Senior Illustrator (Freelance)

Execute to Creative Brief: Interpret briefs from the Art Director and translate them into illustration that hits the visual direction, mood, and technical specs. Iterate constructively based on feedback.
Output metric: On-time delivery of illustration assets per project schedule.

Own Illustration Quality: Deliver illustration files for product development that meet Lovepop's technical specs and quality standards.

Study & Apply Style Guides: Internalize each licensor's brand guidelines (character proportions, color, expression, do's and don'ts) and produce illustration that hits the standard on submission.

Support Approval Cycles: Prepare submission-ready files, respond quickly to licensor feedback, and iterate work to approval with the Art Director's guidance.

Experience: Minimum 3–6+ years of professional illustration experience, ideally with time in product design for physical consumer goods (greeting cards, paper goods, gift, stationery, children's product, toy/collectible, or licensed consumer products). Portfolio work must show production-ready illustration, not only concept or personal work.

Licensed IP Experience: Prior experience illustrating within a licensor style guide (Disney, Sanrio, Universal, music estates, sports leagues, or similar) is a strong plus. Comfort working within tight brand constraints while still bringing warmth and life to the work is essential.

Illustration Craft: Strong command of illustration fundamentals — drawing, character design, color, composition, light, texture, expression. Ability to adapt style range to fit different product lines and licensor requirements (not a "one style only" illustrator).

Tools: Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Working knowledge of Procreate or comparable digital painting tools. Comfort with layered, production-ready file setup. Rhino 3D familiarity is a plus.

Print & Physical Product Awareness: Working understanding of how illustration translates to print — CMYK/Pantone color, resolution requirements, and how art will read on paper stock after die-cutting and folding. Prior experience designing for pop-up or die-cut product is a strong plus.

Feedback & Collaboration: Ability to receive art direction constructively, iterate quickly, and hold quality high through multiple rounds. Comfortable working closely with an Art Director, fellow illustrators, and paper engineers.

Attention to Detail: Delivers clean, correctly organized files. Catches inconsistencies in color, spacing, and character detail before handoff. Respects specs and deadlines.

Portfolio: A portfolio demonstrating illustration range, character work, and (ideally) licensed-IP or product-applied illustration is required for consideration.

Cultural Fit: Genuine passion for Lovepop's mission to create magical moments and natural alignment with our values: Engineering, Hunger, Magic, Connection.

Education: Degree in Illustration, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Animation, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.