ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Layout Artist Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Sway Creative Labs

Production Artist

Norfolk, VA · On-site

$50K - $62K/yr

Deep proficiency in Figma, specifically components, variants, auto-layout, and variables/tokens ... Where This Goes Production artist is a starting point here, not a terminal title. Depending on ...

Sway Creative Labs

Production Artist

Norfolk, VA

Deep proficiency in Figma, specifically components, variants, auto-layout, and variables/tokens ... Where This Goes Production artist is a starting point here, not a terminal title. Depending on ...

Sway Creative Labs

Production Artist

Norfolk, VA · On-site

Deep proficiency in Figma, specifically components, variants, auto-layout, and variables/tokens ... Where This Goes Production artist is a starting point here, not a terminal title. Depending on ...

VG Systems

Graphic Designer

Fort Belvoir, VA · On-site

The position requires strong artistic ability, technical proficiency, and attention to detail to ... Strong understanding of graphic design principles, layout, typography, and color theory. * Ability ...

VG Systems

Graphic Designer

Fort Belvoir, VA · On-site

The position requires strong artistic ability, technical proficiency, and attention to detail to ... Strong understanding of graphic design principles, layout, typography, and color theory. * Ability ...

VG Systems

Graphic Designer

Fort Belvoir, VA

The position requires strong artistic ability, technical proficiency, and attention to detail to ... Strong understanding of graphic design principles, layout, typography, and color theory. * Ability ...

Armada Ltd

Graphic Designer III

Arlington, VA · On-site

Experience in illustrating concepts by designing rough layout of art and copy regarding arrangement ... A bachelor's degree in graphics, fine, or visual arts/communications from an accredited institution ...

Armada Ltd

Graphic Designer III

Arlington, VA

Experience in illustrating concepts by designing rough layout of art and copy regarding arrangement ... A bachelor's degree in graphics, fine, or visual arts/communications from an accredited institution ...

CACI

Senior Graphic Designer

Chantilly, VA

$66K - $90K/yr

... layout, and color theory. (Must provide a link or PDF attachment with application). Bachelor's Degree or higher in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Interactive Design, or a related field. 5+ years of ...

New

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsLayout Artist JobsLayout Artist Jobs in Virginia

Layout Artist information

See Virginia salary details

$14

$24

$51

How much do layout artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for layout artist in Virginia is $24.68, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.37 and $24.33 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a layout artist?

A layout artist is in charge of the design or visual presentation of a publication or project. Their duties are to assemble photographs, charts, or other graphics and combine these elements with text. Their goal is to create a visually interesting spread that will attract an audience. This job requires using specialized graphic design and page layout programs. A layout artist often works closely with editors or clients to determine their needs or goals for the design.

What does a layout artist do?

Layout artists are professionals who design the visual structure and arrangement of elements on a page or screen, whether in print, digital media, animation, or advertising. Their main role is to ensure that images, text, and other visual components are organized in a way that is aesthetically pleasing and effective in communicating the intended message. They often use design software to create templates and mockups, working closely with graphic designers, writers, and other creative professionals. In animation, layout artists establish the background, camera angles, and the positioning of characters for each scene. Their work is crucial for guiding the viewer’s eye and enhancing the overall impact of a project.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a layout artist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Layout Artist, you need a strong understanding of design principles, composition, and visual storytelling, often supported by a degree in graphic design or a related field. Proficiency in industry-standard software such as Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and sometimes digital drawing tablets is typically required. Attention to detail, creativity, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating with clients and team members. Mastery of these skills ensures visually compelling, accurate layouts that effectively communicate the intended message and meet project requirements.

How does a layout artist typically collaborate with other departments in a creative project?

Layout Artists frequently work closely with illustrators, animators, directors, and editors to ensure visual consistency and storytelling clarity. They translate storyboards and scripts into visually engaging layouts, adjusting their designs based on feedback from art directors or animation leads. Effective communication and adaptability are essential, as revisions are common and deadlines can be tight. Collaboration often happens through digital platforms, regular team meetings, and iterative review sessions.

What is the difference between Layout Artist vs Character Designer?

AspectLayout ArtistCharacter Designer
Primary RoleCreates backgrounds, scene compositions, and visual layouts for animation or filmDesigns and develops characters' appearance, costumes, and personality traits
Required SkillsDrawing, composition, perspective, background designDrawing, character anatomy, costume design, creativity
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, film production, gamingAnimation studios, gaming, film
Common Industry UsageUsed in animation and film production to establish scene layoutsUsed in character development for animation, gaming, and film

While both roles involve strong artistic skills, Layout Artists focus on scene composition and backgrounds, whereas Character Designers specialize in creating the visual look of characters. Both collaborate closely in animation projects but serve distinct functions in the production process.

How much do layout artists make?

The average salary for a layout artist varies depending on experience, location, and industry, but typically ranges from $40,000 to $80,000 per year. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced layout artists working in film, animation, or gaming can earn higher salaries. Skills in design software like Adobe Photoshop and strong understanding of visual storytelling are often required.
More about Layout Artist jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Layout Artist jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Layout Artist jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Layout Artist jobs in Virginia?

For Layout Artist jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Layout Artist jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Layout Artist jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Layout Artist jobs in VA?

For Layout Artist jobs in VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Layout Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Layout Artist job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,341 per year, or $24.7 per hour.

Production Artist

Norfolk, VA • On-site

Sway Creative Labs
Marketing • 11 - 50 employees
Learn more about Sway Creative Labsexternal

$50K - $62K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

Location: Remote-first with occasional in-person collaboration in Norfolk, VA. We're prioritizing candidates who live within ~90 miles of Norfolk (Hampton Roads and the surrounding region).
Sway Creative Labs is looking for a meticulous, systems-minded Production Artist to carry campaign creative from approved concept to every file that ships.
This role exists because volume is where campaigns break. A single integrated launch can mean dozens of display sizes, multiple video cutdowns, localized variants, print specs from four different vendors, and a set of social formats that all have to look intentional rather than resized. We want someone who treats that work as craft, builds systems so it scales, and catches the errors before a client does.
If you think in components, tokens, and naming conventions, this is your role.
This is hands-on, in-the-trenches work, and we are not going to pretend otherwise. It is also work that nobody is standing over. You will be handed a rollout and trusted to bring it back finished and correct. We are looking for someone hungry, self-sufficient, and interested in building a system rather than clearing a queue.
What You'll Own
Campaign Production at Scale
  • Build out full display advertising sets from approved master designs across all required sizes and platform specs
  • Adapt campaign creative across channels: web, social, email, print, out-of-home, and video end frames
  • Produce localized and market-specific variants while maintaining absolute consistency with the master
  • Version, name, and archive files to convention so any team member can find the right asset without asking

Design Systems & Templates
  • Build and maintain reusable Figma component libraries, variables, and design tokens rather than one-off artboards
  • Convert existing hardcoded artifacts into true component-driven template systems
  • Maintain brand asset libraries and style documentation across our client roster
  • Partner with developers on handoff: specs, exports, redlines, and asset packaging that does not require follow-up

Print & Digital Prep
  • Produce print-ready files across formats with full command of bleeds, trim, color spaces, imposition, and vendor specifications
  • Preflight and QA every file that leaves the building; you are the last set of eyes
  • Prepare and optimize digital assets to spec, including file weight, format, and accessibility requirements

Creative Support
  • Work from Art Director and Creative Director direction with accuracy and speed, raising questions early rather than guessing
  • Contribute to concept development and offer better executions when you see one
  • Provide accurate time estimates for assignments and consistently meet them

AI & Workflow Automation
  • Use AI-assisted tooling where it genuinely saves time: generative fill and extend, background removal, upscaling, retouching, rotoscoping, transcription and captioning, and batch operations
  • Write prompts precisely enough to get usable output instead of something that needs to be redone by hand
  • Hold the quality line. AI output that is close enough is not close enough; you are the person who decides what ships
  • Bring new tools and techniques back to the team rather than keeping the shortcut to yourself

What We're Looking For
Core Qualifications
  • 2-4+ years of production design experience, agency setting strongly preferred
  • Deep proficiency in Figma, specifically components, variants, auto-layout, and variables/tokens
  • Strong command of Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign
  • Thorough understanding of print production processes, specifications, and vendor requirements
  • Solid design fundamentals: typography, color theory, composition, and visual hierarchy
  • Exceptional attention to detail and a very low error rate on high-volume, detail-heavy work
  • Strong organizational and file management discipline
  • Hands-on experience with AI-assisted creative tooling and the ability to construct a specific, well-framed prompt. We are less interested in which tools you have used than in whether you instinctively reach for them and can tell good output from output that only looks good at a glance
  • Ability to handle multiple concurrent assignments and communicate proactively on capacity

Additional Assets
  • Motion and animation capability in After Effects, including templating and versioning video units
  • Working knowledge of HTML and CSS sufficient to communicate effectively with developers
  • Familiarity with version control concepts and shared source-of-truth workflows
  • Experience with retouching, photo compositing, or color correction
  • Background on healthcare, tourism, food/beverage, legal, or CPG accounts

What Success Looks Like
By the end of your first year, campaign rollouts will stop being a bottleneck. The systems you build will let the next campaign be produced faster than the last one. Art Directors will design knowing you will translate their intent correctly at every size, and producers will stop building QA buffers into schedules for work you touch.
Where This Goes
Production artist is a starting point here, not a terminal title. Depending on where your strengths land, the path forward runs toward Designer and Art Director, toward motion and video, or toward owning our design systems and production infrastructure outright. We will tell you honestly which one we think you are built for, and we will give you the work that gets you there.
Why Sway Creative Labs
Sway is an independent agency where craft is noticed. Production artists here are not siloed at the end of the process. You will sit close to the creative team, have visibility into why the work is what it is, and have a real path toward design and art direction if that is where you want to go. We are also actively rebuilding our template and component systems, so you will have the chance to shape how the agency produces work rather than inherit someone else's structure.
What We Offer
  • Health Plan: Three Optima Health Plan options; Sway covers 80% of employee premiums and 50% of dependent premiums
  • Dental Insurance: Sway pays 100% of employee's United Concordia Dental Plan
  • 401(k): 1:1 match on the first 3% of pay; 50% match on the following 2%
  • 15 Paid Vacation Days, resetting at your start date with up to a 5-day negative balance available
  • 17 Paid Holidays, including your birthday, the Monday after the Super Bowl, Juneteenth, and the full week between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day
  • Two-Hour Windows: Leave windows at the start (9-11am) and end (3-5pm) of the workday for personal appointments, not counted against PTO
  • Remote Work Affordance: 100% remote with occasional pre-scheduled in-person meetings and on-set requirements
  • Year-end performance bonus eligibility; additional bonuses available based on individual and company performance
  • Upskilling: 100% reimbursement for at least one approved course, workshop, or conference annually
  • Salary: $50,000 - $62,000

Apply