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Visual Development Artist Jobs in Hawthorne, CA (NOW HIRING)

Airrack

Airrack Thumbnail Concept Artist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$136K - $157K/yr

THE ROLE We're looking for a world-class freelance Thumbnail Concept Artist -- the creative brain ... Background in art direction, storyboarding, or visual development * Familiarity with what makes ...

PlayStation Global

Senior 3D UI Artist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

The ideal candidate is a self-sufficient, execution-focused 3D artist who thrives in a structured ... Experience with icon design and light visual development within a defined art direction * Comfort ...

Airrack

Airrack Thumbnail Concept Artist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$136K - $157K/yr

THE ROLE We're looking for a world-class freelance Thumbnail Concept Artist - the creative brain ... Background in art direction, storyboarding, or visual development * Familiarity with what makes ...

SharkNinja

Associate Creative Director

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

What You'll Do Own visual development across campaigns, including moodboards, style boards, visual ... Partner with producers, directors, DPs, editors, designers, motion teams, CG/VFX artists, stylists ...

Ninjakitchen

Associate Creative Director

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$118 - $196/hr

What You'll Do Own visual development across campaigns, including moodboards, style boards, visual ... Partner with producers, directors, DPs, editors, designers, motion teams, CG/VFX artists, stylists ...

Skydance

Art Director

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$4.0K - $4.6K/wk

This position requires a strong artistic sensibility, a deep understanding of visual storytelling ... Create and contribute high-quality concept art, visual development materials, and key imagery

NYFA

Cinematic AI Specialist

Burbank, CA · On-site

$55 - $75/hr

Professional experience in filmmaking, media arts, design, creative technology, or related ... visual development, production integration, and creative direction. They will also gain a ...

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All JobsVisual Development Artist JobsVisual Development Artist Jobs in Hawthorne, CA

Visual Development Artist information

See Hawthorne, CA salary details

$37.1K

$109.6K

$155K

How much do visual development artist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for visual development artist in Hawthorne, CA is $109,625.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,000.00 and $154,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a visual development artist?

A Visual Development Artist creates the overall look and feel of a project by designing characters, environments, props, and color schemes. They work closely with directors and art teams in animation, film, and gaming to establish a cohesive visual style. Their work helps guide the production team in bringing the story to life. This role requires strong artistic skills, creativity, and knowledge of digital painting and design tools.

What does a visual development artist do?

As a Visual Development Artist, your day often begins by reviewing project briefs and collaborating with the art director or other team members to align on creative direction. You’ll spend a significant portion of your time sketching, painting, and revising environment designs, characters, or color scripts, either digitally or traditionally. Regular feedback sessions with the team are common, providing opportunities to iterate and improve your work. Throughout the day, you may also research visual references and ensure your designs are consistent with the project’s overall style and story. This mix of creative independent work and collaborative interaction is key to shaping the visual identity of the project.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a visual development artist?

To thrive as a Visual Development Artist, you need strong skills in drawing, color theory, composition, and storytelling, often backed by a degree in art or a related field. Proficiency with digital painting tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Corel Painter, and knowledge of 3D software like Blender or Maya is typically required. Creativity, adaptability, and effective communication are crucial soft skills, helping you translate concepts into compelling visuals and collaborate with other team members. These abilities enable you to contribute high-quality visual assets that guide the look and feel of animation, film, or game projects.

How much do visual development artists make?

The average salary for a visual development artist ranges from $50,000 to $90,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level artists typically earn lower wages, while those with advanced skills in digital tools like Photoshop and Maya can command higher salaries.

What do you need to be a visual development artist?

A visual development artist typically needs strong artistic skills, including drawing, painting, and design, along with proficiency in digital tools such as Photoshop or SketchUp. A relevant portfolio demonstrating concept art and visual storytelling is essential, and a background in fine arts, illustration, or animation can be beneficial. Knowledge of industry workflows and collaboration with other creative teams is also important.

What are popular job titles related to Visual Development Artist jobs in Hawthorne, CA?

For Visual Development Artist jobs in Hawthorne, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Visual Development Artist jobs in Hawthorne, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Visual Development Artist jobs in Hawthorne, CA are:

What cities near Hawthorne, CA are hiring for Visual Development Artist jobs?

Cities near Hawthorne, CA with the most Visual Development Artist job openings:

Visual Development Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Visual Development Artist job openings in Hawthorne, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 67% In-person, and 33% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $109,625 per year, or $52.7 per hour.

Airrack Thumbnail Concept Artist

Airrack

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$136K - $157K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Concept and sketch multiple thumbnail ideas per video from a title or brief alone

  • Provide complete production direction to photographers and designers, including lighting, camera angles, expressions, wardrobe, props, color, and framing

  • Collaborate with the creative director and editors to understand the emotional core of each video before concepting

Job description

ABOUT AIRRACK

Airrack is a tight-knit team that pulls off ambitious, innovative YouTube videos that get millions of views. We're creative, gritty, and passionate about making content no one else dares to. We work hard, have a great time doing it, and we're always pushing to see how far digital storytelling can go.

THE ROLE

We're looking for a world-class freelance Thumbnail Concept Artist — the creative brain that comes before the design software ever opens. You take a video title or a raw idea and engineer a concept that stops the scroll: sketched out, psychologically intentional, and handed off to the designer with a complete production blueprint — lighting setup, camera angles, facial expressions, wardrobe, props, color direction, everything.

You don't just make things look good. You know why things get clicked. You understand the human brain, creator culture, and the visual grammar of YouTube at a deep level — and you use all of it to build concepts that convert.
HOW TO APPLY

Watch this video to learn more: https://youtu.be/xuUfLoBiOeM

Requirements

Requirements

  • Concept and sketch multiple thumbnail ideas per video from a title or brief alone
  • Generate high volumes of variations quickly and kill weak ideas fast
  • Provide complete production direction to photographers and designers: lighting, camera angles, expressions, wardrobe, props, color, and framing
  • Collaborate with the creative director and editors to understand the emotional core of each video before concepting
  • Study top-performing thumbnails across YouTube consistently — understanding what drives CTR and why
  • Take intense, direct feedback without ego and turn revisions around fast
  • Bring new ideas proactively and push the team's creative vision forward

What We're Looking For

  • A portfolio that shows your concepting process — sketches, wireframes, mood boards, and variations, not just final designs
  • Deep knowledge of what's performing on YouTube right now and why
  • Experience concepting thumbnails for high-performing channels, ideally in lifestyle, challenge, prank, or viral content
  • Ability to generate a high volume of ideas fast and cut to the best ones ruthlessly
  • Thick skin — direct feedback is the norm here and you use it to get better
  • Obsessive passion for YouTube, creator culture, and the craft of the thumbnail specifically
  • Background in art direction, photography, or storyboarding is a strong plus

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience concepting thumbnails for high-performing YouTube channels (lifestyle, challenge, prank, or viral content preferred)
  • Background in art direction, storyboarding, or visual development
  • Familiarity with what makes thumbnails perform across different audience segments and video formats
  • Ability to reference and analyze competitor thumbnails and extract strategic insight

Benefits

Compensation: This is a project based position which pays a base fee per project as well as performance bonuses

Why Join Us?

  • Be part of a groundbreaking team creating content that millions of viewers love.
  • Opportunity to lead and innovate in a highly competitive digital media space.