At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and evolve web projects, turning vision into scalable frameworks and high-quality execution.
- Company: Bakken & Bæck, a design and technology studio with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Independence, autonomy, flexibility, continuous learning, and relocation support.
- Other info: Join a welcoming environment that prioritises collaboration and personal growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of web design while working with passionate teams across Europe.
- Qualifications: Strong portfolio in large-scale web experiences and experience leading design teams.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Bakken & Bæck is a design and technology studio that helps companies break new ground. Building digital products, brands and businesses, we help ambitious companies identify, explore and respond to new opportunities. As one team working out of Oslo, Amsterdam, Bonn, Barcelona, and London, we have all the skill-sets needed to help businesses adapt to an increasingly complex world.
We believe the best teams are driven by people with small egos and huge hearts. We strongly believe in flexibility, care deeply about craft, and are at our best working closely together. We want BB to be a place where you can try out new things with the risk of failing, where you can take ownership over your own work, and where there's a low barrier for coming up with ideas — no matter your job title or discipline.
We're looking for a Design Director to lead and evolve how we approach web as a discipline at Bakken & Bæck. Much of our work is about making complex technologies understandable and relevant through clean foundations, strong visual languages, and meaningful user experiences.
This role is about setting direction for our web projects. You will define how narrative, brand, product, motion, and technology come together to create large scale web experiences that are not campaigns or standalone launches, but living systems that grow with the companies behind them.
You will shape the work from early concept to scalable frameworks and high quality execution, working closely with strategists, designers, and engineers across projects.
What you will do:
- Define the creative and systemic direction for complex web projects
- Lead projects from early narrative and concept through to delivery
- Turn vision into clear structures, patterns, and design systems that teams can scale
- Work closely with strategy, copy, brand, product, motion, and engineering as one integrated team
- Develop a strong point of view on how the web is evolving and translate it into real work
- Mentor and support designers, raising the bar for both craft and thinking
- Contribute to scoping, pitches, and new business when relevant
- Help shape how the web discipline grows within the studio
What we are looking for:
- A clear body of work that shows end to end ownership of large scale web experiences
- Strong conceptual thinking and the ability to connect narrative, interaction, and systems
- Experience building scalable frameworks, not just shipping individual pages
- Confidence working in close collaboration with engineers and product teams
- A strong point of view and the ability to bring others along with it
- A balance of vision and delivery
- Experience leading and nurturing design teams
- Experience with handling client and stakeholder relationships
What you can look forward to:
- Independence: BB is an independently-owned studio. We have the freedom to orient towards the projects we believe in, create a culture that is driven by people with small egos and huge hearts, and invest in long-term relationships with partners whose ambitions match our own.
- Autonomy: Our culture is built on autonomy, responsibility and mutual trust. Instead of being prescribed a way to do things, we have the freedom to explore and develop our own methods and approaches, and to learn by doing.
- Flexibility: We all have different needs when it comes to how we work. We are flexible on working hours, open to workations, and can provide opportunities to relocate to one of our other offices, as long as it doesn't hinder our projects and our team's progress.
- Continuous Learning: We want to invest in your growth. You will receive an annual allowance to invest in a course, class or conference — whatever you need to stay inspired and learn new things.
- Doing things together: Collaboration lies at the core of our culture. Whether through trips or team dinners, we prioritise bonding experiences across offices when we can, fostering camaraderie and creativity.
- Our offices: We have invested in creating welcoming spaces that provide our teams with what they need. Beyond the day-to-day, we use our offices to host team events, talks and parties.
- Relocation support: If you're moving to join us, we'll help make the transition as smooth as possible with visa sponsorship and guidance, a travel budget, and thoughtful settling-in support — from housing tips and language classes to a buddy, welcome bundle, and a team outing to help you feel at home. The relocation package varies somewhat by location.
Because we want our team members to be actively involved in our offices, we do not consider remote applicants.
Design Director — Digital in London employer: Bakken & Bæck
Bakken & Bæck is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, where creativity thrives and every team member's contribution is valued. Located in a vibrant environment, we offer ample opportunities for professional growth and mentorship, ensuring that our Design Director can lead impactful projects while shaping the future of web design. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to crafting meaningful digital experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Director — Digital in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the design and tech scene. Attend meetups, workshops, or even casual coffee chats. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your work! Create a killer portfolio that highlights your best projects and showcases your design thinking. Make sure it’s easy to navigate and visually appealing—first impressions matter!
✨Tip Number 3
Tailor your approach! When reaching out to potential employers, especially at places like Bakken & Bæck, make sure to align your message with their values and projects. Show them how your vision and experience can contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and being part of our collaborative culture.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Director — Digital in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Work:Make sure to include a strong portfolio that highlights your end-to-end ownership of large-scale web experiences. We want to see your creative process and how you connect narrative, interaction, and systems.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect how your skills and experiences align with our needs at Bakken & Bæck. Show us why you’re the perfect fit for the Design Director role.
Be Authentic:We value people with small egos and huge hearts, so let your personality shine through in your application. Share your thoughts on how the web is evolving and how you can contribute to our culture of collaboration and creativity.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bakken & Bæck
✨Showcase Your Creative Vision
As a Design Director, it's crucial to demonstrate your unique perspective on web design. Prepare a portfolio that not only highlights your past projects but also illustrates your thought process and how you connect narrative, interaction, and systems. Be ready to discuss how your vision aligns with Bakken & Bæck's approach to creating living web experiences.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
Bakken & Bæck values teamwork, so be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with engineers, strategists, and other designers. Highlight specific instances where your collaborative efforts led to innovative solutions or improved project outcomes, showcasing your ability to work as part of an integrated team.
✨Demonstrate End-to-End Ownership
The role requires a strong body of work that shows your end-to-end ownership of large-scale web experiences. During the interview, discuss your involvement in projects from concept to delivery, focusing on how you defined structures and patterns that teams could scale. This will illustrate your capability to lead complex projects effectively.
✨Prepare for Thoughtful Questions
Expect to engage in discussions about the evolution of the web and how it impacts design. Prepare thoughtful questions that reflect your understanding of current trends and challenges in web design. This not only shows your expertise but also your enthusiasm for contributing to Bakken & Bæck's growth in the web discipline.