About the Role
The Visual Storytelling division of ESPN Creative Studio is a team of creative directors, art directors, animators, concept artists, visual journalists, photo editors, web developers, graphic designers and strategy producers whose work reaches every ESPN platform, leading creative direction across on-air brand identities, digital content, key art and product art. The Designer II is responsible for the hands-on creation, development and delivery of design and motion across multiple platforms, with an emphasis on supporting, advancing and innovating how the ESPN brand travels within DTC initiatives. This role supports both quick-turn and long-range assignments and collaborates with partners across ESPN Creative Studio, including content, product, marketing and traditional broadcast.
Key Responsibilities
- Utilise the Adobe Suite to create designs for short-term and long-range assignments.
- Work under the direction of senior-level leaders to support all ESPN platforms in the creation of elements such as television graphics, key art, quick-form edits, animation packages, cross-company branding, social templates and marketing materials.
- Collaborate effectively with creative and editorial partners to elevate ESPN's storytelling.
- Contribute compelling, elevated design and motion solutions that support the continual pursuit of creative excellence.
- Integrate seamlessly into established team workflows and processes, and recognise, report and help troubleshoot equipment, software and work-environment issues.
- Translate assignment details and creative direction into custom graphical layouts and animated solutions, employing decision-making that supports streamlined, systematic approaches to long-term design structures.
- Use strong individual and team communication skills to communicate with Production and Project Assignment peers, keeping strong dialogue throughout the day and ensuring timelines and expectations stay on track via Teams, email and Asana.
- Regularly contribute ideas and initiatives, demonstrate a desire to push creativity to the next level, show aptitude for learning new software, and express a strong willingness to learn, absorb and flex in the day-to-day.
- Be highly motivated, work well under pressure and effectively prioritise multiple daily assignments.
- Maintain high standards of efficiency, consistency, accuracy, creativity and timely delivery of all requests.
Required Experience & Qualifications
- Minimum of 3 years of professional motion and design experience working within a creative studio or media organisation.
- Strong grasp of motion theory, typography, composition and hierarchy.
- Fluent with Adobe Creative Suite, with demonstrated hands-on knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe After Effects.
- Proven project management skills with the ability to prioritise and meet multiple deadlines.
- Strong problem-solving skills with a passion for timely results.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Online portfolio or demo reel showcasing creativity, design and type layout skills.
- Curiosity around shifting industry trends in design and animation, specifically within a DTC model.
- A reliable work-from-home setup with a dependable internet connection.
- High School Diploma or equivalent.
Preferred Skills
- Experience in Cinema4D.
- Knowledge of Figma.
- High-level understanding of design within DTC platforms.
- Knowledge of the sports design space and trends, and an understanding of ESPN's place amongst the competition.
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
Workplace
Salary
- The hiring range for this position in Bristol, CT is $72,000 to $96,500 per year based on a 40-hour work week. The amount of hours scheduled per week may vary based on business needs. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills and experience, among other factors.
Benefits & Perks
- Bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.
About the Company
With the latest technology, game-changing ideas and world-class talent on the team, every day at ESPN is described as extraordinary. The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes Disney Entertainment, ESPN and Disney Experiences; ESPN Productions, Inc, which is part of a business called ESPN, is an equal opportunity employer.