Art Director (short contract)

OUR STORY

For more than 35 years, Bardel Entertainment has been growing and evolving, yet at our core, we remain grounded in the creative roots of the craft of animation.  Our pursuit of fresh ideas, techniques, and technologies is driven by the belief that together, through creativity and collaboration, we can accomplish anything!  If you want to be part of an environment that empowers you to experiment, learn, and contribute to exciting projects, come and join us.

We are looking for an Art Director for an 8-week contract on a 2D production starting ASAP. Must be BC-based.

What You’ll Do 

Core Responsibilities 

• Develop the overall visual style and supervise the creation of all visual elements. 

• Generate key designs and define the art direction alongside designers for characters, environments, and FX. 

• Ensure a high level of quality for all backgrounds and designs, maintaining the Director’s overall vision. 

• Provide creative solutions to support the delivery of high-quality visuals while meeting production deadlines. 

• Supervise and assign tasks to the design team, offering feedback and guidance throughout production. 

• Mentor and coach a team of designers, clearly communicating the Director’s vision and maintaining alignment. 

• Collaborate closely with the 2D builds and backgrounds team to ensure consistent design aesthetics. 

• Participate in and advise during all "look of picture" meetings. 

Collaboration & Workflow 

• Partner with the Line Producer and recruitment team to build and scale the design department. 

• Collaborate across departments to resolve visual challenges and maintain artistic integrity throughout the 2D pipeline. 

• Engage in team reviews, dailies, and production meetings to refine designs and maintain creative continuity. 

• Ensure seamless integration of 2D elements in coordination with pipeline workflows and technical requirements.   

Time Management & Communication 

• Balance creative quality with production demands and timelines. 

• Effectively manage the design team’s schedule and ensure timely delivery of assets. 

• Maintain open lines of communication with production staff and department leads. 

• Adapt to shifting creative priorities and provide clear, proactive updates on challenges and solutions. 

What You’ll Bring 

Experience 

• Experience as an Art Director in the 2D animation or game industry. 

• Experience managing a large team of designers on animated productions. 

Skills & Communication 

• Unique personal style – fun, appealing, and cartoony. 

• Strong understanding of cinematic lighting and visual storytelling. 

• Experience designing 2D assets and environments. 

• Proficiency with Photoshop; knowledge of Harmony software is a plus. 

• Confident, creative leadership with the ability to pivot and provide actionable solutions to creative and production challenges. 

Portfolio Requirements 

A portfolio that demonstrates: 

• Strong design sense and unique visual style. 

• Key character and environment designs that reflect storytelling and mood. 

• A clear ability to create appealing compositions and direct visual development. 

• Use of cinematic lighting, texture, and color to enhance visual narratives. 

Pay Range: CAD $1,900 - $2,100 per week   

This salary range reflects our current expectations for these roles as of this posting’s date. Your final salary offer will consider various key factors, including your education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographical location, as well as the needs and requirements of the business. 

Flexible work environment, Extended Health and Wellness from day 1, RRSP matching are just some of the benefits. For more details, check out our website. 

At Bardel, we recognize that flexibility is key to doing great work. Our hybrid work environment is a valued perk designed to support individual accountability and empower our teams to work where they’re most productive. We offer the choice to work remotely, balanced with intentional in-person time for collaboration, creativity, and team building. This role requires in-studio attendance at our Vancouver studio during onboarding and predetermined Rush Weeks. 

If this seems like a good fit, what are you waiting for, get your application in!