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Art Director Animation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Spinplay Games

Art Director

Las Vegas, NV · On-site

$115K - $121K/yr

The ideal candidate will be comfortable with animation (Spine) and serving as the "product owner" who is responsible for seeing the project through to completion. The Art Director must have the ...

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 ...

Solomon Page

Art Director

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$58/hr

We are looking for an Art Director for a top media company at their NY offices! This role requires ... Support motion-led storytelling and contribute to animation, motion systems, and video art ...

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 ...

RAPP

Art Director

New York, NY · On-site

$132K - $138K/yr

Think in motion -understand where animation adds value, develop animate gif and animated assets for ... Art director thinking -you frame problems conceptually, establish direction, and know when ...

SHADOW

Senior Art Director

New York, NY · On-site

$110K - $150K/yr

SHADOW is seeking an Senior Art Director with 6-8 years of design and art direction experience ... editing and animation platforms, including Premiere Pro and After Effects. * Leadership ...

loyalkaspar

Art Director

New York, NY

$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 ...

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 ...

RAPP

Art Director

New York, NY

$132K - $138K/yr

Think in motion -understand where animation adds value, develop animate gif and animated assets for ... Art director thinking -you frame problems conceptually, establish direction, and know when ...

West Cary Group LLC

Art Director

Richmond, VA · On-site

$81K - $89K/yr

... dynamic Art Director. The ideal candidate will help plan and execute art, design and visual ... Utilizes animation and video to deliver engaging content and customer experiences. * Collaborates ...

The Walt Disney Company

Art Director- Marvel Games

Burbank, CA · On-site

$129K - $135K/yr

Art Director- Marvel Games Req ID: 10125101 About the Role & Team: Have you dreamed of joining an ... Provide art feedback on 2D concepts, 3D art, animation, VFX, and UI by creating paintovers, mockups ...

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 ...

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All JobsArt Director Animation Jobs

Art Director Animation information

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$44.5K

$121.8K

$146.5K

How much do art director animation jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 11, 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, and why are they important?

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.

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.
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Art Director Animation jobs near you

Art Director

Spinplay Games

Las Vegas, NV • On-site

$115K - $121K/yr

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

Description
SpinPlay Games is seeking a talented and experienced Art Director to join our team. As the Art Director, you will be responsible for being the primary decision maker and creative driver in game production. You will not only manage art professionals to ensure the highest standards of production; but will also produce and work with art and animation; serving as the main point of contact for art/animation. The ideal candidate will be comfortable with animation (Spine) and serving as the “product owner” who is responsible for seeing the project through to completion. The Art Director must have the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing priorities and project requirements.

Key Responsibilities
  • Directs management and creative processes of specific projects.
  • Hands on directing of detailed aspects of art and animation ensuring high quality products.
  • Develops concepts with Designers; understanding the game play/functionality and translating their vision into actionable art strategies for projects.
  • Directly manages artists and animators day-to-day operations and deadlines.
  • Provides detailed feedback related to art and animation.
  • Gathering and organization feedback and translating that to the art team.
  • Assists Designers in gathering assets to be presented and reviewed in Designer meetings.
  • Provide team building and mentoring leadership, providing feedback and training.
  • Manages timelines, resources, and budget allocations for art related projects; ensuring that deliverables are completed on time and within scope.
  • Collaborates with other departments to ensure translation of objectives into clear creative strategies.
  • Works closely with multiple different global organizations.
  • Carries the creative process from concept to completion.
  • Provide outstanding organization, leadership, and communication skills.
  • Other duties as assigned.


Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
  • 5+ years experience creating art packages in slot or video game industry.
  • Portfolio of previous work that displays an ability to turn ideas into compelling games.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of Photoshop and Adobe Creative Suite.
  • Knowledge in any 3D software and Spine strongly preferred.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of the game development process.
Applications submitted without a portfolio will NOT be considered.