53 minutes ago
Senior Visual Creative / Concept Artist
£65000.00 - £75000.00 per annum
We are looking for an experienced Senior Visual Creative / Concept Artist / Designer to work closely with an established artist and lead the creative development and execution of their artistic practice and wider creative ventures.The role is highly multidisciplinary, spanning artwork, design, film, exhibitions, publications, products, objects, events, spatial experiences and visual identity. Working closely with the artist, you will develop ideas and translate an evolving artistic vision into fully realised creative projects, from initial concept through to final execution.This is a senior, hands-on position for someone who can move between big creative ideas and the detail of making them happen. You will be expected to generate and develop visual ideas, sketch and communicate concepts, create visualisations and renders, oversee 2D and 3D assets, and help take ambitious ideas through to production.A particularly important part of the role is strong drawing and sketching ability. The successful candidate should be able to quickly explore and communicate ideas visually, using drawing as an active part of the creative process. This is a key requirement and will be an important part of the portfolio assessment.The role also involves bringing structure, clarity and organisation to a highly intuitive and evolving creative environment, while maintaining the spontaneity and experimentation of the work.You will:Develop ideas from initial conversations, references and sketches through to fully realised projects.Generate and develop strong visual concepts and creative directions.Use drawing and sketching to explore and communicate ideas and details.Create concept artwork, visualisations, moodboards, presentations and visual renders.Lead multidisciplinary projects across artwork, exhibitions, spatial experiences, film, publications, visual identity, events, editions, products and merchandise.Work confidently across 2D and 3D, including graphic, spatial, physical and moving-image projects.Oversee physical objects and products, including sculpture, furniture, jewellery, homewares, editions and prints.Oversee 3D assets, working with 3D artists and external specialists where required.Support film and moving-image development through visual research, storyboarding and visual experimentation.Develop and maintain a coherent visual identity across the wider practice.Move comfortably between concept development, visual design, art direction and production.You will also lead and manage a multidisciplinary team of permanent staff and freelancers, providing creative direction while remaining hands-on.This will include:Managing workloads, delegation, feedback and creative development.Acting as the key creative link between the artist, creative team and production teams.Briefing and coordinating external designers, fabricators, manufacturers, printers and other specialists.Overseeing creative workflow, deliverables and quality.Supporting the development of the creative team and freelance network.A key part of the role is bringing structure and organisation to a fast-moving creative environment. You will:Turn evolving ideas into clear briefs, priorities and next steps.Create timelines and manage workflow across multiple projects.Manage competing priorities and keep projects moving.Oversee projects from creative development through production and final delivery.Maintain organised project files, archives, references and creative assets.Anticipate challenges and find practical, creative solutions.Remain calm, proactive and adaptable when priorities shift or deadlines are tight.You will oversee the transition from creative development into production, working with fabricators, manufacturers, printers, suppliers and production teams. You should have a good understanding of materials, fabrication methods and technical requirements, and be able to balance creative ambition with practical and budgetary considerations.We are looking for someone with significant experience across art and design, rather than a purely commercial or advertising background.You will ideally have:A strong background in contemporary art, design, architecture, fashion, film, spatial or exhibition design, cultural projects or multidisciplinary creative studios.A substantial portfolio demonstrating strong visual and conceptual work.Excellent drawing and sketching skills, particularly when developing initial creative ideas.A strong visual imagination and the ability to turn loose ideas or references into compelling concepts.Experience creating concept artwork, visualisations, renders, moodboards and presentations.Experience taking ambitious creative ideas through to physical or final realisation.Strong 2D and 3D visual understanding, including experience overseeing 3D assets.Fluency in key creative software.Experience managing creative teams, freelancers and external collaborators.Excellent organisational and project management skills, including timelines, workflow and prioritisation.Exceptional attention to detail and high standards of execution.The ability to work closely with an artist or creative founder and interpret an evolving creative vision.A calm, practical and solutions-oriented approach.A hands-on attitude and the confidence to make, develop and refine work yourself.The successful candidate will be equally comfortable discussing an idea with an artist, picking up a pencil to sketch it, developing a visual direction, creating a render, briefing a designer or fabricator, reviewing a prototype, solving a production problem and managing the next stage of the project.The role requires calm, precision, creativity and quick thinking, with the ability to adapt as ideas develop and priorities shift.Above all, we are looking for someone who can see an idea, draw it, develop it, visualise it, communicate it and help make it real.The role is predominantly studio-based in London, with some travel depending on the needs of the work.Bonus: Mandarin speaking would be highly advantageous.Start date: ASAP Handle actively welcomes applicants from under-represented backgrounds - we pride ourselves on attracting the best talent for every opportunity through a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.