ARTIST CALL IS NOW OPEN!
Applications close April 3rd
We’re seeking freelance illustrators, animators, and researchers with availability between April - June 2026.
Welcome to the Academy
Time Traveller’s Academy is a whimsical, educational animated series answering odd questions about history, social norms, crafts, fashion, and seemingly strange customs of the past.
A Bernadette Banner production, made possible by Vlogbrothers
Each episode follows the Professor as she ventures into different historical periods, addressing the audience as time-travellers-in-training and answering the kinds of practical, sociocultural questions that you’d need to know before a mission to the past. Check out the pilot episode below.
We’re thrilled to have received a grant from Vlogbrothers to produce two new episodes, and we need some help!
POSITIONS
(remote)
SCENIC ILLUSTRATOR | Freelance | Paid
This role is focused on static, digital illustration. You’ll be tasked with developing backgrounds, props, and scenic elements for the Academy as well as locations throughout history. A strong interest in history, architecture, and historical fashion is a huge plus.
Responsibilities may include:
Backgrounds: Illustrate detailed environments with a cosy, storybook style. Backgrounds aren’t just decoration; they shape the mood, atmosphere, and narrative context of the story.
Asset Creation: Design and illustrate props, background characters, and environment pieces.
Concept Development: Further develop the whimsical world of the Time Traveller’s Academy.
Collaboration: While the art style is not a 1:1 representation of history, it should be a fairly accurate depiction; so willingness to research (or collaborate with a researcher) for historical elements is a must. You’ll also be collaborating with the art director and possibly animators.
Tools & Skills:
Digital illustration software, Procreate is preferred. NO AI.
Ability to use a similar hand-drawn, storybook art style.
Strong understanding of color theory, lighting, texture, and composition.
Willingness/ability to research for historical background elements. (Researchers will assist).
TO APPLY: Please send your resume, rate, availability, and a work sample (portfolio, website, or social media page) to TTA@bernadettebanner.co.uk
2D ANIMATOR | Freelance | Paid
Animators will be responsible for bringing characters, props, and effects to life through digitally-produced 2D animation. A strong interest in history and fashion is a huge plus.
Responsibilities may include:
Animation: Illustrate and animate characters, props, effects, and/or background elements using a traditional 2D style (frame-by-frame, keyframe, or a rig-based systems). Depending on your experience level, you may also be tasked with drawing key poses, or fill in in-between frames.
Interpreting Storyboards: Build off of existing storyboards to maximize visual interest.
Character acting: Ability to match dialogue, and express personality through facial expressions and body language
Consistency: Ability to keep characters “on-model” and maintain a consistent art style.
Collaborating: Work closely with the art director, artists, researchers, and compositor.
Tools & Skills
Digital animation/illustration software (such as Procreate or Dreams - others are acceptable). NO AI
Strong and efficient drawing ability
Great understanding of physical expression and animation principles (i.e. squash-and-stretch)
Strong understanding of color, lighting, texture, and composition.
Willingness to research historical elements such as props and clothing. (Researchers will assist).
TO APPLY: Please send your resume, rate, availability, and a work sample (portfolio, website, or social media page) to TTA@bernadettebanner.co.uk
ART DIRECTION
The animation art style for Time Traveller’s Acadmey features a playful, hand-drawn style that feels like a storybook. We love a tangible human touch, with cozy colors, textures, and lighting. NO AI use permitted.
The simplified art style lets the audience know it’s not a 1:1 visual depiction of history, but we still aim for accuracy where we can in clothing silhouette, architecture, and technology.
The story is narrated by the Professor, with other characters including students of the Academy and figures throughout history. This project is a collaborative effort between artists and researchers to bring history to life!
The Academy is home to the Professor, Time Agents, and time-travellers-in-training. It features an eclectic design and bizarre assemblage of architecture and items collected from different time periods. The vibe is mysterious yet cosy, featuring lots of winding rooms and on-going experiments.
