Mid-Weight Art Director

Job Introduction

Are you looking for a Mid-weight Art Director role that gives you the chance to work for one of the World’s most iconic department stores? Looking for a company that wants to help further your career in the creative space as well as provide you with an exciting, inspiring and fun place to work?  

If the answer to all of these questions is ‘yes’ then you’re just the kind of person we’re looking for! 

As our photostudio Mid-weight Art Director you will deliver the Selfridges creative vision, through on-set art direction and image composition of all luxury e-commerce fashion imagery across Womenswear and Menswear. Reporting to our Senior Art Director you will understand and maintain best practices, not only to achieve high quality imagery according to Selfridges style guides but also to maintain efficiencies on set.

Role Responsibility

• Play the lead role for on-set art direction of luxury fashion products, whilst collaborating with Photographer, Stylist and Digi on set for image selection.
• Work closely on briefing models on pose and direction working with our inhouse photographers.
• Possess excellent knowledge of the Selfridges Womenswear and Menswear Style Guides in order to maintain visual quality and consistency across all images taken for the website.
• Have a strong understanding of styling and working closely with stylists on set. Up to date on seasonal runway shows and aesthetic of our stocked brands.
• Draw inspiration from a variety of fashion media to elevate the look and feel of posing and image composition, helping the Selfridges website remain fresh and forward thinking.
• Ability to make quick decisions for image composition and selection.
• Ability to direct quick changes to posing whilst keeping model and crew energised.
• Work with the Production team for new freelance talent and artist bookings.
• Collaborate with Castings team to cast models when needed, understand the Selfridges POV on castings.
• To maintain understanding of Womenswear and Menswear trends and utilise this knowledge on a daily basis to art direct on set.
• Excellent brand and competitor knowledge across Womenswear and Menswear, ranging from High Street to Super Brands, and everything in between.
• To maintain and encourage a positive ‘can do’ atmosphere in the Photostudio to maintain productivity and an excellent quality of work.
• Ability to art direct across both Womenswear and Menswear sets.
• Develop cross departmental relationships across the business, being a ambassador for the photostudio’s professional approach to projects.
• Lead and inspire, living the Selfridges values.
• Be a brand guardian ensuring all photostudio output is of a very high quality and delivered on time

The Ideal Candidate

This role requires a person with strong communication skills, excellent brand and trend knowledge and a very strong creative visual focus.

• In-depth experience in Art Direction/Creative Fashion Styling
• Strong ability to be vocal on set for directing models, selecting imagery and leading the on set art direction, ability to listen to feedback from styling and photography teams and make a decision on set for teams to follow.
• Ability to take on additional projects during non-peak deliveries balancing on-set shooting and project work
• Supporting the Senior Art Director, with briefing art directors on any changes to process/ ways of shooting
• Review freelance AD talent to upscale the team during peak deliveries
• Be the first port of call for the day to day on set decision making, empowering other art directors and sharing experience
• Previous experience in a fast paced photographic environment
• A passion for both womens and mens fashion, design and art
• Strong fashion, brand and competitor knowledge
• Excellent industry knowledge of trends and campaigns, working with and commissioning photographers and stylists.
• Both editorial and ecommerce experience is ideal
• Excellent attention to detail
• Pro-active and flexible ‘can do’ attitude
• Good time management within a busy and pressured environment

About the Company

Our creative spirit 

We are more than a shop. We are a social space where culture and commerce collide to release an energy that we call the Selfridges spirit. We are here to make our world brighter, and everyone is welcome. 

Our awards cabinet 

We’re not ones to brag, but since you asked...Selfridges has won the award for The World’s Best Department Store an unprecedented four times at the IGDS awards, with an additional award for the Best Sustainability Campaign.  

Our future 

Since 1909 we have been at the forefront of retail and today our stores in London, Manchester and Birmingham – alongside selfridges.com and the Selfridges App – continue to redefine the way we shop and socialise. As a Selfridges team member, you will learn what it takes to consistently drive innovation, success and amazing customer experiences. 

THE FUN STUFF  

There are lots of reasons to be excited about joining Team Selfridges – from our fantastic team member communities to volunteer days and behind-the-scenes Selfridges experiences throughout the year. 

Other benefits and rewards include: 

• Generous bonus and/or commission scheme 
• Discounted gym memberships 
• Pension contributions  

• Annual travel pass and cycle to work schemes 
• A volunteer day for all team members 
• Access to a wide range of training programmes to help your career development 

Selfridges