Position: Art Director
Company: Wow-How Studio
Category: Other
Experience required: 2y
English level: upper

Art Directors play an important role in Wow-How Studio, overseeing and guiding the creative direction of projects. They are responsible for ensuring the visual excellence and artistic integrity of the animations and graphic materials produced. The Art Director collaborates closely with the Creative Director, Producing Department as well as scriptwriters, animators, designers, illustrators, and video editors assigned to the project, to bring the vision to life and deliver exceptional results. The Art Director also participates in estimations together with other participants of the Presale process.

Responsibilities
1. Provide artistic direction: Set the overall artistic vision and style for each project, ensuring it aligns with the client's requirements, estimation, and the studio's brand identity. 
2. Conceptualize and develop visual concepts: Create and present visual ideas and mood boards to communicate the artistic vision to the team and clients.
3. Collaborate with the Producing Department: Work closely with scriptwriters, animators, designers, and illustrators to guide and inspire their creative process, providing feedback and constructive critique to achieve the desired outcome. Oversee the creative process from start to finish, ensuring that deadlines are met and that the final deliverables meet the highest quality standards.
4. Сollaborate with Presale team: creation of concepts and selection of references for further estimation. Art directors create and oversee the production of presentation materials, such as concept art, storyboards, moodboards, and animations, that demonstrate a project's unique strengths and capture the attention of potential clients.
5. Ensure visual consistency: Maintain a consistent visual style throughout the project, ensuring that all elements, including illustrations,  character designs, 3D models, backgrounds, and animations, are coherent and in line with the established vision and project estimation.
6. Problem-solving and decision-making: Identify and resolve creative challenges that may arise during the production process, making informed decisions to maintain the project's artistic vision and quality.
7. Quality control & Edits implementation: Conduct thorough reviews of the final deliverables at each stage of production to ensure that they meet the required standards of quality, accuracy, attention to detail, and client’s goals. Use different frameworks to provide quality assessment, such as QMS, the ABCD framework, etc.
8. Collaborate with the production team to make informed decisions regarding resource allocation to ensure the successful execution of creative projects.
9. Collaborate with clients and stakeholders: Work closely with clients and stakeholders to understand their requirements & edits, provide creative solutions, and ensure their satisfaction with the final product.
10. Provide Art Direction for marketing materials: Extend the artistic vision to marketing materials such as showreels, social media posts, banners, trailers, and promotional videos, ensuring consistency and high-quality visuals.
11. Participation in the selection of candidates for the production team: active participation in interviews during the recruitment of new employees according to the Art Director profile.
12. Manage and mentor the creative team: Provide guidance and mentorship to the animators, designers, illustrators, and video editors, helping them develop their skills and ensuring a positive and collaborative working environment. Keep abreast of the latest trends, techniques, and technologies in animation and video production to bring innovative ideas and approaches to the projects.

Skills Required for an Art Director
1. Strong artistic and design abilities: Possess advanced skills in drawing, composition, color theory, and visual storytelling to effectively communicate and execute artistic concepts.
2. Excellent leadership and communication skills: Ability to articulate and convey artistic vision, provide clear direction to the creative team, and collaborate effectively with clients and stakeholders.
3. Deep understanding of animation and video production: Comprehensive knowledge of illustration and animation techniques, production processes, and industry trends, either for 2D or 3D animations, to guide and supervise the creative team.
4. Proficiency in industry-standard software: Familiarity with animation software (e.g., Adobe After Effects, Animate, Toon Boom Harmony), design software (e.g., Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator), and video editing tools (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro) to effectively oversee and provide guidance during the production process.
5. Creative problem-solving skills: Ability to think critically, identify challenges, and develop innovative solutions to overcome creative obstacles that may arise during the production process.
6. Strong attention to detail: Keen eye for detail to ensure visual consistency, accuracy, and quality in all aspects of animation and graphic materials.
7. Project management skills: Ability to organize and prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and manage resources efficiently to ensure the successful completion of creative projects.
8. Collaboration and teamwork: Skill in fostering a positive and collaborative work environment, building strong relationships with team members, and effectively collaborating with different departments and stakeholders.
9. Adaptability and flexibility: Willingness to embrace change, adapt to evolving project requirements, and effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously.
10. Knowledge of marketing and branding principles: Understanding of marketing strategies and brand guidelines to ensure the artistic direction aligns with the studio's brand identity and effectively communicates the desired message to the target audience.