About the role:
The Manager, CGI/AI Art Director role drives the look, feel, and execution of photorealistic product imagery across CGI, AI, and in-studio digital photography. This role translates business needs into compelling visual content that enhances customer engagement and drives revenue.
You will lead high-volume Photo-AI-driven image production while contributing to CGI and digital photography initiatives. Success requires a highly organized, process and detail-oriented creative leader who thrives in structured workflows, maintains accuracy at speed, and operates within defined brand production standards.
Working cross-functionally, you will translate creative direction into consistent, on-brand photorealistic imagery across ecommerce and digital channels. This includes prompt development, image refinement, scene direction, asset management, quality assurance, and workflow optimization. A strong foundation in interiors, architecture, photography, lighting, composition, decorating, 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
Criteria:
- Bachelor’s degree in Art / Design
- 2–5+ years working in 3D photorealistic imaging; experience managing CG creative and/or production teams is a plus
- Professional experience in photography, CGI design, rendering, or AI-generated imagery with a portfolio emphasizing interior design, home furnishings, and/or architecture
- Strong understanding of photo art direction, CGI/rendering, and AI image creation
- Experience in photorealistic rendering and digital image creation using CG software (AutoCAD, 3DS Max, Maya, Blender, etc.) and rendering tools (Vray, Octane, Corona, FStormRender) is a plus or AI tools (ChatGPT, Gemini, Midjourney, etc.)
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Airtable, and file management systems. Figma knowledge is a plus
- Experience in model and material preparation for rendering and all pre- and post-rendering tasks
- On-set photography and studio experience a plus (production planning, prop sourcing, lighting, post-production workflows)
- Experience working with high-volume asset development and management
- Demonstrated success developing and refining processes within an organization
- Excellent people and project management skills
- Strong organizational skills, time management, and ability to multitask and prioritize
- Ability to balance creative excellence with business goals and ecommerce objectives
- Strong understanding of what inspires customer purchase decisions and required visual information for ecommerce
- Macro-to-micro thinking: able to understand big-picture digital strategy while executing daily creative tasks
- Strong understanding of architecture, interiors, decorating, materials, lighting, and composition
- High taste level, discerning eye, and advanced artistic sensibilities in interior design composition, lighting, texture, and color
- Ability to work with urgency in a fast-paced, reactive environment
- Process-oriented, solution-driven mindset with strong attention to detail
- Agile and adaptable in an evolving content creation landscape
- This role requires being onsite in the Richmond Photo Studio
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
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.
The expected starting pay range for this position is $120,000- $130,000. Applicable pay ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. In addition to competitive pay, compensation may include a variety of other components like benefits, paid time off, merit, and bonus opportunities.