At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the visual direction for Gardeners' World and create stunning designs across all platforms.
- Company: Join Immediate, home to beloved UK brands like Radio Times and Good Food.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, flexible working, and a relaxed office culture with regular socials.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse, inclusive culture that values your growth and well-being.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a creative role that celebrates gardening and design.
- Qualifications: Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite and experience leading design teams required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
At Immediate, we’re home to some of the biggest and most loved consumer brands in the UK, including Radio Times, Good Food, Gardeners’ World and History Extra. Our trusted, quality content reaches millions of people a month across digital, print, video, podcasts, apps and live events.
We help inspire our audiences; deepening their knowledge, skills and fuelling their passions, to enjoy more of what life has to offer.
The Multimedia Design Director will lead the visual direction for Gardeners' World. This is a role for a craft-obsessed, systems-minded creative who can bridge the brand's celebrated legacy and its digital future — preserving the warmth, authority and distinctiveness that have made it a household name, while building the frameworks, templates and guardrails that let great design happen at scale.
As a Multimedia Design Director, you will:
- Visual Brand Guardianship
- Own and evolve the GW visual identity across all touchpoints — print, digital, social, motion and experiential.
- Define and maintain the brand design system: typography, colour, iconography, grid and motion principles.
- Set and document the guardrails that let the wider team produce on-brand work independently and at pace, acting as the final checkpoint on consistency.
- Systems, Templates & Scalable Production
- Build and manage a library of templates, components and reusable assets in Figma, InDesign and After Effects, designed to speed up turnaround without sacrificing quality.
- Champion intelligent reuse of the GW archive — photography, illustration, typography and footage — with workflows to surface and adapt it for new contexts.
- Keep asset infrastructure well-organised, version-controlled and accessible to the team.
- Leading Print & Digital Design
- Lead the design of Gardeners' World Magazine and brand marketing collateral, working closely with the editorial team.
- Direct visual output across GW digital platforms — website, newsletter and app.
- Ensure design reflects audience segmentation, adapting the visual register for Established Gardeners, New Gardeners and Hobbyists.
- Social & Audience Sensibility
- Bring genuine fluency in social formats — knowing what lands on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Apple News versus what belongs in a print spread.
- Oversee motion graphics, animated social content and short-form video in After Effects.
- Work with the social and editorial teams on visual content calendars, deploying design resource where it has most impact.
- Team Leadership & Creative Direction
- Line manage a team of designers and motion artists, providing creative direction, mentoring and performance support.
- Brief and quality-control work from freelance designers and retouchers.
- Foster a culture of creative ambition, craft pride and brand coherence.
- Represent design in cross-disciplinary planning and contribute to the wider creative strategy.
Requirements
- Expert-level proficiency across the full Adobe Creative Suite, particularly InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and After Effects.
- Strong working knowledge of Figma, including component libraries, design tokens and collaborative workflows.
- Demonstrable experience leading design output across both print and digital channels.
- A track record of building and maintaining design systems or brand guardianship frameworks.
- Experience managing or mentoring junior designers and briefing freelancers.
- Deep understanding of social media platforms and their distinct visual grammars.
- Highly organised with a systematic approach to file management, asset libraries and production pipelines.
- Excellent eye for typographic detail and image quality.
Desirable
- Experience working on a media brand with a strong heritage identity.
- Familiarity with video editing tools (Premiere Pro or similar).
- Experience with DAM (Digital Asset Management) systems.
- Understanding of accessibility standards in digital design.
- A personal interest in gardening, horticulture or the natural world.
Benefits
- A relaxed working environment with regular socials including a summer festival.
- Supportive well-being initiatives and benefits, talks & workshops, and Mental Health First aiders & Champions.
- 25 days holiday plus a day for your birthday.
- Claim back everyday health care costs with Medicash our Health Cash back plan.
- Lease an Electric vehicle through our EV salary sacrifice scheme.
- Tailored training and development through both our in-house learning platform and LinkedIn Learning.
- A progressive and transparent culture focused on your development.
- Flexible / hybrid working plus early finish Fridays.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Enhanced Family Policies including paternity, adoption and surrogacy leave.
- Competitive pension plans and Life Assurance.
- A newly renovated modern office with lots of collaborative spaces.
At Immediate, we pride ourselves on our open, inclusive, collaborative, and dynamic culture that empowers our people to thrive and give their best. We care deeply about our people, our local communities and the impact we have on the environment.
People are at the heart of our business and creating a diverse and inclusive working environment is important to us. Immediate is an equal opportunities employer.
Multimedia Design Director in London employer: Immediate Media Co
At Immediate, we foster a vibrant and inclusive work culture that champions creativity and collaboration, making it an exceptional place for a Multimedia Design Director. With a focus on employee well-being, professional development, and a commitment to sustainability, our team enjoys flexible working arrangements, generous holiday allowances, and tailored training opportunities. Located in a newly renovated office, we empower our employees to thrive while contributing to beloved brands that inspire millions across the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Multimedia Design Director in London
✨Get Your Portfolio Sparkling
For a temporary graphic design role, your portfolio is EVERYTHING! Make sure it showcases your best work, but also tailor it to include pieces that reflect the type of projects Immediate Media Co might need. Consider creating a section dedicated to quick turnaround projects to highlight your ability to deliver under tight deadlines.
✨Tap into Local Creative Networks
Join local design groups or attend creative meetups in your area. These events are a goldmine for finding out about temporary opportunities. You might even meet someone from Immediate Media Co or learn about upcoming gigs that aren't advertised online!
✨Social Media: Your Design Playground
Use platforms like Instagram or Behance to share your designs and connect with the design community. Tagging companies like Immediate Media Co in your posts can grab their attention and show off your flair! Keep an eye on their social channels too; temporary roles often pop up there first.
✨Apply Early, Apply Often
Temporary roles can fill up fast, so don’t wait around! Check Immediate Media Co’s careers page frequently and set up alerts if you can. If you see a position for a temporary graphic designer, jump on it! Remember, we’re here to support your journey, so use our website to help streamline your applications.
We think you need these skills to ace Multimedia Design Director in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Best Work:For a graphic design role like Multimedia Design Director at Immediate Media Co, your portfolio is everything! Make sure to include a variety of your designs that highlight your skills and creativity. Tailor it to reflect the style that resonates with Immediate Media Co’s brand. Don’t forget to include any relevant temporary projects or collaborations – they show adaptability!
Emphasise Design Thinking:In your written application, focus on your design thinking process. Share how you approach a brief, from brainstorming to final execution. If you’ve taken any courses or received certifications related to graphic design, mention those too. This shows you're committed to the craft and eager to grow!
Tailor Your CV for Design:When crafting your CV for a temporary role, highlight specific design software you're proficient in – think Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Figma, etc. Be sure to include any freelance work or internships that demonstrate your relevant skills, as showcasing project diversity can make you stand out in a short-term role.
Express Your Availability:Since the role is temporary, it's crucial to mention your availability clearly in your cover letter. Let Immediate Media Co know when you can start and how flexible you are with hours. Being upfront can help them see you as an ideal candidate who’s ready to jump right in!
How to prepare for a job interview at Immediate Media Co
✨Showcase Your Portfolio
Let’s be honest, in graphic design, your portfolio is your magic wand! Make sure to curate a selection of your best work that aligns with the style and needs of Immediate Media Co. Bring physical copies if possible or have a tablet ready to show off your designs in action.
✨Familiarise with Design Tools
Be prepared to chat about the design tools you’re comfortable with, like Adobe Creative Suite or Figma. As it’s a temporary role, demonstrating your flexibility with various tools can give you an edge—don’t forget to mention any previous projects where you've used these skills!
✨Understand the Brand's Aesthetic
Take a good look at Immediate Media Co’s branding before the interview. Understanding their visual identity and being ready to discuss how you can contribute to or enhance it will not only show that you’re interested, but also give you plenty to talk about during the interview!
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary gig, make sure to emphasise your adaptability and ability to work under tight deadlines. Share examples from past experiences where you've jumped in on projects quickly and delivered quality work—a must-have in the fast-paced world of graphic design!
