Careers at Curious Universe
We are an equal opportunities employer with a flexible approach. Hiring the right team is of paramount importance to us so we work with all employees to ensure they can ‘Work Where they Work Best’. Our hybrid working solution allows us to cater to the different needs of our workforce whilst still providing outstanding service to our customers. Both yours and the business’s needs will be discussed at interview to reach a mutually beneficial working schedule.
We are always keen to hear from people wishing to work with us so please review our current job vacancies below.
Art Director- Toys/Arts & Craft
Purpose of the Role
We are looking for a warm, collaborative and forward-thinking Art Director to support and guide our Toys, Arts & Crafts, and Studio design teams.
This is a high-energy, fast-paced role, with multiple projects moving simultaneously in an agile environment where priorities adapt to business needs. You will work closely with the Creative Director and team leads to develop beautiful, engaging, innovative products and packaging – while also supporting the creative growth of the teams.
This is not an “oversee-from-a-distance” position. The Art Director will be hands-on, able to dip into projects when needed to set direction, refine ideas, create scamps, finesse layouts or develop final design work. You will help nurture talent, uplift creative confidence, and champion a culture of curiosity, learning and continuous improvement.
The ideal candidate is energised by variety, resilient under pressure, passionate about imaginative design, and excited to collaborate across many categories of children’s products.
Main responsibilities:
Creative Development & Direction
- Support the creation of imaginative, exciting and age-appropriate products and packaging for Toys and Arts & Crafts.
- Take a hands-on role in design when needed – developing creative kick-offs, scamps, visual directions, concept mock-ups or polished final artwork.
- Collaborate on brand development, new product experiences, and visual identities across a wide range of children’s formats.
- Encourage playful experimentation and fresh creative thinking, helping teams discover new ways of approaching challenges.
- Ensure all creative output is visually strong, commercially relevant, and aligned with brand strategy and market expectations.
- Offer clear, kind, and constructive direction to support the best possible design outcomes.
Team Support & Growth
- Mentor designers across multiple teams, helping them strengthen skills, develop confidence and broaden expertise.
- Create an atmosphere of shared learning, creative bravery, and open communication – especially during high-volume, high-pressure periods.
- Support team leads with quality control, consistency, and team development.
- Champion inclusive, positive and collaborative ways of working.
Collaboration & Cross Department Partnership
- Work closely with the Creative Director on visual strategy, product direction and long-term creative development.
- Partner with team leads, editorial, marketing and production to ensure alignment across all stages of product creation.
- Support the briefing, reviewing and approving of creative materials across multiple categories.
- Contribute to identifying, commissioning and onboarding freelance designers, illustrators and makers.
Innovation, Trends & Inspiration
- Maintain a strong awareness of children’s design, toy, craft and publishing trends across global markets.
- Encourage teams to explore emerging visual styles, materials, processes and storytelling techniques.
- Bring reference materials, inspiration and insight into the studio to spark new ideas.
Workflow & Project Oversight
- Help teams structure their work effectively in a busy, deadline-driven studio with numerous concurrent projects.
- Support project planning with the Creative Director and Studio Manager to ensure schedules, creative needs and resourcing are clear.
- Navigate shifting priorities with calmness and clarity, helping teams hold momentum even under pressure.
- Troubleshoot creative or workflow challenges collaboratively and constructively.
- Support the development of improved processes, communication pathways and ways of working.
Skills & Experience
- 8–10+ years’ experience in design within children’s products, toys, crafts, or a related sector.
- Strong Adobe Creative Suite skills (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).
- An informed, open-minded understanding of AI tools within the creative process – including where they can enhance workflows and where human judgement remains essential.
- Experience mentoring or leading designers at different levels.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to give clear, kind and constructive feedback.
- Strong organisational skills, able to balance creative ambition with practical delivery.
- A proactive, inclusive and collaborative approach.
About you
You’ll thrive here if you are:
- Passionate about children’s design, creativity, storytelling and playful product development.
- Energised by fast-moving projects and comfortable juggling multiple deadlines.
- Skilled at guiding, coaching and encouraging others while also rolling up your sleeves and getting hands-on when needed.
- Calm, organised and clear in your communication – especially when things get hectic.
- Open, collaborative and generous with your knowledge.
- Experienced in delivering consumer-facing design for children’s markets.
- Curious, adaptable and excited about exploring new creative possibilities.
- Comfortable working with packaging, branding, illustration, layout and product visuals at a high standard.