Senior Art Director – Art Studio, Disney Live Entertainment

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. 

You will report to the Manager - Art Studio

This is a Full-Time role

What You Will Do: 

The Sr. Art Director provides strong and consistent leadership for graphic artists, concept artists, illustrators, and scenic vendors. Responsibilities include guiding the development of the design intent on projects in collaboration with other key creative partners. As a leader within the team, the Sr. Art Director must establish, build and maintain open relationships based on trust and partnering with key clients and supporting departments.

This role requires an aptitude for extensive collaboration in the development and realization of design intent of live show entertainment projects as part of the creative process. Other responsibilities include participating/influencing the project's creative development, developing and executing scenic art designs and facility infrastructure, and collaborating with key production disciplines to ensure that the artistic & scenic design elements are seamlessly and safely integrated into the overall project.  

With a strong background in theatrical scenic design, the Sr. Art Director 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. The Sr. Art Director provides leadership and art direction in the field and direction to vendors to ensure that final product meets the design intent; this role also partners with vendors to ensure Disney quality, compatibility, training and proper documentation of all art elements is delivered.

Other duties include developing and/or providing input to Art Studio budgets for element costs and labor, staying current with art research and development efforts within industry including visual and graphic trends, scenic innovation and produces support artwork for design/development and presentations, and conducts ongoing "entertainment show quality" evaluations of existing offerings to maintain original show intent. 

Required Qualifications & Skills: 

• 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 

   

Preferred Qualifications & Skills: 

• 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

Required Education

• BA in Theater Technology and Design, or related field or equivalent work experience

Preferred Education

• MFA or equivalent in Art/Theatrical Design 

Additional Information

Benefits and Perks: Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities, and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.

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The hiring range for this position in Florida is $100,100.00 - $134,200.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.