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Lead Cg Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... lead and inspire artists in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment. The ideal candidate is ... CG animated feature films a plus * Demonstrated ability to develop visual ideas from initial ...

Art Director

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$2.9K - $4.0K/wk

... lead and inspire artists in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment. The ideal candidate is ... CG animated feature films a plus * Demonstrated ability to develop visual ideas from initial ...

Skydance Animation is seeking a Costume Designer to lead the design and execution of wardrobe ... and Visual Development Artists how to prepare detailed costume packets for downstream CG ...

... artist-led environment and who thrives at the intersection of traditional artistry and emerging ... Foster and lead a high-performance, exploratory team culture that thrives on collaboration and ...

Costume Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$2.9K - $4.0K/wk

Skydance Animation is seeking a Costume Designer to lead the design and execution of wardrobe ... and Visual Development Artists how to prepare detailed costume packets for downstream CG ...

Production Coordinator- Ink

Los Gatos, CA · On-site

$32.69 - $38.46/hr

Qualifications 4+ years of experience as a Production Assistant or Production Coordinator on CG ... Ability to lead with a positive attitude and encourage collaboration across artists, production ...

Production Coordinator- Ink

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$32.69 - $38.46/hr

Qualifications * 4+ years of experience as a Production Assistant or Production Coordinator on CG ... Ability to lead with a positive attitude and encourage collaboration across artists, production ...

Production Coordinator- Ink

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$32.69 - $38.46/hr

Qualifications * 4+ years of experience as a Production Assistant or Production Coordinator on CG ... Ability to lead with a positive attitude and encourage collaboration across artists, production ...

Qualifications * 4+ years of experience as a Production Assistant or Production Coordinator on CG ... Ability to lead with a positive attitude and encourage collaboration across artists, production ...

Production Coordinator- Ink

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$32.69 - $38.46/hr

Qualifications 4+ years of experience as a Production Assistant or Production Coordinator on CG ... Ability to lead with a positive attitude and encourage collaboration across artists, production ...

Production Coordinator- Ink

Los Gatos, CA · On-site

$32.69 - $38.46/hr

Qualifications * 4+ years of experience as a Production Assistant or Production Coordinator on CG ... Ability to lead with a positive attitude and encourage collaboration across artists, production ...

Showing results 21-40

Lead Cg Artist information

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How much do lead cg artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for lead cg artist in the United States is $25.73, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.38 and $24.04 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lead CG Artist?

To thrive as a Lead CG Artist, you need advanced proficiency in 3D modeling, texturing, lighting, and rendering, typically supported by a degree in computer graphics, animation, or a related field. Expertise with industry-standard tools such as Autodesk Maya, Blender, ZBrush, and rendering engines like Arnold or V-Ray is essential, along with experience using production tracking software. Strong leadership, creative problem-solving, and effective communication skills help guide teams and ensure project vision is met. These skills are crucial for delivering high-quality visual content, meeting deadlines, and fostering collaboration in demanding production environments.

What is a Lead CG Artist?

Lead CG Artists are senior professionals in the field of computer-generated imagery who manage and guide teams of artists to create high-quality visual assets for films, games, commercials, and other media. They oversee the development of 3D models, textures, lighting, and animation, ensuring that all elements meet the project's artistic vision and technical requirements. In addition to hands-on work, Lead CG Artists collaborate closely with directors, producers, and other departments to maintain consistency and quality, while also mentoring junior team members and troubleshooting technical challenges.

What are some common challenges faced by a Lead CG Artist when managing a team on complex projects?

As a Lead CG Artist, one of the main challenges is balancing creative vision with tight production timelines while ensuring high-quality output from the team. Managing a diverse group of artists often means addressing varying skill levels and encouraging collaboration to achieve a unified style. Additionally, the role requires clear communication between departments, such as animation, modeling, and lighting, to maintain consistency across all assets. Effective problem-solving and adaptability are crucial, as last-minute changes or technical issues frequently arise in large-scale projects.
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Infographic showing various Lead Cg Artist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,524 per year, or $25.7 per hour.

Art Director

Skydance

Santa Monica, CA

$2.9K - $4.6K/wk

Full-time

Re-posted 15 days ago


Job description

Skydance Animation is seeking an Art Director to help shape the visual identity of an upcoming animated feature film. This role is central to defining and executing the overall look and feel of the film, ensuring a cohesive and compelling visual experience that supports both story and character.

The Art Director will report to the Production Designer and will work in close partnership with the Director and the rest of the creative leadership team to bring the film’s visual vision to life, translating conceptual ideas into a clear and actionable visual direction for the broader art team. Throughout production, they will collaborate across departments, including environments, characters, lighting, and effects, to maintain artistic consistency and elevate the quality of every frame.

This position requires a strong artistic sensibility, a deep understanding of visual storytelling, and the ability to lead and inspire artists in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment. The ideal candidate is both a visionary and a problem-solver and someone who can balance creative ambition with production realities while pushing the film’s aesthetic to new heights.

Prior experience on an animated feature film is required.

Responsibilities
  • Champion and help execute the Director’s creative vision for the film’s visual identity, in close partnership with the Production Designer, ensuring consistency and excellence from development through final delivery
  • Define, develop, and clearly communicate the film’s artistic style, with a particular focus on environments, sets, props, and color design, establishing a cohesive visual language across all departments
  • Create and contribute high-quality concept art, visual development materials, and key imagery
  • Collaborate with the Production Designer to lead and oversee the Los Angeles and Madrid based Art Departments, fostering alignment, consistency, and a unified creative direction across global teams (including occasional travel as needed)
  • Provide ongoing artistic direction, feedback, and mentorship to team members, supporting their growth while maintaining high creative standards
  • Work closely with studio leadership, production, and technical teams to align on creative goals, production timelines, tools, and budget, balancing artistic ambition with practical execution
  • Prepare and deliver compelling presentations that communicate the film’s visual direction to studio executives, stakeholders, and external partners
  • Partner with production leadership, Talent Development, and Talent Acquisition to identify, evaluate, and help secure top artistic talent for key roles across departments (both internally and externally)
  • Facilitate clear and proactive communication across departments
  • Other duties as assigned
Requirements
  • 6 years of experience working on animated feature productions; experience in leading or supervising an Art Department, preferably within CG animated feature films a plus
  • Demonstrated ability to develop visual ideas from initial concept through final execution, with a strong sense of ownership and creative problem-solving
  • Exceptional understanding of design fundamentals, including composition, color theory, lighting, shape language, and visual storytelling
  • Proven leadership and team management skills, with the ability to guide, motivate, and develop artists in a collaborative production environment
  • Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize across multiple demands while maintaining a high standard of artistic quality
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a collaborative mindset and the ability to clearly articulate creative direction to diverse teams
  • Ability to balance creative vision with production realities, aligning the needs of the show, department, and studio
  • Solid understanding of animation production pipelines, workflows, and tools, with proficiency in industry standard software such as Adobe Photoshop
  • Experience working across multiple locations or with distributed teams is a plus
The compensation range for this non-exempt position in Los Angeles, CA is $2,900-4,600/week. The rate offered may vary based on the candidate’s location, qualifications, experience and relevant expertise, among other factors.  The range indicated is for base salary only and does not reflect the total compensation package, including bonus, benefits, etc. 
 
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