Art Director

Role Overview

This position begins as a contract opportunity with the potential to transition into a full-time role. The job is based in New York or remote, preferably within the EST time zone. The contract pay rate ranges from $90 to $135 per hour, while the full-time base salary extends from $95,000 to $135,000 annually.

The Art Director will be accountable for steering the visual identity, ensuring creative consistency, and overseeing the artistic quality throughout brand initiatives and campaigns. This role involves hands-on direction and production of work rather than solely supervisory oversight.

About Little Plains

Little Plains operates as a contemporary brand and product studio, primarily serving early-stage companies from pre-launch through Series A funding. The team focuses on providing clarity, agility, and strong conviction during critical growth phases. Instead of functioning like a standard digital agency, they embed within their partners' teams, delivering integrated brand, product, and go-to-market systems across sectors such as healthcare, biotech, SaaS, and consumer goods.

Key Duties

• Lead and define the visual direction for brand and campaign projects.
• Conceive visual concepts and guide art direction from initial ideas through to final deliverables.
• Collaborate intimately with brand designers to enhance and solidify creative output.
• Extend and develop brand visual systems beyond headline executions to encompass various touchpoints.
• Oversee creative disciplines including photography, illustration, motion graphics, and typography, both conceptually and in execution.
• Partner with brand strategists and copywriters to ensure visual and verbal elements complement each other effectively.
• Utilize AI-based imagery and generative technologies to expedite creative exploration and concept development.
• Maintain rigorous quality standards, driving improvement when work falls short.

Working Approach

At Little Plains, art directors are deeply engaged in the creative process, focusing on hands-on development rather than detached oversight. The feedback given is guided by brand intentions, not personal taste. AI tools support but do not replace critical artistic judgment.

Expected Expertise

• 3 to 5 years of experience in art direction within agencies, studios, or corporate environments.
• A portfolio showcasing a strong visual perspective across brand identities, campaigns, and digital media.
• Capability to establish and uphold consistent visual branding systems rather than isolated pieces.
• Proficiency directing multiple creative areas including design, photography, illustration, and motion.
• Experience with early-stage or startup branding is advantageous.
• Regular use of AI generative platforms like Flora, Weavy, MidJourney, Claude, or Paper for creative ideation.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills to provide constructive and precise creative feedback.

Benefits for Full-Time Employees

• Quarterly profit-sharing aligned with studio results.
• Equity opportunities for dedicated team members over the long term.
• Half of medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums covered by employer.
• Starting at 15 paid time off days per year, increasing by two days annually.
• Paid summer office closure lasting one week.
• Paid holiday closure between Christmas and New Year's Eve.
• Parental leave benefits: 12 weeks fully paid for birth parents and 6 weeks for non-birth parents.
• 20 hours paid prenatal leave annually.
• An annual craft and tools allowance of $1,000.
• A monthly coworking stipend of $200.

Application Requirements

• Resume or professional profile.
• Portfolio demonstrating art direction skills in brand and campaign contexts.
• A brief commentary on a current brand or visual identity that inspires, including reasons for its impact.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Little Plains commits to fair employment practices without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, veteran status, or any legally protected characteristic. They also follow the NYC Fair Chance Act, considering applicants with criminal records and conducting background checks only after a conditional offer.

Additional Details

They appreciate all applications and endeavor to provide timely responses. Prospective candidates are encouraged to apply if interested in meaningful art direction for innovative companies.