Art Director

We are looking to bring on a Full-time Art Director to join our Creative team in our Annapolis, Maryland office location. The Art Director will report to the Creative Director and is responsible for providing graphic design, as well as ideas and solutions for projects as they pertain to building and growing a memorable and positive impression of our agency and our client’s brands. To be successful as a Art Director, you should have original ideas and have a keen eye for detail with the ability to execute final assets and campaigns. Ultimately, a successful Art Director should lead other designers and be able to create executable concepts, be open to learning more, establish and manage timelines and creative briefs, direct and execute studio photography sessions, define budgets, and create original designs that promote the agency and client visions. In addition, the Art Director is expected to establish brand standards and systems that ensure the original integrity and foundation of a brand. Responsibilities Creative Development & Ideation Interpret design concepts and marketing strategies to develop visually compelling, on-brand creative. Pitch unique, bold ideas for conceptual campaigns, branded content, and standalone design projects in collaboration with senior leadership. Translate abstract ideas into concrete visuals such as mood boards, sketches, storyboards, and mockups. Project & Production Management Manage creative requests using Liquified’s project management platform (Jira), and delegate tasks effectively and clearly. Coordinate with Marketing and Web departments on projects to streamline workflow and ensure efficiency and accuracy. Work alongside senior leadership to develop and manage project schedules, timelines, and creative briefs, ensuring all deliverables meet deadlines without sacrificing quality. Coordinate with clients, vendors, and/or senior agency leadership as needed on projects to ensure accuracy in scheduling, details, and production needs. Work with the Marketing Director to manage and track all photo and video shoot logistics, including storyboards, shot lists, location scouting, permits, breakdowns, and call sheets – delegating to junior team members along the way. Work alongside senior leadership to review and approve final artwork for accuracy, quality, and brand alignment prior to production and release. Design Execution Use expert knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite to develop assets for digital, print, outdoor, and experiential campaigns. Define and execute visual styles for a wide range of creative mediums—email and web design, logos and branding, social content, photography and video, environmental graphics, and specialty products. Apply best practices in layout, typography, composition, and visual hierarchy. Maintain consistency and integrity across brand systems and develop identity guidelines for both new and existing clients. Project types will include, but are not limited to: Web Design, Logo Design, Brand Development, Campaign Assets, Email Design, OOH, Digital, Print, and Photography, among others. Team Collaboration & Leadership Collaborate cross-functionally with writers, strategists, account leads, and creative leadership to bring projects to life. Participate in the hiring and evaluation process of Graphic Designers. Actively participate in internal reviews, client meetings, and working sessions, presenting creative concepts with clarity and rationale. Provide constructive feedback to designers and be open to feedback from team members and clients alike in an effort to foster a respectful, positive, and productive agency culture. Delegate tasks and manage both designers and production artists based on their strengths, timelines, and team capacity, with the support of both the Marketing and Creative Directors. Support and oversee the growth of the creative team by contributing to mentoring and professional development initiatives, with the support of both the Marketing and Creative Directors. Client Engagement & Strategic Thinking With guidance, mentorship, and support from other members of the senior leadership team, grow to understand client goals, marketing initiatives, web and digital requirements, and target audiences to develop creative that resonates and delivers results. Collaborate with internal team members to align creative execution with brand positioning, current best practices, design trends, and business objectives, with the support, guidance, and mentorship from both the Marketing and Creative Directors. Participate in brainstorming sessions and strategic planning with agency and client partners. Continuous Learning & Industry Awareness Stay current with design trends, digital innovations, and industry standards in both design and UX/UI. Engage in professional development to sharpen your skills and expand your creative toolkit. Introduce new ideas, tools, and approaches to the team to keep our creative fresh, forward-thinking, and effective. Actively participate in a minimum of one local/regional design or advertising-focused organization. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in fields related to design. Up to 3 years of working experience in the field Prior experience in the field as a junior designer and/or production artist. A good portfolio of past design and creative projects. Expert with design software and editing tools. (Adobe Creative Suite) Understanding of Figma and applicable web design applications Command over design techniques and visual elements. Excellent communication, time management, and multitasking skills. Teamwork skills. Creative and conceptual thinking with attention to detail. Knowledge of design techniques, such as prototyping. Ability to work well within a team. Understanding of production standards and techniques. A talent for creativity and problem-solving. #J-18808-Ljbffr Liquified Agency