Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Working Life

The Texturing Supervisor is responsible for delivering textures that reach the artistic and technical requirements to deliver the visual style of the production. 

The Role 

The texturing supervisor will work closely with lighting, the CG supervisor, and the VFX supervisor to ensure that all textures are pipeline friendly.

This is an important and senior role. The artistic expectations are very high. Textures are expected to be photoreal. This requires production experience of the texturing and lighting pipeline and an in-depth knowledge of texture painting and UVing, along with the ability to lead and manage a busy team of texture artists.

This role demands a blend of creative vision, technical expertise, and leadership skills to ensure the delivery of high-quality, photorealistic textures.

This role is pivotal in ensuring that textures not only meet the artistic vision, but are also technically sound and efficient within the production pipeline.

Responsibilities:

Collaboration with Leadership: Work closely with the lighting, CG supervisor, VFX supervisor, production, designer, and art director to interpret and develop the initial look of models, ensuring alignment with the director's vision.

Early Asset Development: Engage in the initial build phase of the project, focusing on the development of texture maps and look development for early hero assets.

Pipeline Definition: Collaborate with the CG supervisor and pipeline departments to define the texturing pipeline, including inputs, outputs, naming conventions, scripts, and tools.

Cross-Department Communication: Maintain clear lines of communication both within and between departments, particularly lighting and modelling, attending meetings and addressing texturing comments/issues.

Quality Control: Oversee texturing dailies, ensuring quality control and aesthetic consistency. Provide constructive artistic feedback to texture artists to maintain this consistency.

Scheduling and Delivery: Work with production to ensure that crewing, schedules, and delivery timetables are met.

Continuous Learning: Stay informed about new tools, software, and advancements in the texturing/lighting pipeline.

Documentation and Mentorship: Be responsible for show-wide texturing workflow documentation, mentoring, and information dissemination.

Required Skills and Experience:

Artistic Expertise: Proven ability to deliver photorealistic textures that meet high artistic standards.

Technical Proficiency: In-depth knowledge of texture painting, UV mapping, and the texturing and lighting pipeline.

Leadership and Management: Experience leading and managing a team of texture artists, providing guidance and feedback to ensure high-quality outputs.

Collaborative Mindset: Ability to work effectively with various departments to achieve the desired visual outcomes.

Problem-Solving Skills: Strong analytical skills to address and resolve technical and artistic challenges.

Works with

• CG Supervisor
• Lighting Supervisor
• Modeling Supervisor
• VFX Supervisor
• Line Producer
• VFX Producer

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Design complex graphics and animation, using independent judgment, creativity, and computer equipment.
• Create basic designs, drawings, and illustrations for product labels, cartons, direct mail, or television.
• Participate in design and production of multimedia campaigns, handling budgeting and scheduling, and assisting with such responsibilities as production coordination, background design, and progress tracking.
• Create two-dimensional and three-dimensional images depicting objects in motion or illustrating a process, using computer animation or modeling programmes.
• Make objects or characters appear lifelike by manipulating light, color, texture, shadow, and transparency, or manipulating static images to give the illusion of motion.
• Apply story development, directing, cinematography, and editing to animation to create storyboards that show the flow of the animation and map out key scenes and characters.
• Implement and maintain configuration control systems.
• Script, plan, and create animated narrative sequences under tight deadlines, using computer software and hand drawing techniques.
• Develop briefings, brochures, multimedia presentations, web pages, promotional products, technical illustrations, and computer artwork for use in products, technical manuals, literature, newsletters, and slide shows.
• Create and install special effects as required by the script, mixing chemicals and fabricating needed parts from wood, metal, plaster, and clay.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

 Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Education Route: Texturing supervisors often have a degree in fine art, animation, or visual effects. They will have taken classes in photography, 2D Design, lighting and rendering and digital painting; they should also ideally have some experience of observational drawing.

Career Path to Texturing Supervisor: Experience in the texturing department.

Career Path from Texturing Supervisor: Lighting, Look Development, and CG Supervisor

This is not an entry-level role. Showreel and extensive experience are very important for this role.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €39k - €54k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Salary Expert/ Glass door/ Payscale/ Indeed

Last Updated: August, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Artists, Authors, writers and translators, Actors, entertainers and presenters, Dancers and choreographers, Musicians, Arts officers, producers and directors, Photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators, Graphic designers, Product, clothing and related designers.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2024).

Employment growth was almost on a par with the national average for this occupation; employment grew strongly between 2021 and 2022 but declined slightly thereafter. Based on the CSO Census data, over a quarter were graphic designers, with other key roles including actors, authors/writers, photographers, artists and arts officers.

Employment permits issued in 2023 were primarily for roles in animation, film and TV. Online job adverts (Eurostat/CEDEFOP) related mainly to graphic designers. At present, the data does not indicate that issues exist in sourcing skills for this occupation.

• Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland

  • Queensgate, 23 Dock Road, Galway
  • (091) 561398
  • [email protected]
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• Animation Ireland

  • The Association of Animation Producers in Ireland Ltd, 14 – 16 Lord Edward Street, Dublin 2, D02 YC63
  • Click Here

• Animation Skillnet

  • Animation Skillnet Office Furthr, Suite 34 GEC, Taylor’s Lane Dublin 8
  • 087 2487391
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here