About the Role
This Photo–CGI–AI Assistant Art Director role helps drive the look, feel, and execution of our photo-realistic product CGI-AI assets and digital photography both in-studio and for CGI / AI workflows. Proper design and art direction, combined with the right content, drives customer engagement with the brand. Visual content created in this role directly translates business needs into compelling imagery that ultimately drives revenue.
This position supports high-volume, Photo-AI-driven image production while also contributing to broader CGI, rendering, and digital photography initiatives. It requires a highly organized, process-oriented, and extremely detail-focused creative leader who thrives in structured workflows, moves quickly without sacrificing accuracy, and works confidently within defined brand and production standards.
You will collaborate cross-functionally to translate creative direction into consistent, brand-aligned, photo-realistic imagery across ecommerce and digital channels. This includes structured prompt development, image refinement, interior scene direction, asset organization, quality assurance, and process optimization. The ideal candidate is agile, adaptable, and comfortable evolving workflows while maintaining exceptional quality standards.
A strong understanding of architecture, interior design, photography, lighting, composition, decorating, visual branding, and emerging AI-driven creative tools is essential.
Responsibilities
Photo Art Direction & Visual Execution
- Provide art direction, interior design, and styling of room scenes for photorealistic photo, CGI/rendering, and AI image outputs (architecture; interior/exterior environments; materials; composition; lighting; propping; window scenes; crops; post-production; color temperature; retouching direction; etc.)
- Translate art direction into structured AI prompts to produce consistent, on-brand imagery for high-volume single- and multi-SKU needs
- Generate, review, refine, version, and QA AI, CGI, and photographic imagery with extreme attention to detail
- Ensure assets are presented and shared in final and intended crops
- Maintain full ownership and responsibility for assets produced on-set and digitally, contributing to end-to-end planning, execution, and post-production
- Coordinate prop and product pairings with Art Direction and Styling teams; edit, make shot direction calls, approve selects, oversee lighting and retouching notes
- Provide feedback and direction during collaborative reviews, proofing, and QA processes
- Ensure strict adherence to brand standards, style guides, and visual guidelines
- Develop and maintain Photo / CGI / AI visual standards for lighting, composition, and room environments by product category
AI & Production Workflow Support
- Support high-volume AI image production within structured workflows
- Maintain highly organized file structures, naming conventions, tracking documents, and asset libraries
- Build and contribute to Photo / CGI / AI libraries (models, materials, scenes, props) and optimize asset reuse strategies
- Identify inconsistencies or production challenges and proactively recommend solutions
- Refine Photo / CGI / AI pipeline workflows, tools, and processes
- Support documentation and continuous improvement of processes as efficiencies and learnings are identified
- Manage time effectively to meet high-volume production deadlines
- Demonstrate strong attention to detail in final outputs
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Collaborate with Creative Operations, Art Direction, Site & Photo Merchant partners, Post-Production, Product Design, and Digital Design teams
- Communicate clearly cross-functionally to ensure assets are compelling, on-brand, on-deadline, and efficiently project-managed
- Project manage delivery schedules and milestones for creative development, modeling/rendering, image outputs, and production timelines
- Collaborate with product designers, photography, post-production, and merchant teams for asset approvals
- Attend corporate creative meetings to maintain alignment with business goals and creative direction
- Recruit, direct, and/or mentor third-party CGI/AI vendors and artists as needed
- Proactively identify talent or resource gaps that may affect quality or delivery
Research & Creative Development
- Research and compile inspiration/references for Photo, CGI, Render, and AI creative planning
- Research photography, styling, interiors, art/design trends, talent, vendors, and best-in-class partners
- Stay current on emerging AI tools, creative technologies, and competitive landscape
- Bring cost-effective creative ideas and solutions while supporting asset development and brand growth
- Contribute to the development and maintenance of style guides, creative tools, and visual strategy
Demonstrate strong storytelling and narrative capability in visual execution
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Criteria
Key Attributes
- Highly organized, detail-driven, and process-oriented
- Agile and adaptable while maintaining accuracy
- Collaborative, communicative, and team-focused
- Entrepreneurial spirit with innovation and creativity
- Professionalism, maturity, emotional intelligence, and empathy
- Strong sense of ownership and accountability
- Passion for design, interiors, art, and storytelling
- Excitement about AI and emerging creative technologies
- Drive for personal growth and inspiring others
- Commitment to helping customers express their style and tell their story at home
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Our Culture & Values
We believe that taking care of our people is vital to our success and we strive to offer equitable and transparent practices for all. We prioritize connection, growth, and wellbeing.
People First
Putting People First means investing in overall well-being and opportunities to grow and advance within the organization. Depending on the position and location, here are a few highlights of what benefits may be available:
Benefits
A generous discount on all WSI brands
A 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities
Paid vacations, holidays, and time off to volunteer
Health benefits, dental and vision insurance, including same-sex domestic partner benefits
Tax-free commuter benefits
A wellness program that supports your physical, financial and emotional health
Continued Learning
In-person and online learning opportunities through WSI University
Cross-brand and cross-function career opportunities
Resources for self-development
Advisor (Mentor) program
Career development workshops, learning programs, and speaker series
WSI will not now or in the future commence an immigration case or "sponsor" an individual for this position (for example, H-1B or other employment-based immigration).
This role is not eligible for relocation assistance.
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, or other applicable state or local laws and ordinances.
This is a 90-day, temporary exempt position with total compensation of $21,000 for the duration of the assignment
