Log In
Sign Up
Application Requirements: Please include a cover letter.
The Landscape Visualization Artist & Designer develops landscape visualizations and designs applications and products in support of NYBG’s urban conservation suite of digital platforms and tools, including the development of applications in exhibitions; on mobile devices; and on the web. These applications will enhance ecological democracy and literacy in New York City by utilizing the substantial georeferenced, historical ecology for New York City from the Mannahatta and Welikia Projects and ecosystem service models and assets from Visionmaker.nyc. Although developed for New York City in the first instance, visualization methods and designs will be created with transferability in mind to other culturally important urban centers. The designer will be responsible the look and feel of existing web properties and applications and developing new assets to improve functionality, impact, and resonance of scientific products of the urban conservation program.
This position reports to the Vice President of Urban Conservation.
This position supports, through actions and conduct, NYBG’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) initiatives and helps to build and maintain an inclusive organization culture throughout the institution.
Specific Duties & Responsibilities
• Develop and design landscape visualizations to improve and support digital applications leveraging the georeferenced historical ecology assets of the Mannahatta and Welikia Projects. Such assets include location-specific visualizations of the historical landscape condition; distributional maps of species, notably plants, ecosystems, and abiotic factors such as topography, soil type, streams, wetlands, and coastlines; georeferenced historical maps from the 17C – 20C; “Muir web” based network analysis of ecological interconnections; the distributions of Indigenous peoples and their use of fire to manage the landscape; a database of historical placenames; a library of georeferenced historical maps; associated bibliographies, documents, papers and analyses. Such applications could come in many forms, including messaging, mobile, browser, and physical exhibition materials. Such applications will be designed to leverage information and technology across applications and must be deployable to audiences on multiple platforms (e.g. Android, iOS, major browsers, etc).
• Develop and design landscape visualizations leveraging georeferenced data about the current and future ecology of New York City including maps of buildings, streets, and other ecosystems; lifestyle parameters; and climate scenarios, as part of the Visionmaker.nyc platform. Develop automated rendering pipelines to take 2d maps and render 3d views using existing and custom software.
• Design the front-end architectures of applications and websites including a new welikia.org, visionmaker.nyc, and other platforms. Designs should work within the NYBG design guidelines, following the institutional look and feel. The designer will coordinate closely with Urban Conservation staff, other NYBG divisions, and external contractors and advisors.
• Design books, publications, and reports as required following NYBG design guidelines.
• Develop other visual or auditory assets to support digital properties, exhibition materials, scientific papers and reports, and other publications as needed. Such assets may include photography, graphics, scientific data visualization, sound files, soundscapes, etc.
• Develop landscape visualizations and designs in close coordination with technical, scientific, and administrative staff and outside vendors; ensure a positive, collaborative, respectful and impactful work environment, including developing and monitoring schedules and calendars, budgets, tasking, and communications. Provide timely feedback. Identify and address problems with practical solutions.
• Coordinate with other NYBG divisions, including Marketing & Communications, Exhibitions and Public Programming, and Science.
• Assist with fundraising, communications with donors, and preparation of project reports for funders.
• Communicate externally through presentations, artistic talks, and networking.
Qualifications
• A minimum of 3 years of experience in landscape visualization or closely related digital artistic work, especially work that responds to on georeferenced and/or technical data.
• College degree required, Master’s degree (MFA; computer science; environmental science; or equivalent) preferred. Technical and artistic certifications or equivalent experience a plus.
• Experience in website design including facility with HTML, CSS, Javascript, PHP, and related libraries, preferred.
• Experience in developing landscape visualizations (e.g. Virtual Nature Studio, Vue, World Creator, etc.) highly desired. Experience in video game (e.g. Unity, Unreal Engine, etc.) design and interactive exhibition design a significant advantage.
• Familiarity with Javascript, Python, PHP, SQL;. GIS (ArcGIS, QGIS, Geopandas, etc.) a plus.
• Familiarity with project management software (e.g. Asana) a plus.
• Ability to keep multiple creative and complex projects focused, on-track, and aligned with institutional goals and mission while prioritizing appropriately. Cognizance of the importance of schedules and budgets.
• Ability to communicate progress quickly, efficiently, and transparently to management, in written and verbal form.
• Knowledge of and concern for urban planning and nature conservation issues. Preference for New York City-specific experience.
• An understanding of and commitment to resolving environmental justice issues is essential.
• Kindness, collegiality, flexibility, and a sense of humor required.
Benefits:
• 15 Vacation Days
• 13 Paid Holidays
• 12 Sick Days
• Health and Dental Insurance Coverage
• 401K
• Pension Plan
Salary: Commensurate with experience within the following range: $67,500-$75,000 annually
Hybrid Remote Work: 1 – 2 remote days a week; 3-4 days onsite
If you require an accommodation for any part of the application process, please notify the Human Resources department at [email protected].
If you are interested in applying for a position at the New York Botanical Garden, please go to http://www.nybg.org/employment to submit your application.
EOE/BIPOC/F/Persons with disabilities/Veterans
