ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Art Director Animation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Sway Creative Labs

Art Director

Norfolk, VA · On-site

$70K - $90K/yr

Experience with motion design and animation principles; ability to direct animators or provide ... We're looking for an Art Director who wants to grow across disciplines, not deepen a single ...

Sway Creative Labs

Art Director

Norfolk, VA

$117K - $122K/yr

Experience with motion design and animation principles; ability to direct animators or provide ... We're looking for an Art Director who wants to grow across disciplines, not deepen a single ...

Skydance

Art Director

Santa Monica, CA

$2.9K - $4.0K/wk

Skydance Animation is seeking an Art Director to help shape the visual identity of an upcoming animated feature film. This role is central to defining and executing the overall look and feel of the ...

Skydance

Art Director

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$2.9K - $4.0K/wk

Skydance Animation is seeking an Art Director to help shape the visual identity of an upcoming animated feature film. This role is central to defining and executing the overall look and feel of the ...

Curaleaf

Art Director

Stamford, CT

$129K - $135K/yr

Title: Art Director Location: Stamford, CT Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt - On Site About the Role ... animation and video). * Create compelling presentation documents that communicate your ideas in a ...

loyalkaspar

Art Director

New York, NY · On-site

$132K - $138K/yr

The Art Director will lead projects and teams to develop and build concepts, presentations, storyboards, designs, and animations for all west coast projects across a breadth of entertainment media ...

SHADOW

Art Director

New York, NY

$90K - $115K/yr

SHADOW is seeking an Art Director with 4-6 years of design and art direction experience, preferably ... animation platforms, including Premiere Pro and After Effects. * Innovative: You are always on the ...

loyalkaspar

Art Director

New York, NY · On-site

$132K - $138K/yr

The Art Director will lead projects and teams to develop and build concepts, presentations, storyboards, designs, and animations for all west coast projects across a breadth of entertainment media ...

Tombras

Art Director

Knoxville, TN · On-site

$115K - $121K/yr

Collaborating with creative directors, art directors, copywriters, strategists, videographers and photographers, editors, designers, and animators: all in-house * Working at the speed of social ...

SHADOW

Art Director

New York, NY · On-site

$90K - $115K/yr

SHADOW is seeking an Art Director with 4-6 years of design and art direction experience, preferably ... animation platforms, including Premiere Pro and After Effects. * Innovative: You are always on the ...

caleres

Art Director

Saint Louis, MO

$113K - $118K/yr

Join our dynamic and thriving footwear company as an Art Director in St. Louis, MO where you'll ... Create graphics, photography concepts, and GIF animations to support digital marketing efforts

116 and West

Art Director - Part time

Boise, ID · On-site

$104K - $109K/yr

Provide art direction for photography, video, illustration, animation, typography, layout and ... Provide direct production support during Kendall incentive weeks and other high-volume periods to ...

Canoo

Creative / Art Director

Justin, TX · On-site

$142K - $150K/yr

Job Purpose As Creative/Art Director, you must have deep knowledge and passion for leading a team of animators, photographers, videographers, motion graphic and visualization artists creating images ...

Syndigo

Senior Art Director

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

The Senior Art Director is a highly skilled creative professional responsible for developing and ... Design and produce high-quality motion graphics, animations, product videos, event content, social ...

Saks

Art Director & Design

San Francisco, CA

$112K - $146K/yr

The Art Director is responsible for creating compelling editorial imagery for Saks Global ... Experience with motion graphics and animation for digital and social - a strong plus * Ability to ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsArt Animation JobsArt Director Animation Jobs

Art Director Animation information

See salary details

$44.5K

$121.8K

$146.5K

How much do art director animation jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for art director animation in the United States is $121,757.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $121,000.00 and $127,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an art director in animation?

To thrive as an Art Director in Animation, you need a solid background in visual design, storytelling, and animation principles, often supported by a degree in fine arts or animation and a strong portfolio. Mastery of industry-standard tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Toon Boom, Maya, and other 2D/3D animation software is typically required. Exceptional leadership, creative vision, and communication skills help you guide teams and unify diverse artistic styles. These skills are essential for delivering visually cohesive projects that meet creative goals and production deadlines in a collaborative environment.

What do art directors do in animation?

Art directors in animation oversee the visual style and artistic direction of a project, guiding the design of characters, backgrounds, and overall aesthetics. They collaborate with animators, illustrators, and production teams to ensure a cohesive look and feel, often using tools like Adobe Creative Suite and working within production schedules.

How to become an art director for animation?

To become an art director for animation, individuals typically need a bachelor's degree in fine arts, animation, or a related field, along with several years of experience in animation or illustration. Building a strong portfolio, developing leadership skills, and proficiency with industry tools like Adobe Creative Suite and animation software are essential for advancing to this role.

How does an art director in animation typically collaborate with other departments during a production?

As an Art Director in animation, you’ll frequently collaborate with a variety of departments including storyboarding, character design, modeling, and lighting. You’ll be responsible for communicating the visual style and ensuring consistency across all assets, often attending cross-departmental meetings to review progress and provide feedback. This role requires strong interpersonal skills, as you’ll need to translate creative vision into actionable direction for artists, animators, and technical staff. Effective collaboration is essential to keep the production on schedule and maintain the project’s artistic integrity.

What is the difference between Art Director Animation vs Character Designer?

AspectArt Director AnimationCharacter Designer
Primary FocusOversees the visual style and overall look of animation projectsCreates and designs characters for animation or games
Required SkillsArt direction, leadership, animation knowledge, visual storytellingDrawing, character development, creativity, understanding of anatomy
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with animators, designers, and producers in studiosWorks closely with directors, storyboards, and animation teams
Industry UsageCommon in film, TV, and large animation projectsPrimarily in animation, gaming, and character-centric media

While both roles require strong artistic skills, the Art Director Animation focuses on guiding the overall visual style of an animation project, whereas the Character Designer specializes in creating individual characters. Understanding these differences helps professionals choose the right career path or job focus within the animation industry.

What does an art director in animation do?

An Art Director in Animation is responsible for overseeing the visual style and artistic direction of an animated project, such as a film, TV series, or video game. They collaborate with directors, producers, and designers to develop the look and feel of the animation, ensuring consistency in color, lighting, character design, and background art. Art Directors also guide and mentor the art team, review artwork, and make key creative decisions to achieve the desired visual storytelling. Their role is crucial in shaping the project's unique aesthetic and bringing the director's vision to life.
More about Art Director Animation jobs
What cities are hiring for Art Director Animation jobs? Cities with the most Art Director Animation job openings:
What states have the most Art Director Animation jobs? States with the most job openings for Art Director Animation jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Art Director Animation jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Art Director Animation jobs are:
Art Director Animation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Art Director Animation job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 28% As Needed, 37% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 13% Nights. Highlights an 68% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 28% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $121,757 per year, or $58.5 per hour.

Art Director

Sway Creative Labs

Norfolk, VA • On-site

$70K - $90K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 20 days ago

Job description

Sway Creative Labs is seeking an experienced and versatile Art Director to join our team. This role is ideal for a creative professional with strong conceptual instincts and the range to execute across multiple disciplines - web, print, brand identity, broadcast, and social. We're looking for someone who can ideate and lead, not just produce, and who brings the same rigor to a brand strategy conversation as they do to a final file.
Strong candidates will demonstrate fluency in at least three of our five core creative disciplines and will have a portfolio that reflects both conceptual thinking and craft-level execution.
What You'll Own
Creative Leadership & Concepting
  • Lead creative concept development across integrated campaigns, bringing original, strategy-driven ideas to briefs
  • Serve as the creative lead on assigned accounts, articulating and defending the visual direction to clients and internal teams
  • Collaborate with producers, developers, copywriters, and media teams to ensure the creative vision carries through every channel and deliverable

Web & Digital
  • Design digital experiences in Figma with proficiency in UX principles, responsive layouts, design systems, and developer handoff
  • Produce web assets, display advertising, email campaigns, and landing pages with consistency, accessibility awareness, and spec accuracy
  • Work fluidly with development teams, understanding how your designs will be built and communicating accordingly

Print & Identity
  • Lead brand identity projects from discovery through standards documentation - logos, typography, color systems, and usage guidelines
  • Design and prepare print-ready files across a range of formats, with a thorough understanding of production specifications and vendor requirements

Broadcast & On-Set
  • Art direct photo and video productions with confidence - providing clear visual direction on composition, wardrobe, set, and color
  • Develop pre-production materials including mood boards, shot references, and frame guides
  • Maintain creative integrity from concept through final delivery, including post-production review

Social
  • Design for social platforms with an understanding of each channel's native formats, content culture, and audience behavior
  • Concept social-first creative that is built for the medium, not adapted from other channels
  • Stay current on platform trends and emerging formats and apply that knowledge proactively

What We're Looking For
Core Qualifications
  • 3-5+ years of art direction experience in an agency or comparable creative environment
  • A portfolio demonstrating range across multiple disciplines - web, identity, print, broadcast, and/or social
  • Deep proficiency in Figma, including components, auto-layout, prototyping, and design system workflows
  • Strong command of Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign
  • Solid understanding of design fundamentals: typography, color theory, composition, and visual hierarchy
  • Working knowledge of HTML and CSS sufficient to communicate effectively with developers
  • Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and communicate proactively on timelines and scope
  • Occasional travel and on-set availability required

Additional Assets
  • Experience with motion design and animation principles; ability to direct animators or provide keyframe-level guidance
  • Familiarity with After Effects, Lottie, or comparable animation tools
  • Background working on travel/tourism, food/beverage, healthcare, or entertainment accounts

What Success Looks Like
By the end of your first year, clients will request your involvement on their most important projects. Your work will raise the creative standard across the accounts you touch, and internal team members will seek you out early in the process because your involvement improves outcomes. Leadership will trust your creative judgment on complex, high-visibility initiatives.
Why Sway Creative Labs
Sway is an independent agency where your contributions are seen and valued by hands-on leadership. You'll work across industries and project types - brand campaigns, tourism initiatives, documentary content, digital platforms - with real ownership over creative decisions. We're looking for an Art Director who wants to grow across disciplines, not deepen a single specialty.
What We Offer
  • 15 Paid Vacation Days: Days reset at your start date and do not roll over. You'll have the ability to withdraw a negative balance of up to 5 days, and you begin the year with your days already afforded
  • Paid Holidays: Your Birthday, New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Monday after the Super Bowl, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Juneteenth, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the week between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day
  • Two-Hour Windows: So long as the privilege is not abused, we offer each employee 2-hour leave windows at the beginning (9am - 11am EST) and end of the workday (3pm - 5pm EST) to tend to any appointments like unexpected child care challenges, doctor's visits, home maintenance, etc. that do not count against your allotted paid time off
  • Health Plan: All employees are eligible to enroll in one of (3) Sentara Health Plans; with Sway covering 80% of employee's cost and 50% of your dependents
  • Dental Insurance: Sway pays 100% of employee's United Concordia Dental Plan
  • Retirement Benefits: Sway's 401(k) policy offers a solid foundation for your retirement planning; we match your contributions at a 1:1 rate for the first 3% of your pay, and then add an extra $0.50 for each dollar you contribute on the following 2% of your pay. Contributions are fully vested immediately.
  • Upskilling Opportunities: As "curiosity of craft" is one of our core values, Sway encourages continued education and skill advancement with 100% reimbursement of at least one approved employee upskilling initiative per year (conferences, courses, certifications, etc.)

Apply