Design Lead (2D) in Staines

Design Lead (2D) in Staines

Staines Full-Time 45000 - 55000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Nteractive

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead exciting 2D design projects from concept to delivery, shaping creative solutions.
  • Company: Join Nteractive, a dynamic agency creating unforgettable brand experiences.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 33 days off, hybrid working, private medical insurance, and more.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values creativity and innovation.
  • Why this job: Make your mark on global events and collaborate with top brands.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in 2D design and strong leadership skills required.

The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.

About Nteractive

Location: Surrey, UK (hybrid, 1-2 days a week in the office)

At Nteractive, we bring brands to life through extraordinary experiences. From global events and immersive environments to digital campaigns and live activations, we create meaningful experiences for some of the world’s leading technology and lifestyle brands.

Our Creative Studio brings together designers, creatives, producers and strategists to turn ambitious ideas into experiences that engage audiences and deliver real impact.

We’re looking for a Design Lead (2D) to join our Creative Studio and become the most senior 2D design specialist within the team. Working closely with our Creative Lead and Creative Director, you’ll take ownership of significant 2D design projects and help set the creative and craft standard across the wider design team. This is a hands-on role for an experienced designer who combines exceptional design craft with the confidence to lead projects, influence creative thinking, mentor others and present work to clients.

What you'll be doing

  • You’ll lead 2D design work across a broad range of projects, taking ideas from early concept development through to refined design and final delivery.
  • You’ll work closely with creative leadership to interpret briefs, develop compelling design solutions and ensure the work is both creatively ambitious and commercially appropriate.
  • As the most senior 2D designer within the team, you’ll also provide guidance and creative support to other designers, helping maintain consistently high standards across everything we produce.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Lead the development of 2D design solutions across digital, print and live environments.
  • Take ownership of significant design projects from initial concept through to final execution.
  • Translate client briefs and strategic objectives into compelling, considered and visually engaging design.
  • Work closely with the Creative Lead and wider creative leadership to develop and refine creative concepts.
  • Act as a senior design voice within projects, bringing expertise, challenge and considered creative thinking.
  • Present design concepts and rationale confidently to internal teams and clients.
  • Support senior creative leadership on pitches, proposals and new business opportunities.
  • Provide guidance, feedback and mentoring to other 2D designers, helping raise the quality and consistency of the team's work.
  • Champion excellent design craft, ensuring high standards across typography, layout, composition, visual storytelling and brand application.
  • Research design trends, technology, user behaviour and innovation to bring fresh thinking and inspiration to projects.
  • Collaborate closely with Creative, Project Management and Production teams to develop artwork, templates and brand materials.
  • Ensure all creative output meets client brand guidelines, project requirements and Nteractive's quality standards.
  • Support the development of branding, wayfinding and customer journey documentation for live activations.
  • Help identify opportunities to improve creative processes, ways of working and the quality of design output.
  • Contribute to a positive, collaborative and ambitious creative culture.
  • Stay hands-on creatively, continuing to develop your own craft and bringing new ideas and approaches to the team.

What you will bring

We’re looking for an accomplished 2D designer who has developed beyond pure execution and is ready to take greater ownership and influence within a creative team. You’ll ideally have:

  • Significant experience as a Graphic Designer / Senior Graphic Designer, ideally within an events, experiential, brand experience or creative agency.
  • Experience operating as a lead designer or design lead on significant creative projects.
  • A strong portfolio demonstrating excellent design craft and the ability to develop ideas from concept through to execution.
  • Expert-level proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop.
  • Excellent PowerPoint skills and confidence creating compelling presentations.
  • A strong understanding of design across digital, print and live environments, including screen, motion and environmental graphics.
  • An exceptional eye for typography, layout, composition, visual hierarchy and detail.
  • Confidence presenting creative concepts and explaining the thinking behind your work to clients and senior stakeholders.
  • Experience providing creative guidance, feedback or mentoring to other designers.
  • The ability to understand a brief quickly, challenge appropriately and develop solutions that balance creativity, audience experience and practical delivery.
  • Excellent organisation and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
  • A collaborative, proactive and solutions-focused approach.
  • A BA or equivalent qualification in Graphic Design or a related discipline is desirable but not essential.
  • Experience across additional disciplines such as 3D, motion, Figma or artworking would be advantageous.

Why you'll love working here

  • Work with some of the world’s most recognised technology and lifestyle brands.
  • See your creative work come to life across global events and experiences.
  • Become a key design voice within a talented and multidisciplinary Creative Studio.
  • Work alongside experienced Creative Leads and Creative Directors.
  • Have the opportunity to shape significant creative projects from concept through to delivery.
  • Work across a varied mix of digital, experiential, live and environmental design.
  • Mentor and support other designers while continuing to develop your own creative craft.
  • Collaborate with talented teams across Creative, Production, Project Management and Client Services.
  • Be part of a growing global agency with exciting opportunities for career development.
  • Work on projects that combine creativity, technology and real-world experiences.

Benefits

  • 33 days annual leave including Bank Holidays.
  • Hybrid working with flexibility.
  • Pension scheme – 5% employee / 3% employer contribution.
  • Private Medical Insurance & Cash Plan.
  • Life Insurance.
  • Enhanced Maternity Pay.
  • Wellbeing & Inclusion initiatives, including Employee Assistance Programme.
  • Birthday Day Off.
  • Summer Hours.
  • Volunteering Day.
  • Rewards & Recognition incentives.
  • Generous Talent Referral Scheme.

Additional requirements

  • Ability to work from a suitable home environment when working remotely.
  • Ability to attend the Nteractive office and/or client sites when required for collaboration, presentations and project delivery.
  • Minimum broadband speed of 25MB download / 2MB upload.
  • Willingness and ability to travel internationally when required.

Ready to take the lead? If you’re an accomplished 2D designer who is ready to take ownership of significant creative work, influence the quality of a talented design team and work alongside senior creative leadership, we’d love to hear from you. Join Nteractive and help us create experiences people remember.

Design Lead (2D) in Staines employer: Nteractive

At Nteractive, we pride ourselves on fostering a genuinely supportive and collaborative culture where our employees come first. As a Finance Assistant, you'll not only gain exposure to varied finance projects but also enjoy ample career development opportunities in a fast-paced environment that encourages learning and growth. With a focus on inclusivity and innovation, working with us means being part of a passionate team dedicated to making a real impact.

Nteractive

Contact Details:

Nteractive Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Design Lead (2D) in Staines

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 Nteractive.

Tailor Your Applications

When you’re applying for a full-time role at a creative company like Nteractive, 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 (2D) in Staines

2D Design
Graphic Design
Adobe Creative Suite
Illustrator
InDesign
Photoshop
Presentation Skills

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 Nteractive 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 Nteractive.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, share your design philosophy and what excites you about working at Nteractive. 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 Nteractive.

How to prepare for a job interview at Nteractive

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 Nteractive. They want to see not just a skilled designer, but someone who'll bring passion and fresh ideas to the team.