Overview

The Apparel Graphic Designer serves as a vital creative and technical leader within the production, responsible for the preparation, dyeing, printing, and maintenance of fabrics used for costumes, puppets, and other materials in feature films. This role requires expert knowledge of fabric treatment techniques, including dyeing, printing, and color-matching.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and apply techniques (dye-sublimation printing, screen printing, embroidery, vinyl cutting, etc.) to enhance fabric textures and patterns
• Conduct tests on fabrics to ensure colorfastness, durability, and performance under production conditions
• Collaborate with the costume and puppet teams by providing prepared fabrics, contributing to both creative and technical solutions
• Maintain detailed records of processes and printing techniques to ensure accurate replication throughout production
• Inspect fabrics and prints to ensure they meet performance and aesthetic standards
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges related to printing and fabric preparation
• Code and maintain organized folders and files of artwork created
• Work closely with Costume Lead, Fabricators, and other departments to ensure all fabrics meet creative and practical requirements
• Interpret creative concepts and translate them into functional designs.
• Guide and mentor junior team members to develop their skills in fabric treatment and printing techniques
• Be available for extended hours as required by the production timeline

Qualifications

• At least 4+ years of experience in fabric printing, or textile art 
• Bachelor’s degree in fine art, textile design, graphic design, or related experience
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop; experience with textile design software is a plus
• Experience with screen printing, digital printing, and other print applications
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot technical challenges under tight deadlines
• In-depth understanding of fabric properties, and color theory
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to maintain detailed documentation for processes and formulas
• Strong time management skills and the ability to meet production deadlines
• Preferred experience in a variety of dyeing techniques, including natural and synthetic dyes
• Preferred experience with fabric dyeing & treatment: being able to manage the dyeing, and color-matching of fabrics to align with the creative vision and production needs

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

Physical Demands:

• The role requires standing, sitting, walking, and operating standard office equipment.
• The employee must occasionally lift and move items up to 15 pounds.
• Vision requirements include close focus, distance vision, and adaptability.

Work Environment:

• The position involves working indoors, under typical office conditions, with exposure to fluctuating indoor temperatures.

Job Summary

Swaybox Studios is seeking an experienced and hands-on Lead Compositor to help guide the seamless integration of our VFX elements. In this role, you will support the compositing team in maintaining visual consistency across practical and CG environment extensions, props, vehicles, and other FX elements to achieve both photorealistic and stylized composites.

Working closely with the Compositing Supervisor, artists, and Technical Directors, you will lead shot execution, mentor compositors, and help maintain efficient workflows while ensuring the creative vision and technical quality of the film are upheld.

This position requires strong on-the-box compositing skills, experience guiding artists within a production environment, and advanced knowledge of Nuke within a live-action VFX pipeline.

This is a studio-based role working onsite in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the compositing of complex shots, ensuring seamless integration of elements while maintaining the visual language and aesthetic of the film.
• Support the Compositing Supervisor in guiding artists and maintaining consistent artistic and technical standards across assigned sequences.
• Work closely with CG, Character Comp, Tracking, and other departments to ensure smooth handoffs and proper integration of elements.
• Contribute significant on-the-box compositing work, solving complex compositing challenges and setting examples of best practices for the team.
• Provide feedback, mentorship, and guidance to compositors to support growth and maintain a collaborative working environment.
• Help track shot progress and support the team in meeting deadlines, while maintaining high-quality output.
• Troubleshoot technical issues within artist scripts and assist with workflow solutions.
• Collaborate with the Compositing Supervisor and TDs to help identify pipeline improvements, tool needs, and workflow optimizations.
• Translate creative and technical notes from the Director, VFX Supervisor, Compositing Supervisor, and stakeholders into clear shot direction.
• Participate in dailies, reviews, and team syncs, providing constructive feedback and helping ensure notes are applied efficiently.
• Create clean, efficient Nuke scripts, templates, and reusable setups that support scalable workflows.
• Maintain organized files while adhering to pipeline standards, naming conventions, and documentation practices.
• Contribute to early visual development, look development, and R&D when needed.
• Stay informed on emerging compositing tools, technologies, and industry techniques.

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years of high-end, live-action film or episodic compositing experience, with a strong emphasis on environments and realism.
• Proven experience leading shots or mentoring artists within a compositing team environment.
• Strong on-the-box compositing skills involving live-action and CG integration.
• Expert-level knowledge of Nuke, including Gizmos, Groups, projections, depth workflows, and advanced compositing techniques.
• Experience compositing both stylized and photorealistic environments with strong attention to cinematography and storytelling detail.
• Solid understanding of DMP and CG pipelines within a VFX production environment.
• Experience working with OCIO/ACES color workflows.
• Working knowledge of vector-based compositing tools and techniques.
• Strong understanding of visual language, including texture, color, dimension, scale, perspective, motion blur, depth of field, and spatial awareness.
• Experience working with LiDAR scans, HDRIs, and photogrammetry.
• Strong understanding of cinematography, photography, and color science, including lenses, lighting setups, and camera workflows.
• Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to adapt quickly and thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative production environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience using Nuke particles.
• Familiarity with KeenTools.
• Understanding of lighting workflows within a CG pipeline.
• Experience with Python scripting for Nuke or batch automation.
• Previous collaboration with Technical Directors on pipeline tools or workflow improvements.
• Familiarity with performance-tracking pipelines, rotomation, or hybrid workflows.
• Basic experience with Unreal Engine or other real-time rendering tools.