Senior Art Director – Art Studio, Disney Live Entertainment

The Walt Disney Company•Kissimmee, FL

1d•$100,100 - $134,200•Onsite

About The Position

Through innovative storytelling and a culture of collaboration, Disney Live Entertainment creates, produces, and delivers remarkable and engaging entertainment experiences! From the intimate to the spectacular, our work can be seen at Disney theme parks, resort hotels, cruise ships, and other locations the world over. This team with varied strengths – representing a wide variety of subject areas and talents from art directors, concept artist/illustrators, technical directors, writers, and lighting designers to choreographers, cosmetologists, and music producers – brings magical worlds to life through technical expertise, performance excellence, outstanding resourcefulness, unparalleled spectacle… and a dash of pixie dust! The Sr. Art Director collaborates with partners including team members of the Art Studio to create the visual storytelling language of projects. As an artist on this team, you are a visual storyteller. They develop and execute innovative, unique and immersive designs of environments, props and scenery in support of original and adapted live entertainment concepts, including special events, Character greeting environments, large stage shows, spectaculars and parades. Through leadership and collaboration with Show Directors, Technical Directors, Technical Designers, Producers, WDI and marketing partners, the Art Director ensures design intent in the development of themed environments which convey the emotions and visual vocabulary of a live production. The DLE Art Studio has helped create some of the most spectacular visual storytelling for some of the world's greatest Characters and the worlds they live in.

Requirements

7 years of experience in the theatrical or themed entertainment industry, working in show development and operation of live shows, drafting ground plans, elevations, renderings, 3D images, etc
Superior working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) and experience with theatrical scenic design
Demonstrated hand-drawing, sketching and illustration abilities
Strong drafting knowledge and ability to read technical drawings
Ability to handle multiple projects; strong background in logistics
Aptitude for creative collaboration and partnering
Positive attitude; ability to promote co-operation and teamwork
Proficient ability to mentor others through positive and constructive feedback, coaching and developmental direction
Leadership skills, including problem solving, influencing abilities, negotiating skills and continuous improvement process experience
Excellent communication skills and follow through
Demonstrate strong organizational and time management skills
Demonstrated ability to lead and provide direction for teams and crews while maintaining a safe and productive workplace
Demonstrated strong budgeting skills
Ability to solve business and creative challenges
Ability to be flexible with work schedule, including weekends and holidays

Nice To Haves

Proficiency in AutoCAD, SketchUp, CADTools, Vectorworks and 3D programs such as Z-Brush and Rhino
Understanding of the Disney Company Brand and how to work with it
BA in Theater Technology and Design, or related field or equivalent work experience
MFA or equivalent in Art/Theatrical Design

Responsibilities

Provides strong and consistent leadership for graphic artists, concept artists, illustrators, and scenic vendors.
Guides the development of the design intent on projects in collaboration with other key creative partners.
Establishes, builds and maintains open relationships based on trust and partnering with key clients and supporting departments.
Participates/influences the project's creative development.
Develops and executes scenic art designs and facility infrastructure.
Collaborates with key production disciplines to ensure that the artistic & scenic design elements are seamlessly and safely integrated into the overall project.
Produces design intent drawings, five-view detailed drawings, provides materials selections, color call-outs and color elevations that the production team can use to select vendors and communicate project information.
Provides leadership and art direction in the field and direction to vendors to ensure that final product meets the design intent.
Partners with vendors to ensure Disney quality, compatibility, training and proper documentation of all art elements is delivered.
Develops and/or provides input to Art Studio budgets for element costs and labor.
Stays current with art research and development efforts within industry including visual and graphic trends, scenic innovation.
Produces support artwork for design/development and presentations.
Conducts ongoing "entertainment show quality" evaluations of existing offerings to maintain original show intent.