moving forward efficiently.
- Communication: Maintaining open lines of communication with the Rigging and Compositing departments to ensure that the layout files you deliver meet their technical requirements for integration.
- Workflow Optimization: Participating in studio discussions aimed at improving the overall quality of layouts and finding innovative ways to optimize working methods.
Production Management & Deadline Discipline
Feature film production is a marathon with strict milestones. The 2D Layout Artist must maintain:
- Task Organization: Prioritize your workload to meet the deadlines set by the production management team.
- Adaptability: Adjust your pace according to shifting production priorities and urgent requirements without sacrificing artistic quality.
- Proactive Reporting: Promptly reporting any technical obstacles or artistic challenges that could affect the delivery schedule of finalized layouts.
Education and Experience
- Credential: A College Diploma (DEC) in 2D/3D Animation, Visual Arts, or a related field.
- Professional History: A minimum of 2 to 3 years of experience in professional animation production is required for this intermediate-level 2D Layout Artist position. Experience on a previous feature film or high-end TV series is highly desirable.
Artistic and Technical Skills
- Software Mastery: Expert proficiency in Adobe Photoshop. You must be able to handle complex brush work, layer management, and digital drafting tools with ease.
- Technical Knowledge: A solid understanding of color theory, values, lighting, and composition is essential for a 2D Layout Artist when establishing the “read” of a layout.
- Observation & Reproduction: An excellent sense of observation that allows you to reproduce various materials (wood, stone, metal) and atmospheric phenomena in line with the film’s style.
- Adaptability: High flexibility to work within various graphic styles, ranging from hyper-realistic to highly stylized and whimsical.
Professional Soft Skills
- Rigor: A deep attention to detail and a commitment to delivering “clean” and flawless files as a 2D Layout Artist.
- Communication: Clarity in expressing artistic ideas and a positive, receptive attitude toward constructive feedback.
- Pressure Management: The ability to stay focused and deliver high-quality work within the constraints of a professional production schedule.
Quebec City is a thriving hub for creative talent, and Happy Camper Media is at its heart. We offer a professional environment that respects the artist as much as the art.
The Happy Camper Experience:
- Meaningful Projects: Contribute as a 2D Layout Artist to a full-length 2D animated feature film, a rare and prestigious opportunity in today’s market.
- Local Community: Work alongside the best local talent in a studio that feels like a home away from home.
- Professional Infrastructure: Access to high-end workstations and a pipeline designed for efficiency and artistic excellence.
Application Instructions
If you have the technical skill to build worlds and the artistic vision to stage them as our next 2D Layout Artist, we want to see your portfolio!
To apply, please provide:
1. Curriculum Vitae (CV): Detail your professional production history and software expertise.
2. Portfolio / Demo Reel: This is the most critical part of your application. We are looking for concrete examples of work from a 2D Layout Artist, including perspective drawings and background designs from professional productions.
3. Cover Letter: Tell us why you are passionate about the role of a 2D Layout Artist and why you want to join our “campsite” in Quebec City.
Happy Camper Media is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all our “campers.”
2D Layout Artist job at Happy Camper Media
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