Lead Blender Character Animator in London

Lead Blender Character Animator in London

London Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Create captivating character animations for commercials and short-form content using Blender.
  • Company: Join Blue Zoo, a leading UK animation studio with a world-class reputation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, a comprehensive benefits package, and fun social events.
  • Why this job: Be part of an award-winning team making impactful animations while pushing creative boundaries.
  • Qualifications: Strong Blender skills and experience in CG animation production are essential.
  • Other info: Mentorship opportunities and a supportive, inclusive culture await you.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

About the Role

Our short-form department creates strong character animation across TV commercials, short-form content for brands, and continues to adopt new technology platforms such as VR & AR, for Blue Zoo. Our Blender Character Animators are fantastic storytellers. Their day-to-day focuses on expert comedic timing, charming acting choices, and production deadlines, whilst meeting that all important brief from our Directors and Clients.

Your day-to-day will focus on creating layout and animation for our commercial projects, establishing camera set-ups, discussing ideas with your Director and contributing creatively while pushing the boundaries of our animation. We’re looking at the successful candidate to join the team in February 2026 with a contract running for roughly 9-11 weeks. Please note that this vacancy can close early if we receive a high number of applications.

Day To Day

  • Work independently or collaboratively with other animators, maintaining regular communication with your Director, and the broader Short Form and Commercials team.
  • Manage your time effectively to meet short deadlines, proactively flagging any potential delays with your producer as early as possible.
  • Ensure your animation clearly conveys the story, ideas, and acting choices—from initial camera blocking through to final polish.
  • Take direction constructively and implement feedback from your Director with a positive, solution-focused mindset.
  • Collaborate across departments to address production challenges, clearly communicating with teammates both within and outside of the animation discipline to move projects forward.
  • Support the team during periods of high demand or when covering for absent colleagues.
  • Mentor and guide less experienced team members, helping to grow overall team capability.
  • Strive for the highest quality output within given timeframes, while staying flexible and responsive to required fixes.

About You

Must Have:

  • A strong understanding and experience of Blender.
  • Advanced understanding of body mechanics, posing and getting the best performance out of a character.
  • Experience in CG animation production for television, film, games or visual effects.
  • Strong understanding of cinematography and how to use a camera to aid storytelling.
  • Ability to receive and act on feedback and respond to direction.
  • Excellent time management and prioritising skills.
  • Ability and drive to share your knowledge and skills with other team members.
  • Demonstrable experience of being a team player and a great collaborator.
  • Excellent creative problem-solving skills.

Bonus Points

  • Additional knowledge of the CG animation pipeline.
  • Previous experience with Shotrid or FTrack.

About Us

Blue Zoo is a leading animation studio in the UK, with a world-class reputation as the go-to place for creating bold, fun and characterful animation. Established in London in 2000, the studio has grown to become the largest dedicated CG animation studio in the UK, picking up a shelf full of BAFTAs, an Annie and an Emmy along the way!

We couldn’t be prouder that Blue Zoo is the first major animation studio in the world to receive B Corp certification. We’ve been independently certified by B Lab, a non-profit organisation who award the B Corp certification. The certification verifies companies who are working to improve the lives of employees as well as industries as a whole.

We are going through an exciting period of growth and are building a studio that is full of amazingly talented, happy artists, making work they are proud of, which in turn makes a small contribution to a happier world. Blue Zoo believes that a healthy balance in our lives - whatever our situation - is key to supporting the wellbeing of our staff. We offer flexible working to support this.

We look for people who have expertise, enthusiasm and are motivated to make things better. You’ll work alongside a talented and diverse group of people who respect each other’s differences and seek to understand and embrace fresh perspectives.

What We’ve Got For You

  • Winner of Broadcast Best Places to Work in TV 2019, 2020, 2022, 2024 & 2025.
  • Inclusive self-funded shorts programme.
  • Many fun in person and remote social events throughout the year.
  • Bi-monthly employee feedback and engagement programme.
  • Comprehensive benefits package, including loads of discounts and offers.
  • Online wellbeing programme.
  • Profit share (for employees who have been with us for 2+ years).

Blue Zoo is committed to creating and nurturing an inclusive studio that promotes and values diversity and invites everyone to ‘bring their whole selves’ to work. We believe that companies that truly embrace and value diversity, and create an environment where everyone from any background can do their best work, are better companies.

To be engaged our people have to feel included and valued. We work hard to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is embedded in the way we work, not just an initiative. We strive to engender a studio community that feels a deep sense of pride and commitment that transcends any role, department or level and works together to produce excellent and engaging work.

Lead Blender Character Animator in London employer: Blue Zoo Animation Studio

Blue Zoo is an exceptional employer, renowned for its commitment to employee wellbeing and inclusivity, making it a fantastic place for creative professionals like Lead Blender Character Animators. With a strong focus on work-life balance, flexible working arrangements, and a culture that celebrates diversity, employees thrive in an environment that encourages collaboration and personal growth. The studio's impressive accolades, including multiple awards for being one of the best places to work in TV, alongside its B Corp certification, reflect its dedication to fostering a supportive and innovative workplace.
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Contact Detail:

Blue Zoo Animation Studio Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Blender Character Animator in London

✨Tip Number 1

Get your portfolio in tip-top shape! Showcase your best Blender animations and character work. Make sure it tells a story and highlights your unique style. We want to see your personality shine through!

✨Tip Number 2

Network like a pro! Connect with other animators and industry folks on platforms like LinkedIn or even at local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or collaborations. Let’s help each other out!

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to talk about your work and how you approach animation. Highlight your experience with storytelling and character performance. We want to hear how you can bring ideas to life!

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our Blue Zoo family. Don’t miss out!

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Blender Character Animator in London

Blender
Character Animation
Comedic Timing
Body Mechanics
Cinematography
Time Management
Creative Problem-Solving
Collaboration
Feedback Implementation
Animation Production
Mentoring
Communication Skills
Adaptability
Knowledge Sharing

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Blender Skills: Make sure to highlight your experience with Blender in your application. We want to see how you've used it to create amazing animations, so include specific examples that showcase your skills and creativity.

Tell a Story: As a character animator, storytelling is key! Use your application to demonstrate your understanding of character performance and comedic timing. Share any projects where you’ve successfully conveyed a story through animation.

Be a Team Player: We love collaboration at Blue Zoo! In your application, mention times when you’ve worked with others to solve problems or improve a project. Show us how you can contribute to our team dynamic and support your colleagues.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!

How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Zoo Animation Studio

✨Know Your Blender Inside Out

Make sure you’re well-versed in Blender and can showcase your skills. Prepare a portfolio that highlights your best work, especially projects that demonstrate your understanding of body mechanics and character performance. Be ready to discuss specific techniques you used in your animations.

✨Master the Art of Storytelling

Since storytelling is key in animation, think about how your previous projects conveyed a narrative. During the interview, share examples where your animation choices enhanced the story. This will show that you understand the importance of acting choices and comedic timing.

✨Be Ready for Feedback

Demonstrate your ability to take direction constructively. Prepare to discuss a time when you received feedback on your work and how you implemented it. This shows that you’re adaptable and open to collaboration, which is crucial in a team environment.

✨Show Off Your Team Spirit

Collaboration is vital in this role, so be prepared to talk about your experiences working with others. Highlight instances where you mentored less experienced colleagues or tackled production challenges as a team. This will illustrate your commitment to growing the team's capability.

Lead Blender Character Animator in London
Blue Zoo Animation Studio
Location: London

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