Project-Based Brand Art Director

Job Overview

We are seeking a talented and ambitious Art Director to join our branding consultancy on a per-project basis. This Art Director will work closely with our director, clients, and internal strategic and creative teams to interpret brand strategy visually and guide its development. Responsibilities include collaborating with strategists to define project briefs, creating visual direction informed by market insights, client needs, and strategic goals. The Art Director will also source design talent to execute project elements such as logos, illustrations, and brand systems. Our ideal candidate is deeply immersed in design and visual brand culture, excels at translating vision into actionable direction for the team, and is skilled in providing constructive feedback and guiding development across diverse team members.

Key Responsibilities

• Art Direction: Develop clear, descriptive mood boards and written briefs that communicate the visual direction for project components. Source, support, and guide designers to bring your vision to life. Collaborate with strategists to align creative direction with project goals.

• Visual Research: Conduct in-depth market research, competitive analysis, and cultural trend studies to inform visual direction decisions. Analyze client and market data to create actionable plans.

• Creative Brief Development: Craft clear, concise briefs for designers and creative collaborators.

• Collaborator Management: Guide and manage creative collaborators to ensure they meet project goals and execute according to expectations.

• Collaboration with Teams: Partner with designers, copywriters, and other creatives to ensure strategic alignment in branding and marketing initiatives.

• Talent Sourcing: Identify and reach out to talented creatives for projects, maintaining budgetary constraints.

• Present: Develop compelling presentations that outline your creative vision, supported by strategy, market insights, and storytelling.

• Design System Creation: Establish reusable design systems for clients, enabling sustainable internal use while maintaining quality.

• Client Relations: Build strong client relationships, understanding their aesthetic preferences and effectively guiding them toward your vision with persuasive reasoning and references.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Design, Art, Communications, Marketing, or a related field.

• Experience:

  • 3-5 years of experience in Brand Design, Art Direction, Creative Direction, or a related role, ideally within a branding or creative agency environment.

  • Experience working directly with clients and client teams

  • Experience managing creative teams and internal creative systems

  • (Not required but appreciated) Experience working in-house within SME’s

• Skills:

  • Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.

  • Proficiency in english and general writing skills.

  • Proficiency in visual research, print, online, social media etc.

  • Excellent time management, self-organization, and project scoping skills

  • Excellent, ‘people skills’ (communication and presentation skills).

  • Excellent storytelling skills

  • Familiarity with current branding, marketing trends, and digital landscapes.

  • Good leadership skills

  • Good file management skills

  • Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Required Tools/Software Proficiency

• Project management tools (e.g., Notion, Asana, Trello, or similar)

• Creative Tools (Figma, adobe suite, canva)

• Digital White boarding (Figjam)

• Data analysis tools (e.g., Google Analytics, social listening tools)

• Presentation software (e.g., Figma Presentation, PowerPoint, Keynote, or similar)

• Ability to learn new platforms if needed

Your Approach

• A strong portfolio of past brand strategy projects.

• Creative, out-of-the-box thinking.

• Personable, friendly able to adapt to different client personalities and interpersonal dynamics.

• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

• Experience working with cross-functional teams, especially in creative fields like branding and design.

• Adaptability to different industries and client needs.

• Ability to voice their opinion and fight for their perspective.

• A team player.

Compensation

• Competitive project-based compensation, negotiable depending on the scope of the project and the strategist's experience.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume, a cover letter detailing your experience and approach to brand strategy, and a portfolio of relevant projects to jobs@franco-studios.com. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.