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Art Direction Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Gap, Inc.

Creative Director, Art Direction

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$142.40K - $149.40K/yr

About the Role The Creative Director, Art Direction plays a critical role in shaping Athleta's visual identity-bringing to life powerful, human-centered stories rooted in movement, style, and ...

Athleta

Creative Director, Art Direction

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$175K - $227.50K/yr

About the Role The Creative Director, Art Direction plays a critical role in shaping Athleta's visual identity--bringing to life powerful, human-centered stories rooted in movement, style, and ...

Nike

Lead, Global Brand Art Direction & Design

Beaverton, OR · On-site

$125.90K - $132.10K/yr

Lead, Global Brand Art Direction & Design WHQ, Global WHO YOU'LL WORK WITH The Global Art and Design team, part of Nike Brand Creative, delivers world-class creative execution against brand design ...

Abridge Al, Inc

Staff Designer, Art Direction

New York, NY · On-site

$175K - $215K/yr

The Role As a Staff Designer, specialized in Art Direction at Abridge, you will set a new standard for design in healthcare, raising the bar for how campaigns are crafted and brought to life and ...

Something Special Studios

Art Director

New York, NY · On-site

$120K - $170K/yr

The Art Director at Something Special Studios will oversee the visual direction and execution of brand campaigns, digital content, and integrated production. The AD is a high visual creative lead ...

Janji

Art Director

Somerville, MA · On-site

$132K - $138.60K/yr

This role owns the synthesis of art direction, campaign design, content development, and visual storytelling, ensuring that Janji consistently feels premium, authentic, and deeply connected to our ...

Replit

Creative Art Lead

Foster City, CA · On-site

$200K - $235K/yr

It sets the brand direction at a company level and drives the planning and execution of creative ... Role The Brand & Creative Art Lead is responsible for defining, shaping, and scaling how Replit ...

Aspen Dental

Art Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

$124.60K - $130.80K/yr

Creative Leadership & Art Direction * Own and elevate the visual direction for campaigns, initiatives, and always-on brand expressions across digital, social, web, email, in-store, and select print ...

Absurd Ventures

Art Director

Santa Monica, CA

$185K - $225K/yr

Translate vision into clear, actionable art direction by communicating aesthetic standards, techniques, and technical requirements across the team. * Lead the art team through the full production ...

The Aspen Group

Art Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

$124.60K - $130.80K/yr

Creative Leadership & Art Direction * Own and elevate the visual direction for campaigns, initiatives, and always-on brand expressions across digital, social, web, email, in-store, and select print ...

Absurd Ventures

Art Director

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$185K - $225K/yr

Translate vision into clear, actionable art direction by communicating aesthetic standards, techniques, and technical requirements across the team. * Lead the art team through the full production ...

Serato Limited

Art Director

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$130.40K - $136.80K/yr

You will be responsible for contributing innovative art direction and design across a broad range of executional mediums, from new media and digital environments to more traditional formats, ensuring ...

The Aspen Group

Art Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

$124.60K - $130.80K/yr

Creative Leadership & Art Direction * Own and elevate the visual direction for campaigns, initiatives, and always-on brand expressions across digital, social, web, email, in-store, and select print ...

Serato Limited

Art Director

Los Angeles, CA

$130.40K - $136.80K/yr

You will be responsible for contributing innovative art direction and design across a broad range of executional mediums, from new media and digital environments to more traditional formats, ensuring ...

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Art Direction information

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$27K

$69.6K

$121.5K

How much do art direction jobs pay per year?

As of May 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for art direction in the United States is $69,553.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $36,000.00 and $99,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Art Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Art Director, you need a strong background in visual design, creative concept development, and a degree in graphic design, fine arts, or a related field. Proficiency with design software such as Adobe Creative Suite and familiarity with project management tools are typically required. Leadership, collaboration, and effective communication are crucial soft skills that help in guiding creative teams and presenting ideas to clients. These skills ensure the successful delivery of compelling visual campaigns that align with client goals and brand identity.

How does an Art Director typically collaborate with other creative team members on a project?

Art Directors work closely with graphic designers, copywriters, photographers, and marketing strategists to ensure that the visual elements of a project align seamlessly with its overall objectives. They provide guidance and feedback throughout the creative process, facilitating brainstorming sessions and ensuring that all assets are cohesive and on-brand. Effective collaboration often involves clear communication, adaptability, and the ability to mediate differing creative opinions to achieve the best possible outcome.

What is art direction?

Art direction is the process of overseeing and guiding the visual elements of a creative project, such as advertising, film, magazines, or digital media. Art directors are responsible for setting the overall visual style, coordinating with artists, designers, and other creative professionals to ensure a cohesive look and feel. They make critical decisions about color palettes, imagery, typography, and layout to communicate the intended message effectively. The role requires a combination of creativity, leadership, and project management skills.

What is the difference between Art Direction vs Graphic Design?

AspectArt DirectionGraphic Design
Primary FocusOverseeing visual style and overall creative visionCreating visual content and layouts based on briefs
Required SkillsCreative leadership, conceptual thinking, communicationDesign software proficiency, layout skills, creativity
Work EnvironmentCollaborative, team leadership, client interactionDesign studios, freelance, corporate marketing
Common UsageAdvertising campaigns, film, brandingPrint, digital media, branding materials

Art Directors focus on guiding the overall visual concept and leading creative teams, while Graphic Designers execute specific visual elements. Both roles require creativity, but Art Direction emphasizes leadership and strategic vision, whereas Graphic Design centers on producing visual content.

More about Art Direction jobs
What cities are hiring for Art Direction jobs? Cities with the most Art Direction job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Art Direction jobs? The most popular types of Art Direction jobs are:
What states have the most Art Direction jobs? States with the most job openings for Art Direction jobs include:
Art Direction jobs near you
Infographic showing various Art Direction job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 64% Full Time, 34% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $69,553 per year, or $33.4 per hour.
Creative Director, Art Direction

Creative Director, Art Direction

Gap, Inc.

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$142.40K - $149.40K/yr

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago

Gap rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 271 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

20th of 102 rated fashion retailers

Job description

About the Role
The Creative Director, Art Direction plays a critical role in shaping Athleta's visual identity-bringing to life powerful, human-centered stories rooted in movement, style, and performance. This role leads the art direction of all Athleta location and studio photography and video, creating concepts ad translating them into elevated, product-forward narratives that span brand campaigns, digital channels, social media, packaging, and in-store environments.
You will partner closely with the creative leadership team to define the creative approach for each season, producing emotionally resonant, premium imagery that reflects Athleta's values, purpose, and always-on brand platform. This position requires exceptional conceptual thinking, a refined visual eye, operational excellence, and a proven ability to deliver world-class storytelling at scale.What You'll Do
Lead On-Set Art Direction
  • Lead art direction for all on-set location and studio photography and video for women's and girls' apparel, ensuring premium quality and alignment with Athleta's brand standards.

  • Oversee shot execution-including composition, lighting, framing, casting considerations, styling POV, and prop integration.

  • Build and deliver mood boards, creative decks, shot lists, and direction documents that guide photographers, stylists, producers, and on-set crews.

  • Direct live shoots with clarity and purpose, ensuring every image reflects Athleta's elevated aesthetic and brand values.

  • Ensure all production aligns to budget, timing, and quality benchmarks.

Drive Conceptual Storytelling
  • Create compelling seasonal concepts based on seasonal marketing briefs, in partnership with editorial, styling and marketing leads

  • Translate seasonal concepts into cohesive, elevated and aspirational product stories

  • Push creative boundaries to deliver fresh, innovative content that resonates across brand channels.

  • Ensure storytelling ladders up to Athleta's purpose-driven platform, weaving performance, style, innovation, community, and culture into imagery.

  • Create breakthrough, emotionally resonant imagery across brand channels

Own End-to-End Creative Production
  • Communicate clearly and confidently with photographers, directors, videographers, stylists, models, agency and production partners to align on creative vision.

  • Work with producers, PMs, and DAM teams to ensure seamless workflow

  • Manage shot lists, timelines, and budgets across high-volume production

  • Elevate processes, tools, and systems to drive creative efficiency and scale

  • Ensure on-set teams are accountable for delivering final assets that meet the brief and uphold Athleta's standards of excellence.

Collaborate Across the Brand
  • Partner with marketing, agency partners, merchandising, styling, and retail teams

  • Present creative direction to leadership and cross-functional partners

  • Align on-set crews to deliver premium imagery that brings concepts to life

Lead + Mentor
  • Support and coach creative team members

  • Foster a culture of innovation, curiosity, and high craft

Who You Are
  • A strong portfolio demonstrating world-class art direction for location and studio photography + video, particularly in women's fashion, lifestyle, social or performance categories.

  • 8+ years of experience creating for commercial studios, in-house or agency, fashion and consumer goods, retail, or e-commerce industries is a must.

  • Expert understanding of composition, lighting, color, movement, and emotional storytelling.

  • Deep understanding of photography and videography, lighting, composition, color, movement, and storytelling

  • Experience in high-volume, fast-paced production environments

  • Strong conceptual, communication and presentation skills

  • Ability to lead, inspire, and influence cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite; familiarity with Capture One + DAM systems and Figma.

  • Retail/e-comm experience is a plus

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