Art Director- Media

Local Projects is a multi-disciplinary design studio best known for technologically advanced work that drives emotional engagement. Founded 20 years ago, our NYC-based studio utilizes our unique capabilities and creative process to produce best-in-class, groundbreaking projects worldwide. The Art Director: Media plays a key leadership role in shaping and delivering innovative, cohesive design solutions across physical and digital environments. With a background in graphic design, this role requires deep expertise in media design, with a strong focus on high-end motion, VFX, and interactive storytelling. Hands-on proficiency with industry-standard tools is essential, along with experience working within 3D and game engine workflows to build immersive worlds. This role demands a deep understanding of production pipelines and close collaboration with production teams. As part of the Visual Experience Design (VXD) discipline, the Art Director: Media collaborates closely with the Creative Technology and Media teams. Reporting to the Director of VXD and collaborating with project Creative Directors, this leader helps define and drive the creative vision, mentors designers, animators, and editors, and ensures technical and creative alignment across teams. This role is ideal for a hands-on leader who thrives in multidisciplinary environments and can deliver from concept through execution. Important: Must be able to work in our New York Studio as needed- Flexible. Must hold primary residence in one of these states: NY/CT/NJ/DC/VA/MD Must be eligible to work in the United States. Please include a link to your website or portfolio when applying to the position. Requirements Responsibilities Lead with a design process that embraces experimentation, iteration, and challenges conventions. Design with empathy and ensure accessibility in physical environments. Clearly communicate design concepts to teams and clients. Translate project strategies into actionable design direction in partnership with project leads. Collaborate closely with Creative Directors to establish and implement unified systems across phases of work and across disciplines. Coordinate design dependencies, keeping budget, spec, and production constraints in mind. Flag challenges early and propose timely, thoughtful solutions. Manage multiple projects and consistently meet deadlines. Lead and participate in design reviews and working sessions. Mentor and support team members with actionable feedback and ongoing development. Actively contribute to and participate in your professional development  Contribute to studio-wide best practices and help evolve department standards. Skills & Qualifications Fluent in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator), Figma, Google Slides, and Keynote. Strong Photoshop skills for compositing and environmental renderings. Strong understanding; ability to collaborate with motion/media teams (design skills in animation/editing/sound). Experience with 2D, C4D, AE, and Premiere software and workflows is a must Experience delivering high-end motion, VFX, and editorial Experience leading teams of designers, animators, and editors.  Strong understanding; ability to collaborate with Creative Tech, software development, and UX/UI teams  Experience working alongside development teams Experience with game engine workflows and world-building Experience working in Unity and Unreal Engine Experienced in using AI tools, Airtable (or similar), and Miro. Proactive, self-motivated, and comfortable working in fluid, collaborative environments. Strong communicator with excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills. Highly organized with excellent time and project management skills; strong prioritization and delegation ability. Exceptional design sensibility with strong conceptual thinking, typography, and layout skills. Skilled in quickly sketching and iterating design ideas. Strong portfolio demonstrating leadership in media-rich, spatial design projects. Expertise in building visual identities, cohesive cross-disciplinary design systems, and clear guideline documents.  Comfortable balancing high-level vision across workstreams with direct design contributions Additional Requirements:  Degree in Graphic Design or equivalent experience. Minimum 3+ years in the role of  Art Director as described above; minimum 8 years total of relevant design experience. Travel required (domestic and global). Must be able to work in our New York Studio as needed- Flexible. Salary: 100K to 130K (commensurate with experience) Benefits Local Projects offers to its Full-Time staff Health/Dental/Vision, FSA, 401k, access to short-term and Long Term Disability Insurance and Life Insurance, as well as a generous PTO package. Local Projects is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce where everyone is valued and respected. A range of perspectives strengthens our collaboration and enhances the experiences we create together. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, including those from historically underrepresented communities, as we strive to ensure our workplace reflects a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Local Projects is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on sex, age, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage, religion, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, citizenship, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to legally protected characteristics.