Are you a master of atmosphere, light, and color? Do you have the artistic vision to turn a simple line drawing into a breathtaking cinematic world? Happy Camper Media, Quebec City’s premier animation studio, is looking for a talented 2D Color Set Designer (Background Artist) to join our growing “campsite.”

At Happy Camper Media, we don’t just produce animation; we cultivate a community. Our studio is built on the philosophy of the campfire—a place where local talent gathers to share stories, innovate, and create world-class content in a warm, collaborative environment. If you are a Quebec City local (or ready to call this creative hub home) and want to contribute to an ambitious 2D feature film, pull up a log and join us for a marshmallow roast.

We provide a professional environment that balances artistic freedom with production rigor. We offer competitive rates that reflect the high level of craftsmanship required for feature film backgrounds.

As a 2D Color Set Designer, you are the architect of the film’s visual mood. Under the supervision of the Background Supervisor (Lead), you are responsible for transforming raw line drawings into finished, immersive 2D environments. By applying color, lighting, and textures, you breathe life into the world our characters inhabit.

Your work is fundamental to the audience’s emotional experience. Whether it is the cold, sharp shadows of a night-time alleyway or the warm, dappled sunlight of a summer forest, your treatment of light and value establishes the “soul” of every scene. This role requires an artist who is both a painter and a storyteller—someone who understands how to guide the viewer’s eye and enhance the narrative through environmental design.

Color, Texture, and Materiality

Your primary mission is to take the layout drawings and apply digital painting techniques that respect the project’s graphic charter.

• Material Mastery: You must demonstrate an exceptional ability to reproduce various materials—such as the grain of ancient wood, the cold reflection of stone, or the sheen of metal—ensuring that every setting feels tangible and lived-in.
• Environmental Detail: You will bring environments to life by adding the subtle visual details and “flavor” that make a background feel like a real place with a history.

Lighting and Ambiance Management

Color is nothing without light. You will be responsible for:

• Atmospheric Consistency: Creating consistent atmospheres across various times of day and weather conditions (day, night, sunset, stormy, indoors vs. outdoors).
• Narrative Lighting: Using contrasts, values, and light sources to support the staging of a shot, ensuring the characters pop while the background remains a harmonious part of the frame.
• Depth Perception: Utilizing atmospheric perspective and value shifts to create a sense of vast space within a 2D medium.

Visual Continuity and Collaboration

A feature film is a marathon of thousands of shots. You will:

• Sequence Harmony: Ensure chromatic and stylistic consistency between different shots within the same sequence. The world must feel the same from shot A to shot Z.
• Cross-Departmental Synergy: Work closely with the Set Design Supervisor and the Art Direction team to ensure your sets integrate perfectly with the character designs and the overall film aesthetic.

Technical Optimization and Pipeline

In a professional feature pipeline, organization is as important as artistry.

• File Rigor: You will organize your Photoshop files with meticulous care (layers, naming conventions, structure) to ensure the Compositing and Integration teams can work efficiently with your files.
• Pipeline Innovation: Participate in the improvement of procedures and tools to standardize quality across the team.
• Knowledge Sharing: As an intermediate artist, you contribute to the team’s growth by sharing best practices and contributing to technical documentation when necessary.

Educational & Professional Background

• Education: A College Diploma (DEC) in 2D/3D Animation, Visual Arts, or a related field.
• Experience: A minimum of 2 to 3 years of concrete experience in a professional animation production environment (Feature film or high-end TV series).

Artistic Skills

• Software Mastery: Expert proficiency in Adobe Photoshop. You should be comfortable with advanced digital painting techniques and custom brush management.
• Color Theory: A profound understanding of color harmony, values, lighting, and composition.
• Observation: An excellent sense of observation that allows you to translate real-world physics (light bounce, shadows, textures) into a stylized or realistic 2D environment.
• Versatility: The ability to adapt your personal style to match the film’s specific graphic style, whether it is highly stylized, painterly, or more realistic.

Professional Attributes

• Rigor and Detail: A constant concern for quality. We are looking for “clean and flawless” files that meet the technical parameters of a major production.
• Team Spirit: Excellent communication skills and a positive attitude. You should be able to receive constructive feedback and apply it with a focus on the project’s success.
• Pressure Management: The ability to maintain high artistic standards while respecting the tight deadlines and milestones of a production management schedule.

Quebec City is a thriving hub for animation, and Happy Camper Media is at the center of this movement. We offer more than just a contract; we offer a professional home. We believe that when artists feel supported and inspired, they produce their best work.

What we offer:

• A Landmark Project: The opportunity to work on a full-length 2D animated feature film.
• Local Focus: We take pride in building a team of local talent, fostering a sense of pride in our city’s creative output.
• Stimulating Environment: A workspace designed for creativity, featuring the latest tools and a culture that values the human behind the screen.

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