At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design projects, elevate creative standards, and collaborate with a dynamic team.
- Company: Award-winning brand experience agency with a focus on innovation and creativity.
- Benefits: Generous vacation, global work opportunities, and a supportive team culture.
- Other info: Exciting growth opportunities in a diverse and inclusive environment.
- Why this job: Join a creative powerhouse and make a real impact in the design world.
- Qualifications: 8+ years of design experience, strong leadership skills, and a passion for mentoring.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Akcelo is an award-winning, independent brand experience agency founded in 2019, with 200+ staff across offices in Canada, the US, the UK, and Australia. We build brands for the experience era with in‑house capabilities that span strategy, creativity, production, technology, and innovation - delivering unique experiences across the full customer journey.
As our UK presence continues to grow, our London team is looking for a Design Lead to bring bold ideas to life, elevate design craft, and help push the creative standard across everything we touch—from brand identity to campaigns, digital experiences, and activations.
About the Role
As Design Lead, you’ll be at the forefront of our creative work - guiding design projects from concept through execution and ensuring every output is both strategically grounded and visually exceptional. You’ll work closely with our Creative Directors, Copywriters, Strategists, and Producers to bring ideas to life across content, digital, social, experiential, and traditional platforms. You’re someone who thrives in a fast‑paced, creatively ambitious environment. You bring strong design instincts, a sharp eye for craft, and the leadership to guide and mentor other designers. You’re hands‑on, solutions‑focused, and know how to bring energy and clarity to every brief.
Key Responsibilities
- Creative Leadership & Execution
- Lead the design direction across key projects, ensuring a high level of conceptual thinking and executional craft.
- Own visual storytelling across a wide range of outputs: brand identity, campaign design, social content, OOH, presentations, and experiential environments.
- Collaborate closely with creative, strategy, and production teams to develop ideas and bring them to life with clarity and impact.
- Champion fresh thinking, pushing the boundaries of traditional design solutions.
- Level up the creative output and innovative approach to present to our global leading clients.
- Team & Project Guidance
- Provide day‑to‑day design leadership, helping guide the work of junior and mid‑weight designers.
- Help shape and refine design processes to improve output and efficiency across the team.
- Participate in creative reviews, offering constructive feedback that elevates the work.
- Lead by example in setting a standard for design thinking, experimentation, and polish.
- Drive thought leadership on design and motion craft in the office, pushing boundaries for what’s possible.
- Client & Stakeholder Engagement
- Contribute and lead creative presentations and confidently articulate design rationale to internal and external stakeholders.
- Ensure work remains on‑brief, on‑brand, and on‑time—supporting the agency’s commitment to excellence and accountability.
- Collaborate with producers and account leads to help scope design deliverables and estimate timing effectively.
- Ability to present to senior level client stakeholders with confidence and strategic consideration to your designs.
Must‑Haves
- 8+ years of professional design experience, with proven leadership in a fast‑paced agency or studio environment.
- A portfolio that demonstrates strong conceptual thinking, technical skill, and taste across brand, campaign, and digital design.
- Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Figma; motion or 3D design skills are a bonus.
- Deep knowledge of design systems, typography, composition, and layout across both digital and print formats.
- Clear communicator with the ability to present ideas and feedback effectively.
- Comfortable managing multiple projects and timelines while maintaining quality and attention to detail, working both independently and collaboratively, in a fast paced environment.
- Passion for mentoring and growing junior talent within a collaborative, ego‑free team.
- Curious, culturally aware, and always pushing to explore new trends, tools, and technologies with a deep understanding of the latest AI design tools.
Why Join Akcelo?
Over the last five years we smashed the ceilings created by established agencies and created some larger than life campaigns, innovative retail‑tech solutions, threw some epic events, and besides happy clients, we took home the B&T Agency of the Year, Mumbrella’s Experiential Agency of the Year, and a number of APAC Effies. And we are just getting started. You see, we believe in magic, and value the genuine, the experimental, the limitless, and the imaginative. We make, break and build things, without the fear of failure, and we share our time and our talents. If that is something that excites you too, we want to hear from you!
Benefits & Perks
- 4 weeks vacation + personal/sick days.
- Global work exchange opportunities (Sydney, Vancouver, London, or remote).
- Team travel and collaboration across North America.
- Employee Access Program.
- Opportunities for growth, recognition, and creative leadership.
Akcelo is committed to nurturing, creating and building a diverse environment. We encourage all applications from diverse backgrounds, identities, beliefs and abilities to apply for this or any role with us. If you resonate with the above, send in your CV, and let’s explore this journey together!
Design Lead - London employer: Akcelo Australia
At Akcelo London, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that encourages creativity and innovation. As a Senior Art Director, you will not only have the opportunity to lead impactful projects but also mentor emerging talent, ensuring your growth alongside the company. Located in the vibrant heart of London, we offer a collaborative environment where bold ideas are celebrated, making it an exciting place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the creative industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Lead - London
✨Show Off Your Skills with a Killer Portfolio
As a graphic designer, your portfolio is your secret weapon! Make sure it's not just a collection of your work but showcases your creative process too. Use platforms like Behance or Dribbble to share your designs and gain visibility within the design community.
✨Get Involved in Design Meetups
Networking is key in the design world! Check out local design meetups or workshops where you can connect with other creatives and potential employers. This is a goldmine for finding unadvertised job openings at companies like Akcelo Australia.
✨Tailor Your Applications
When you’re applying for a full-time role at a creative company like Akcelo Australia, don’t go for a one-size-fits-all approach. Ensure your application highlights specific projects or styles that align with their brand image, showing that you’re a perfect fit for their team.
✨Leverage Social Media
Don't underestimate the power of social media in landing your dream design job! Share your work on platforms like Instagram or Pinterest, and engage with accounts from your desired companies—this could put you on their radar before they start hiring.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Lead - London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Portfolio:Your portfolio is your visual CV! Make sure to include a link to your best design projects that showcase your creativity and versatility. Tailor it to include works that relate to the kind of design work Akcelo Australia does, so they can see you in action.
Tailor Your CV for Design:When crafting your CV, highlight your design skills and software proficiencies, like Adobe Creative Suite or Sketch. Mention any relevant experience you have with branding, UI/UX design, or typography, as we want to see how you fit in with the creative team at Akcelo Australia.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, share your design philosophy and what excites you about working at Akcelo Australia. Let us know how you approach your design projects and any specific campaigns or themes that resonate with you, showing we’re not just a good fit but a perfect match!
Highlight Collaboration Skills:As a graphic designer, you often work with various teams and stakeholders. In your application, mention experiences where you've collaborated with others to bring a project to life, whether it's with clients, writers, or developers. This shows you can thrive in a team environment, which is key at Akcelo Australia.
How to prepare for a job interview at Akcelo Australia
✨Get Your Portfolio Ready
Your portfolio is your secret weapon in graphic design interviews! Make sure it's showing off your best work, with a variety of styles and projects that highlight different skills — from branding to digital illustration. Be prepared to talk through each piece, focusing on your creative process and the tools you used.
✨Know Your Design Tools Inside Out
Familiarity with software like Adobe Creative Suite is a must! Brush up on your skills with Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, as interviewers might dive into specific technical questions or ask for your workflow. If you’ve worked with any innovative tools or techniques, don't hesitate to showcase that expertise!
✨Prepare for Design Challenges
Some companies may throw a design challenge your way during the interview! This might involve sketching out ideas or solving a branding issue on the spot. Practising these quick thinking exercises beforehand can help us show off our creativity and adaptability.
✨Passion Counts
For a full-time position, showing genuine enthusiasm for design is key! Talk about your inspirations, the projects you're excited about, and why you're drawn to Akcelo Australia. They want to see not just a skilled designer, but someone who'll bring passion and fresh ideas to the team.
