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Entry Level Visual Development Artist Jobs in Washington, DC

As an entry-level Creative Production Designer , you are a talented and reliable self-starter who will focus on the visual development of our products. We handle all client deliverables in-house and ...

Art Instructor

Greenbelt, MD · On-site

$15 - $25/hr

... visual and performing arts. Programs will provide high-quality opportunities for discovery, personal expression and skill development and for social and community engagement. Most classes occur in ...

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Entry Level Visual Development Artist information

See Washington, DC salary details

$41.3K

$122.1K

$172.7K

How much do entry level visual development artist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level visual development artist in Washington, DC is $122,126.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $100,200.00 and $172,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an entry level visual development artist?

Entry Level Visual Development Artists are creative professionals who help establish the look and feel of animated films, video games, or other visual media projects. They create concept art, mood boards, character and environment designs, and color scripts under the guidance of senior artists and art directors. At the entry level, these artists are typically recent graduates or those new to the industry, focusing on learning studio workflows and contributing to the early visual explorations that shape the final product.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level visual development artist?

To thrive as an Entry Level Visual Development Artist, you need strong foundational skills in drawing, color theory, and composition, often supported by a degree or coursework in illustration, animation, or a related field. Familiarity with digital painting tools like Adobe Photoshop, Procreate, and knowledge of industry-standard workflows are typically expected. Creativity, openness to feedback, and effective collaboration make someone stand out in this role. These skills and qualities are vital for creating visually compelling concepts that align with the creative vision and production needs of animation or game studios.

What are some typical challenges faced by entry level visual development artists in a studio setting?

Entry level visual development artists often face challenges such as adapting to rapidly changing project requirements, meeting tight deadlines, and ensuring their work aligns with the established visual style of the project. Collaboration is key, as artists frequently work with art directors, animators, and other team members to iterate on designs and incorporate feedback. Building strong communication skills and developing the ability to accept and implement critiques can help new artists succeed and grow within a studio environment.

What is the difference between Entry Level Visual Development Artist vs Entry Level Concept Artist?

AspectEntry Level Visual Development ArtistEntry Level Concept Artist
CredentialsPortfolio, basic art skills, possibly a degree in art or related fieldPortfolio, strong drawing skills, often a degree in art or design
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, game development, film productionVideo game studios, animation, film pre-production
Industry UsageUsed in animation, gaming, film to develop visual styleUsed in gaming, film to create initial character and environment concepts

Both roles involve creating visual assets, but the Visual Development Artist focuses on establishing the overall look and style, while the Concept Artist specializes in designing characters and environments during early project phases. Entry Level Visual Development Artists often work closely with concept artists but have a broader scope in visual style development.

How much does an entry level visual development artist make?

Entry level visual development artists typically earn between $40,000 and $60,000 annually, depending on location, company, and portfolio quality. Starting salaries may be lower in some regions, but with skills in digital painting, concept art, and tools like Photoshop or SketchUp, new artists can increase their earning potential as they gain experience.

What do you need to be an entry level visual development artist?

To become an entry-level visual development artist, you typically need a strong portfolio showcasing your artistic skills, proficiency in digital art tools such as Photoshop or SketchUp, and a foundational understanding of color, composition, and design principles. A relevant degree in art, illustration, or a related field is often preferred, along with good communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a creative environment.

What does an entry level visual development artist do?

An entry level visual development artist creates concept art, character designs, and environment sketches to establish the visual style of a project. They collaborate with art directors and use tools like Photoshop or other digital painting software to develop ideas for animation, games, or films. This role often involves learning industry workflows and refining artistic skills through practice and feedback.

What are the most commonly searched types of Visual Development Artist jobs in Washington, DC?

The most popular types of Visual Development Artist jobs in Washington, DC are:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Visual Development Artist jobs in Washington, DC?

For Entry Level Visual Development Artist jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Visual Development Artist jobs in Washington, DC look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Visual Development Artist jobs in Washington, DC are:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Visual Development Artist job openings in Washington, DC as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 84% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $122,126 per year, or $58.7 per hour.

Creative Production Designer

Team Velocity

VA • Remote

$46K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

As an entry-level Creative Production Designer, you are a talented and reliable self-starter who will focus on the visual development of our products. We handle all client deliverables in-house and are committed to excellence. You will work closely with the Production Manager and team leads to ensure product quality and integrity meets or exceeds the vision. You are proficient in Adobe Suite CS5 (or later) and comfortable working in a PC environment. You possess a strong work ethic and desire to learn.

Please INCLUDE A DIGITAL PORTFOLIO submission with your application. Submissions that do not include DIGITAL PORTFOLIO will not be considered.

This is an entry-level, full-time, remote salaried position. Candidates must reside within the Continental U.S., eastern and central time zones highly preferred, but all welcome to apply who can support 8:30AM-5:30PM (EST) business hours.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • 0-2 years’ professional work experience in the creative design field
  • Proficient in InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator (CS5 or later)
  • Strong layout, typography and design experience
  • Self-motivated, organized and accountable
  • Working knowledge of HTML/HTML5, a plus!
  • Well-developed communication skills including ability to articulate creative concepts and rationale to other team members and clients
  • Experience in a deadline-driven environment
  • Ability to work independently and under close direction

Compensation
This entry-level position offers competitive compensation, commensurate with experience, starting at $46,000 annually. Participation in company benefit offerings include medical, dental, vision, 401(k)/matching, paid vacation, wellness, and more.

Next Steps
If you are interested in this position and believe your experience is a perfect fit, please COMPLETE the online application. Please be sure to include a current resume, contact information and a digital portfolio! Incomplete submissions will not be considered. No phone calls please.


ABOUT TEAM VELOCITY
Team Velocity is a full-service marketing agency serving the automotive industry, providing fully integrated marketing solutions to OEMs and dealerships nationwide.

We are revolutionizing the automotive industry with cutting-edge technology to help dealers sell and service more cars. Made by dealers for dealers, Team Velocity’s proprietary technology platform Apollo® analyzes consumer behavior to predict who will buy, what they will buy, and when they are ready to service. Apollo automates the entire communication process by delivering hyper-personalized campaigns across every touchpoint, maximizing ROI, and lifetime revenue.

Our vision is to serve our clients with a single technology platform that empowers them to execute intelligent marketing across every online and offline channel. We aim to deliver a frictionless consumer experience, from the initial engagement to a final transaction.

Our team members are hard-working and driven to achieve success for our clients and our unique culture promotes creativity, camaraderie, and success.