Job Specification - Juxtaposition Artist

🎯 Role Definition

Welcome! We're looking for a true visual poet, a storyteller who speaks in the language of contrast, irony, and surreal beauty. The Juxtaposition Artist is not just a designer or an illustrator; they are a conceptual thinker at heart. This role is dedicated to creating deeply resonant and thought-provoking imagery by masterfully combining disparate elements. You'll be the creative force responsible for translating complex ideas, abstract themes, and brand narratives into singular, powerful visuals that stop people in their tracks. Your canvas is the space between the expected and the unexpected, and your tools are a blend of artistic talent, cultural curiosity, and technical wizardry. If you thrive on finding meaning in organised chaos and crafting beauty from contrast, we want to see your world.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Graphic Designer
Illustrator or Concept Artist
Photographer / Photo Editor
Fine Artist (specializing in collage or mixed media)

Advancement To:

Senior Juxtaposition Artist / Lead Conceptual Artist
Art Director
Creative Director

Lateral Moves:

Visual Development Artist (Film/Games)
Brand Strategist
Motion Graphics Designer
Exhibition Designer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conceptualize and develop original visual works by combining disparate, unrelated, or contrasting images, textures, and ideas to provoke thought and convey complex narratives.
Source, curate, and digitally manipulate a wide array of visual assets, including photography, illustrations, archival footage, and 3D renders, to create unique composite art.
Translate abstract concepts, brand messaging, or editorial themes into compelling visual juxtapositions that are both aesthetically striking and conceptually deep.
Conduct extensive visual research into historical art, pop culture, design trends, and socio-political themes to inform the conceptual foundation of new projects.
Collaborate closely with creative directors, writers, and marketing teams to ensure the visual output aligns with project goals and brand identity while pushing creative boundaries.
Masterfully use digital art software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects to seamlessly blend elements, manipulate lighting, and create a cohesive, believable final image.
Develop and maintain a consistent and recognizable artistic style that centers on juxtaposition, while remaining adaptable to the specific needs of different clients or campaigns.
Create detailed mood boards, style frames, and proof-of-concept mockups to effectively communicate artistic direction and gain stakeholder buy-in before full production.
Manage a personal library of visual assets, ensuring proper licensing, attribution, and organization for efficient retrieval and use in future projects.
Present and articulate the conceptual reasoning and artistic choices behind your work to internal teams and external clients in a clear and persuasive manner.
Iterate on designs based on constructive feedback, demonstrating flexibility and a problem-solving mindset to refine the visual message and impact.
Stay at the forefront of digital art techniques, software advancements, and emerging visual trends to continuously evolve your craft and toolkit.
Ensure all final artwork is delivered in the correct format, resolution, and color space for its intended medium, whether it be digital, print, or motion.
Explore and integrate mixed-media approaches, combining digital collage with traditional techniques like painting, drawing, or physical collage for unique textural outcomes.
Generate a high volume of creative ideas and initial sketches during brainstorming sessions, contributing to a dynamic and collaborative creative environment.

Secondary Functions

Mentor junior artists and designers, providing guidance on conceptual thinking, technical skills, and the principles of effective visual juxtaposition.
Participate in the development and refinement of creative briefs, helping to define the visual problem that your art will solve.
Archive completed projects meticulously, including source files, final versions, and project documentation for future reference and portfolio use.
Contribute to the studio's social media and marketing efforts by creating behind-the-scenes content or artist-specific features that showcase the creative process.
Engage with the broader art and design community through exhibitions, online forums, and publications to build a professional network and draw inspiration.
Assist in estimating project timelines and resource requirements, ensuring a realistic and achievable scope of work.
Uphold the highest standards of artistic integrity and originality, ensuring all work is free from plagiarism and respects intellectual property rights.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Expert-Level Adobe Creative Suite Proficiency: Mastery of Photoshop for photo manipulation, compositing, and digital painting; proficiency in Illustrator for vector work and InDesign for layout.
Digital Collage & Compositing: Advanced skills in seamlessly blending disparate visual elements, matching lighting, perspective, and color grading.
Visual Research & Curation: Ability to efficiently find, select, and organize high-quality visual assets from diverse sources (stock, archives, original photography).
Color Theory & Composition: Deep understanding of how color, light, and spatial arrangement guide the eye and evoke specific emotions and ideas.
Typography: Strong grasp of typographic principles and the ability to integrate text as a cohesive and impactful element within a visual composition.
Familiarity with 3D Software (e.g., Blender, Cinema 4D): Basic to intermediate knowledge for integrating 3D renders or creating abstract forms is a significant plus.

Soft Skills

Conceptual & Abstract Thinking: The ability to think metaphorically and translate complex, abstract ideas into a singular, powerful visual.
Visual Storytelling: A natural talent for crafting narratives and conveying messages without words, purely through the arrangement of images.
Intellectual Curiosity: A deep-seated desire to learn about a wide range of subjects—history, science, culture, politics—to fuel creative concepts.
Resilience to Feedback: The ability to detach personally from creative work and use constructive criticism to improve the outcome.
Articulate Communication: Excellent verbal and written skills to defend creative choices and explain the "why" behind a piece to non-creatives.
Meticulous Attention to Detail: A sharp eye for the small details in a composition that make it believable and polished.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience in a relevant field.

Preferred Education:

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) or advanced degree/certification in Visual Arts, Graphic Design, or a related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Fine Arts / Studio Art
Graphic Design / Visual Communication
Illustration
Photography
Art History

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-7 years of professional experience in a role focused on concept art, high-concept graphic design, or mixed-media illustration.

Preferred:

A robust and compelling portfolio that specifically showcases a talent for conceptual collage, surrealism, or thematic juxtaposition is heavily prioritized over years of experience. We want to see how you think.