Art Director
Presidio, CA
Marketing /
Full-Time /
On-site
About Arcade:
Arcade is the world’s first AI product marketplace, where everything that can be dreamed of can be made. Our mission is to create magical and social shopping experiences for people everywhere, using unparalleled design-to-manufacturing AI technologies. Arcade enables anyone to design, purchase, and sell custom, manufacturable products with a simple text prompt.
Arcade matches consumers with a community of independent makers who can bring their dreams to life, using the power of AI to enable communication. Arcade aims to redefine commerce by offering unprecedented personal choice, expression, and meaning in product creation.
We’re using AI to empower anyone to design a product, and feel the profound experience of wearing or using a product that is an expression of their unique vision.
Arcade is led by Mariam Naficy, who has 25+ years of entrepreneurial experience in e-commerce, creator communities, and make-on-demand manufacturing (Eve.com, Minted).
Arcade is based in San Francisco and has recently closed a Series A, led by Canaan and co-led by Forerunner. In total, the company has raised $42M in funding, including from Reid Hoffman, Offline Ventures, Sound Ventures, Inspired Capital, and Adverb Ventures. Angel investors include Sol Bier, Christy Turlington Burns, Elad Gil, Colin Kaepernick, Karlie Kloss, Eugenia Kuyda, David Luan, Kelly Wearstler, Jeff Wilke, and Sharon Zhou.
Arcade is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity, inclusion and equity.
Art Director
The Art Director leads the visual direction of all aspects of Arcade’s brand experience. The role requires strong art direction skills, excellent graphic design skills and experience developing creative solutions across a broad range of marketing channels.This is a 4-days-per-week in-office role that for now reports directly to the CEO, and is located at Arcade’s office in the Presidio in San Francisco.
Who Are We Looking For?
You are a master at your craft, as storyteller at heart and a student of creative culture and design trends. You’re passionate about merchandise and shopping - specifically in design goods categories - and you have terrific taste in merchandise design. While a high taste level and rich past experience are essential, it’s your take-charge spirit and entrepreneurial approach that will lead to true success in this role. Be ready to wear multiple hats, including designer, art director, creative lead, project manager, and team player—contributing to a positive culture and a reputation for creative excellence. An effective communicator, you’re clear, concise and purposeful, whether rallying people around an idea or delineating logistical specifics. You are able to constructively intake and problem-solve stakeholder feedback, while preserving the individual spirit of each project, and the voice and vision of the Arcade brand.
What Will You Work On?
- Concept and deliver campaigns and foundational creative that tells the story and unique value proposition of Arcade in the most engaging and impactful ways.
- Deliver best-in-class photography, video content, and design in service of the Arcade brand and performance marketing – with a focus on website, digital media and social channels.
- Work strategically to drive brand awareness and deliver strong engagement through creative deliverables.
- Assist the CEO and Founding Designer to develop and maintain the Arcade visual direction.
- Develop and maintain relationships with producers, photographers, videographers, illustrators, and designers, working strategically with other leads in the business to ensure the strongest approach to freelance talent.
- Build out the Brand and Art Direction guidelines and standards for all creative deliverables, ensuring our content is always on-brand, diverse, contemporary, desirable and within agreed budgets.
- Keep up to date with emerging trends in fashion, design, film, art, media and technology as relevant to Arcade’s mission and target audiences.
- Partner effectively with the Arcade marketing team throughout the creative process.
- Develop the seasonal look and feel across the Arcade ecosystem to support merchandising and consumer retail moments. Ensure all projects are well-planned, creatively exceptional, and delivered on-time from planning to post-production to launch.
- Review project work for highest standards of quality, consistency, accuracy and successful completion. Curate merchandise for onsite features on site.
- Develop merchandise via prompting.
- Act as the company’s copywriter for all projects.
- Continually inspire and motivate the team around you, working in a hands-on and highly collaborative manner to produce fresh, distinctive, effective creative assets through a high volume of work and widely varying end uses.
What You Bring To Arcade
- 8+ years of experience leading art direction and design in an ecommerce, branded content, editorial or marketing environment.
- A passion for art, design and maker culture.
- Stellar portfolio of creative work, exhibiting an experienced background in fashion, product or editorial.
- Deep knowledge and expertise in all aspects of photo and video production processes.
- Impeccable eye for casting, styling, lighting, editing, layout and composition.
- Seasoned ability to run a photo set efficiently and effectively, leading and inspiring crew members while responsibly managing time and resources.
- Depth of art-direction and design experience across online, print, and experiential design, with a solid understanding of social platforms.
- Proven experience in commissioning and directing design, photography, and moving image, managing external relationships with tact and efficiency.
- Existing relationships with relevant freelance photographers, directors, stylists, etc.
- Experience across commercial and editorial environments, with ability to bridge a connection between business needs, creative vision, and consumer interests.
- Excellent verbal and visual communication skills.
- Natural ability to work collaboratively with strong interpersonal skills.
- Strong time management with ability to keep multiple projects moving forward simultaneously.
- Highly proficient in design, typography, and retouching.
- Astute attention to detail and meticulous organizational skills in service of your creative projects.
- Can-do attitude with proven ability to flex and adapt to changing business needs while maintaining creative quality.A sense of humor.
Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
Arcade is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to inclusion and diversity. We welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives and will consider all qualified applicants for employment in accordance with all state, local, and federal laws.
