Production Designer

This is a Full Time Job

DreamWorks Animation is looking for more adventurous dreamers who shoot for the moon. We tell stories about the journeys our unconventional heroes take to make dreams come true. As a growth-minded studio, we pride ourselves on being one of the world's leading producers of high-quality, award-winning, animated films and series, reaching consumers around the globe. We push to feel more, laugh more, and build immersive new worlds.

DreamWorks creates a diverse array of original content in a variety of formats, delivering compelling stories with unique characters. We place tremendous value on the experiences our talent brings to the table from their own non-traditional paths to success. We believe in frequent communication and that transparency and trust yield the best work. We are a community of artists, technologists, innovators, and creators, who are passionate about animation and also happen to love eating lunch together.

Responsible for the look of the film, the Production Designer will create, articulate and maintain a vision for the film throughout the development and production process in partnership with the Director.

The Production Designer works closely with the Visual Effects Supervisor, Art Director, Producers, and Studio Leadership to ensure the artistic vision is technically feasible and can be delivered within the film schedule and budget.

If you are part of the fandom and believe teamwork makes the dream work, join us in #livingthedream and #doingyourdreamwork!

“What would you say you do here?”
• Supervises the Art Department
• Oversees and participates in the visual development phase to discover the look of the film. Responsible for creating and implementing the visual flow of the film as it relates to story and emotional intent through design, lighting and color infrastructure.
• Develop and communicate a clear design vision (including Characters, Locations, Props, Backgrounds, FX, Lighting, and Color) that will support the overall creative vision for the story and style of the project
• Create the visual style guide for the series and present the look of the show
• Generate artwork in any or all of the following areas, depending on the candidate's artistic interest and background: character, environment, props, textures, mood, lighting, color, type design, and vehicles
• Translate, clarify, and communicate the Show Leadership's vision for the look of the show to the artistic crew
• Work with Art Director to ensure look and design is producible
• Oversees the character design from concept through final by working with the Character Designer(s), Head of Modeling and Head of Character Animation
• Provides final art reference for modeling, surfacing and lighting. Generates supplemental artwork to various departments to clarify intent
• Oversees modeling with the HUB, VFX Supervisor and CG Supervisor by providing artistic input on the translation of 2D assets into 3D models
• Oversees along with the Art Director the execution of the look of the film throughout the filmmaking process. Partners with the HUB, VFX Supervisor and CG Supervisor
• Prepare for and lead design handouts by communicating overall direction, design requirements, and expected level of polish to the Design team
• Collaborate with the Art Director to create the color script
• Responsible for the visual complexity of the show along with the VFX Supervisor. Both create an environment of fluid information exchange continually evaluating artistic vision and feasibility
• Participate in design and color reviews, provide clear notes for revisions, and assist with revisions as needed
• Participate in the talent acquisition process with the Line Producer and Art Director to review portfolios and tests, interview candidates, and provide detailed feedback
• Create and ensure an effective process for transparent and timely communication within production, to and from the partner studio
• Mentor and support the Design team and cultivate positive team morale
• Ensure that the team culture is one of timely feedback (with both positive praise and constructive criticism)
• Foster an environment of collaboration and an environment where mistakes are an opportunity for growth On Working with the Art Director:
• The partnership between the Production Designer and the Art Director should be based on a fluid exchange of information, ideas, and solutions between the two individuals
• Generally speaking, the Production Designer will make the majority of the artistic vision calls and the Art Director will make the feasibility, efficiency, and technical calls

Qualifications

“What do I need to have in order to do this job?”
• Previous experience in designing the look of intellectual property
• Strong design skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Proven ability to meet deadlines and keep a team on schedule
• Ability to work with remote crew and independent contractors
• Working knowledge of tools and software such as Cintiq, Adobe Suite, Maya or other applicable design software
• Ability to build concepts and turnarounds for characters, props and sets and oversee their translation into 3D
• Understanding and experience leading in a 3D animation pipeline preferred
• Experience supervising a design team including delegating, giving feedback, and providing constructive criticism to creatives
• Strong organization and time management skills
• A great teammate with a positive, can-do attitude
• Solid knowledge of color theory and lighting
• Detailed understanding of multi-point perspective
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment
• Must be willing to adhere to all Company COVID-19 workplace safety policies and protocols.
• In select work settings or where jurisdictionally mandated, must submit an attestation disclosing your COVID-19 vaccination status and be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or adhere to enhanced protocols.

“What can I offer?”
• At least 7 years of experience as a Production Artist
• Prior Production Design experience working in CG feature and television animation
• Experience working with Partner Studios is a plus
• Ideal candidates will be able to provide substantial portfolio samples
• Live action experience is a plus

Hybrid: This position has been designated as hybrid, generally contributing from the office a minimum of three days per week.

Salary Range: $182,000 - $260,000

Additional Information

NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law. NBCUniversal will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements, including the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative For Hiring Ordinance, where applicable.