Design Director (Graphics)

We are Acrylicize, a global creative studio powered by art and culture, inspired by stories of people and place. Our multidisciplinary team of artists, designers, project managers, and strategists, create and curate art that activates spaces for some of the world’s leading brands and institutions. Experts in using art and design to drive positive change for people and planet, delivering unmissable moments that get everyone talking. With studios in New York and London, we offer creative impact on a global scale.

We are looking for a brilliant Design Director with a graphic design focus who thrives in a fast-paced environment and can lead a team both creatively and efficiently, working within client budgets. This person will be a top notch creative with the business acumen to work cleverly and creatively within budgets to output best in class design.

Our Creative Process:

Phase 1: Discover - Understanding the brief, the client and the space. Researching themes and narratives to inspire the designs.

Phase 2: Design - Creating concepts derived from the chosen theme for the space. We call these idea cards, they are sketchy and conceptual. The chosen ideas are then refined further.

Phase 3: Develop - Developing the chosen ideas, considering materiality and creating fully formed designs ready to be artworked, fabricated and installed.

Phase 4: Detail (Production Team)

Phase 5: Deliver (PM Team)

The Role

As a Design Director at Acrylicize, you will work under our Global Creative Director, overseeing a number of projects, potentially each with multiple workstreams. You will help the Sales Team with proposals by estimating the creative effort required and you will be conscious of the hours burned throughout the project. This role provides invaluable experience and grounding to the entire Acrylicize creative process and helps to drive us forward towards our vision for The Art House.

Key Responsibilities

• Creating next level pitch documents, ensuring that they are creatively cohesive and easily accessible to the team for future reference
• Researching key opportunities to further our reach in the public art space and formulating submissions
• Providing creative oversight on a number of projects and workstreams alongside the Global Creative Director, liaising with them at key checkpoints for input and approval

• Forming strong client relationships that encourage return to future projects in the studio
• Helping to build upon the ‘activate’ offering of the studio as a new revenue stream and pitch it to clients
• Taking on feedback related to previous projects, identifying key learnings and objectives to ensure upcoming projects are as creatively engaging and profitable as possible
• Assisting the PM and production teams offering support and guidance to ensure that only budget compliant design ideas are shared with the client

• Formulating initiatives to link the US and UK studios through work, social and creative means, strengthening communication and keeping a cohesive culture between the two
• Helping to recruit the best possible creative talent and managing your own team
• Contributing to the studio’s wider WIP goals and strategy

Requirements

• A degree in Graphic Design or equivalent
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience as a Graphic Designer
• Management experience
• Excellent presentation and communication skills
• Excellent skills in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly InDesign and Illustrator
• The ability to travel to clients’ sites as required
• Attention to detail
• The ability to demonstrate critical thinking
• The ability to meet deadlines under pressure
• Excellent team player attitude

Salary

• £60,000 - £65,000

Benefits

• 25 days holiday, 5 of these held for Christmas closure
• 1 additional day of holiday per year of service (up to 30 days)
• Private healthcare (from 6 months service)
• 4% matching pension (from 3 months service)
• Hybrid working, from the studio Tuesday-Thursday with Monday and Friday optional remote
• Half a day per month for creative pursuits
• Enhanced maternity and paternity policies

Acrylicize is proud to be a certified B Corporation, reflecting our commitment to using business as a force for good. This certification underscores our dedication to balancing profit with purpose, ensuring that our decisions positively impact our employees, clients, communities, and the environment. We’re seeking passionate individuals who not only excel in their craft but also deeply believe in the values of sustainability, social responsibility, and community. If you’re inspired by the opportunity to make a meaningful difference through your work, we’d love to hear from you.

We are an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workforce. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, disability, national origin, gender and gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital and civil partnership status, veteran status or pregnancy or maternity.