Lighting/Compositing Artist (On-Site)

Company Overview

     ICON Creative Studio is Canada’s largest independently owned animation entertainment company, located in the historic Gastown district of Vancouver, BC. Our talented team includes specialists across the entire animation pipeline, working alongside creative and management professionals to deliver outstanding animated content.

Known for our commitment to quality, efficiency, and timely deliveries, ICON has partnered with distributors, broadcasters, and leading streaming platforms worldwide to create and produce noteworthy, impactful projects.

We operate from a holistic philosophy, leveraging the unique skill sets of our team members to maximize production efficiency while maintaining an optimal balance of creativity and quality on-screen.

Why work at ICON?

• Collaborate on top-tier feature and episodic CG franchises for major streaming platforms, including Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, Amazon, Peacock, and Paramount+.
• Be part of a diverse team of artists from around the globe who have joined us here in British Columbia.
• Work with the latest tools and software, ensuring you're always equipped to do your best work.
• Be part of a studio that upholds a premium standard of quality across all productions, putting every resource into what’s on-screen.
• Enjoy flexibility, autonomy, and a supportive workplace culture.
• Access direct deposit and a generous benefits package.
• Grow with us through continuous learning opportunities, mentorship, and empowering you to achieve your professional goals.

Junior Lighting / Compositing Artist

Job Overview

As a Junior Lighting / Compositing Artist, you will be an integral part of our Lighting, Rendering & Compositing (LRC) team, helping bring 3D animated scenes to life. You'll focus on lighting, rendering, and compositing shots with guidance from leads and supervisors. This role is ideal for someone looking to deepen their skills in lighting and compositing while contributing to a fast-paced production environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Light, render, and composite shots through to approval using Maya, Arnold, and Nuke.
• Modify and enhance existing light setups to support storytelling and scene continuity.
• Collaborate with team members to ensure consistency across shots and sequences.
• Work closely with Art Directors and Supervisors to match visual direction.
• Tune lighting passes in compositing to improve the overall image quality.
• Meet assigned shot quotas and deadlines.
• Communicate effectively with Production and supervisors regarding progress and issues.
• Proactively seek feedback and contribute to a collaborative, solutions-oriented team.
• Identify technical issues and relay them to the appropriate team members.
• Become familiar with studio pipeline, tools, and workflows to optimize efficiency.
• Be comfortable working occasional overtime to meet deadlines.

Skills and Experience

• Basic experience with Maya and Arnold.
• Familiarity with Nuke or other compositing software is preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and willingness to take feedback.
• A collaborative mindset and strong communication skills.
• Understanding of lighting fundamentals and interest in storytelling through light.

Intermediate Lighting / Compositing Artist

Job Overview

As an Intermediate Lighting / Compositing Artist, you will play a key role in bringing animated scenes to life through thoughtful lighting, rendering, and compositing. You'll work on shots of varying complexity, collaborating across departments to maintain visual continuity and elevate the quality of the final product. With strong technical and artistic skills, you’ll help maintain show style while meeting project deadlines and contributing to the overall success of the team.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement captivating lighting setups to enhance the visual appeal and storytelling in animated sequences.
• Work closely with the Art, Animation, and FX teams to ensure consistent and visually appealing lighting across different project elements.
• Troubleshoot and problem-solve lighting issues to achieve desired results.
• Implement post-processing effects and adjustments to achieve the desired look and feel.
• Composite renders together to create cohesive and visually stunning scenes.
• Collaborate with other departments to ensure a cohesive visual style and continuity.
• Collaborate with the Art Director, Lighting Supervisor, and fellow artists to meet project objectives and deadlines.
• Provide constructive feedback and support to team members.
• Utilize industry-standard software and tools effectively.

Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Animation, Film, Fine Arts, or a related field.
• Knowledge of Maya
• Knowledge of Arnold
• Knowledge of relevant compositing software including Nuke preferred
• Scripting ability in relevant languages including Python highly desirable
• Good communication skills
• Prior experience developing set light rigs

Senior Lighting / Compositing Artist

Job Overview

     As a Senior Lighting / Compositing Artist, you will bring creative and technical expertise to the LRC team, setting the visual tone through advanced lighting and compositing techniques. You’ll manage complex lighting setups, collaborate across departments, and help maintain the overall aesthetic and technical integrity of sequences. Your problem-solving skills and artistic eye will drive visual excellence across all stages of production.

Key Responsibilities

• Light, render, and composite shots through to final approval using Maya, Arnold, and Nuke.
• Develop and implement advanced lighting setups that elevate storytelling.
• Perform look development of CG assets and create reusable light rigs.
• Maintain visual continuity across sequences and ensure all shots fit the established style.
• Troubleshoot lighting, rendering, and compositing issues proactively.
• Collaborate closely with Art Directors, Supervisors, and other departments to solve creative and technical challenges.
• Achieve quota targets and assist with complex or hero shots when needed.
• Provide creative feedback and support to team members, helping to elevate overall sequence quality.
• Optimize lighting scenes and compositing scripts for performance and consistency.
• Support interdepartmental communication, particularly for asset or technical issues.
• Take initiative in pipeline and workflow improvements.

Skills and Experience

• Strong proficiency in Maya, Arnold, and Nuke.
• Understanding of look development workflows and CG lighting best practices.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong scripting ability in Python or MEL is a plus.
• Ability to manage technical complexity across sequences.
• Collaborative, proactive, and comfortable working under tight deadlines—including occasional overtime.
• 3+ years of experience in a lighting/compositing role in animation, VFX, or a similar production environment.

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The wage range for this role reflects compensation across all of ICON’s projects. The final salary will be determined based on the specific position, the current show assignment, and the applicant’s experience and portfolio. This range accounts for varying levels of experience and responsibilities.

In compliance with British Columbia provincial mandates, we are posting this broad wage range to meet wage transparency requirements.

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ICON Creative Studio is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.