We are seeking an Art Director to join our pioneering team creating animated shorts and specials using experimental GenAI-native production pipelines with the goal of creating feature-quality content.  This role will guide a talented team of artists within a fast-paced, creator- and artist-led environment.  This is a hands-on role that will design, paint, and create. This role will help define the characters, environments, emotional tone, and aesthetic from story inception through final delivery.  We seek a skilled communicator, an experienced manager, and a creative visionary with technical curiosity, who is ready to build and iterate. They will partner with the Directors, Producer, and technology team to develop filmmaking workflows that best support their creative style— integrating traditional tools with emerging GenAI technologies. 

• Develop and communicate the style guide and theory; spanning visual development, color, backgrounds, characters, and props/fx

• Work closely with other creative leadership throughout the production process in order to shape storytelling and visual aesthetics that meet feature-quality standards and align with the creative vision of the Director and project leads

• Actively participate in creative discussions and brainstorming sessions.

• Supervise a team of artists and jump in to create assets along with the team, leveraging both traditional and GenAI-native tools

• Provide notes and mentorship to creative teams and partners to enable these teams to do their best work

• Partner with production leadership and technical teams to understand and clarify creative direction, timelines, tools, and budget

• Works closely with production to create asset breakdown lists for assignments

• Assess portfolios and demo reels and take part in interviews for building diverse design and color teams

• Help develop and document new GenAI/traditional hybrid workflows, collaborating with production and technology teams to improve efficiency and creative output.

• Collaborate with the animation studio partner to communicate direction, provide reference/resources, and optimize workflows

• Collaborate with grace, humility, inclusion, and open-mindedness

• 3+ years of supervisory and leadership experience  on animated features or series,

• Passion for storytelling and animation with a portfolio and/or credits showcasing excellence in roles such as visual development, background paint, color design, or character design

• Knowledge of 2D and CG animation and a thorough understanding of a CG production pipeline from pre-production to post-production.

• Expert working knowledge of digital drawing tools (Photoshop a must)

• Working familiarity with 3D DCCs (e.g., Maya, Unreal, or Blender) and/or experience with node-based generative interfaces is a plus.  Understanding and knowledge of GenAI native tools is a plus.

• Ability to adapt to new technologies and tools and quickly pivot in this fast-moving field where workflows and creative approaches are being developed in real time.

• High level of independence and initiative, as production support structures and workflows will be evolving alongside the creative process.

• Demonstrated ability to manage and motivate a team

• Excellent verbal, written, and e-social communication skills

At INK, we carefully consider a wide range of compensation factors to determine your compensation. We rely on market indicators and consider your specific job family, background, location, skills, and experience.   The overall market range for this role is typically $236,000.00 to $395,000.00.  This reflects total compensation; we do not have bonuses.

This job may be covered by a collective bargaining agreement.  If so, pay for the position is governed by the currently effective applicable collective bargaining agreement and thus will be no less than $236,000.00 and up to any better conditions and terms negotiated and obtained as expressly provided therein.  

Depending on whether you are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, INK benefits can include medical/dental/vision plans, mental health support, retirement programs, and family-forming benefits, paid leave of absence programs, and paid time away programs to be used for vacation and sick paid time off.