Junior Drone Show Artist
Location: Hybrid Remote / Newquay, Cornwall
Salary: £29,000 FTE (£17,400 actual salary based on 3 days per week)
Hours: 3 days per week, with the expectation of increasing to full-time as the company grows. Overtime paid at the standard hourly rate.
About Us
Afterglow is a fast-growing drone show company based in Cornwall, creating spectacular aerial light displays using hundreds of illuminated drones. We are a small, ambitious team of two founders with backgrounds in technology, drones and filmmaking, and we are looking to add a creative artist to help shape the visual identity and future of our shows.
Drone shows are a completely new artistic medium. Instead of designing for a screen, you will create moving artworks using drones as pixels in the night sky. There is something truly special about seeing a digital composition you created in Blender come to life hundreds of feet above a live audience.
We currently operate a fleet of 100 drones and hold approval to fly up to 450 drones simultaneously, with plans for significant expansion in the coming years.
The Role
We are looking for a recent graduate with a passion for art, animation and visual storytelling to join us as a Junior Drone Show Artist.
You will work closely with the founders to develop the creative direction, animations and visual sequences for drone shows, helping transform client ideas into striking aerial displays. No previous drone show experience is required — full training will be provided, but experience in 3D modelling and animation, ideally in Blender, is essential.
This is primarily a creative role, with a strong focus on composition, movement, atmosphere and art direction. As a small team, everyone also gets involved in show delivery, testing and more. You will assist with the practical side of operations, travelling to events and helping deliver shows safely around the UK.
The position is predominantly remote, although you will occasionally be required to attend our office near Newquay and the occasional late night testing. We offer a flexible working environment focused on outcomes rather than clock-watching.
Responsibilities
- Develop creative concepts and art direction for drone shows
- Design and animate drone show sequences
- Create 3D assets, scenes and visual concepts
- Work with clients and the team to shape ideas into compelling visual narratives
- Refine and optimise animations for drone show execution
- Assist with on-site drone show delivery and operations
- Travel to events across the UK when required
- Support testing, development and innovation projects as the company grows
Essential Requirements
- Recent graduate in animation, design, digital arts, creative media or a related discipline
- Experience in 3D design and animation, for example with Blender
- Strong creative judgement and visual communication skills
- An eye for composition, colour, movement and storytelling
- Ability to work independently and manage your own workload
- Good problem-solving ability and attention to detail
- Full UK driving licence
- Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends
- Willingness to travel and stay away from home when required
Desirable Skills & Interests
Experience in any of the following would be advantageous, but is not essential:
- Blender
- 3D animation
- Art direction
- Motion graphics
- Drone flying
- Photography or filmmaking
- 3D printing
- Electronics
- Soldering
- CAD design
- Creative coding
If you have experience with other animation or 3D software and can demonstrate transferable skills, we would still love to hear from you.
What We Offer
- The opportunity to work in a genuinely new and emerging creative industry
- Flexible hybrid working
- Full training in drone show design and operations
- Company laptop and software licences provided
- A supportive and collaborative working environment
- Opportunities to travel around the UK
- Significant scope for progression as the business grows
We expect this role to develop into a full-time position as the company expands, making it an exciting opportunity for someone looking to build a long-term career within a rapidly growing company.
How to Apply
Please submit:
- A CV
- A portfolio or examples of your creative work
- A short covering letter explaining why this role interests you
- If shortlisted, we will require a small application task using the Skybrush Studio & Blender
We’re more interested in creativity, curiosity and enthusiasm than ticking every box, so if you’re excited by the opportunity, we’d encourage you to apply.
Pay: From £29,000.00 per year
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Newquay
