Art Director

The Art Director at Reel FX Animation in Montreal leads the art direction for projects, guided by the Production Designer. Responsibilities include setting style through style framing, clarifying the story via storyboarding/previs, and planning production by establishing appropriate motion techniques. This role requires a strong aesthetic sense, quick design execution, and collaboration with the VFX Supervisor to guide the design team.

Must Have

• Lead the art direction of projects, guided by the Production Designer.
• Set style (style framing), clarify story (storyboarding/previs), and plan production with appropriate motion techniques.
• Contribute profound aesthetics: composition, animation techniques, camerawork, color, typography, and style.
• Explore ideas and execute designs quickly across various styles, meeting deadlines.
• Expand creative capabilities through experimentation, research, and professional development.
• Collaborate closely with the VFX Supervisor.
• Guide and support the design team in daily operations and deliverables.
• Minimum 5 years experience in Commercial, Feature Film, and/or Video Game production with emphasis on drawing and painting.
• Strong design skills, including typography, color, composition, and detail.
• Extensive experience with Photoshop and similar painting programs.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

Good to Have

• 3D experience

Job Summary

We’re excited to be back in our Montreal studio Tuesday thru Thursday… come join us! The Art Director is responsible for leading the art direction of any given project, led by the Production Designer. Art direction will involve but not be limited to setting the style (style framing), clarifying the story (storyboarding/previs), and helping plan production by establishing appropriate motion techniques necessary to responsibly execute the project.

Responsibilities

• Contribute a profound sense of aesthetics, including composition, animation techniques, camerawork, color, typography and style.
• Explore ideas and execute designs quickly and in a wide range of styles, as mandated by deadlines and project objectives, with or without reference materials.
• Expand our team’s creative capabilities and vision through continued experimentation, research and professional development.
• Closely collaborate with the VFX Supervisor.
• Guide and support the design team in daily operations and deliverables.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design, Animation, Illustration, Fine Art, or related field; or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum 5 years experience in Commercial, Feature Film, and/or Video Game production with an emphasis on drawing and painting.
• Strong design skills, with a good eye for typography, color, composition and detail.
• Extensive experience with Photoshop and similar painting programs.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• 3D experience, an asset.
• Creative and collaborative problem solver who is organized and critical of their own work.
• Ability to communicate creative and technical thoughts and ideas.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize a team’s effort as well as their own.
• Ability to thrive in a high pressure, deadline-oriented environment.
• Ability to lead a team of designers and artists on a project. This job description is not meant to be all-inclusive. Employee may be required to perform other duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. Please note that Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents will be considered in priority.