Illustration and Design Lead, Research and Development

Founded by Dallas Jenkins and Derral Eves following the global success of the hit series The Chosen, 5&2 Studios is an independent studio that connects people around the world to stories from the Bible through uniquely human and authentic storytelling and audience engagement. From its humble beginnings as a crowd-funded passion project, the studio has expanded its production arm with original scripted and unscripted programming, animated series, and digital content, in addition to managing its own distribution, marketing, consumer products, and studio facilities.

We are seeking a versatile and innovative R&D Illustration + Design Lead to join 5&2 Studios Research and Development Team. This role will blend research, creative development, direction and design, contributing to the development of new concepts, products, and visual elements that align with our brand vision. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in illustration, graphic, and product design, as well as art and creative direction, allowing them to manage the creative process and deliverables from concept to execution. This role will provide creative leadership and support for R&D projects.

This role reports to the Sr. Project Manager, Dana Wahlbeck and is remote with some travel required.

The R&D Team is led by Derral Eves as Co-Founder, Executive Producer, and Chief Strategy Officer. Leveraging his expertise as a YouTube-certified consultant and online video marketing strategist, Derral has been instrumental in developing and executing innovative marketing strategies that have significantly expanded the show's audience and engagement. His deep understanding of audience growth and digital platforms has been pivotal in the series' widespread success. This role provides a unique opportunity to work directly with Derral on innovative projects that will continue to shape the future of 5&2 Studios.

This may be the job for you if…

• You can juggle multiple creative ideas without dropping your coffee mug (and your coffee mug design ideas are chef's kiss).
• You’re part artist, part detective—researching trends, finding inspiration in unexpected places, and turning “What if…?” into “Here’s the prototype.”
• You know your way around Adobe Creative Suite like it's your second home (and you’ve probably considered redecorating Figma just for fun).
• You can turn constructive feedback into creative gold and still find time to ensure every pixel is perfectly placed.
• You’re a team player who can also fly solo—whether it’s leading a brainstorm or taking a concept from doodle to deliverable.
• You appreciate the beauty of constraints—designing practical, innovative products that look amazing and actually work IRL.
• You see deadlines as creative challenges, not scary monsters—and you’re not afraid to pivot when plans change.
• You’re obsessed with visual storytelling—from the tiniest icon to the big-picture brand narrative, everything you touch tells a story.
• You love The Chosen and its mission—and can’t wait to help bring our vision to life in ways people can hold, see, and experience.

Key Responsibilities:Research & Development:

• Conduct independent research to inform creative and product development initiatives.
• Stay updated on industry trends, design innovations, and emerging technologies - including AI-driven creative solutions - to inspire new projects and creative ideas.
• Compile research findings and present insights for creative development.

Creative Development:

• Collaborate with the team to generate new ideas and creative concepts, contributing to the development of unique visual and product designs on a varying range of creative projects.
• Translate concepts into illustrations, mockups, and prototypes, ensuring alignment with brand identity and project goals.
• Actively participate in brainstorming sessions, contributing fresh ideas and approaches to enhance product and content creation.

Illustration & Graphic Design:

• Create high-quality illustrations and graphic designs for various projects and multimedia endeavors, including marketing materials, product designs, presentations/pitches, video storyboards, video graphics, website support.
• Design visually compelling assets that align with the brand’s creative direction and artistic standards.
• Adapt designs based on feedback from creative and project leads to ensure optimal outcomes.

Product Design:

• Work closely with the product development team to ensure that design concepts are practical, innovative, and achievable within production constraints.
• Lead or contribute to the design of physical products and merchandise that reflect the brand’s vision and appeal to target audiences.

Art Direction:

• Provide guidance on visual elements for projects, including overseeing the aesthetic aspects of design and creative development.
• Ensure consistency in visual representation across all media and platforms, aligning with brand standards and project objectives.
• Collaborate with creative teams, contractors, and external partners to maintain a cohesive visual narrative.

Creative Direction:

• Oversee the execution of creative strategies, ensuring that all deliverables are on-brand, cohesive, and meet deadlines.
• Support in leading creative projects by managing the overall artistic vision and ensuring that creative outputs meet high standards of quality and innovation.
• Help direct the creative team’s efforts toward achieving project goals, balancing creativity with practicality.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience in illustration, graphic design, and product design.
• Strong portfolio showcasing creative work in various media, including digital and physical design.
• Excellent understanding of visual storytelling, branding, and design principles.
• Proficiency in design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Figma).
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
• Capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously, with a strong attention to detail and deadlines.

Preferred Skills:Experience

• Background in art direction or creative direction.
• Background in product design and development, especially in consumer goods or entertainment-related merchandise.
• Familiarity with industry trends and a passion for developing new and innovative ideas.
• Ability to provide constructive feedback and guide creative teams toward successful outcomes.

Autonomy:

• Demonstrated ability to manage tasks with confidence and independence, ensuring effective execution with minimal supervision.

Time Management:

• Essential for juggling multiple tasks, deadlines, and projects simultaneously.

Discretion and Confidentiality:

• Handling sensitive information, such as research and project data or schedules, with confidentiality and professionalism.

Adaptability to Project Changes:

• Demonstrates flexibility and resilience, readily adjusting to evolving priorities and shifting requirements within R&D projects. Capable of re-aligning goals, timelines, and resources to keep the project on track, even when unexpected changes arise.

Attention to Detail and Quality Assurance:

• Focus on ensuring that all creative deliverables meet specified standards and deliver consistent, high-quality results

Collaboration Skills:

• Experience working closely with teams, especially in creative or fast-paced environments

Adaptability to Remote Work:

• Being comfortable with virtual communication tools and remote work practices, if applicable.

The Extras You Deserve

We believe in rewarding our team with some serious perks! Here's what you can look forward to:

Unlimited Time Off & 12 Paid Holidays: Work hard, play harder—enjoy unlimited time off and twelve holidays on us.

Company-Paid Health, Dental & Vision: Your health matters—enjoy comprehensive coverage on us, with your dependents getting the same sweet deals! The Chosen will cover apx. 85% of your monthly health coverage costs.

401(k) with up to 6% Company Match: We’ll help you grow your savings with a solid company match.

Paid New Child Leave: We’ve got your back during the most special moments with paid time off for new moms and dads.

Employer-Paid Life, LTD, & STD Insurance: Peace of mind, guaranteed—our insurance coverage takes care of the big stuff.

Merchandise Discounts for You & Your Family: Gear up with sweet deals on our swag—your family can join in too!

Wellness Perks: Stay happy and healthy with wellness goodies that keep you in tip-top shape.

Travel Opportunities: Pack your bags— opportunities to travel to internal activations like theatrical premieres, ChosenCon, and our annual staff retreat are on the way! Not to mention opportunities to help on set and see The Chosen being produced in real-time.

These extras are our way of saying, “Welcome to the team—we’re thrilled to have you!”