Art Director

Job Summary

The Art Director will play a pivotal role in shaping the visual identity and aesthetics of our client’s brand as well as our own. This position will oversee the design and development of various creative assets, including print materials, digital media, and packaging. The ideal candidate will be conceptually driven and have a strong understanding of design principles, a keen eye for detail, and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

Creative Development

• Work closely with the client, sales, brand strategy, and account management to understand their needs and objectives.
• Facilitate brainstorming and effectively communicate creative design concepts that align with the brand's strategy and target audience.
• Develop mood boards, style guides, and color palettes to establish the visual direction for projects.
• Collaborate with the creative director, designers, brand strategists, copywriters, developers, photographers, and other team members to ensure that the design concepts effectively communicate the desired message.
• Provide feedback on design concepts.

Creative Execution

• Create and oversee the execution of design assets, including:
• Print materials (collateral, stationary, brochures, flyers, catalogs, posters)
• Digital advertisements (banners, social media graphics, email templates)
• Website designs (layout, user interface, graphics, interactive)
• Packaging (labels, packaging design)
• Create new brands
• Read and translate a brand standard guide into new marketing materials
• Ensure that designs adhere to brand guidelines and meet quality standards.
• Provide art direction to designers and illustrators, guiding their work and providing feedback.
• Be open to constructive criticism and able to apply feedback to enhance work quality
• Review and identify possible production issues before files are sent to the printer.

Brand Identity Development

• Conduct comprehensive brand research and analysis to understand the target audience, brand values, and competitive landscape.
• Actively participate in brand positioning meetings and reviews to ensure that the brand identity aligns with the overarching brand strategy and messaging.
• Create a visually compelling brand identity that effectively communicates the brand's personality, tone of voice, and values, resonating with the target audience.
• Design a memorable, fluid, and appropriate brand logo that reflects the brand's identity and can be used across various applications.
• Develop comprehensive brand guidelines that outline color palettes, typography, imagery, and usage guidelines, ensuring consistency and adherence to brand standards across all marketing materials and touchpoints.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure that the brand identity is integrated into all aspects of the business, from product design to marketing communications.

Creative Workflow

• Manage the design process from start to finish, including:
• Prioritizing projects
• Support budgeting and resource allocation
• Quality control and approval processes
• Ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget.

Trend Analysis

• Stay up-to-date on industry trends and emerging technologies to inform design decisions.
• Research and analyze competitor designs to identify opportunities for innovation.
• Experiment with new design techniques and tools to keep the brand fresh and relevant.