Manager, CGI Art Director - Pottery Barn

Job Description

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.

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

Qualifications

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

Our Culture \& Values

We believe that taking care of our people is vital to our success and we strive to offer equitable and transparent practices for all. We prioritize connection, growth, and wellbeing.

People First

Putting People First means investing in overall well-being and opportunities to grow and advance within the organization. Depending on the position and location, here are a few highlights of what benefits may be available:

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

Continued Learning

• 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

WSI will not now or in the future commence an immigration case or "sponsor" an individual for this position (for example, H-1B or other employment-based immigration).

This role is not eligible for relocation assistance.

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, or other applicable state or local laws and ordinances.

The expected starting pay range for this position is $110,000 - 120,000\. Applicable pay ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. In addition to competitive pay, compensation may include a variety of other components like benefits, paid time off, merit, and bonus opportunities.

About Us

Our Company

Founded in 1956, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the premier specialty retailer of high-quality products for the kitchen and home in the United States. Our family of brands are Williams Sonoma, Williams Sonoma Home, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, Rejuvenation, West Elm, Mark \& Graham, Outward, and GreenRow. These brands are among the best known and most respected in the industry. We offer beautifully-designed, stylish and functional products for every area of the home, including the kitchen, living room, bedroom, home office, closet, laundry room and even outdoor spaces. We've seen some big changes since our first brick-and-mortar store opened more than half of a century ago. What hasn't changed is our passion for high-quality products, functional design, outstanding customer service, and enhancing the lives of our customers and the communities where we operate. Today, we're a multi-brand, multi-channel, global enterprise supported by state-of-the-art technology and some of the most talented teams in retailing - and we're always looking for new energy and ideas.