Freelance Concept Artist

Company: Mod Studios – Independent Animation Project (Austin, TX)

Position: Volunteer Concept Artist – Props & Environment Design (Animated Short Film)

Location: Remote-friendly (Austin, TX preferred for optional in-person sessions)

Duration: 3 week Contracted Position

Compensation:Deferred payment (see details below) – this is a volunteer role; payment will be provided after project completion and successful pitch, depending on the project’s outcome. (All volunteers receive screen credit, portfolio materials, and consideration for future paid roles.)

About the Project:

Mod Studios is producing an animated short film with a unique, emotional story about three brothers striving to reconnect as the world around them crumbles. The tone is imaginative and dramatic, with rich environments that convey both wonder and decay. (Further storyline details are confidential and will be shared with candidates during interviews upon signing an NDA.) We are a small, passionate team seeking a like-minded Concept Artist to help bring this vision to life. This is a collaborative volunteer opportunity ideal for an artist looking to contribute to a meaningful indie project and build their portfolio.

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Key Responsibilities:

• Concept Design – Environments & Props: Create original concept art for settings and props that appear in the film (ruined cityscapes, fantastical objects, natural landscapes, etc.). Your artwork will guide the 3D modeling and animation teams in capturing the desired look and feel.Colla* borate with Creative Team: Work closely with the director and writers to understand scene mood and story context. Brainstorm visual ideas and iterate on sketches based on feedback. Participate in remote team meetings (weekly) to discuss progress.Maint
• ain Artistic Consistency: Develop a visual style that aligns with the film’s tone. Ensure that environment and prop designs are cohesive with character designs (style, color palette, atmosphere). Produce style guides or reference sheets if necessary.Revis
• ions and Feedback: Be open to notes and willing to refine designs. Incorporate feedback from the creative director to meet story requirements. (We value a positive attitude and teamwork in the creative process.)Confi
• dentiality: Handle project information responsibly. (An NDA will be signed; you must keep story details and designs confidential until the film is released.)

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Qualifications:

• Artistic Skill & Experience: Strong drawing/illustration skills with a focus on concept art. Experience designing environments and props for animation, games, or comics is highly preferred. (Portfolio required – see How t

o Apply.)

• Creative Vision: Ability to take abstract descriptions and turn them into visually compelling designs. A good sense of imagination, with design influences in fantasy or post-apocalyptic settings a plus.
• Technical Tools: Proficiency in digital art software (Adobe Photoshop, Procreate, or similar). Ability to create clear sketches and polished concept paintings. 3D blocking skills are a bonus but not required.
• Communication & Collaboration: Excellent communicator in a remote team setting. Receptive to feedback and able to discuss ideas constructively. Team-oriented mindset, since this is a small volunteer team collaborating for a common goal.
• Reliability: Able to commit to the ~3-week project timeline and deliver art assets on schedule. Self-motivated, organized, and passionate about storytelling through art. (We understand this is a part-time volunteer commitment – scheduling is flexible, but we do need someone who will see the project through and meet agreed deadlines.)
• Location: Open to artists from anywhere (work is remote). Artists in Austin, TX or nearby are a big plus – you may have opportunities to meet in person for team brainstorming sessions or studio work nights (optional, with safety measures in place).

Time Commitment: ~10 hours per week on average for 3 weeks (estimate). We will set milestones (e.g. initial sketches, revisions, final concept boards) to fit into this timeframe. We’re flexible on scheduling – work can be done on your own time, with a few check-in meetings via video call.

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Compensation & Benefits:

• Deferred Payment: This is a volunteer role with no upfront pay. However, if the project is successfully completed and pitched to distributors/funders, resulting in budget or revenue, Mod Studios will compensate you for your work (the exact amount or profit share to be discussed in the contract). We believe in sharing success with our team.Portf* olio & Creative Credit: You will receive full credit as Concept Artist in the film’s title sequence and IMDB entry. All artwork you create can be included in your personal portfolio. We will gladly provide a letter of recommendation or LinkedIn endorsement highlighting your contribution.Exper
• ience: Gain hands-on experience in an animated production pipeline. You’ll be working directly with a director and a small creative team, which is a great learning opportunity (especially if you’re aiming to work in animation or game studios). We treat our volunteers like core team members – you’ll be invited to team meetings, have your voice heard in creative decisions, and get an inside look at indie animation production.Futur
• e Opportunities: Volunteers who excel will be first in line for paid positions in subsequent projects. Mod Studios has other projects in development, and we’re keen to build long-term relationships with talented artists. As the studio grows, we will prioritize hiring from our volunteer alumni pool whenever possible.

How to Apply:

If you’re interested in this role, please apply via LinkedIn or email us at modstudiosllc@gmail.com with the subject “Concept Artist Volunteer – [Your Name]”. Include the following:

• Portfolio – link to your online portfolio or attach a PDF with examples of your concept artwork (environment/prop designs preferred).
• Brief Intro – a few lines about you and why you’re interested in this project. What excites you about designing a crumbling-world setting?
• Availability – confirm you are available for ~3 weeks and can start in the desired timeframe.

Our team will review applications quickly. Short-listed candidates will be invited to a casual interview (video chat) to discuss the project, your experience, and to answer any questions. Please note: Candidates will need to sign a standard NDA before the interview so we can share script details and ensure a good creative fit.

We look forward to potentially collaborating with you on this passion project! If you love crafting imaginative worlds and want to help bring an animated film to life, this could be a great opportunity. Thank you for considering contributing your talent to Mod Studios’ project.

(Mod Studios is an equal opportunity creative team – we welcome artists of all backgrounds. Because this is a volunteer/deferred pay project, we especially encourage early-career artists or anyone looking to gain experience to apply. All applications will be reviewed with appreciation.)

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