LAIKA Studios
Job Overview
- Company: LAIKA Studios
- Job Title: RP 3D Printing Texture Intern
- Job Type: Internship (Full-Time / Temporary)
- Location: Hillsboro, Oregon, USA
- Work Model: 100% On-Site
- Seniority Level: Internship / Entry-Level
- Required Experience: Junior/Senior University Standing or Recent Graduate (within 12 months)
- Salary Range: USD $20.00 per hour (Fixed / Non-negotiable)
- Reporting Structure: Reports to RP Texture Lead / Digital Fabrication Supervisor
- Industry: Animation, Motion Pictures, and Additive Manufacturing
Company Overview: The Fusion of Art and Technology
LAIKA Studios is a world-renowned leader in the field of feature animation, celebrated for a unique cinematic signature that merges the time-honored tradition of stop-motion with the cutting-edge frontier of digital innovation. Located in Hillsboro, Oregon, we are a community of specialized artists, technologists, and innovators who believe that the best stories are told when hand-crafted artistry is empowered by revolutionary technology.
A cornerstone of our production excellence is our Rapid Prototyping (RP) Department. We are pioneers in the use of high-definition 3D color printing to create facial expressions, characters, and environmental elements. Unlike traditional CG pipelines where textures exist only on a screen, our RP Texture team develops “digital paint” that is translated into tangible, physical objects through a complex color printing palette. We foster an environment of radical collaboration, where fine arts sensibilities meet advanced computer graphics to produce the award-winning detail our studio is known for globally.
Role Overview
The RP 3D Printing Texture Intern is a highly specialized role that sits at the intersection of digital surfacing and physical manufacturing. This internship is designed to provide “hands-on” production experience in the development of surface textures for animated characters, props, and environments specifically designed for 3D color printing.
As an Texture intern, you will move beyond standard digital texturing and learn the nuances of subsurface color science and physical material behavior. You will be supported and challenged by industry leaders to take 2D designs and 3D maquettes and translate them into digital texture maps that maintain their aesthetic integrity once printed in 3D. This role is essential for achieving the lifelike detail required for feature-length stop-motion animation, requiring an artist who is as comfortable with a digital stylus as they are with a physical printed asset.
Key Responsibilities and Production Duties
The RP 3D Printing Texture Intern will be integrated into the daily workflow of the Rapid Prototyping department, contributing to the “look development” of key assets.
I. Digital Texture Development
Look Development: Work directly from painted physical maquettes or 2D color line-ups to develop the visual identity of characters and props.
Texture Mapping: Create complex texture maps using advanced CG tools, specifically optimized for the studio’s proprietary 3D color printing palettes.
Scale and Detail: Ensure that surface details—such as skin pores, fabric weaves, or environmental grime—are scaled appropriately to be legible and impactful once printed at puppet scale.
II. Evaluation and Iteration
Photographic Analysis: Photograph 3D-printed assets under controlled lighting to evaluate color accuracy and surface detail.
Map Adjustment: Use photographic feedback to meticulously adjust CG texture maps, compensating for the physical printer’s color gamut to achieve the desired “on-screen” look.
Quality Control: Ensure that all assets meet the rigorous standards of the Director and the Visual Development team.
III. Post-Processing and Finishing
Physical Finishing: Assist in the manual processing of 3D-printed parts, including support removal and the application of surface finishing treatments (sealing, sanding, or specialized coatings).
Workshop Upkeep: Aid in the general maintenance and organization of the RP shop to ensure a streamlined production environment.
Schedule Management: Meet production deadlines and milestones as established by production management, learning to balance creative excellence with the realities of a feature film schedule.
Required and Preferred Qualifications
Academic and Professional Standards
Educational Status: Currently enrolled as a Junior or Senior in an accredited college or university, or a recent graduate within 12 months of the program start date.
Discipline: A focus in Fine Arts, Animation, Computer Graphics, Illustration, or a related area of study.
Software Proficiency: Strong foundational experience with Adobe Photoshop.
Portfolio Requirement: Applications without relevant samples, portfolios, or reels will not be considered. We are looking for work that demonstrates a high level of aesthetic judgment, color theory, and digital surfacing skills.
Technical Skills (The “Plus” Factors)
Advanced Texturing: Prior experience with Mari, 3D texture projection, and advanced UV layout/editing is a significant advantage.
Traditional Arts: Strong traditional painting skills (oil, acrylic, or watercolor) are highly valued as they inform the digital look development process.
Generalist Knowledge: Basic experience in CG modeling and lighting helps in understanding how textures will react to production environments.
Physical Demands & Work Environment
This position is on-site in Hillsboro, OR, to facilitate the physical evaluation of 3D printed parts.
Physical Demands: While performing these duties, the employee is required to walk, stand, and sit for extended periods. Fine motor skills are required to operate standard office equipment and perform physical finishing on small 3D printed parts.
Lifting: The ability to lift and/or move materials weighing up to 15 pounds.
Vision: Vision abilities including close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus for intricate digital and physical detail.
Work Environment: Typical studio and shop conditions with moderate noise levels and variable indoor temperatures.
The Internship Experience: Benefits & Perks
Mentorship: Work alongside the world’s leading experts in 3D color printing for animation.
Cutting-Edge Tech: Gain exposure to proprietary 3D printing workflows and software unavailable anywhere else in the industry.
Cross-Departmental Insight: Learn how texture artistry interacts with Puppet Fabrication, Camera, and Animation departments.
Professional Development: Build a portfolio that showcases a unique, high-demand skill set at the intersection of VFX and physical manufacturing.
Application Process: Join the Evolution
Deadline for Submission: Friday, March 27, 2026, by 6:00 PM PDT.
To be considered for the Summer 2026 RP Texture Internship, please submit:
Resume & Cover Letter: Detail your academic journey and your specific interest in the marriage of 3D printing and animation.
Portfolio/Reel: Provide a link to your digital work. Essential Content: Portfolios should ideally show “Before and After” samples of texture work or traditional painting samples that demonstrate color mixing proficiency.
Submission Standards: Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible and clearly labeled.
Compensation: This position is paid at a set, non-negotiable rate of $20.00 per hour.
To apply for this job please visit www.laika.com.