CWP Design Studio-Associate Art Director

Job Description:
The Associate Art Director supports the Creative Principal in completing projects in accordance with the strategic timeline and in line with the client’s vision. In collaboration with the Creative Principal, the Associate Art Director plays a key role in determining the best way to communicate clients’ vision while complying with design best practices. The Associate Art Director takes the conceptual idea, approved by the Creative Principal, and executes the details. Once the concept is out on the table, the Associate Art Director is responsible for leading their team and creating the deliverables. They see the project through the phases of initial inspiration, design, revisions, and final execution. The Associate Art Director relies on their technical skills to help their team deliver the project from initial vision to final product. The Associate Art director is also the point person for the project management team in order to answer questions on project status.
Specific Tasks:

Meet with design team regularly via zoom to review all current projects and provide specific art direction and design feedback
Create weekly schedules for the Design Team to execute deliverables based on project timelines, designer skill set, and project type. Assign tasks and anticipated number of hours per task
Manage design team schedule and provide design assistance (be mindful of project scope and hours spent on each service) – work with Studio Administrator to understand timing and make changes as necessary
Submit weekly design team calendar to Creative Principal
Attend pitch/initial meetings with clients, in support of the Creative Principal and Strategy Team, as needed
Collaborate with other team members throughout the various phases of a project
Review proofs submitted by the Design Team for design-related errors before presenting to the Creative Principal
Keep up-to-date with the latest design trends, tools, and technologies
Provide art direction for design team including sub-contractors
Other duties as assigned

Responsibilities:

Collaborate, brainstorm, and strategize with CWP design team and/or clients for a wide range of materials that may include web pages, presentations, campaign collateral, signage, internal communication, newsletters, and marketing materials
Translate strategic direction into high-quality design while creating brand identities and/or working within an established brand identity
Provide initial art direction to the design team using best practices, historical business knowledge, and understanding of current market trends
Create complex (ie high-level) designs, as needed, to execute concepts that may be above the design team’s current skill set/abilities, then lead the design team in continuing the design and revision process
Oversee the design process including scheduling design team tasks and providing ongoing art direction for initial design and all revisions
Review design work for consistency of style, correct font sizes, color choices, ADA compliance rules, file sizes, file types, document sizing, and quality control for project sign-off
Communicate design process updates to project management team
Meet with clients with the Creative Principal, or individually as needed, to gain an understanding of the client’s needs and their proposed communications
Review final productions for design errors and ensure that client specifications are met, related to design concept and revision feedback, collaborate with copywriter as needed

Qualifications:

Knowledge of design techniques, such as prototyping
Ability to work well within a team
Organizational and time-management skills for meeting deadlines in a dynamic environment
Exceptional creativity, innovative design skills, and capacity for problem-solving
Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, art, or similar discipline
5+ years experience (academic and professional)
Proven experience with graphic design, with a strong portfolio of work
Excellent communication and presentation skills
While the bulk of time will be in art direction, certain high-level design work will need to be initiated by the Associate Art Director. Once the style has been created or the wireframes started, the Associate Art Director will hand over design work to the design team and continue the project in the role of Associate Art Director
Knowledge of WordPress and content management systems a plus
Desire to continue to grow skillset with ongoing education and training

To apply:
careers@cwpdesignstudio.com