Artist/Animation/Creative - Product Designer II

Business Unit/Group: WBD Product Development
Requisition Number: 19858-1
Intended Start Date: 8/18/2025
Contract Duration: 5-months
Possibility For Extension / Conversion Yes although unlikely.
Max Hourly Pay Rate: BR/hr
OT Required / Expected No
WB Games Resource(s) No
CNN Resource(s) No

What We Do/Project

This Senior Designer PD position will drive the product and creative strategy and execution of product categories for the selected territory. They will review and manage all product submissions evaluating them for Product Integrity Brand Integrity and Character Integrity following all required BA and Franchise guidelines. The Senior Designer must be able to work on multiple Creative and Product Development functions including product design graphic design typography trend research pitches and presentations as well as creative tools to support licensees in their development.

The role liaises with Creative Global PD Licensees Category Retail and Franchise counterparts to drive cohesive synergistic creative materials and strategies to support the brands. Designs presentations to assist in showing the direction of current and future trends for product and their applications. Owns the product development process from a product perspective to ensure property consistency and assist licensees on new and innovative ways to apply WBCP s assets on products.

Presents creative workshops on a regional level in partnership with Category for licensees. Creates pitch and POV boards for Licensees Category and Retailers.

Reviews product featuring any Warner Bros. Discovery owned properties (includes Cartoon Network DC Comics TV properties as well as theatricals and the classic properties such as Looney Tunes Scooby-Doo and Tom and Jerry) within a contractually stipulated time-frame in the following areas: Product Integrity Brand Integrity and Character Integrity following all required BA and Franchise guidelines for character likeness; legal copyright/trademark information; Warner policies and brand management as well as product development and product design.

Job Responsibilities / Typical Day in the Role
Design & Trend Direction:
Identify and apply trend to product and understand how our franchises work within key market trends.
Translate our IP into market right graphic designs and product while following franchise guidelines.
Develop and design Creative/Product Development POV (point of view) boards for top DTRs and licensees interpreting trend information into salable design concepts while reinforcing brand image and art application.
Follow established timelines and key dates for the creative deliverables. Adhere to strict production schedules when designing and managing in-house resources and vendors in the creation of all art.
Understand and execute product development strategies product design print and pattern development color and typography.
Understands design trends as related to franchises with a focus in the consumer segment and retailer
Collaborate with Global Product Design teams when needed
Product Development:
Represent WBCP PD department to licensees by conference call presentations visit their offices or plants and internal meetings for the purpose of reinforcing WBCP s creative brand standards on product. Review new products and suggest improvements in the design or application of art and design concepts. Provide creative input direction and guidance to all licensees and sales Account Executives on all properties.
Support on creative brainstorms to present new creative directions trends and to help licensees in the creation of products in all categories.
Pro-actively evaluates licensee s schedules and manufacturing processes to facilitate their compliance with our product approval processes;
Participate in meeting with Category to train licensees and its product development teams on how to use art guides and design kits in order to maximize the use of all materials that are developed to support our properties;
Holistically manage product development efforts to ensure proper differentiation between licensees retailers and franchises.
Work closely with category managers to produce fresh compelling designs that meet the business needs / strategies.
Understand franchise category and retail strategies and how it impacts and applies to creative strategy
Lead licensees to ensure product development strategy and timelines are met to support business strategy
Understand technical aspects of construction of products and components in regard to design and development
Understand competitive market and sell thru
Product Approvals:
Maintains all Product Feedback and Approvals on schedule using the Starlabs Approval Platform which serves as a legal record of licensee s product submissions.
Follows up with licensees regarding merchandise development and production and audits licensee compliance to Brand Assurance procedures.
Provides Starlabs training on-boarding and support to licensees.
Obtains all necessary third-party approvals from Global Franchise Global Creative Category Regional Marketing Senior Management Legal Talent to ensure proper feedback is communicated to licensees.
Performs Brand Assurance activities on Starlabs Approval Platform with knowledge of the manufacturing process and a knowledge of Warner Bros Discovery policies and procedures reviews and provides detailed comments on the concept preproduction and final samples submitted by licensees on items including but not limited to product packaging commercials POP and POS;
Obtains a one-on-one relationship with licensee counterpart as well as the licensee designers (artists sculptors etc.) to ensure collaboration and a smooth working approval process
Partner with Brand Assurance team to ensure feedback to partners are cohesive consistent and executable

Must Have Skills / Requirements
1) Experience with Product Development
a. 3 Years of experience; Portfolio required; Managing multiple projects would like to see a complete lifecycle of a project if possible if not please provide some insight into how you approach Product Development.
2) Advanced Knowledge in Adobe Creative Suite and MO365
a. 3 years of experience; Illustrator Photoshop PowerPoint are the most used programs.
3) Illustration and Graphic Design Experience
a. 3 years of experience; Portfolio required

Technology requirements:
Strong knowledge of Mac applications such as Keynote as well as Microsoft Word Excel PowerPoint.
Advanced skills in Adobe Creative Suite (mainly Illustrator Photoshop and In Design.

Nice to Have Skills / Preferred Requirements
1) Apparel or licensed product experience is a plus.
2) Renders in portfolio are a plus.
3) Passion for any of Warner Bros. Discovery IP.

Soft Skills
1) Adaptive resilient measured high tolerance for ambiguity and comfortable in fast-paced high-growth environments
2) Active mindset self-driven intellectual curiosity thrives in an empowering culture
3) Must have the ability to communicate effectively and tactfully with persons on all platforms; Direct messaging virtual environments email in person and via telephone.
4) Must have close attention to detail and understand written and oral instructions
5) Must have the ability to organize and schedule work effectively
6) Must have the ability to work well under time constraints
7) Must be able to simultaneously handle multiple projects timelines and communicate across teams
8) Must have the ability to manage up present to and articulate design direction for internal and external partners
9) Must practice professionalism in written and verbal communication
10) Must have knowledge of production techniques used across all licensed manufacturing industries and how final art must be completed.
11) Must have basic drawing skills to present ideas visually.
12) Must have knowledge of print production and 3D product development.
13) Fluent in English.
14) Must have the ability to absorb and respond quickly to given information.
15) Must have the ability to learn the various properties and distinguish different styles of art from others in order to accurately log submissions.
16) Must be detailed and preferably have an artistic eye.
17) Must be able to interface professionally with department licensees and all levels of management on behalf of the department.
18) Must have knowledge of all Warner Bros./Turner/Hann- Barbera/Discovery properties and will be trained on WBCP art standards.
19) Able to meet deadlines and responsibly manage budgets
20) Availability to travel

Education / Certifications
1) BA or BS in Fine Arts or Design preferred or 2 years Technical College in a design discipline or equivalent experience required

Interview Process / Next Steps
1) 1st round with HM
2) 2nd round with Senior Manager

Additional Notes
Sourcing in Burbank LA
Hybrid role 3 days a week ideal based on individual schedule.