3d animation jobs : Junior Animator – ICON Creative Studio, Vancouver, Canada

3d animation jobs overview: ICON Creative Studio is currently hiring a Junior Animator for its animation department in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. This full-time opportunity is designed for entry-level animation artists who are eager to grow within a professional production environment while contributing to internationally recognized animated projects for major streaming platforms and entertainment brands.

ICON Creative Studio is one of Canada’s leading independent animation studios, known for delivering premium-quality CG animated content for clients including Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, and Peacock. Located in Vancouver’s historic Gastown district, the studio continues to expand its creative workforce and offers a collaborative environment where artists can strengthen their technical and artistic skills while working on large-scale productions.

This role is ideal for aspiring animators who already possess foundational animation knowledge and are looking to gain professional studio experience in character animation, cinematic storytelling, and production workflows.

3D Animation Job Overview

Category

Details

Job Title Junior Animator

Company ICON Creative Studio

Department Animation

Location Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Employment Type Full-Time

Experience Level Entry-Level

Minimum Experience 1 Year or Relevant Training Program

Annual Salary Starting at CAD $52,600 per year

Software Required Autodesk Maya or Similar 3D Animation Software

Industry Animation / Visual Entertainment

Project Type Feature Films & Episodic CG Animation

Primary Focus Character Animation & Performance Animation

Team Structure Junior Artists Working with Leads & Supervisors

Company Type Independent Animation Studio

Location Advantage Based in Vancouver’s Historic Gastown District

About ICON Creative Studio

ICON Creative Studio has built a strong reputation within the global animation industry through its dedication to high-quality storytelling and advanced CG animation production. As Canada’s largest independently owned animation entertainment studio, ICON works with some of the biggest names in streaming and entertainment.

The studio’s production pipeline includes artists from across the globe specializing in animation, modeling, rigging, lighting, compositing, and visual development. ICON places significant emphasis on collaboration, artistic growth, and maintaining high production standards while delivering projects efficiently.

One of the studio’s biggest strengths is its artist-focused culture. Team members are encouraged to develop creatively while working closely with experienced supervisors and department leads. Junior artists entering the company are given opportunities to learn through production experience, mentorship, feedback sessions, and collaborative reviews.

The company is also recognized for investing in modern animation tools and technologies, ensuring that artists remain competitive in the rapidly evolving animation industry.

Why Join ICON Creative Studio?

Joining ICON Creative Studio offers emerging animators the opportunity to work on globally recognized productions while building a professional portfolio in a studio environment.

Key Benefits Include:

Opportunity to work on major animated franchises for top streaming platforms

Exposure to professional production pipelines

Access to mentorship from experienced animation supervisors

Collaborative environment with international artists

Creative and technical growth opportunities

Experience with high-end CG production standards

Flexible and supportive workplace culture

Access to modern software and animation tools

Competitive compensation and employee benefits

For artists seeking to establish themselves within the animation industry, ICON provides an excellent environment to improve animation quality, workflow efficiency, and storytelling ability.

Role Responsibilities

The Junior Animator position focuses on developing performance-based character animation while working within an established production pipeline.

Successful candidates will be expected to contribute to animated sequences while continuing to strengthen their understanding of animation fundamentals and studio workflows.

:: Main Responsibilities ::

Character Animation

Artists will animate shots using the 12 Principles of Animation , ensuring believable movement, appealing posing, clear timing, and expressive performances. The role requires attention to body mechanics, emotional storytelling, and character consistency.

Junior animators will also work with animated cameras and basic cinematography concepts. Understanding framing, staging, and visual storytelling is considered important for creating engaging sequences.

Pipeline & Workflow Integration

Candidates must maintain organized animation scenes, clean curves, and properly structured files while working within ICON’s production pipeline. Maintaining technical consistency is essential for smooth collaboration between departments.

Feedback & Revisions

Animators are expected to revise shots based on feedback from Directors, Supervisors, and Leads. A strong willingness to learn and apply creative notes efficiently is highly valued.

The role involves participation in dailies, weeklies, production reviews, and team discussions. Junior artists are encouraged to communicate openly and ask questions when facing creative or technical challenges.

One of the primary goals of this position is artistic growth. Artists are expected to improve their speed, efficiency, and animation polish over time while contributing positively to the production environment.

Required Qualifications

ICON Creative Studio is looking for passionate artists who demonstrate strong animation fundamentals and a willingness to learn in a fast-paced production setting.

Preferred Qualifications Include:

Minimum 1 year of animation production experience or equivalent academic training

Familiarity with Autodesk Maya or similar 3D animation software

Understanding of timing, spacing, posing, weight, and acting

Interest in performance-based character animation

Ability to accept constructive feedback professionally

Strong communication and teamwork skills

Good organizational and time management abilities

Positive and collaborative attitude

Desire to improve technical and artistic skills continuously

Candidates with strong demo reels showcasing acting shots, body mechanics, or creature animation may have an advantage during the hiring process.

Salary & Compensation

The compensation for this role starts at CAD $52,600 annually , though final salary may vary depending on:

Production assignment

Technical ability

Overall fit for the production team

ICON Creative Studio follows British Columbia wage transparency guidelines, meaning the salary range reflects multiple production possibilities and experience levels.

In addition to salary, employees may receive:

Learning and mentorship opportunities

This role serves as an excellent entry point into the professional animation industry. Junior Animators working at ICON can gain valuable experience across multiple production styles and workflows while developing industry-standard skills.

Potential future career paths include:

Mid-Level Animator

Senior Animator

Lead Animator

Cinematic Animator

Creature Animator

Feature Animation Specialist

Working at a recognized studio like ICON can also help artists build strong portfolios and industry connections for future opportunities in film, television, gaming, and streaming productions.

ICON Creative Studio promotes an inclusive and artist-friendly work environment. The studio values diversity and welcomes talent from different backgrounds and creative disciplines.

Artists joining the studio can expect to work in an environment where learning and growth are encouraged at every stage of production.

Equal Opportunity Statement

ICON Creative Studio is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants regardless of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, national origin, or veteran status.

The company remains committed to maintaining an inclusive workplace where all artists are given fair opportunities to contribute and succeed.

Final Thoughts

The Junior Animator position at ICON Creative Studio represents an outstanding opportunity for entry-level animators looking to establish themselves in the professional animation industry. With access to experienced mentors, major streaming productions, modern tools, and a collaborative creative environment, this role offers strong long-term career potential.

Artists passionate about character animation, cinematic storytelling, and CG production workflows will find this position especially valuable for developing industry-ready skills while working on internationally recognized projects.

For aspiring animators seeking their first major studio opportunity in Canada’s thriving animation industry, ICON Creative Studio provides a strong platform for artistic and professional growth.

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