At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead bold design projects and elevate creative standards across the studio.
- Company: Join StudioXAG, where creativity meets innovation in immersive experiences.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Hybrid work model with a focus on inclusivity and personal growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of design while mentoring talented creatives in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in design leadership and exceptional creative judgement.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 95000 £ per year.
StudioXAG creates bold spaces that tell big stories. We create WOW moments for some of the world’s best-known brands, crafting immersive experiences that spark surprise, delight, awe and emotional connection. Our team is made up of conceptual thinkers, creative dreamers and inquisitive makers who bring these moments to life.
We’re looking for a Design Director to help shape the future of our Creative Studio — someone who can define bold ideas, raise creative standards and lead exceptional work across projects, teams and clients. This is a role for a senior creative leader; someone confident directing ambitious work, elevating those around them, and balancing creative excellence with commercial reality.
The Role
As a Design Director, you’ll define, direct and elevate design across the Creative Studio. Reporting into our Associate Creative Director, you’ll lead some of our most ambitious and strategically important projects while helping raise the creative bar across the wider studio. Alongside your own work, you’ll mentor and develop Lead Designers, strengthen team capability and influence the evolution of our creative output through your standards, leadership and taste. You’ll also take ownership of a key area of creative innovation or capability, helping shape how our Creative Studio grows in the future.
Responsibilities
- Creative / Design Direction
- Lead concept-led design across multiple projects, turning briefs into clear, compelling creative direction
- Own and direct high-profile, creatively ambitious work, setting the benchmark for quality and craft
- Raise creative standards across the studio, guiding teams toward fewer, stronger and more impactful ideas
- Lead reviews with clarity and decisiveness, balancing creative ambition with commercial reality
- Drive innovation and creative elevation within an area of specialist interest or strength
- Leadership
- Mentor and develop Lead Designers, supporting growth through feedback, coaching and development
- Strengthen capability across the Creative Studio through exceptional creative direction and input
- Help build a high-performing creative culture through talent development, recruitment and raising standards
- Lead with confidence, accountability and clarity
- Communication & Collaboration
- Translate briefs into clear creative direction and aligned outputs across teams
- Collaborate closely with Design Project Management to balance ambition with delivery
- Build trusted relationships with clients and internal stakeholders, guiding projects from briefing through to production
- Protect creative intent through every stage of delivery
What We’re Looking For
We’d love to hear from you if you are:
- A highly creative and experienced design leader with exceptional creative judgement and the ability to define strong ideas across multiple projects and teams
- Experienced within luxury brand, retail, experiential or agency environments, with a track record of mentoring creatives and elevating team capability
- A confident communicator, presenter and storyteller who can sell ideas and build trust with senior stakeholders
- Someone who balances bold ideas with commercial awareness and understands how to deliver impactful work at scale
- Deeply connected to culture, design and innovation, with curiosity about how our industry is evolving
- Technically confident across industry-standard tools (SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, rendering software etc.)
Bonus points for:
- Experience shaping new capabilities, services or ways of working
- Interest in emerging tools, AI or evolving creative processes
- Strength in a particular area that could help evolve our Creative Studio over time
Location
We work hybrid: 3 days/week in our East London studio (E10) 2 flexible days. Standard hours are 9am–6pm, with flexibility available.
Some of our benefits
- Gross profit-related annual bonus scheme
- Workplace pension
- 22 days holiday + Christmas closure + birthday off + bank holidays
- 0.5 paid days/month to get inspired
- International research budgets and trips
- YCN creative learning membership
- Spill mental health support
- Cycle to work scheme
- Fitness discounts
Salary: £70,000- £95,000
Belonging & Inclusivity at StudioXAG
StudioXAG is a business that strives for equality for all its people. Known for our storytelling, our different perspectives make us more creative than ever. No matter who you are, you are welcome at StudioXAG.
Design Director employer: Studioxag
At StudioXAG, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture in the heart of East London. As a Design Director, you will not only lead ambitious projects but also have the opportunity to mentor and develop talent within a creative environment that values innovation and collaboration. With benefits like a gross profit-related bonus scheme, generous holiday allowances, and a commitment to employee well-being, we ensure our team members thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks, attend design events, and join online communities. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Design Director role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! Make sure it’s up-to-date and highlights your best work. Tailor it to showcase projects that align with StudioXAG's bold storytelling and immersive experiences.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising your storytelling skills. Be ready to discuss how you've led teams, mentored creatives, and balanced ambition with commercial reality in past projects.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Creative Spark:When you're crafting your application, let your creativity shine through! Use bold language and showcase your unique design perspective. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can define strong ideas, so don’t hold back!
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in luxury brand, retail, or agency environments. We want to see how you've mentored others and elevated team capabilities, so share those stories that demonstrate your leadership skills.
Be Clear and Concise:While we love creativity, clarity is key! Ensure your application is easy to read and gets straight to the point. We appreciate a well-structured application that clearly communicates your vision and aligns with our creative direction.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Studioxag
✨Know Your Creative Vision
Before the interview, take some time to reflect on your creative philosophy and how it aligns with StudioXAG's mission. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've defined bold ideas and elevated creative standards. This will show that you understand their vision and can contribute meaningfully.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've mentored and developed other designers in your previous roles. Highlight instances where your leadership has directly influenced a project's success or improved team capability. This will demonstrate your ability to lead and inspire at StudioXAG.
✨Balance Creativity with Commercial Awareness
Be prepared to discuss how you've balanced ambitious creative work with commercial realities in past projects. Think of examples where you've had to make tough decisions to protect creative intent while ensuring project viability. This is crucial for a Design Director role.
✨Engage with Emerging Trends
Show your curiosity about the evolving design landscape by discussing emerging tools, AI, or innovative processes you've explored. This will not only highlight your passion for the industry but also your potential to shape new capabilities within the Creative Studio.
