The Art Director is responsible for creating and maintaining the style and quality of the show. Manage and direct a team of designers to accomplish that end, according to the production schedule.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
- Review storyboards for all visual elements, working in conjunction with Supervising Producer
- Oversee creation and maintenance of model packs and style guides, including but not limited to expressions, character construction, mouth charts and character turnarounds.
- Oversee workflow to ensure all deadlines are met.
- Communicate appropriate creative notes to overseas studio.
- Assist with the generation of creative retake materials.
- With LPs prior approval,assign any necessary overflow design or color work to freelance artists and supervise artists work.
- Create rough and clean designs as necessary to ensure deadlines are met.
- Liaise with Network, Executive Producer and Line Producer to manage the creation of any special artwork or materials needed for press art, on-air promotions or any other uses to ensure the style of the show is maintained.
- Guide artists through the design process and communicate any special needs.
ROUGH DESIGN:
- Break down script and review design lists with artists and production staff to generate rough designs for storyboard artists to use.
- Assign designs to specific artists. Communicate any special design needs or directives to the artists and appropriate production staff.
- Provide direction to design crew and answer questions as they arise.
- Inform appropriate production staff of designs and reference needed for reuse.
- Review completed designs with artists. Communicate and supervise any necessary changes.
- Create designs as required.
- Oversee workflow to ensure deadlines are met.
- With LPs prior approval, assign and supervise any overflow to freelance artist(s).
- Meet regularly with appropriate production staff to communicate progress of department.
- Communicate and manage schedules, deadlines and priorities and any changes to same -- to the design team/artists as well as the appropriate production staff.
- Review designs against storyboards for continuity and missing elements.
- Review completed designs with appropriate creative supervisors and ensure any further revisions are implemented.
- Alert production staff immediately if deadlines are in jeopardy.
CLEAN UP:
- Direct clean-up process withartists, including monitoring schedule, deadlines and priorities.
- Review clean designs and layouts with appropriate creative supervisors and oversee any revisions or changes, as needed.
COLOR:
- Oversee color stylists and BG painters and communicate creative directives of the show, including special needs, such as lighting requirements, stylistic concerns and/or special color/palette needs.
- Review color models and BGs. Communicate and supervise any necessary changes. If necessary, assist with revisions.
- Attend color correction sessions, as available.
- Solid knowledge of all facets of the animation process.
- Strong time and resource management skills.
- Solid leadership and communication skills.
- Strong knowledge of color theory and lighting.
- Thorough understanding of perspective.
- Strong construction/mechanical skills.
- On-the-fly problem solving ability.
- Ability to be creative on demand.
- Ability to multitask and work well under pressure.
- Knowledge of or willingness to learn applicable design software and hardware.
- Must demonstrate proficiency in style of show
- Strong design skills
- Strong staging/mechanical skills
- Solid time-management skills
- Significant drawing and painting experience is necessary
- 5-7 years as a designer
- BA in Fine Arts or equivalent work experience desired
