ICON Creative Studio stands proud as Canada’s largest independently owned animation entertainment company. Situated in the vibrant, historic Gastown district of Vancouver, British Columbia, our state-of-the-art studio is a hub of innovation, storytelling, and artistic excellence. Our diverse and incredibly talented team encompasses specialists across every single phase of the animation pipeline. From initial concept art and asset creation to final rendering and post-production, our creative and management professionals work in perfect harmony to deliver world-class animated content.
At ICON Creative Studio, we are globally recognized for our unwavering commitment to premium quality, production efficiency, and reliable, timely deliveries. This reputation has allowed us to forge powerful partnerships with top-tier global distributors, major broadcasters, and the world’s leading streaming platforms. Our work reaches millions of screens worldwide, sparking imagination and bringing memorable characters to life.
Job Overview : Junior Modeling Artist & Texturing Artist
| Job Details | Specification |
| Job Title | Junior Modeling & Texturing Artist |
| Department | Assets |
| Location | Vancouver, British Columbia (Historic Gastown District) |
| Employment Type | Full-Time, Permanent |
| Experience Level | Entry-level / Junior |
| Compensation | Starting at $57,372.12 annually |
| Classification | Union position (subject to collective agreement terms) |
| Additional Pay | Experience-based adjustments considered where permitted by the collective agreement |
Our Holistic Philosophy
ICON Creative Studio operate under a holistic production philosophy. We believe that a studio’s greatest asset is its people. By recognizing and leveraging the unique individual skill sets of our team members, we maximize our pipeline efficiency without ever sacrificing the creative integrity or the visual quality seen on-screen. We foster an environment where technical precision meets boundless creativity, ensuring that every project we touch becomes a benchmark for industry excellence.
Why Choose a Career at ICON?
When you join ICON Creative Studio, you are not just taking a job; you are accelerating your career in the animation industry. Here is what awaits you at our Vancouver studio:
- High-Profile Global Projects: You will have the unique opportunity to collaborate on top-tier feature films and episodic CG franchises for the world’s most prominent streaming platforms, including Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, and Paramount+.
- A Truly International Community: Immerse yourself in a diverse, inclusive, and vibrant team of artists gathered from all corners of the globe, all working together in the heart of British Columbia.
- Cutting-Edge Technology: Work with the latest industry-standard tools, hardware, and proprietary software. We ensure our artists are always equipped with the ultimate tech stack to execute their best work effortlessly.
- Uncompromised Quality: Be part of a studio culture that upholds a premium standard of visual excellence across all productions, dedicating every available resource to maximizing the quality of what ends up on the screen.
- Flexibility and Autonomy: We respect our artists’ work-life balance by providing a supportive, flexible workplace culture built on mutual trust, independence, and professional autonomy.
- Comprehensive Financial & Health Benefits: Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with reliable direct deposits and a generous total rewards package. This includes comprehensive extended health, dental, vision, prescription drug, and paramedical coverage, alongside direct access to mental health and wellness resources.
- Studio Perks & Culture: Work out in our onsite gym, bring your four-legged companion to our pet-friendly studio space, and connect with your peers through regular social events organized both virtually and in person.
- Clear Paths for Professional Growth: We actively invest in your future. Through structured mentorship programs, continuous learning opportunities, and clear career pathways, we empower you to hit and exceed your professional goals.
Job Overview: The Junior Artist Role
As a Junior Modeling Artist & Texturing Artist within our Assets Department, you will play a foundational role in bringing our animated worlds to life. Your primary focus will be the creation of high-quality, production-ready 3D models and textures for characters, props, and rich environments, ensuring everything aligns seamlessly with specific project styles and technical requirements.
This entry-level role is designed to be an immersive, highly collaborative learning experience. Working under the direct guidance and mentorship of senior artists and leads, you will actively refine your 3D modeling techniques, expand your texture creation capabilities, and learn the inner workings of a major ICON Creative Studio pipeline. You will be expected to participate regularly in team critiques, using constructive feedback as a tool for rapid professional development. Excellent communication, an eager attitude, and a passion for digital sculpting and painting are vital to succeeding in this role and contributing to the overall artistic vision of our high-profile projects.
Key Responsibilities
Your day-to-day responsibilities at ICON Creative Studio will span a variety of creative and technical tasks designed to develop your skills while actively contributing to our active production slates:
Asset Creation & Styling
- Construct high-quality, production-optimized 3D models for characters, hard-surface props, and environmental elements based closely on provided 2D concept art and production style guides.
- Develop, author, and paint textures that perfectly complement and enhance the visual and artistic style established for the 3D assets.
- Apply textures and map coordinates to models accurately under the supervision of senior artists, ensuring visual consistency across the asset library.
Collaboration, Mentorship & Feedback
- Work closely with Senior Modeling and Texturing Artists to absorb advanced modeling methodologies, asset organization, and pipeline best practices.
- Review, iterate, and revise your work based on technical and creative feedback provided by directors, supervisors, and senior team members to ensure all assets meet strict project specifications.
- Actively participate in regular team critiques, leveraging these sessions to elevate your personal skill set and maintain the studio’s high bar for quality.
Pipeline Integration & Communication
- Maintain clear, transparent, and effective communication with production coordinators, leads, and fellow team members to stay aligned with daily project goals and technical requirements.
- Engage enthusiastically in creative team discussions, offering fresh ideas and insights that contribute positively to the project’s overall artistic vision.
- Follow clean file organization and data structures to ensure seamless asset handoffs to downstream departments like Rigging, Look Development, and Lighting.
Innovation & Continuous Learning
- Stay up to date with evolving industry trends, software updates, and emerging workflows within the 3D modeling, digital sculpting, and texturing landscapes.
- Proactively seek out guidance, ask questions, and take advantage of studio-led training opportunities to continuously build your technical knowledge and speed.
Qualifications & Skill Requirements
ICON Creative Studio is looking for motivated individuals who possess a strong artistic eye, solid technical foundations, and a passion for collaborative filmmaking. The ideal candidate meets the following criteria:
Core Software Proficiency
- Autodesk Maya: Strong fundamental knowledge of polygon modeling tools, scene management, and asset construction.
- Adobe Photoshop: Confident utilization for texture map creation, look development painting, and reference manipulation.
- Substance Painter: Solid understanding of PBR (Physically Based Rendering) texturing workflows, material creation, and layer stack management.
- Pixologic ZBrush: Digital sculpting proficiency for organic forms, character assets, and fine-detail high-poly modeling.
Technical Asset Knowledge
- A strong, fundamental understanding of clean polygon topology, edge flow, and optimization for animation deformation.
- Solid experience with UV creation, layout optimization, maximizing texture resolution, and managing multi-tile UV workflows (UDIMs).
- An interest or willingness to assist with Research & Development (R&D) workflows to test and develop new assets, tools, or pipeline methodologies.
Professional Skills & Traits
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills and strong organizational habits.
- A highly motivated, proactive mindset with a genuine desire to learn, grow, and adapt within a structured, fast-paced studio pipeline workflow.
- The ability to receive constructive creative and technical criticism gracefully and apply it practically to your ongoing asset assignments.
Desirable Pluses (Nice-to-Haves)
- Previous experience or familiarity with the Arnold rendering engine.
- Exposure to Bifrost or procedural asset workflows.
- Familiarity with Mari for high-end, high-resolution texture projection and painting.
Additional Position Information
Union Membership: This is a Union position. The terms, conditions, and protections of employment are comprehensively covered by an established collective agreement.
Pay Transparency: In complete accordance with British Columbia’s pay transparency legislation, the displayed starting wage of $57,372.12 annually reflects the minimum established base rate under ICON’s collective agreement. Additional compensation above this minimum baseline may be considered for candidates demonstrating exceptional portfolios, relevant qualifications, or unique project experience, where permitted by the collective agreement.
Equal Opportunity Employer: ICON Creative Studio is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status.
If you are a passionate junior artist ready to launch your career on world-class animated projects, we want to hear from you. Apply today to join our team in Vancouver!
