Art Director, Design (London)
Art Director, Design (London)

Art Director, Design (London)

London Full-Time 57600 - 84000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead design vision and create exceptional web experiences for clients.
  • Company: Join Critical Mass, a forward-thinking digital agency focused on innovative design.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a collaborative environment with mentorship opportunities and a chance to shape your career.
  • Why this job: Elevate your design skills while working on impactful projects with a creative team.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in design, strong portfolio, expert in Figma, and experience mentoring others.
  • Other info: Work from the office at least 3 days a week to foster collaboration.

The predicted salary is between 57600 - 84000 £ per year.

We’re looking for an Art Director to join our team. This is not a traditional campaign-focused role and is focused on design leadership. This role will be responsible for driving smart, cohesive digital design work that aligns tightly with brand goals and elevates the user experience across touchpoints. You will translate strategic and brand inputs into exceptional web design concepts and design systems.

You Will

  • Lead the design vision and execution for our client’s web presence
  • Concept and deliver digital experiences grounded in branding and system thinking
  • Guide and mentor junior designers, helping elevate overall design output
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with UX, strategy, development, and client stakeholders
  • Own the design process from concept to delivery while maintaining alignment with brand and business objectives
  • Act as a trusted design partner to both internal and client-side creative leadership
  • Manage projects with limited input
  • Guide and direct up to four designers with thorough delegation, follow-up, and mentorship
  • Rationalize solutions to project teams and clients
  • Balance creative with client business requirements
  • Build and maintain a rapport with creative team, account managers, and project managers

You Have

  • 5+ years of experience in design and interactive
  • Strong digital/web design portfolio with an emphasis on design systems and branding
  • Expert in Figma; familiarity with motion design and After Effects is a plus
  • Deep design craft and attention to visual detail
  • Understanding of UX principles (though this is not a UX/Product Design role)
  • Experience leading design projects independently
  • Collaborative mindset
  • Comfortable working with fast-moving clients
  • Experience mentoring junior talent and elevating creative work as a team lead

Our new hires & employees are the future of our organization, and we want to set you up for long-term success. In an effort to do so, we expect our team to work from an office a minimum of 3 days a week.

Critical Mass is an equal opportunity employer.

Art Director, Design (London) employer: Critical Mass

At Critical Mass, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. As an Art Director in London, you will not only lead design initiatives but also mentor junior talent, ensuring your growth alongside the team. With a commitment to professional development and a vibrant office environment, we offer a unique opportunity to shape exceptional digital experiences while aligning with brand goals.
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Contact Detail:

Critical Mass Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Art Director, Design (London)

✨Tip Number 1

Make sure to showcase your leadership skills in your conversations. Since this role involves guiding and mentoring junior designers, be prepared to discuss your past experiences in leading design projects and how you've helped elevate the work of others.

✨Tip Number 2

Familiarise yourself with the company's recent projects and their design philosophy. This will not only help you align your vision with theirs but also demonstrate your genuine interest in their work during discussions.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your approach to balancing creativity with client business requirements. Think of specific examples where you've successfully navigated this balance in previous roles, as it’s a key aspect of the position.

✨Tip Number 4

Network with current or former employees of Critical Mass if possible. They can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach during interviews.

We think you need these skills to ace Art Director, Design (London)

Digital Design Leadership
Design Systems Development
Branding Expertise
Figma Proficiency
Motion Design Familiarity
Web Design Conceptualisation
UX Principles Understanding
Project Management
Mentorship and Team Leadership
Collaboration with Cross-Functional Teams
Attention to Visual Detail
Creative Problem Solving
Client Relationship Management
Strategic Thinking

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Portfolio: Ensure your design portfolio showcases your best work, particularly projects that highlight your experience with design systems and branding. Include case studies that demonstrate your ability to lead design projects and mentor junior designers.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your understanding of the role and the company. Highlight your experience in digital design leadership and your collaborative mindset. Mention specific projects where you successfully aligned design with brand goals.

Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV, focus on your 5+ years of experience in design and interactive work. Emphasise your expertise in Figma and any familiarity with motion design or After Effects. Make sure to include any leadership roles you've held and how you’ve mentored others.

Showcase Your Design Process: When discussing your previous work, outline your design process from concept to delivery. Explain how you balanced creative solutions with client business requirements and how you maintained alignment with brand objectives throughout your projects.

How to prepare for a job interview at Critical Mass

✨Showcase Your Design Portfolio

Make sure to bring a strong digital/web design portfolio that highlights your experience with design systems and branding. Be prepared to discuss specific projects, your role in them, and how they align with the brand goals.

✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills

Since this role involves guiding and mentoring junior designers, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully led design projects and supported team members in their growth. Highlight your collaborative mindset and ability to manage projects independently.

✨Understand the Brand and Client Needs

Research Critical Mass and its clients thoroughly before the interview. Understand their brand values and recent projects to demonstrate how you can align your design vision with their business objectives during the discussion.

✨Prepare for Cross-Functional Collaboration

This role requires collaboration with various teams, including UX, strategy, and development. Be prepared to discuss how you've effectively worked with different stakeholders in the past and how you plan to maintain alignment across teams in future projects.

Art Director, Design (London)
Critical Mass
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