Contract Art Director

About the Role

Tecovas is looking for a conceptually strong, highly collaborative Art Director to join our creative team on a contract basis. Reporting directly to the Sr Design Director, you will help shape and execute compelling brand stories across campaigns, social, email, paid media, retail, and other customer touchpoints — moving comfortably between big-picture concept development and hands-on execution, and partnering closely with copywriters, designers, producers, photographers, and cross-functional marketing teams to create work that feels unmistakably Tecovas. This role is Austin-based, with in-person collaboration preferred.

What You'll Do

• Concept Development: Develop original, culturally relevant creative concepts rooted in the Tecovas brand strategy and creative vision.
• Integrated Campaign Direction: Art direct integrated campaigns from initial concept through final execution.
• Visual Systems: Translate campaign ideas into cohesive visual systems across social, paid media, email, digital, retail, print, and experiential touchpoints.
• Creative Partnership: Partner closely with copywriters to build ideas in which the visual and verbal storytelling work together.
• Creative Communication: Create campaign presentations, mood boards, storyboards, design explorations, and other materials that clearly communicate a creative vision.
• Photo & Motion Direction: Art direct photography and video, including pre-production planning, shot development, on-set direction, and post-production feedback.
• Production Integrity: Collaborate with designers and channel partners to ensure work maintains its integrity as it moves through production and adaptation.
• Creative Direction & Feedback: Provide clear, thoughtful creative direction and feedback while creating space for collaborators to contribute.
• Stakeholder Presentation: Present work to creative leadership and cross-functional stakeholders, incorporating feedback without losing sight of the core idea.
• Project Management: Manage multiple projects and timelines in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a high standard of craft and attention to detail.
• Brand Stewardship: Help evolve the Tecovas visual identity while protecting the elements that make the brand recognizable and distinct.
• Product Storytelling: Turn craft, materials, seasonal collections, and product features into compelling brand stories.

Experience We're Looking For

• 5–7+ years of experience in art direction, design, or a related creative role, ideally within fashion, lifestyle, retail, or another consumer brand
• A portfolio demonstrating strong conceptual thinking, visual storytelling, and integrated campaign work
• Proven ability to develop a compelling creative idea and carry it consistently across multiple channels and formats
• Strong design instincts, including typography, composition, color, photography, and brand systems
• Experience art directing both photography and motion content, including casting, wardrobe styling, location, and talent direction
• Fluency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate the thinking behind the work

What You Bring to the Table

• You are as excited by the sharpness of the core idea as you are by the details of the final execution.
• You can build within an established brand while continuing to push it forward.
• You have a strong point of view without being precious about the work.
• You balance creative ambition with practical problem-solving.
• You enjoy collaborating across creative disciplines, respond well to feedback, and navigate shifting priorities with ease.
• You can move quickly without allowing the work to become generic.
• You understand how to balance brand storytelling with real channel and business needs.
• You have a genuine interest in culture, style, storytelling, and building a modern Western brand with broad relevance.

Contract Details

• Employment Type: 1099 Independent Contractor
• Hours: 40 hours/week
• Location: Hybrid
• Duration: Estimated 4 months; Mid-September – End of December
• Compensation: Competitive flat monthly rate