Freelance Art Director

WHAT YOU’LL DO * Concept and create strong, compelling ideas that resonate with target audiences * Design for clients and agency new business efforts, working within brand guidelines while pushing for design excellence * Develop creative concepts that align with strategic client objectives, ensuring all visual output maintains the highest agency standards from ideation to final delivery * Present and defend art direction to internal leadership and external clients, effectively decoding feedback into actionable creative tasks for the broader team * Navigate complex project constraints, including tight deadlines and evolving budgets by finding innovative solutions that preserve the integrity of the original vision * Manage multiple concurrent projects of varying complexity with precision and adaptability under pressure * Act as a primary mentor for junior and mid-level creatives, providing constructive feedback and fostering a culture of high-performance and continuous visual improvement * Implement advanced AI tools to supercharge the creative lifecycle, from generating comprehensive visual identities to rapid video asset creation * Infuse generative AI into client pitches and prototypes to create hyper-realistic product shots and fully realized campaign mockups that win new business * Proactively research emerging AI trends and tools, leading the team in ethical discussions and establishing best practices for AI usage within the creative department * Ideate and build effective stories that match the quality of each social platform * Excellent communicator who can confidently articulate ideas to others, from storyboard to final work * Design visually engaging presentations, create mockups & do light retouching as needed that help sell creative ideas to top clients in the industry * Work collaboratively with a large team of creatives from ideation to execution to help to ensure ideas are created and brought to life REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS ROLE * 6+ years of experience in art direction within a fast-paced agency environment * Portfolio demonstrating sophisticated creative thinking, nuanced typography, and expert-level composition across digital and traditional media * Experience presenting and working directly with clients * Comfortable working in a fast paced environment, and managing multiple projects at once * Proficiency across Adobe Design suite; fluency in both After Effects and Premiere * Deep familiarity with ethical AI frameworks and the legalities of AI-generated content in a commercial setting * Excellent attention to detail