Production Designer

At Stellar, we aim to build a studio where people actually want to work.We face the inevitable ups and downs of production as a truly supportive and connected team, prioritizing open communication over anyone working in isolation. We value honesty, creativity, and looking out for one another.

The Opportunity: 

We are looking for an ambitious and visionary Production Designer to steer the visual development of an unannounced, high-profile streaming series.

In this role, you are the crucial creative bridge between our studio and our prestige client. Because much of the foundational production design comes directly from the client-side, your mission is to partner closely with their creative executives. You will ensure that every environment, color script, and art style choice fits perfectly within their globally established, iconic world.

To succeed here, you need to be a highly collaborative, outgoing personality and a true team leader. This is an opportunity to build deep, trusting relationships with some of the biggest names in entertainment, while guiding our internal art team toward successful delivery. You are not just painting backgrounds; you are the guardian of the show’s aesthetic soul, balancing "Big Picture" world-building with the technical precision required to see those designs through to the final composite.

Additionally, you will be at the forefront of studio innovation. You will actively use Dart AI—our proprietary, commercial-grade Generative AI software—to accelerate visual development, providing vital real-world feedback to help us build the future of animation tech.

In this role, success looks like:

Artistic Direction:

• Deeply internalize and maintain the high-level artistic vision, style, and color palette for the entire series
• Create and curate comprehensive style guides and references to keep the team aligned on show direction

Team Leadership & Mentorship:

• Lead and mentor the 2D Layout Lead and Background Paint Lead, providing high-level creative direction for artists.
• Lead daily reviews, providing clear, constructive, and inspiring feedback to ensure all backgrounds and layouts meet the series’ "Prestige" standards.
• Set clear expectations for speed and quality in the team, and conduct regular performance check-ins. 
• Provide clarity, foster accountability, and be able to deliver timely, constructive feedback that addresses both the artistic output and professional performance. 

Pipeline Oversight:

• Partner closely with the CG Supervisor and Asset Department to ensure that the 2D "painterly" aesthetic is successfully translated into 3D environments and assets.
• Identify and implement creative workflows (e.g., matte painting techniques or camera projections) that elevate the final look of the show.
• Integrate our GenAI application into your early visual development and ideation phases.
• Act as a key user-tester for our Code Lab engineering team, providing honest, real-world feedback on Dart AI’s interface and output to ensure it serves the needs of professional artists.

Creative & Production Partnership:

• Work closely with the Director, VFX Supervisor and Line Producer to ensure the creative vision is achieved within the technical and budgetary constraints of the production.
• Communicate complex visual concepts clearly to both creative and technical teams, ensuring the department is always focused on what matters most for the creative scope.

The Requirements

Must-Haves:

• Experience: You bring 5+ years of experience in animation or film, with a proven track record as an Art Director, Production Designer, or Assistant Art Director.
• Hybrid Expertise: An elite portfolio showcasing a deep understanding of how 2D painted environments integrate with 3D animation pipelines.
• Cinematic Mastery: Expert-level knowledge of composition, lighting, and color theory to drive mood and storytelling.
• Tech-Forward Mindset: A strong willingness to embrace and test Generative AI tools (specifically Dart AI) as an integrated part of your creative workflow.
• Tools: Mastery of Photoshop is essential.
• Leadership Style: Ability to articulate complex visual concepts clearly, paired with a collaborative, ego-free approach to giving and receiving feedback.
• Eligibility: Legally eligible to work in British Columbia or Ontario, Canada.

Nice-to-Haves:

• A strong working knowledge of Maya and the 3D asset pipeline.
• Production experience with ShotGrid (Shotgun) and a solid understanding of series production schedules and deadlines.

Why Join Stellar?

• Flexible Environment: We offer a flexible hybrid schedule that will vary with project and team requirements. 
• Comprehensive Benefits: Extended health benefits.
• Growth: Professional development support to help you stay ahead of tech and creative trends.
• Culture: A collaborative, ego-free environment where technical expertise fuels creative magic.

At Stellar Creative Lab, we believe diversity and inclusion are key to creativity and collaboration. We’re committed to building a supportive, open, and diverse community where everyone can thrive. We're always looking for ways to improve accessibility, so feel free to share any feedback or suggestions with us.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply, though priority will be given to BC Residents, Canadians and Canadian Permanent Residents.