Digital Retoucher - Full-time

Scope of Responsibility: Provide digital retouching for online and print advertising for Sears Holdings Corporation and other clients/customers. This includes color correction, retouching and photo composition. In addition, partners with Digital Asset Management team to help move files efficiently into the DAM. Participate in meetings concerning priorities/workflow, troubleshooting/addressing issues, quality control, project meetings, and time management concerning individual projects.
Job Summary: Primary responsibility is to provide digital assets for online and print advertising for Sears Holdings Corporation and other clients/customers. This includes color correction, retouching and photo composition. Ability to work with art directors, production artists and creative directors all while achieving goals in time frame allotted. In addition, partners with Digital Asset Management team to help move files efficiently into the DAM. Participate in meetings concerning priorities/workflow, troubleshooting/addressing issues, quality control, project meetings, and time management concerning individual projects.

• Job Duties/Responsibilities:
  • Perform color correction and cosmetic retouching on images videos and graphics.
  • Determine conformity of content to both individual brand and the Sears Holdings style guide.
  • Analyze color accuracy of content; determine and perform necessary enhancements.
  • Manipulate digital assets to adhere to predetermined quality standards
  • Prepare and convert image files to appropriate color space.
  • Reference and maintain electronic retouching standards and guidelines.
  • Participate in pre-production meetings to understand a project's overall creative intent and propose methods to help team achieve final intended outcome.
  • Perform Quality Control responsibilities by soft proofing or viewing Epson proofs.
  • Participate in meetings concerning processes and procedures for post-production.
  • Ability to think in a 3D workspace and translate into still images
  • Communicate with Photo Art Directors and other Creative Staff to meet project expectations.
  • Work closely with photographers and attend shoots where appropriate to gain further knowledge of individual photographer's style and retouching instructions.
  • Organize individual priorities and workload to meet deadlines.q
  • Troubleshoot/address issues to ensure work continues to flow through studio and deadlines are met.
  • Participate in daily and weekly cross-functional production and project meetings in order to stay in tune with upcoming workflow.
  • Help estimate retouching hours/efforts for upcoming projects.
  • Partner with digital asset management team to ensure final files are delivered correctly and on time.
  • Support critical and time-sensitive requests.
  • Use strong organizational/project management skills to simultaneously handle multiple tasks.
  • Make independent decisions in ambiguous situations and guide retouching team in doing the same.
  • Demonstrate flexibility in responding to organizational changes and business priorities.

Job Requirements:
Bachelor's Degree.

• 5-10 years experience
• Expert knowledge in Adobe Photoshop, Bridge, Capture One
• Experience working closely with photographers on set; solid knowledge of relationship between photographers and retouchers.
• Proven track record of accurately and efficiently converting files, color correcting assets and submitting files to production for proofing.
• Experience partnering with Art Directors during the retouching process to ensure all retouching requirements are being addressed.
• High level of experience working in CMYK and RGB color space including SWOP and gracol standards
• Extensive experience with applying principles of color theory, lighting and photo composition.
• Expert understanding of file types used in Print and Digital Applications.
• Strong work ethic with the desire to go above and beyond.
• Track record of effectively managing multiple projects simultaneously while meeting tight deadlines. Attention to detail, organization and great follow-up skills essential.
• Ability to work independently, as well as in a team environment. Must effectively collaborate with both internal and external partners.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively and work cooperatively with team members at all levels in person, via phone, and via e-mail and other written communications.
• Must be able to respond to urgent requests in a positive and professional manner.
• Self-starter who can work independently through ambiguity; resourceful
• Flexibility and ability to adapt to rapidly changing marketplace, business priorities and organizational structure.
• Preferred Skills:
  • Understanding of Lighting, 3d knowledge, color correction of video and basic editing skills
  • Understanding of Windows and color management software
  • Understanding of Adobe Illustrator, Indesign, 3d Studio Max

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