Curtis Jobling, born on 14 February 1972 in Blackpool and now residing in Warrington, is a British illustrator, animator, and author best known as the original production designer for the stop-motion series Bob the Builder. He conceptualised the program’s characters, props, and sets, contributing to its BAFTA-winning success. His early career included work on Wallace & Gromit and Mars Attacks!, leading to his pivotal role in Bob the Builder in 1997.
Jobling has also excelled in children’s literature and animation. His book Frankenstein’s Cat, a humorous tale of a misfit feline, was adapted into an animated series aired on CBBC, BBC1, and internationally. Another notable creation is Raa Raa the Noisy Lion, a CBeebies series aimed at preschool language development, narrated by Lorraine Kelly. The show used rhyming and repetition to engage its audience and premiered in 2011.
Expanding into young adult fiction, Jobling authored the Wereworld fantasy horror series. The first book, Rise of the Wolf (2011), was shortlisted for the Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize. The six-book series, published by Puffin, has garnered international acclaim, and in 2022, Netflix announced an animated adaptation in collaboration with Lime Pictures, with Jobling involved in its production.
A passionate fan of the Warrington Wolves rugby team, Jobling continues to influence the worlds of children’s entertainment and young adult fiction through his versatile storytelling and design talents.
Bob the Builder on the tenth anniversary character’s first appearance on the BBC in London today with, from left, the original illustrator Curtis Jobling, The CEO of Hit Entertainment, Jeff Dunn, character creator Keith Chapman and the voice of Wendy in the series, Kate Harbour. Photo taken on 9 September 2009 in London.
