Art Director
Job Description
Boulder Media, one of Ireland’s largest animation studios and the powerhouse behind some of the most thrilling prime time animated series, is on the lookout for a talented Art Director to join our creative ranks!
This is a full-time, specified-purpose position and the role kicks off immediately!
Are you ready to shape the visual world of one of our hugely successful adult prime time series? As Art Director, you'll lead a passionate team, define ground-breaking styles, and help bring unforgettable stories to screens worldwide.
Applications close: 3rd June 2025
About us
Established in 2000, Boulder Media has become one of Ireland's largest animation studios. Combining our passion, expertise, and experience, we believe in the power of our creativity and our ability to deliver world-class animated entertainment experiences. Boulder has produced many great shows, including Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, The Amazing World of Gumball, El Tigre, Wander Over Yonder, My Little Pony: Pony Life, DC Super Hero Girls, Transformers Cyberverse, Danger Mouse, Cat Burglar, and the Netflix hit feature film – My Little Pony: A New Generation.
About our culture
Boulder Media is not only a very hard-working creative studio, but we also have a jam-packed social calendar. From celebrating the end of each show with wrap parties to our famous Halloween fancy dress and Christmas celebrations to bake-offs, table quizzes, dungeons & dragons, online and offline meet-ups, and sketch-ups. We put on cultural events to celebrate our international staff and make them feel at home, away from home. What makes Boulder Media special is the people that fill the studio and bring life to everything we do. Boulder is a family, a very nurturing and open space for all to come and be themselves and express who they are through creativity. We would love you to be part of our animation adventure!
About the role
The Art Director will be responsible for leading and developing the aesthetics of the show. They will be required to work to a creative brief from script to screen set by the client and the show’s Director. They will oversee all aspects of the creative visuals while managing their teams schedule and deadlines.
Skills & Other Requirements
Key Responsibilities
- Coordinate with the Director and/or Concept Artists at the script stage regarding what the key locations should look like and what shots need to be done for storyboarding and key backgrounds;
- Develop an understanding of the show and budget limitations and be able to create artwork that can fit to the agreed standard;
- Ensure that the look of the show is consistent with the established style provided by the Art Director;
- Create style keys for compositing and establish the look for key sequence within an episode, lighting, character shading, scene grading, etc.;
- Design bespoke pieces of artwork that are outside the usual backgrounds, i.e., magazine covers, fake adverts, machines etc;
- Generate clear ideas and concepts in tandem with the Director;
- Produce sketches, mood boards, art layouts based on creative visions and ideas;
- Approve props and liaise with the Concept Artists to decide how to handle certain elements;
- After material has been approved and completed, review assemblies and communicate any revisions that might be required before final delivery;
- Provide black and white sketches of original ideas for location design in rough form for approval by the Director;
- Build any vehicle references that may be required for the show;
- Create rough FX designs with colour to be cleaned up and refined for FX animation;
- Provide notes to the Backgrounds team after reviewing the completed background keys;
- Provide brief for location design in rough form for approval, including black and white location design and rough colour work to show mood, atmosphere, general colour palette and final colour work;
- Ensure that the brief provided is clear and the deadlines are understood by the relevant team(s);
- Lead the Art team and communicate effectively with the Director and Production Manager, as well as other relevant department heads;
- As part of your continuous development, you are expected to keep up to date with the latest initiatives and developments in your area of expertise/role such as (but not limited to), training, learning and development initiatives and mentoring.
- Provide strong leadership;
- Regularly monitor each individual to assess performance;
- Document performance clearly and provide feedback to crew;
- Build and maintain crew morale;
- Set SMART goals/objectives to enable and ensure crew meet the expected standards of performance;
- Check in on crew progress towards goals and objectives and giving feedback on progress;
- Working with the HR Team, assist with crew development;
- Any other duties company management may from time to time deem necessary and reasonably require.
What would we look for?
- A minimum of 5 years of experience in an animation production environment;
- A minimum of 2 years of experience as an Art Director for a TV series or feature film;
- An outstanding knowledge of colour, design and composition;
- A strong understanding of the principles of both character and background design;
- Have extensive experience working with a wide variety of styles;
- In-depth knowledge of Photoshop;
- Be able to communicate in an articulate and positive manner;
- Excellent creative vision;
- Excellent team skills;
- Ability to work to tight deadlines;
- Ability to make decisions under pressure;
- Fluent in English, both spoken and written.
What do we offer?
- Competitive salary, depending on skills and experience;
- 21 days holidays per annum (pro rata);
- An extra day off for Good Friday each year;
- Time off for Christmas;
- Paid sick leave;
- Enhanced Maternity/Paternity package;
- Death-In-Service Benefit;
- Employee Assistance Programme;
- Vision/Eye Care;
- Temporary Remote Work Abroad;
- Various in-house social events such as Cake & Fruit Day, Screening nights, Games nights, to name a few.
Boulder Media is an equal opportunity employer committed to supporting diversity and inclusion within our work environment. All applicants, regardless of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, or membership of the Travelling Community, will be given equal consideration for employment based on their skills, experience, and potential
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at [email protected] to request accommodation.