Freelance Art Director, Video

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Hogarth, the global content production company and part of WPP, is seeking a hands‑on Art Director for video in Toronto on a full‑time onsite basis. You will own end to end brand storytelling across projects, from brief to concept design execution and final delivery, crafting storyboards, key visuals and motion design systems while guiding shoots and partnering with brand, motion and production teams. The role calls for 5–10+ years of design and art direction, a strong portfolio with typography and craft, extensive storyboard work, and experience with corporate B2B video including talking‑head formats. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, comfort with social and digital formats, and exceptional organization are essential. To apply, tailor your portfolio to corporate storytelling, show end‑to‑end process and client collaboration, and demonstrate on‑set direction and brand guideline consistency across formats; compensation is CA$31‑55 per hour and the position is onsite in Toronto.

Hogarth is the Global Content Production Company. Part of WPP, Hogarth partners with one in every two of the world’s top 100 brands including Coca-Cola, Ford, Rolex, Nestlé, Mondelez and Dyson. With a breadth of experience across an extensive range of sectors, Hogarth offers the unrivaled ability to deliver relevant, engaging, and measurable content across all channels and media - both established and emerging. The number of channels at our fingertips; the need for speed; and the drive for mass personalisation, all mean that brands need different solutions.  Our global team of over 7,500 craft and technology experts brings together creative, production and innovation to help clients navigate this exciting and ever-changing world of today’s content experience.

WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients and communities. Working at WPP means being part of a global network of more than 100,000 talented people dedicated to doing extraordinary work for our clients. We operate in over 100 countries, with corporate headquarters in New York, London and Singapore. WPP is a world leader in marketing services, with deep AI, data and technology capabilities, global presence and unrivalled creative talent. Our clients include many of the biggest companies and advertisers in the world, including approximately 300 of the Fortune Global 500. Our people are the key to our success. We're committed to fostering a culture of creativity, belonging and continuous learning, attracting and developing the brightest talent, and providing exciting career opportunities that help our people grow.  

What does an Art Director do at Hogarth?

This Art Director at Hogarth is a hands-on creative who develops, guides, and elevates the visual execution of a brand’s storytelling across assigned projects-primarily video. Partnering closely with creative, brand, motion, and production teams, this role leads work end-to-end (from brief and concept through design, art direction, execution, and final delivery), ensuring ideas translate clearly and effectively into finished content.

The Art Director is responsible for the execution of assigned projects-crafting key visuals, layouts, and final assets-and for developing comprehensive storyboards that translate scripts and concepts into precise frames, shots, beats, and timing. They provide still art direction for photo and video shoots, defining look and feel, developing visual references, and guiding creative decisions on set as needed.

In addition to concept development and visual direction for videos, this Art Director will define and maintain motion design systems that align to the brand’s look and tone, partnering closely with motion designers to ensure animation quality and consistency. They will review storyboards, style frames, and final cuts for visual excellence, ensuring all work aligns to brand guidelines. The role also includes interfacing with clients on creative decisions-advising on video formats, messaging clarity, delivery requirements, and scope.

Operating in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment, the Art Director balances multiple priorities with strong organization and project management skills, while maintaining a high level of craft and attention to detail. With a strong creative eye and proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, they bring originality, clarity, and consistency to brand storytelling-delivering thoughtful, polished work that performs across a variety of platforms.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with creative and brand leads across a variety of projects, primarily video
• Partake in end-to-end (brief → concept → design/art direction → execution → final delivery), not concept-only
• Be hands-on in execution: create/design key visuals, layouts, and final assets (not just directing others)
• Develop and deliver comprehensive storyboards, translating scripts and creative concepts into clear frames, shots, beats, and timing
• Define, evolve, and maintain motion design systems to align with brand look, tone, and guidelines
• Partner closely with motion designers to maintain animation quality and ensure consistency across deliverables
• Provide still art direction for shoots (photo/video): define look/feel, references, compositions; guide on-set decisions as needed
• Review storyboards, style frames, and final cuts for visual excellence; ensure all work aligns to brand guidelines
• Art direct and design for video-led content, ideally including corporate/brand storytelling and talking-head/interview formats with strong creative sensibility
• Partner with producers, editors, and creative leads to ensure storyboards and creative intent carry cleanly through production and post
• Interface with clients on creative decisions, including video formats, messaging clarity, delivery formats, and scope
• Provide clear feedback and honest assessments; communicate effectively with internal teams and clients
• Stay organized across multiple priorities; strong time management / project management
• Detail-oriented, collaborative team player
• Work effectively in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment

Requirements:

• Graphic Arts / Fine Arts degree or relevant experience
• 5–10+ years of relevant design and Art Director experience
• Strong portfolio demonstrating typography, design craft, conceptual problem-solving, and finished deliverables (not only direction)
• Extensive storyboarding experience is required (storyboards for video/live-action; animatics a plus) — please provide examples
• Demonstrated ability to work on compelling video content for corporate B2B clients
• Experience with corporate / talking-head (interview/testimonial) content, with a creative sensibility (preferred)
• Experience with still art direction (photo/video shoots) and/or creating shot lists/visual references (as applicable)
• Ability to come up with original solutions; creative flair/strong eye
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite
• Familiarity with social and digital media; fresh, bold approach, and AI 
• Strong communication, organization, time management, and project management skills
• Curious, self-starter, strategic thinker; positive/open-minded; solutions-oriented; adaptable
• Comfort partnering with motion teams and maintaining motion design consistency/quality across workstreams
• Ability to collaborate with and present to clients; align stakeholders on creative direction, messaging clarity, deliverables, and scope

The compensation for this position at the time of this posting is CA$31-$55 per hour. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications.

#LI-SB2 #LI-Hybrid

Hands on
No egos here. Just a shared drive to roll up our sleeves and make great things happen. Every project--big or small, gets our full energy because we believe in doing things right. Every single time. It's how we deliver real results without cutting corners.

Honesty 
We are real and authentic – with each other and in our work. Honest, direct communication builds the trust we need to collaborate, grow, and make meaningful things together. It’s not always easy but it’s always worth it.

Heart & Soul 
We bring heart to everything we make. Passion, pride and relentless drive push us beyond “good enough” ––because we care deeply about our craft, and we’re always chasing better. We love what we do, and it shows.

Happy Family
Creating a space where everyone feels valued--even when opinions differ, makes this a supportive and inclusive environment for our people. We embrace our differences, celebrate our wins together, and never lose our sense of humor.

Hungry
Curiosity keeps us hungry. We question, experiment, and always seek out what's next. We never settle, and we never stop learning. 

WPP is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

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