Manager, CGI Art Director - Pottery Barn

Williams-Sonoma•San Francisco, CA

25d•$110,000 - $120,000

About The Position

The Manager, CGI/AI Art Director role helps drive the look, feel, and execution of our photo-realistic product CGI/AI. Proper design and art direction combined with the right content drives customer engagement with the brand. Visual content created from this role directly translates the brands business needs, ultimately driving revenue for the business.

Requirements

You'll need a strong understanding of photo art direction, CGI/AI rendering. You have a passion for design, interiors, art, and fashion with a high taste level, discerning eye, and ability to edit. Key attributes include a love for collaboration, strong communication skills, and a sense of ownership and urgency in delivering quality in all projects. To succeed here, you'll also have a flexible personality to thrive in the fast-paced, reactive environment. Adept and agile in an evolving landscape of content creation.
Bachelor's degree in art/design
3-5 years working on asset creation. Experience managing a CG/AI creative and production team is a plus.
Previous professional work experience in photography or CGI/AI design or rendering with a portfolio emphasizing interior design, home furnishings, and architecture
Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite & Keynote, Airtable, & file management systems knowledge a plus
Experience working with high-volume asset development and management a plus
Excellent people and management skills to interact with colleagues, cross-functional teams, and third parties
Attention to detail in final assets
Experience on-set and in photo studios a plus – understanding of production & pre-production, shoot planning, prop sourcing & procurement, photography, lighting, and post-production
Strong organizational skills, time management, communication, interpersonal skills, and ability to multi-task
Ability to prioritize and problem solve, works with a sense of urgency, process and solution-oriented

Responsibilities

Art Direct with a solid grasp of Pottery Barn’s brand aesthetic. Collaborates with VP and SVP Creative and Photo Art Directions teams, Digital and Photo Merchant partners, Post-Production team, and Product and Digital Design teams to deliver the best photorealistic assets for our e-commerce & digital channels and support key product initiatives for each season. Collaborate and communicate cross-functionally to ensure concepts, brand vision, and assets are compelling & on brand.
Provide art direction, interior design, and styling of lifestyle imagery for photorealistic rendering (architecture and interior plan, materials, composition, lighting, propping, window scenes, post-rendering effects, crops, etc.)
Provide feedback and direction on CGI/AI generated images—proofing, and quality assurance (QA) with cross-functional teams specific to the CGI/AI generated assets specifically in the areas of composition, perspective, lighting and propping.
Plan delivery schedules and milestones for creative development, modeling, and rendering teams
Collaborate with product designers, photography, post-production, and merchant teams for final asset approvals
Ensure assets are presented and shared in final and intended crops
Develop visual standards and room environments for lighting, composition by product category and scene(s)
Build a CGI/AI library (models, materials, scenes, props) and create optimized strategies for asset reuse
Refine the CGI/AI pipeline workflow, tools, and processes.
Attend corporate, creative meetings – maintain an understanding of business goals & creative direction
Research & compile inspiration/references for render planning
Research photography, styling, interior, art & design trends, talent & vendors
Stay up to date on current best practices, creative references & competitive landscape to maximize creative output & efficiencies
Maintain a complete understanding of style guides, shot lists, shot direction, product assortment, & scheduling
Support in the development & maintenance of style guides, creative tools, & strategy
Bring cost effective creative ideas & solutions to the table while supporting asset development & creative
At times may require art direction with on-set photography. Collaborate & clearly communicate with Stylists, Photographers & Set team ensuring concepts, sets, lighting, styling & execution of assets are on brand & efficiently produced maintaining quality & consistency across all photography

Benefits

A generous discount on all WSI brands
A 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities
Paid vacations, holidays, and time off to volunteer
Health benefits, dental and vision insurance, including same-sex domestic partner benefits
Tax-free commuter benefits
A wellness program that supports your physical, financial and emotional health
In-person and online learning opportunities through WSI University
Cross-brand and cross-function career opportunities
Resources for self-development
Advisor (Mentor) program
Career development workshops, learning programs, and speaker series