Employment Opportunities

At Ghibli Studio Art, we don’t just create stunning, Ghibli-inspired art—we also strive to create a healthy, inclusive, and empowering workplace. Whether you’re applying as a freelancer, contractor, or a part-time team member, this page outlines important employment policies, staff expectations, and the overall structure of working with us.

1. Our Employment Model

Ghibli Studio Art operates as a remote-first creative studio, headquartered in San Francisco, California. We engage with professionals around the world through a blend of the following employment types:

Employment Types:

1099 Independent Contractors (US-based)
Freelancers (Global)
Part-time Employees (US only)
Temporary Project Collaborators
Interns (Remote, unpaid or for-credit)

We do not currently offer full-time salaried roles, but we are expanding our long-term contractor network for high-volume projects and seasonal work.

2. Employment Rights & Protections

We are committed to legal compliance and ethical practices in all hiring relationships.

As a Team Member, You Can Expect:

Fair compensation, paid promptly
Transparent terms laid out before any work begins
The right to refuse projects that fall outside your skills or boundaries
Ownership protections for your original work, as negotiated

We Do Not:

Exploit unpaid labor
Use speculative work as a hiring filter
Allow discrimination or harassment of any kind

We are an Equal Opportunity Creative Studio and welcome diverse voices in race, gender identity, age, ability, and background.

3. How We Hire

Our employment process typically includes:

Application via our Careers Page or direct email
Portfolio or work samples review
Zoom or email interview
Offer letter with terms and timelines

We clearly label roles as contract-based or employee status based on U.S. labor guidelines. If you’re outside the U.S., we will work with you as an independent contractor.

4. Contractor & Freelancer Guidelines

Most of our creative team members operate under freelance or contractor agreements. Here’s what that means:

Responsibilities:

You control your own hours and workflow
You’ll receive a detailed brief and timeline for each project
You’ll invoice us based on deliverables or hourly logs

Support:

Access to our internal Discord server (for community and updates)
Project coordination via Notion or Trello
Option to decline or renegotiate assignments

Payment Terms:

Net 14 days after invoice approval
Paid via PayPal, Wise, or direct deposit (U.S. bank)

5. Workplace Culture

We value human-centered productivity. Here’s what you’ll experience working with us:

🧡 Respectful Communication

We don’t micromanage. Instead, we prioritize autonomy and clarity. Expect kindness and empathy in every interaction.

🌍 Remote Collaboration

We’re flexible across time zones, using Slack, Discord, Zoom, Notion, and email to manage communication and collaboration.

🎨 Creativity Over Clocking In

We care about quality, not hours logged. You’ll never be asked to sacrifice your mental health or ethics to meet arbitrary deadlines.

6. Growth and Mentorship

Whether you’re a student intern or an experienced illustrator, we are passionate about helping team members evolve in their careers. We offer:

Feedback and creative development sessions
Opportunities for portfolio-building and exposure
Mentorship for new artists and designers
Invitations to collaborative exhibitions and events

7. Legal & Confidentiality Agreement

Before any engagement begins, team members will sign:

A basic employment or contractor agreement
An NDA (non-disclosure agreement) if accessing internal project files
A Copyright Use Agreement clarifying IP ownership rights

We always offer time for review and welcome questions before you sign anything.

8. Internal Tools & Processes

Our workflow is fully digital and includes:

Trello for project task assignments
Google Drive & Notion for file sharing and briefings
Slack/Discord for casual team chats and announcements
Zoom or Meet for check-ins, reviews, and community hangouts

You’ll receive onboarding guidance and tool access upon hiring.

9. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do you hire internationally?

Yes! Many of our freelancers and collaborators are based outside the U.S. We welcome global applications.

Q: Is this a salaried position?

Not at this time. Most of our work is project-based or hourly contract work.

Q: Will I be considered an employee or contractor?

That depends on your location. U.S.-based team members may be W-9 contractors or part-time W-2 employees. All others will be 1099 or freelance contractors.