Earn $90,000 as a Designer in Canada (SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE)

Shape the Visual Language of High-End Animation Projects with a Leading Vancouver Studio
Job Category: Work For Foreigners
Job Position: Form Layout Designer
Employer: ICON Creative Studio
Location: Vancouver, BC
Wage: $90,000 annually
Job Type: Permanent Employment, Full time
LMIA Sponsorship: Available for qualified international candidates

Job Overview
ICON Creative Studio, a well-established animation studio in Vancouver, is seeking a talented Form Layout Designer to help define the visual structure and flow of high-quality animated productions. In this role, you will translate storyboards and creative direction into polished layouts, graphic elements, and production-ready assets that support storytelling, usability, and brand consistency. You will work closely with directors, animators, and technical artists to ensure every frame is clear, engaging, and aesthetically refined. This position is ideal for a designer with strong illustration skills, a keen eye for composition and usability, and hands-on experience with professional animation and VFX tools who wants to contribute to world-class animated content.

Languages

• English

Education

• No degree, certificate, or diploma required
• Formal training in art, design, animation, or related fields is an asset but not mandatory if experience and portfolio are strong

Experience

• 2 years to less than 3 years of experience in layout design, illustration, motion graphics, animation, or a closely related field
• Experience working in an animation studio, VFX house, or similar production environment is a strong asset
• Portfolio demonstrating strong layout, composition, and visual problem-solving skills required

Work Setting

• Animation studio environment in Vancouver, BC
• Collaborative team setting working with directors, production managers, animators, and technical artists
• Work primarily on digital platforms using industry-standard software and tools

Key Responsibilities (Tasks)

• Adapt existing illustrations and visual assets to fit new layouts, scenes, or formats while maintaining consistency with established style guides
• Develop and produce realistic or representational sketches, concept frames, and final illustrations to support scenes, sequences, and UI/form designs as required
• Prepare clear and detailed sketches, layout passes, and graphic elements that communicate camera angles, staging, and flow of action for animation teams
• Develop the graphic elements (icons, UI components, labels, overlays, and other on-screen design elements) that meet client, director, or production objectives
• Collaborate with directors, art directors, and other stakeholders to translate storyboards and creative briefs into effective form layouts and screen compositions
• Create and optimize content for use in animation pipelines, using a variety of graphics, compositing, and 3D tools (e.g., Autodesk 3ds Max, Houdini, NUKE)
• Ensure that all layout and graphical elements meet usability and readability standards, especially for on-screen interfaces or complex animated sequences
• Participate in usability testing, internal reviews, and playbacks to evaluate how layouts and forms read in motion, making iterative improvements based on feedback
• Work with technical artists and pipeline teams to ensure that assets, scenes, and layouts are organized, named, and delivered according to production specifications
• Research and evaluate interactive media, design techniques, and software tools to recommend improvements to layout workflows and pipeline efficiency
• Ensure that all graphic elements and layouts align with client branding and project style while supporting clear storytelling and user experience
• Prepare files, documentation, and handoffs for downstream departments (animation, compositing, FX, editorial) in accordance with studio standards

Experience and Specialization

• Computer and Technology Knowledge:
  • Autodesk 3ds Max
  • Houdini
  • NUKE (compositing)
  • MS Office (for documentation, communication, and basic reporting)
  • MS Windows (production environment)
  • Python (asset management tools, automation, or pipeline scripts; basic familiarity a strong asset)
• Type of Production Art:
  • Animation (episodic, feature, or other long-form/short-form animated content)

Work Conditions and Physical Capabilities

• Fast-paced production environment with tight deadlines and overlapping deliverables
• Extended periods of sitting and working at a computer workstation
• Repetitive tasks involving digital drawing, layout adjustments, and file management
• High attention to detail required for pixel-perfect layouts, continuity checks, and naming conventions
• Need to manage multiple shots or sequences simultaneously and adapt to shifting priorities based on production needs

Personal Suitability

• Strong client and production focus; committed to delivering design solutions that support story, usability, and client objectives
• Creative problem-solver with the ability to balance aesthetics, clarity, and technical requirements
• Efficient interpersonal skills; able to collaborate smoothly with artists, technical staff, and production management
• Excellent oral communication; can participate effectively in dailies, reviews, and cross-team discussions
• Excellent written communication; able to provide clear notes, documentation, and file naming consistent with pipeline expectations
• Highly organized, with strong time-management skills and the ability to prioritize tasks in a deadline-driven environment
• Flexibility and adaptability; comfortable responding to feedback, changes, and evolving creative directions
• Initiative; proactively looks for ways to improve layouts, workflows, and visual consistency without waiting for direction
• Sound judgment when making design decisions that affect readability, pacing, and overall quality
• Reliability; consistently meets deadlines and maintains high standards of quality
• Team player who supports a positive studio culture, shares knowledge, and respects the contributions of colleagues
• Strong values and ethics; respects confidentiality of client content and adheres to studio policies and guidelines

Benefits

• Health Benefits:
  • Dental plan
  • Health care plan
  • Paramedical services coverage (e.g., certain therapies as defined in the benefits plan)
  • Vision care benefits
• Additional Advantages:
  • Competitive annual salary of $90,000 for full-time employment
  • Opportunity to work on high-profile animation projects with an established studio
  • Potential for professional growth into senior design, lead layout, or art direction roles over time
  • Collaborative, creative work environment using industry-standard tools and pipelines

Who Can Apply to This Job?

• Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and temporary residents of Canada
• Candidates with or without a valid Canadian work permit
• International applicants who may require LMIA sponsorship and who meet the language, experience, and other eligibility requirements under Canadian immigration programs

How to Apply
Online: Apply on Company’s Website