Full-Time

Art Director

Posted on 9/23/2025

Complex

Complex

501-1,000 employees

Pop culture and lifestyle media platform

Compensation Overview

$95k - $105k/yr

No H1B Sponsorship

New York, NY, USA

In Person

Category
Art, Graphics & Animation (3)
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Required Skills
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe After Effects
Animation
Graphic Design
Requirements
  • Minimum 6 years of professional design experience at a design firm, agency, publication, or media company, with an emphasis on branding, motion identity, and graphic design
  • A natural ability to function in a leadership capacity and thrive under pressure
  • A refined, stylish approach to typography and layout compatible with the Complex aesthetic
  • Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills- Master at building and pitching creative concepts and presentations
  • Able to give and receive critical feedback and collaborate in a team environment
  • Must be imaginative, resourceful, and able to handle multiple projects efficiently and to a high standard
  • Ability to work methodically to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
  • A mastery of Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign
  • Experience and knowledge of AI tools like Krea, Invoke, Kling etc. a must
  • Proficiency designing for motion, print, and a variety of digital media
  • Understanding of the After Effects and Premiere workflow
Responsibilities
  • Work collaboratively within a team environment on numerous design projects across a variety of mediums- .com, social, YouTube and Vertical Video, Experiential, Experimental Storytelling (physical and digital), Print
  • Lead the development of identities for new series, evolve existing franchises, and initiate experiments and explorations for future projects
  • Shepherd work from concept to final delivery within tight deadlines, while continuously pushing and developing new format innovations and design systems
  • Help guide the creation of brand guidelines, templates, and marketing materials for Complex’s audience-facing brands and IP
  • Lead the creation of editorial artwork for use on the web and across social platforms
  • Provide art direction and design for special projects across a variety of platforms and media, with a clear emphasis on creating state of the art experiences, considering how the audience consumes content and interacts with the brand
  • Organize and present creative work for internal and external review, taking extra care to ensure creative alignment of all parties, understanding that there may be rounds of notes to consider
  • Support the VP, Creative and Design Director in the smooth running of the team by providing feedback and direction to fellow designers
  • Foster enthusiasm and camaraderie within the team, contributing to an inclusive and supportive team culture
  • Stay up-to-date with current design trends tools and techniques, implementing where possible while sharing information and inspiration with fellow designers
  • Identify and commission freelance talent across different mediums when needed (Photographers, Designers, Illustrators, Animators etc.)
  • Be knowledgeable in both classic and contemporary design methods in order to effectively come to creative solutions for any given design challenge
  • Lead by example by ensuring creative work is culturally relevant, disruptive, and forward-thinking
  • Exhibit critical thinking to have design meet the business objectives, especially as stated by CCIO and CEO
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience with Cinema 4D, Sketch, and UI/UX design is a plus

Complex operates a media platform focused on pop culture, music, sneakers, style, and sports, delivering news, features, and trend coverage to a diverse audience. It earns revenue from advertising, branded content, and merchandise, including exclusive collaborations with artists and designers, with editorial content driving traffic and engagement that attracts advertisers. The company differentiates itself by pairing broad culture coverage with a strong emphasis on streetwear and music culture, plus exclusive brand-artist collaborations and limited-edition drops. Its goal is to be the leading source for pop culture and lifestyle trends while building sustainable revenue through ads, partnerships, and merchandise.

Company Size

501-1,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Los Angeles, California

Founded

2002

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • ComplexCon Hong Kong March 2026 drives merchandise sales and brand visibility.
  • Complex Live! concerts with global artists and K-POP acts expand reach.
  • Hong Kong Arts Month alignment enhances targeted advertising opportunities.
  • Canadian editorial relaunch with dedicated social team captures regional growth.

What critics are saying

  • Hypebeast dominates sneaker coverage, eroding Complex's audience share significantly.
  • BuzzFeed ownership triggers 25% YoY traffic decline as brands shift TikTok.
  • ComplexCon merch exclusivity diluted by MSCHF, CARSHAM direct sales cannibalization.
  • TikTok algorithm deprioritization halves video views, collapsing ad revenue streams.
  • New Era Hong Kong undercuts ComplexCon merch pricing, attracting budget consumers.
  • The Marathon Clothing bypasses platform, fragmenting merchandise sales and commissions.

What makes Complex unique

  • ComplexCon events unite streetwear, music, art, design, food globally.
  • Original editorial content across music, sports, fashion, entertainment verticals.
  • Engaged youth audience across sneakers, style, pop culture communities.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account

Paid Vacation

Paid Sick Leave

Parental Leave

Disability Insurance

Life Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

401(k) Company Match

Pet Insurance

Commuter Benefits FSA

Company News

The Associated Press
Mar 31st, 2026
Complex Canada relaunches dedicated editorial content with Imani Walker as social editor

Complex Canada is relaunching dedicated Canadian editorial content, with Imani Walker joining as Social Editor and Christopher Turner continuing as Editorial Director. The move marks a return to original Canadian storytelling after Ideon Media first launched Complex Canada's editorial presence in 2014. Walker will lead Canadian social strategy and build a dedicated social team, whilst Turner oversees long-form features and overall editorial direction. The renewed focus includes original features on Canadian talent across music, sports, fashion and entertainment, plus platform-native shows for YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. Complex Canada will spotlight homegrown artists, athletes, designers and creators whilst connecting Canadian audiences to Complex's global platform. Ideon Media remains the exclusive Canadian partner for the brand.

Georgia Digital News
Jan 29th, 2026
NBA YoungBoy Shares Family Selfies, Praises Jazlyn Mychelle

NBA YoungBoy shares family selfies, praises Jazlyn Mychelle. NBA YoungBoy penned a sweet note to his wife, Jazlyn Mychelle, on Tuesday, and his fans are loving the husband energy! He also included some casual family selfies with Jaz, her baby bump, and their other two kids. NBA YoungBoy says Jazlyn Mychelle keeps him clean. He's a man of few words, but this week, NBA YoungBoy used some to hype his wife, Jaz, for how she loves him. In the caption of his Instagram post, he wrote, "You literally my everything. Without you, ain't none of this. I get real dirty, you clean me. I love you." He added a few emojis that look like kids to the caption. Meanwhile, one photo shows NBA YoungBoy cheesing while posing in mirror with Jazlyn. Another bathroom selfie, seemingly from a different day, shows the couple posing in a bathroom but their daughter, son and bare baby bump made an appearance! The other two photos in the post are of YoungBoy solo, posing in a garage next to car and smoking somewhere outdoors. Fans are clapping it up for rapper's growth. Since posting, 1.3 million have tapped the like button and over 24,000 fans have showed up in the comment section. Many are applauding NBA YoungBoy's growth and how he stands ten toes down behind Jazlyn Mychelle! "Bro truly love Jazz," @topoff3800_1z commented. "When a man commits he commits | ," @corporatediva1 added. What have the couple been up to? It's seemingly been a solid last few months for NBA YoungBoy! He wrapped his 42-show 'Make America Slime Again' tour in November, kicked it with his family for the holidays and Complex recently named him the best rapper alive for 2025. Then, just days ago, on Monday, his album 'Slime Cry' debuted at No. 6 on the Top 10 Albums chart for Billboard 200. The project reportedly sold 70,000 total units, and had 72.6 million streams. This marks the NBA YoungBoy's 17th album to land in the top 10. As for Jazlyn Mychelle, sis has been out the way, baking her baby and living her soft life in private - from slaying a new hairstyle to making soul food at home. Earlier this month, she gave a fans a look inside her latest maternity shoot.

HipHopDX
Apr 10th, 2025
Ludacris Reveals Pick For Best Rap Song Of All Time: '[It] Triggered A Butterfly Effect'

Backstage at J. Cole's Dreamville Festival over the weekend, Complex caught up with Luda and a host of others to find out what their favorite rap track is, and the answer was a no-brainer for the Atlanta talent.

Complex Networks
Mar 22nd, 2025
How to Buy Drops From ComplexCon Hong Kong

Even if you missed this year's ComplexCon Hong Kong, exclusive merch can still be copped via Complex Shop.

Complex Networks
Mar 22nd, 2025
Everything You Need to Know About Air Max Day at Complex L.A.

Nike and Complex will present the Nike Air Max Day experience next Wednesday (March 26).

INACTIVE