Level Designer at Blue Zoo Animation Studio, 2026

Blue Zoo Animation Studio, a multi-BAFTA-winning industry leader, is embarking on an innovative journey with the launch of its newest division: Brighton Zoo. In a strategic marriage of creative forces between Blue Zoo and the interactive specialists at Plug-In Media, we have established a brand-new animation and digital content studio right by the sea. Brighton Zoo is designed specifically for the new era of children’s digital content—where storytelling, high-end animation, and interactive play converge to create unforgettable educational experiences.

Blue Zoo Animation Studio is currently seeking a logically minded, creatively driven Level Designer to join our team in central Brighton for a specialized, high-impact project. This role is a unique opportunity to contribute to a studio that is actively growing and full of amazingly talented, happy artists and production crew, all working together to make a small contribution to a happier world.

Executive Job Summary: Level Designer

Category	Specification
Company Name	Blue Zoo Animation Studio (Brighton Zoo Division)
Position Title	Level Designer
Experience Level	Mid-Level / Specialist
Job Type	Short-Term Contract (7 Days total over a 2-month period)
Project Timeline	Commencing Mid-May 2026
Location	Central Brighton (Hybrid / Remote Flexible Options)
Salary / Rate	Competitive; Dependent on skills and experience
Industry	Animation / Interactive Ed-Tech / Digital Content
Application Deadline	Subject to early closure based on volume

About Blue Zoo & The Brighton Zoo Vision

Blue Zoo Animation Studio is one of the UK’s leading animation studios, known for producing world-class content that inspires and engages audiences of all ages. With the formation of Brighton Zoo, we are taking our legacy of character-driven storytelling and applying it to a “new era” of digital media. Our mission is to build a studio culture that is as vibrant and healthy as the content we produce.

At Brighton Zoo, we believe that a healthy balance in our lives—whatever our situation—is the key to supporting the wellbeing of our staff. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive studio that promotes and values diversity, inviting everyone to “bring their whole selves” to work. We are committed to building a community that transcends roles and departments to produce work that is not only excellent but also meaningful.

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The Role: Educational Level Design & Coding Logic

This specialized Level Designer position is not a traditional game design role. You will be at the forefront of “Ed-Tech” innovation, tasked with designing engaging, intuitive, and educational levels tailored specifically for a younger audience.

The core objective of this project is to teach coding mechanics through play. We need a designer who can combine high-level creativity with rigorous systems thinking to craft player experiences that are fun, accessible, and perfectly aligned with educational goals. You will be the architect of the player’s learning journey, translating complex logical concepts into 2D game environments that guide a child from their first “command” to complex “loops” and “logic gates.”

Key Responsibilities & Day-to-Day Operations

1. Pedagogical Level Construction

Teaching Through Design: Build 2D levels that introduce coding principles (sequencing, loops, triggers) in a clear, progressive, and engaging way.
Environment Architecture: Utilize Tiled (or similar 2D level editors) to construct and iterate on top-down environments that serve as “living puzzles.”
Progressive Difficulty: Balance the pacing and flow of the game to ensure the challenge level grows in tandem with the player’s increasing knowledge.

2. Systems Thinking & Logic Integration

Systems Design: Design around strict rules and player behaviors, ensuring the “coding” mechanics are robust and predictable.
Collaboration with Developers: Work hand-in-hand with our technical team to implement level logic and scripting, ensuring the interactive elements of the level function flawlessly.
Prototyping: Rapidly mock up new gameplay ideas and test how players interact with them, discarding what doesn’t work and refining what does.

3. Visual & Narrative Coordination

Artistic Alignment: Collaborate with the art department to ensure that the levels are visually clear, making it easy for young players to distinguish between interactive elements and decorative background art.
Documentation: Create and maintain comprehensive level design documentation, including diagrams, sketches, and flowcharts that can be easily understood by a multidisciplinary team.
Feedback Iteration: Respond positively to feedback from playtesting, analytics, and internal reviews, using data to refine the user experience (UX).

Candidate Profile: Qualifications & Skills as Level Designer

The “Must-Have” Toolkit

Professional Portfolio: A strong body of work showcasing level design, with a preference for 2D games, puzzle games, or educational software.
Tool Proficiency: Direct experience with Tiled Map Editor or similar 2D layout tools.
Systems Expertise: A deep understanding of game design principles—specifically flow, pacing, challenge, and player guidance.
Communication Excellence: The ability to explain complex logical systems clearly to both technical and non-technical team members.
Multidisciplinary Spirit: Experience working within a team of artists, developers, and producers, showing self-motivation and a willingness to iterate.

The “Bonus Points” (Preferred Qualities)

Educational Focus: Prior experience designing content specifically for children or within the educational sector.
Technical Scripting: A basic understanding of programming logic (even if not a full coder) to better communicate with developers.
Unity Experience: Familiarity with the Unity game engine is a significant advantage.
UX for Kids: An understanding of the unique user experience requirements for younger audiences (e.g., visual cues over text, simplified navigation).

Work Environment & Studio Culture

Brighton Blue Zoo Animation Studio is more than just a workplace; it’s a community. Located in central Brighton, we are surrounded by the city’s creative energy and the calming influence of the sea.

Flexibility: We are happy to discuss flexible, hybrid, and remote working options for this contract.
Inclusion: We believe that companies that truly embrace and value diversity are better companies. We strive to nurture a culture where inclusiveness is embedded in the way we work.
Wellbeing: We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including an online wellbeing program and a structure designed to support your life outside of the studio.

The “Zoo” Benefits Package

Even on a short-term contract, our team members enjoy the perks of the Brighton Zoo culture:

Comprehensive Benefits: A package designed to support your professional and personal life.
Wellbeing Support: Access to our online health and mental wellbeing programmes.
Social Calendar: From beach BBQs to an annual trip to the Brighton Fringe Festival, we know how to celebrate our hard work.
Studio Perks: Christmas closing periods and the legendary “Free Sandwich or Soup Thursdays!”

This is a specialized short contract of 7 days, intended to be worked flexibly over a 2-month period starting in mid-May 2026. This structure is designed to allow for deep focus during key implementation phases while providing the flexibility to iterate between production milestones.

How to Apply: Interested candidates should submit their CV and a link to their Portfolio. Please highlight any experience you have with 2D environments or educational content.

Application Warning: Due to the specialized nature of this role and the reputation of Blue Zoo, this vacancy may close early if we receive a high number of applications. We encourage early submission.

Conclusion: Why This Role Matters

At Blue Zoo Animation Studio Brighton division, we aren’t just making games—we are building the tools that will empower the next generation of digital creators. By designing levels that teach coding, you are giving children the keys to understand the technology that surrounds them.

If you are a Level Designer who believes that play is the highest form of research, and you want to work with a studio that values your wellbeing as much as your talent, we want to hear from you. Join us at Brighton Zoo and help us build a happier world, one level at a time.