Layout Artist

Layout artist teams are often required to interpret storyboards and animatics which they apply to their final layout scenes. This helps determine the position of characters within frame according to the dialogue and action of the script. 

Layout artists are also often required to assemble an environment using assets created by a 3D modeler or purchased from an asset library such as Megascans or Unreal Engine Marketplace.

Role & responsibilities of a layout artist in film and games:

• Translating storyboards to shots
• Environment blocking and creating backgrounds that support the narrative of the story
• Setting the camera path of a scene
• Defining the perspective of the scene
• Ensuring continuity between shots
• Experimenting with camera angles to arrive at the best shots

Although technically, this job does not usually involve any direct animation, it is a useful skill for animators to learn and can involve rough animation blocking, if required. It's also useful for layout artists to learn basic animation. Layout artists must have a sense of scale and the ability to realize background, characters and objects that work in proportion with each other to create a believable world.

Film and game studios may look for the following skills in layout artists:

• Advanced visual skills of scale, proportion, point of view, perspective, size, color, form, composition, and depth of field
• Knowledge of the basics of animation
• Skill working with virtual cameras and an understanding of different lenses
• Basic understanding of anatomy
• Training in computer animation, fine art or film direction
• Understanding of filmmaking techniques such as cinematography, lighting, acting, blocking, choreography, etc
• Advanced knowledge of environments and landscapes
• Awareness of the history of animation and/or filmmaking