Art Director – Licensed Product Design

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Vietnam.

📋 Description

• Lead the planning of assortments, new SKU development, and create concept sheets that align with licensing strategies and design perspectives.

• Take ownership and enhance the complete workflow of licensed products and licensing processes.

• Ensure timely delivery for product launches and work to minimize the cycle time from concept to submission.

• Uphold licensor style guidelines and safeguard character integrity throughout product submissions.

• Collaborate closely with licensors on design modifications and approval processes.

• Internalize franchise style guides and develop actionable creative briefs.

• Provide direct illustration support when necessary.

• Manage licensor approval processes through OPA portals and assist artists in rapid iterations.

• Collaborate with 3D paper-engineering and production teams to incorporate licensed resources into Lovepop’s 3D formats.

• Direct the artistic aspects of product components and marketing materials, including sentiment cards, inserts, envelopes, and packaging.

• Recruit, hire, onboard, and mentor both full-time licensed product designers and freelancers.

• Continuously refine the licensing workflow and ensure projects are delivered on time.

⛳️ Requirements

• A minimum of 6–8+ years of progressive experience in illustration, graphic design, merchandising, or art direction for tangible consumer goods, with at least 3 years in an Art Director or creative leadership capacity.

• Demonstrated success in working directly with entertainment licensors, managing assortment and SKU planning, collaborating on design choices, and handling multi-stage approvals via Online Product Approval (OPA) systems.

• Strong hands-on illustration abilities and a deep understanding of character design, composition, typography, color theory, and spatial storytelling.

• Experience managing the entire creative process, driving workflow improvements, and overseeing the hiring, onboarding, and management of internal designers and external freelancers.

• Expert-level proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign).

• Familiarity with Procreate or similar digital painting applications.

• Proficient in Google Workspace, Figma, and Slack.

• Working knowledge of Rhino 3D or AutoCAD.

• Practical experience with Photoshop automation, including scripting and variable-data templates.

• Strong and confident English communication skills, both written and verbal.

• Keen attention to detail and quality oversight over production files, character proportions, typography, SKU planning sheets, and physical samples.

• A portfolio is required that showcases production-ready physical products, such as licensed IP applications, character-focused merchandising, or dimensional/print product transitions to a factory or printer.

• A Bachelor’s degree (BFA/BA) in Illustration, Graphic Design, Industrial/Product Design, Visual Communications, or Animation, or equivalent practical experience.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.

• Opportunities for professional development and growth.

• Flexible work hours and a supportive work environment.

• Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.

• Generous paid time off and holiday leave.