Blue Zoo Animation | 3D Lighting & Compositing Artist (Uk only)
Blue Zoo Animation Studio, a world-leading, multi-BAFTA, Emmy, and Annie Award-winning studio, is seeking an Experienced 3D Lighting & Compositing (L&C) Artist. As the first major animation studio globally to receive B Corp certification, Blue Zoo is dedicated to shifting the industry toward a more ethical, inclusive, and balanced working environment. We are looking for a visual storyteller—a “savant of light”—to join our regional team. This role is specifically designated for artists based in the United Kingdom, outside of the M25, to meet specific client regional requirements. If you are passionate about defining the mood of high-quality CG narratives while maintaining a healthy work-life balance, we want to hear from you. 3D Lighting & Compositing Job Overview Company Name: Blue Zoo Animation Studio Job Type: Full-Time / Permanent Location: Regional United Kingdom Only (Must reside outside the M25) Working Style: Flexible – Hybrid & Remote Options Available Primary Software: Autodesk Maya, Foundry Nuke, Redshift Experience Level: Experienced / Mid-Senior Compensation & Industry-Leading Benefits Blue Zoo Animation is consistently recognized as one of the “Best Places to Work in TV” (2019–2026). Our compensation package is designed to reflect our B Corp values, focusing on the holistic well-being of our staff. Component Description Annual Salary (Est.) £40,000 – £58,000 GBP (Dependent on experience) Profit Share Available to employees with 2+ years of service Health & Wellbeing Comprehensive online wellbeing programme and mental health support Flexibility Genuine flexible working hours to support life balance Creative Growth Access to an inclusive, self-funded shorts programme Perks Extensive benefits package including retail discounts and social events The Role: Day-to-Day Responsibilities As an experienced L&C Artist, you are the final touchpoint of the creative pipeline. Your work transforms raw animation into a cinematic experience. 1. Lighting & Scene Assembly Technical Execution: Build and manage lighting scenes in Maya using assets provided by the animation and FX departments. Optimization: Fine-tune provided light rigs and render setups to achieve a high-end look while staying within strict render time budgets. Efficiency: Monitor renders to ensure they are optimized, avoiding noise and artifacts through a deep understanding of biased rendering. 2. Compositing & Final Polish Shot Finalization: Use Nuke to composite rendered passes, utilizing utility passes (Z-depth, Position, Normals) to add depth, atmosphere, and focus. Look Development: Finesse colors and aesthetics to maintain a consistent mood across the episode, ensuring all characters and environments feel integrated. 3. Leadership & Mentorship Team Support: Assist the Team Lead by providing guidance and technical mentorship to junior artists. Technical Troubleshooting: Tackle the most challenging shots in the production, solving complex glitches or errors independently. Accountability: Step in to cover for the Team Lead when necessary, developing your own management and leadership skills. What We Are Looking For We need an artist who balances a “creative eye” with a “technical brain.” Must-Have Qualifications: Production History: Proven experience as an L&C Artist on professional animation productions using Maya and Nuke. Rendering Expertise: A solid understanding of physically based rendering (PBR), ray tracing, and global illumination, preferably using Redshift or a comparable engine. Artistic Fundamentals: A strong grasp of color theory, composition, and how lighting is used to drive a narrative brief, particularly in stylized animation. Technical Proficiency: Knowledge of how to optimize sampling to avoid noise and a thorough understanding of camera physics (Depth of Field, Bokeh). Soft Skills: Excellent communication skills, a team-player attitude, and the ability to respond positively to constructive feedback. Bonus Points: Proficiency in Python scripting for pipeline tool development. Previous experience using FTrack for production tracking. Experience with After Effects or look-development (Shading). A holistic understanding of the full 3D production pipeline. About Blue Zoo: A B Corp Certified Studio Blue Zoo Animation is not just an animation studio; it is a community. Being B Corp certified means we have been independently verified by B Lab to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Diversity & Inclusion: We invite everyone to “bring their whole selves” to work. We believe diverse perspectives make our stories better and our studio stronger. Engagement: We run bi-monthly employee feedback programmes to ensure every voice is heard and every artist feels valued. The “Zoo” Culture: From remote social events to our legendary shorts programme, we foster an environment where artists are proud of their work and their workplace. Important Application Note This is a Regional Role. To be eligible, you must be a resident of the UK and live outside the M25 London orbital motor-way. This requirement is driven by specific client and production mandates. How to Apply: Please submit your CV, Portfolio/Demo Reel, and a Breakdown of your lighting and compositing work. Due to the high volume of interest in Blue Zoo roles, we recommend applying early, as this vacancy may close as soon as a suitable candidate pool is identified.