Art Director - Disney Television Animation

Disney; Glendale (CA); On-site; USD 137,000 - 178,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

Disney Television Animation in Glendale, CA seeks an Art Director to lead the creative vision for episodic series, coordinating with producers, designers, and vendor studios to ensure a consistent style and high-quality visuals.

The role demands strong leadership, experience with animation pipelines, and the ability to manage multiple productions within budget and schedules.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of experience in artistic animation production.
• Experience leading a team.
• Experience working with vendor animation studios.
• Knowledge of drawing software that includes Photoshop, Illustrator, Harmony and 3D technology.
• A broad knowledge of artistic styles, latest technology and film is essential.
• Strong leadership qualities and ability to mentor artists.
• Ability to oversee multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to align with the style and sensibility of the show.
• Excellent organizational, verbal and written communication skills.
• Willingness to travel internationally.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Executive Producer and Director on all aspects of the episodic look and mood.
• Oversee assembly and approval of the 199 main model pack for vendor studios and internal reference.
• Partner in setting the visual style of the series and conduct reviews for approvals.
• Oversee the design team including Designers, BG Painters and Color Designers.
• Approve all color backgrounds and color created by the Color Designers.
• Read outlines/scripts; attend storyboarding and review sessions to flag design issues.
• Maintain production schedule to ensure cost-effective, timely production.
• Collaborate with vendor studios and create tools or guidance documents to meet look requirements.
• Partner with the Producer, Line Producer, and Production Supervisor to create schedules.
• Work with TDs to ensure color-accurate deliveries.
• Communicate with Partner Studio(s) and lead episodic design launches.
• May oversee Assistant Art Director.

Skills

Experience with animation production

Team leadership

Vendor studio collaboration

Artistic style knowledge

Leadership and mentorship

Multitasking under tight timelines

Show style alignment

Adaptability

Communication (oral/written)

Willingness to travel

Education

Bachelor degree or equivalent

Tools

Photoshop

Illustrator

Harmony

3D software/tools

Job description

Job Posting Title

Art Director - Disney Television Animation

Job Description

About this Role and our Studio

Disney Television Animation(DTVA)has over 40 years of legacy as a top producer of kids & family entertainment. Our work is integraltoThe Walt Disney Company, bringing Disney-branded characters and stories to families’ homes across the globe.

DTVA createsboth long-form and short-form content spanningtraditional2D, rig-based 2D, CG (preschool), CG (premium), and stop-motion.We createshows ina broad range of unique and innovative styles, and we aim to match the right talent with the right production in terms of skill and artistic style.

Bysubmittingan applicationfor thisArt Director role, youmaybeconsideredforanyArt Director positions that arise until theexpirationdate provided.

Applications submitted to this job posting will remain valid until December 31, 2026.

What you will do

This is a key leadership role that partners with the Executive Producer, Producer, Production Designer (if applicable), and Vendor Studio to execute the creative vision of the show while working within the schedule and budget for the series.

The Art Director will oversee and work directly with the design team to ensure a quality and consistency of style throughout the series, from the opening title, body of episode to end credits. They must be experienced in the creation of detailed style guides and be comfortable dealing with internal and external departments on a daily basis. They will have strong management skills to oversee and give feedback to artistic crew. They will have strong management skills to oversee and give feedback to artistic crew. They will have strong management skills to oversee and give feedback to artistic crew. They will be responsible for anticipating and problem-solving complexity issues. This role requires collaboration with and leadership of a diverse group of people in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Executive Producer and Director(s) on all aspects of the episodic look and mood
• Oversee assembly & approval of “199” main model pack to be sent to the assigned vendor animation studio as well as use for internal reference.
• Partner in setting the visual style of the series, creating conceptual and production artwork. This includes the Art Review, Black and White Line Art Review and Color Art Review for Executive approval. Subsequent reviews for later seasons may also be required if style evolves.
• Oversee entire design team including Designers, BG Painters and Color Designers, assigning work and monitoring their schedules to create and maintain consistency with the design of the project
• Approve all color backgrounds and color created by the Color Designers for the characters, props and effects
• Read Outlines/Scripts, attend Storyboard pitches and Animatic reviews, flagging potential complexity or design count issues.
• Maintain production schedule provided by Producer to ensure cost effective, timely production
• Communicate and problem-solve with vendor animation studio. Work with the Production team and the Digital department, create tools as well as information/”do’s and don’ts” document to help vendor studio achieve the required look within our budget and schedule.
• Partner with the Producer, Line Producer, and Production Supervisor to create schedules and casting assignments.
• Work with the TDs to ensure color correct and technically accurate deliveries are achieved.
• Regularly communicate with our Partner Studio(s) and lead episodic design and asset launches.
• May oversee Assistant Art Director if applicable.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• 5-7 years of experience in artistic animation production
• Experience leading a team preferred
• Experience working with vendor animation studios preferred
• Knowledge of drawing software that includes Photoshop, Illustrator, Harmony and 3D technology, where applicable
• A broad knowledge of artistic styles, latest technology and film is essential
• Strong leadership qualities with the ability to partner with Creatives and Executives, collaborate with peers, and manage and mentor artists
• Ability to oversee multiple projects and solve problems in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to align with style and sensibility of show
• Positive attitude with the ability to be flexible
• Excellent organizational, verbal, written, e-social skills and acumen
• Ability to travel outside of the country

Education

• Bachelordegree or equivalent work experience

Location

This is a fully on-site role based in Glendale, CA.

Glendale, CA, USA

The pay rate for this role in California is $3,016.5 - $3,921.45 per week, which follows the pay scale agreed upon in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The base pay actually offered may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, among other factors. Select benefits may be provided as part of the compensation package, such as medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered. To learn more about our benefits visit: https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.

Employment Type

Full time