Art Director, Licensing Design

Paramount•Los Angeles, CA

1d•$110,400 - $160,600•Onsite

About The Position

The Art Director leads the visual development of Consumer Products creative, with style guides and franchise design systems as the primary focus. Translating franchise strategy into distinctive, product-ready expression, the role defines graphic language, typography, color, illustration approach, editorial voice, and application principles across categories. As both a hands-on designer and art director, the role takes work from concept through execution. Developing graphics and proof-of-concept designs, shaping product and retail applications, directing internal and external creative partners, and presenting recommendations to senior stakeholders. The Art Director leads through creative direction, remarkable craft, and collaboration, while providing clear guidance and mentorship to other creatives. This is an onsite role at our Los Angeles location.

Requirements

8+ years of relevant design and art direction experience, ideally spanning style guides, brand systems, and product-facing creative.
Demonstrated success art directing and designing style guides, brand systems, or product-facing creative in entertainment, consumer products, licensing, branding, or agency environments.
Exceptional portfolio showing graphic design, typography, composition, brand identity, and applications across apparel, packaging, retail, or related consumer connection points.
Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite; deep illustration sensibility and proven ability to direct illustrators, with hands-on illustration capability a plus.
Proven ability to take work from concept through execution, present and defend creative to senior stakeholders, direct vendors and agencies, and provide mindful feedback and mentorship.
Applicable experience using company-approved AI-assisted tools as a thought partner. Using it for creative strategy, mood boards, visual exploration, editorial concepts, short-form brand language, and illustration direction; while maintaining originality, franchise authenticity, and final craft.

Responsibilities

Establish and evolve franchise visual systems and style guides, defining graphic language, typography, color, patterns, icons, badges, composition, illustration direction, and application principles.
Lead concepts from brief through completion, remaining hands-on in graphic design, rapid visual exploration, occasional illustration, and polished proof-of-concept work.
Develop editorial concepts, naming, headlines, phrases, and short-form brand language that strengthen visual ideas and franchise expression.
Create and art direct apparel graphics and product mockups, packaging, hangtags, retail concepts, logos, marks, and product or franchise lockups as needs require.
Direct and mentor internal and external creative contributors, including agencies, illustrators, photographers, and vendors. Give actionable feedback, incorporate partner input, and present and defend recommendations