Senior Concept Artist - TCG
Seattle, WA · On-site
Strength in one or more areas such as character, creature, or environment design, with the ... Experience guiding or mentoring junior concept artists, and collaborating with or directing ...
Senior Concept Artist - TCG
Seattle, WA · On-site
Strength in one or more areas such as character, creature, or environment design, with the ... Experience guiding or mentoring junior concept artists, and collaborating with or directing ...
Director Creature Design information
See Seattle, WA salary details
$42.1K - $63.4K
8% of jobs
$63.4K - $84.7K
0% of jobs
$84.7K - $106K
7% of jobs
$123K is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$106K - $127.4K
12% of jobs
The median wage is $147.3K / yr.
$127.4K - $148.7K
24% of jobs
$148.7K - $170K
16% of jobs
$181K is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$170K - $191.3K
15% of jobs
$191.3K - $212.6K
11% of jobs
$212.6K - $233.9K
7% of jobs
$233.9K - $255.2K
0% of jobs
$255.2K - $276.5K
0% of jobs
$42.1K
$154.5K
$276.5K
How much do director creature design jobs pay per year?
As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for director creature design in Seattle, WA is $154,502.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $124,600.00 and $185,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.
What does a director of creature design do?
A Director of Creature Design leads the creative and technical development of fantastical or realistic creatures for film, television, video games, or other media. They oversee concept artists, sculptors, and animators, ensuring that the design of creatures aligns with the story and visual style of the project. This role involves collaboration with directors, producers, and other departments to bring imaginative creatures to life, balancing artistic vision with practical considerations like movement and visual effects. The Director of Creature Design is responsible for maintaining consistency and quality throughout the production process.
What are the typical challenges a director of creature design faces when leading a multidisciplinary team on a large film or game project?
As a Director of Creature Design, one of the main challenges is balancing creative vision with technical feasibility. You’ll often collaborate with concept artists, 3D modelers, animators, and VFX supervisors to ensure the creatures not only look unique and compelling but also fit seamlessly into the production pipeline. Managing feedback from both creative and technical departments while adhering to project timelines can be demanding. Additionally, staying updated with the latest industry tools and techniques is crucial for ensuring your team stays innovative and competitive.
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of creature design, and why are they important?
To thrive as a Director of Creature Design, you need expert knowledge of anatomy, visual storytelling, and design principles, usually supported by a degree in fine arts, animation, or a related field. Mastery of industry-standard digital sculpting and 3D modeling tools like ZBrush, Maya, and Photoshop is essential, along with a strong portfolio demonstrating creature concept work. Leadership, creative vision, and the ability to collaborate across departments are standout soft skills in this role. These competencies are crucial for ensuring the creation of compelling, believable creatures that enhance a production's storytelling and visual impact.
What is the difference between Director Creature Design vs Creature Designer?
| Aspect | Director Creature Design | Creature Designer |
|---|---|---|
| Responsibilities | Oversees the entire creature design process, manages teams, and sets creative direction | Creates individual creature concepts, models, and details based on project needs |
| Credentials | Typically requires a strong portfolio, experience in creature design, and leadership skills | Requires a solid portfolio, artistic skills, and proficiency in design software |
| Work Environment | Works in film, gaming, or animation studios, often in a leadership role | Works in similar environments, focusing on design execution |
In summary, the Director Creature Design leads and manages the creature design team, setting the creative vision, while the Creature Designer focuses on creating detailed creature concepts and models. Both roles require artistic talent and industry experience, but differ mainly in scope and responsibility.
What cities near Seattle, WA are hiring for Director Creature Design jobs?
Cities near Seattle, WA with the most Director Creature Design job openings:
Full-time
Re-posted 7 days ago
Job description
About the Team
Fanatics TCG is a new Seattle-based trading card game studio within the Fanatics Collectibles family, founded by industry veterans with a long-term mandate: to build enduring franchises that live across tabletop, digital, community, and culture. We're looking for the most skilled and passionate talent in the games industry and beyond to help us create the best trading card games in the world.
Who We're Looking For
We're seeking a Senior Concept Artist to help define the visual identity of Fanatics TCG's original worlds from the ground up. You'll create concept art that establishes the tone, mood, and visual language of new franchises - imagery that becomes foundational reference for the entire art pipeline. You bring exceptional craft, a strong point of view, and enough experience to guide visual direction independently, mentoring other artists along the way.
Responsibilities
- Create concept art that establishes the tone, mood, and visual language of new TCG franchises, from characters and creatures to environments and key art
- Develop imagery that becomes foundational reference for the art pipeline, and help establish the visual standards that guide internal teams and external artists
- Partner directly with Creative and Design leadership during ideation and worldbuilding, translating abstract ideas into clear visual direction with minimal oversight
- Give feedback and mentorship to other concept artists and illustrators, raising the level of craft across the team
- Rapid prototype and explore multiple directions, converging on clear, compelling solutions under production timelines
Qualifications & Experience
- 7+ years of professional concept art experience, including work that helped define the visual identity of a game, franchise, or original IP
- Strength in one or more areas such as character, creature, or environment design, with the versatility to contribute broadly
- Experience defining or co-defining visual identity for original IP or franchise worlds, from the ground up
- Background in games, film, publishing, or other visual storytelling mediums
- Experience guiding or mentoring junior concept artists, and collaborating with or directing external artists and partners
- Strong collaboration and mentorship skills, comfortable giving feedback and guiding other artists
- Familiarity with how concept art translates into final production pipelines, including print and licensing considerations
Location
All employees of Fanatics TCG are expected to be onsite in our Seattle office five days per week.
Ensure your Fanatics job offer is legitimate and don't fall victim to fraud. Fanatics never seeks payment from job applicants. Feel free to ask your recruiter for a phone call or other type of communication for interview, and ensure your communication is coming from a Fanatics email address (including @collectfanatics.com). For added security, where possible, apply through our company website at www.fanaticsinc.com/careers