Art Director

Complex•Los Angeles, CA

9d•$110,000 - $120,000

About The Position

Complex is the definitive platform for global youth culture and music lifestyle, seamlessly integrating cutting-edge content, commerce and live experiences with unparalleled scale. Through innovative content, Complex tells stories of music, streetwear and style, sports, art and beyond. Its content engages in a dynamic conversation with the audience, reflecting and shaping the zeitgeist of convergence culture. A powerful media juggernaut paired with a curated marketplace, Complex is redefining the way fans interact with their favorite brands and artists and reshaping the future of digital culture and commerce. What You'll Do Lead and execute elevated creative across Complex platforms, spanning digital, social, video, experiential, and editorial content, ensuring each touchpoint feels culturally sharp and visually cohesive Partner closely with the Creative Director to develop and refine photo and video treatments across all apparel initiatives, including seasonal campaigns, market place, wholesale, and special projects, translating concept into clear, production-ready direction Own on-set direction for photoshoots and video captures, guiding talent, styling, and visual composition to deliver best-in-class assets that align with brand and campaign objectives Translate cultural insights and emerging trends into distinct visual narratives that resonate with Complexâs audience across fashion, music, sports, and internet culture Collaborate cross-functionally with Creative and Marketing leadership to bring merchandise initiatives to life, from initial pitch through final production, ensuring alignment, clarity, and impact at every stage Art direct multi-platform campaigns, photoshoots, and video productions with a strong point of view, balancing brand consistency with forward-thinking creative exploration Develop and implement design systems, visual identities, and scalable toolkits for franchises and recurring series to ensure consistency and efficiency across outputs Champion brand integrity while continuously pushing creative boundaries to evolve the visual language of Complex Oversee team workflows in partnership with the Associate Art Director and the Project Manager, optimizing processes to support output, efficiency, and team growth Integrate AI tools into the creative process to generate treatments, mockups, and assets, enhancing speed, ideation, and execution Who You Are 5â8+ years of experience in art direction or design, ideally within media, editorial, or culture-driven environments A strong portfolio that reflects concept-led thinking and elevated, high-impact execution Proven experience using AI to develop creative assets, visual systems, and treatments Deep fluency in youth culture across streetwear, music, sports, and emerging trends Versatility across formats including digital, social, video, and IRL activations Refined typography, layout, and visual storytelling sensibility Ability to work quickly, iterate with intention, and perform in high-volume content environments Collaborative, solutions-oriented mindset with clear and confident communication Skilled in building polished presentations that translate creative vision for cross-functional teams and key stakeholders Experience working on branded collaborations with commercial partners is a plus Preferred Skills: Motion design or video editing experience Experience in editorial environments Existing network of photographers, stylists, and creative collaborators Experience with emerging AI tool insights What We Offer Best in class health, dental, and vision insurance Healthcare FSA Dependent Care FSA Commuter Benefits FSA Short-term/long-term disability and life insurance Paid Parental leave 401k with 4% match Pet Insurance Legal and Identity Theft Plans Vacation time and sick days

Requirements

5â8+ years of experience in art direction or design, ideally within media, editorial, or culture-driven environments
A strong portfolio that reflects concept-led thinking and elevated, high-impact execution
Proven experience using AI to develop creative assets, visual systems, and treatments
Deep fluency in youth culture across streetwear, music, sports, and emerging trends
Versatility across formats including digital, social, video, and IRL activations
Refined typography, layout, and visual storytelling sensibility
Ability to work quickly, iterate with intention, and perform in high-volume content environments
Collaborative, solutions-oriented mindset with clear and confident communication
Skilled in building polished presentations that translate creative vision for cross-functional teams and key stakeholders
Experience working on branded collaborations with commercial partners is a plus

Nice To Haves

Motion design or video editing experience
Experience in editorial environments
Existing network of photographers, stylists, and creative collaborators
Experience with emerging AI tool insights

Responsibilities

Lead and execute elevated creative across Complex platforms, spanning digital, social, video, experiential, and editorial content, ensuring each touchpoint feels culturally sharp and visually cohesive
Partner closely with the Creative Director to develop and refine photo and video treatments across all apparel initiatives, including seasonal campaigns, market place, wholesale, and special projects, translating concept into clear, production-ready direction
Own on-set direction for photoshoots and video captures, guiding talent, styling, and visual composition to deliver best-in-class assets that align with brand and campaign objectives
Translate cultural insights and emerging trends into distinct visual narratives that resonate with Complexâs audience across fashion, music, sports, and internet culture
Collaborate cross-functionally with Creative and Marketing leadership to bring merchandise initiatives to life, from initial pitch through final production, ensuring alignment, clarity, and impact at every stage
Art direct multi-platform campaigns, photoshoots, and video productions with a strong point of view, balancing brand consistency with forward-thinking creative exploration
Develop and implement design systems, visual identities, and scalable toolkits for franchises and recurring series to ensure consistency and efficiency across outputs
Champion brand integrity while continuously pushing creative boundaries to evolve the visual language of Complex
Oversee team workflows in partnership with the Associate Art Director and the Project Manager, optimizing processes to support output, efficiency, and team growth
Integrate AI tools into the creative process to generate treatments, mockups, and assets, enhancing speed, ideation, and execution