Surfacing Artist

Job Description

Surfacing Artist (Technical)

Are you a Technical Surfacing Artist interested in engaging in technical troubleshooting, developing workflows and prototyping complex looks?!

Surfacing Artists at Animal Logic are responsible for giving models the visual surface qualities that make them appear believable.

Surfacing at Animal Logic Vancouver can encompass texture painting, procedural texturing, building shading networks, grooming and occasional sculpting or UV layout, on animated feature films.

What you'll get to do:
• Delve into the technical side of surfacing, supporting the creation of high-quality stylized or photo-realistic assets that meet the technical and aesthetic standards of the project
• Troubleshoot issues in areas such as shaders, renders and surfacing tools, and pro-actively escalate tickets as required
• Provide technical solutions to visual problems
• Create hand-painted or procedural textures, to the necessary level of detail for production assets
• Create procedural rigs for grooming and instancing
• Work closely with the Lead and Supervisor to help achieve the project's visual goals
• Take direction from the Surfacing Lead, and present solutions or questions to pro-actively improve asset quality
• Create and update technical documentation for surfacing workflows
• Share knowledge and communicate openly with other artists on your team
• Participate in reviews as required
• Assist with resource management and project clean up on an ongoing basis

What you bring:

Experience
• 3+ years' experience on feature films (vfx), animated features, or high-end episodics, with a focus on surfacing
• 3+ years' experience working on high quality texturing, shading and surfacing (preferably on photo-realistic material)
• Technical background with the ability to troubleshoot surfacing related issues, such as shaders, renders, and surfacing tools
• Production experience with Houdini, and a proven ability to create HDAs
• Proven ability in surfacing and shading, and an interest in technical surfacing and proceduralism
• Excellent attention to detail
• A passion for making beautiful looking cg assets by combining strong visual and technical skills

Software/Technical
• Production experience with Houdini
• Production experience in Maya, Mari and Nuke
• Experience in a modern raytracing package
• Thorough understanding of, and experience working in, a physically based shading system
• Proven ability with node-based procedural shading, grooming and instancing
• Proven ability with node-based or procedural grooming and/or instancing tools
• BONUS: Knowledge or experience with USD pipelines
• BONUS: Working experience with Python and/or VEX
• BONUS: Experience with shader writing
• BONUS: Experience with Substance Designer and/or sculpting tools (Mudbox)
• An understanding of lighting and colour theory in feature film production

Soft Skills
• Excellence in problem solving and balancing quick turnaround with long term quality
• Strong written and verbal English language skills
• Strong communication skills, and the ability to efficiently organise and prioritise work across multiple areas
• Ability to work solo as well as collaboratively within a team environment
• Ability to take direction and feedback and apply this to assets or shots; be willing to show WIP and take feedback

What you should include in your demo reel/portfolio:
• Feature animation quality texturing, shading, lookdev, and grooming
• Complex assets that you've surfaced using HDAs that you've created
• Excellent attention to detail, with strong visual skills

What we offer you:
• The opportunity to join a growing, independently owned and operated, award-winning studio.
• A chance to contribute to the success of ground-breaking animated feature films
• Exposure to a USD pipeline
• A dedicated Learning and Development and Artist Management team focused on your personal career growth
• Paid 'Volunteer' days to support those causes close to your heart!
• A world-renowned working environment packed with social clubs, activities and events
• A variety of employee benefits including employee discounts, breakfast, free use of barista coffee machines and snacks galore!

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-gx3z8z-18-188-63-71-42 in your application.