Art Director - Ink

Position Summary We are seeking an Art Director to join our pioneering team creating animated shorts and specials using experimental GenAI‑native production pipelines with the goal of creating feature‑quality content. This role will guide a talented team of artists within a fast‑paced, creator‑ and artist‑led environment. It is a hands‑on role that will design, paint, and create, helping to define characters, environments, emotional tone, and aesthetic from story inception through final delivery. The incumbent will partner with Directors, Producers, and the technology team to develop filmmaking workflows that best support their creative style—integrating traditional tools with emerging GenAI technologies. Key Responsibilities Develop and communicate the style guide and theory; spanning visual development, color, backgrounds, characters, and props/fx. Work closely with other creative leadership throughout the production process to shape storytelling and visual aesthetics that meet feature‑quality standards and align with the creative vision of the Director and project leads. Actively participate in creative discussions and brainstorming sessions. Supervise a team of artists and jump in to create assets, leveraging both traditional and GenAI‑native tools. Provide notes and mentorship to creative teams and partners to enable high‑quality work. Partner with production leadership and technical teams to understand and clarify creative direction, timelines, tools, and budget. Collaborate with production to create asset breakdown lists for assignments. Assess portfolios and demo reels and take part in interviews for building diverse design and color teams. Help develop and document new GenAI/traditional hybrid workflows, collaborating with production and technology teams to improve efficiency and creative output. Collaborate with the animation studio partner to communicate direction, provide reference/resources, and optimize workflows. Qualifications 3+ years of supervisory and leadership experience on animated features or series. Passion for storytelling and animation with a portfolio and/or credits showcasing excellence in visual development, background paint, color design, or character design. Knowledge of 2D and CG animation and a thorough understanding of a CG production pipeline from pre‑production to post‑production. Expert working knowledge of digital drawing tools (Photoshop is a must). Working familiarity with 3D DCCs (e.g., Maya, Unreal, or Blender) and/or experience with node‑based generative interfaces is a plus. Understanding and knowledge of GenAI native tools is a plus. Ability to adapt to new technologies and tools and quickly pivot in a fast‑moving field where workflows and creative approaches are being developed in real time. High level of independence and initiative, as production support structures and workflows will evolve alongside the creative process. Demonstrated ability to manage and motivate a team. Excellent verbal, written, and e‑social communication skills. Compensation and Benefits The overall market range for this role is typically $236,000.00 to $395,000.00. This reflects total compensation; bonuses are not offered. The position may be covered by a collective bargaining agreement. Benefits may include medical, dental, vision plans, mental health support, retirement programs, family‑forming benefits, paid leave of absence, and paid time away for vacation and sick pay. At INK, we carefully consider a wide range of compensation factors to determine your compensation. We rely on market indicators and consider your specific job family, background, location, skills, and experience. We are an equal‑opportunity employer and celebrate diversity, recognizing that diversity builds stronger teams. #J-18808-Ljbffr Netflix Creations, LLC