Senior Art Director

Project Overview: We are an independent animation studio looking for an exceptional Art Director / Visual Development Artist to help shape the look and feel of an upcoming project. We are heavily inspired by the work of The Line Animation Studio—specifically their ability to blend dynamic, fluid 2D animation with cinematic lighting, graphic shapes, and high-end stylized texturing. This is a remote, contract position via Upwork. You will be working directly with the studio founders to establish the visual DNA of this project. What You’ll Do: Establish the Visual Identity: Create style guides, color scripts, and mood boards that define the project’s aesthetic. Concept Art & VisDev: Develop environments, prop designs, and keyframe illustrations that set a high benchmark for lighting, atmosphere, and composition. Character Integration: Define how characters interact with environments, focusing on the interplay of rim lighting, shadows, and graphic line work. Collaborate: Translate loose thematic ideas into concrete visual assets that our animation team can easily interpret and execute. What We’re Looking For: A portfolio that proves you can match or adapt to the aesthetic of The Line (think Gorillaz music videos, Heavenly Delusion, high-end anime/Western hybrid styles, or tactical, gritty, heavily mood-lit 2D illustration). Mastery of composition, cinematic lighting, and atmospheric perspective. Strong understanding of 2D animation pipelines—you know how to design backgrounds and assets that are "animation-friendly" but still look like high-end illustrations. Excellent communication skills and the ability to take feedback and run with it. How to Apply: Please send a link to your portfolio. Applications without a portfolio link will not be considered. In your proposal, please point out 2 or 3 pieces in your portfolio that you feel best represent the gritty, cinematic, or dynamic 2D style we are looking for. If you have a favorite project by The Line, let us know what it is so we know you’ve read this!