Job Summary:

Swaybox Studios is seeking a highly skilled Lead CG Environment Modeler to help craft immersive worlds through meticulously designed environments. Working from concept art, reference materials, or the Director’s brief, you'll be responsible for overseeing and building assets that not only support the narrative, but also elevate the visual language of the production. This role is the bridge between practical fabrication and our digital world.

As a Lead CG Environment Modeler, you will be supporting the modeling needs between the Practical Set Fabrication team and the VFX team. This role is hands- on, collaborative, and provides support in early R&D. You will be responsible for ensuring the team adheres to the modeling standards and procedures throughout pre-production and production of the film. Your expertise will help shape and refine the pipeline and handoff, while fostering a collaborative and efficient team environment.

Work Location: New Orleans, LA

Key Responsibilities:

• Create and refine digital models for sets, props, and vehicles based on provided references, concept art, or directorial feedback.
• Ensure models meet both aesthetic and technical requirements for layout and lighting & rendering pipelines. 
• Work closely with the art and production teams to maintain visual consistency across practical and CG environment extensions.
• Lead team in determining LOD and complexity; taking model builds from Rhino (Rhinoceros 3D) into Maya, and adjusting, where necessary, for CG needs with organized, efficient, polygonal topology that maintain the stylistic shapes.
• Independently translate designs with minimal oversight: while maintaining fidelity and consistent shape language to proportion, style, and silhouette.
• Collaborate with the VFX Supervisor, Art Director, and Production Designer to determine the best split lines, to fit the needs for each of the environments and departments.
• Participate in scheduling and bidding needs for the modelling aspect of the department.
• Stay up to date with emerging tools, technologies, and modeling methods to enhance efficiency and output.

Required Qualifications:

• 3+ years experience as a set or environment modeler on high-end film, television, or cinematics with a strong emphasis on realism. 
• Previous leadership experience.
• Strong proficiency in Maya, ZBrush, Mudbox, Blender, or other 3D, industry-standard, modeling softwares.
• Ability to translate 2D artwork into 3D models.
• Thorough understanding of holding edge needs, when smoothing or not smoothing models, and ability to determine when each is best used.
• Solid understanding of scale, composition, and modular design for environments.
• Ability to model both stylized and realistic environments with attention to storytelling detail.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, collaborative pipeline with evolving creative direction.
• Ability to revise work based on feedback in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to learn new toolsets and willing to expand knowledge of toolsets.
• Knowledge of the modeling needs to hand off to VFX for accurate texturing and look development workflows.
• Deep understanding of dimension, scale, perspective, and overall spatial awareness.
• Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to adapt quickly to unique or proprietary workflows.
• An artistic mindset and willingness to receive and implement constructive feedback, whether that’s with draw-overs, over the shoulder adjustments, or team meetings.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Solid understanding of modelling in Rhino (Rhinoceros 3D), or other architectural/industrial modelling programs is a plus.
• Layout and UV experience is a plus.
• Basic experience with Unreal Engine or other real-time rendering tools.
• Familiarity with scripting or tool development (e.g. Python, MEL, etc.) to support pipeline enhancements.
• Background in architecture, industrial design, or scenic/set design.
• Familiarity with hybrid workflows.

Position Summary

Swaybox Studios is seeking a talented and detail-oriented Set Layout Designer with strong proficiency in Rhino 3D to join our dynamic production team. The ideal candidate will have a solid foundation in cinematic set design, spatial composition, and visual storytelling, with the ability to conceptualize and build immersive environments using Rhino as a primary modeling and drafting tool.

You will be instrumental in translating storyboards and scripts into tangible set blueprints, 3D layouts, and visual guides that directly inform the fabrication and animation pipeline.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with directors, production designers, and storyboard artists to create set layouts that align with the visual and narrative goals of each project.
• Translate concept art, storyboards, and production notes into Rhino-based technical layouts, blocking, and spatial arrangements.
• Develop detailed 3D models, set drawings, floor plans, and elevation designs in Rhino 3D, maintaining accuracy for fabrication and animation workflows.
• Generate scale-accurate models, set pieces, and scene geometry in Rhino for use by Fabrication, Stage/Camera, and Performance teams.
• Ensure sets are designed with camera angles, character movement, lighting, and puppet/animation scale in mind.
• Integrate story and visual language to craft environments that enhance character performance and narrative intent.
• Adjust and revise layouts based on creative feedback, technical constraints, and fabrication requirements.
• Work closely with model makers, set fabricators, and CG teams to ensure layout feasibility, build accuracy, and production efficiency.
• Maintain consistency of design style and quality across sequences and shots.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Animation, Film, Illustration, Architecture, Industrial Design, or related field—or equivalent professional experience.
• 2+ years of experience in layout or set design for animation, film, or television.
• Strong proficiency in Rhino 3D, including modeling, drafting, and preparing files for fabrication.
• Strong understanding of scale, spatial reasoning, and set geometry, with the ability to accurately translate designs into Rhino-based technical models.
• Ability to troubleshoot and optimize Rhino files for fabrication, 3D printing, or stage use.
• Familiarity with additional design or visualization tools (e.g., Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, SketchUp, Blender, or Maya).
• Ability to interpret scripts and storyboards into visually dynamic and practical set designs.
• Excellent communication, organization, and collaboration skills.
• Passion for storytelling and world-building.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience preparing Rhino models for CNC, laser cutting, or other digital fabrication methods.
• Experience using Rhino alongside other pipelines (e.g., Blender, Maya, Unreal, CAD) and exporting files in compatible formats.
• Experience with practical set builds or puppetry-based productions.
• Familiarity with stop-motion or hybrid puppet-animation pipelines.
• Knowledge of lighting and camera placement for physical or digital sets.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, iterative creative environment.