ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Art Director Animation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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 ‑ ...

Mondo

Content Creator/ Art Director

New York, NY · Remote

$40 - $45/hr

Art direct static social posts, graphics, reels, animation, and other visual content. * Create and develop AI-generated imagery and provide clear creative direction for desired visuals. * Develop ...

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 ...

SHADOW

Art Director

New York, NY · Hybrid

$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 ...

Stardock Corporation

Studio Art Director

Plymouth, MI · On-site

$115K - $120K/yr

The Studio Art Director not only sets the visual style, but provides specific artistic and ... materials, lighting, animations, or other production assets. * Push visual boundaries using ...

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 ...

Saks

Art Director & Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$142K - $149K/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 ...

New

Stardock Corporation

Studio Art Director

Plymouth, MI · On-site

$115K - $120K/yr

The Studio Art Director not only sets the visual style, but provides specific artistic and ... materials, lighting, animations, or other production assets. * Push visual boundaries using ...

The New York Times

Art Director

New York, NY · On-site

$132K - $138K/yr

You are an art director with a demonstrated talent for narrative visual storytelling. You have ... animation. Ultimately, you are a team player, able to bring your enthusiasm to projects big and ...

caleres

Art Director

Saint Louis, MO · On-site

$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

The Film Market

Art Director, Game Shows

Culver City, CA · On-site

$117K - $153K/yr

The Art Director is a key creative leader responsible for shaping visual direction and driving the ... motion/animation workflows * Strong conceptual thinker with the ability to translate ideas into ...

Saks Fifth Avenue

Art Director & Design

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$87K - $117K/yr

## Art Director & DesignApplylocations: SF\_0689\_Saks Directtime type: Full timeposted on: Posted ... Experience with motion graphics and animation for digital and social -- a strong plus* Ability to ...

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 ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsArts And Entertainment JobsEntertainment Production JobsMultimedia Designer 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 Sep 14, 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 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.

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.

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.

How to become an art director for animation?

To become an art director for animation, individuals typically need a bachelor's degree in art, design, or a related field, along with several years of experience in animation or illustration. Building a strong portfolio, developing skills in visual storytelling, and proficiency with tools like Adobe Creative Suite and animation software are essential, along with leadership and communication skills to oversee creative teams.
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 are popular job titles related to Art Director Animation jobs?

For Art Director Animation jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Art Director Animation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Art Director Animation job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $121,757 per year, or $58.5 per hour.

Art Director

Knoxville, TN • On-site

Tombras
51 - 200 employees
Learn more about Tombrasexternal

$115K - $121K/yr

Other

Medical, PTO

Re-posted 23 days ago

Job description

Tombras, an independent, 450+ person, full‑service advertising agency is searching for an Art Director to join our Creative Social Team.

Our Creative Social Team has made some of your favorite work on the internet – From MoonPie tweets to Josh memes and full‑digital campaigns for Bush’s Beans, we work on a variety of beloved national brands like RXBAR, Club cracker, Warheads, Apartments.com, SunChips, and Rolls‑Royce. Though not posting content or managing brand DMs themselves, the Social Creative team works closely with other departments to create world‑class social first campaigns across all digital media and ensure real‑time trends and the latest platform features are utilized.

You’ll be joining one of the top independent agencies in North America. Connecting Data & Creativity for Business Results® is working for our clients and creating a flywheel affect fueling both client and agency growth. You’ll be a part of a highly creative agency that has been recognized by AdAge, Adweek, Communication Arts, Fast Company, Forbes and Fortune. Tombras was recently named 2025 AdAge Agency of the year and 2024 AdAge Independent Agency of the Year.

Where you'll be working: Knoxville. Relocation assistance may be provided.

What you’ll be doing:
  • Connecting brands to real people in real-time
  • Writing world‑class work for a variety of clients across various industries including CPG, beverage/alcohol, QSR and casual dining, retail, and luxury automotive
  • Collaborating with creative directors, art directors, copywriters, strategists, videographers and photographers, editors, designers, and animators: all in‑house
  • Working at the speed of social ‑ fast! Which means more opportunities to make exceptional and impactful creative.
  • Presenting concepts to agency leadership and clients with confidence
What you bring:
  • Desire to create award winning advertising with a team of highly motivated creatives
  • Passion for your ideas and excitement when collaborating with your creative team
  • A strong portfolio is ideal, but it is a plus if you have 2‑4 years of ad agency experience, related work experience/training, or equivalent combination of education and experience
  • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite as well as excellent design and animation skills
  • Working knowledge of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, Reddit, and other emerging social media platforms
  • Public speaking skills to ensure ideas are presented confidently and coherently
  • An attitude of positivity and exploration
Why you'll want to work at Tombras:
  • Family - It comes first, on every list. Tombras has been family‑run since day 1, we strive to facilitate a family‑oriented environment rooted in supporting one another.
  • Dog‑friendly offices
  • Flexible PTO
  • Generous parental leave for primary and non‑primary caregivers
  • Medical (PPO or High Deductible option) for employee + dependents
  • A company culture of promotions from within and an atmosphere allowing for varied and rapid career development.

Tombras is proud to be an equal opportunity employer dedicated to pursuing and hiring a diverse workforce.

Tombras is an E-Verify employer and participates in the E-Verify program.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. Job may require traveling overnight, driving long distances as required and sitting for extended periods of time with occasional walking and standing and occasionally lifting or carrying articles weighing less than 10 pounds.

Remote employees must be based in the United States.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Apply