Website Top Draw Animation (TDA)
Top Draw Animation (TDA), a world-class award-winning studio recognized for its excellence in global 2D animation, is seeking a talented and detail-oriented Background Artist to join our elite creative department. As a Background Artist at TDA, you are the world-builder. While animators bring characters to life, you provide the atmosphere, the depth, and the cinematic “stage” that makes their stories believable.
From sweeping landscapes to intricate interior sets, our Background Artists use digital painting to apply color and ambiance to approved layouts, ensuring every frame resonates with the specific visual style dictated by our international clients. If you have a passion for color theory, lighting, and environmental storytelling, we want you to help us define the look of our next global hit.
Background Artist Job Overview
- Company Name: Top Draw Animation (TDA)
- Vacancy Name: Background Artist
- Salary Range: Competitive (Based on portfolio & experience)
- Job Type: Full-Time / Project-Based
- Location: Pasig, Philippines (Studio-based with Hybrid flexibility)
- Core Software: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Animate (Flash)
- Industry Sector: 2D Animation – TV, Feature Film & Digital Media
- Contact: careers@topdrawanimation.com
The Role: Architect of Atmosphere
The Background Artist at Top Draw Animation is responsible for the final “look” of the environment. You take the structural blueprint (the layout) and transform it into a living, breathing world through digital painting. You aren’t just filling in colors; you are setting the mood—whether it’s the eerie glow of a haunted forest or the vibrant, sun-drenched streets of a futuristic city.
You will report to the Background Supervisor and Art Director, ensuring that every background aligns perfectly with the predetermined aesthetic of the production. This role requires a high degree of technical skill in digital painting software and an artistic eye capable of matching various genres—from stylized cartoon realism to complex, painterly landscapes.
Detailed Key Responsibilities
1. Artistic Execution & Digital Painting
Background Key Production: Create “keys” that establish the color palette and lighting standards for a sequence, ensuring they fit within the show’s particular genre.
Layout Painting: Apply digital paint to approved layouts, meticulously following client guidelines and adapting your personal style to meet the requirements of the show.
Materials Review: Thoroughly analyze all show materials, including animatics, route sheets, color keys, and props, to ensure environmental consistency.
Stylistic Adaptability: Switch seamlessly between different artistic genres as project requirements change, maintaining high quality across diverse visual styles.
2. Technical Proficiency & Pipeline
Software Mastery: Utilize Adobe Photoshop for high-end digital painting and Adobe Animate (Flash) for vector-based or integrated background elements.
Staging and Composition: Ensure that backgrounds support the character action without distracting from it, maintaining proper “staging” and focal points.
Quality Assurance: Adhere to the strict quality requirements of both the client and the internal Top Draw standard, ensuring a “broadcast-ready” finish for every frame.
3. Teamwork and Production Standards
Collaboration: Share ideas and collaborate with supervisors and other departments (such as Layout and Compositing) to ensure a smooth transition of assets.
Feedback Integration: Proactively give and receive constructive, creative feedback during the review stages to reach the final approved look.
Time Management: Deliver assigned tasks within the production schedule, demonstrating an ability to work effectively on time-bounded projects.
Comprehensive Requirements
To succeed at Top Draw Animation, candidates must possess a blend of artistic intuition and professional discipline.
A. Core Competencies
Digital Painting Proficiency: Exceptional skills in digital brushwork, lighting, and texture.
Software Knowledge: Advanced proficiency in Photoshop and a working knowledge of Flash/Animate.
Color Theory Mastery: A deep understanding of color principles, including hue, saturation, value, and how they influence the emotional tone of a scene.
Communication: Strong interpersonal skills to effectively share creative ideas and interpret complex instructions.
B. Motivational Fit & Soft Skills
Detail-Oriented: A sharp eye for the small nuances that make a background feel immersive.
Stress Tolerance: The ability to remain calm and creative while working toward tight production deadlines.
Initiating Action: A self-starter who takes the initiative to solve creative problems.
Passion for Animation: A genuine love for the medium and a desire to contribute to high-quality global content.
C. Education and Work Experience
Industry Experience: At least 1 year of professional experience as a Graphic Artist or Background Artist in a production environment.
Team History: Proven experience working within a team on time-sensitive projects.
Academic Background: A Diploma or Degree in Animation, Media Arts, Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Architecture, or a related field.
Portfolio Requirement: A strong portfolio showcasing landscape illustration, environmental painting, and a firm grasp of staging and composition.
About Us: The Top Draw Experience
At Top Draw Animation, we fundamentally believe that our strength lies in our diversity and our shared passion for excellence. We provide a workplace that values the individual while striving for collective success. We encourage continued learning and offer our artists the chance to work on world-renowned intellectual properties that reach millions of households globally.
Ready to create with us? If you are a visionary painter with a desire to build cinematic worlds, we want to hear from you. Please send your resume and a link to your portfolio to careers@topdrawanimation.com.
Key Summary for Quick Reference
- Company: Top Draw Animation (TDA)
- Job Type: Full-time Staff / Project-based
- Location: Sydney, Australia
- Essential Skills: Photoshop, Digital Painting, Color Theory, Landscape Illustration
- Experience: 1+ Year in Graphic Arts/Animation
To apply for this job please visit www.topdrawanimation.com.