Art Director

Job Description

Working at Stella McCartney is a truly rewarding experience. As a luxury fashion company with a strong ethical standpoint we are leaders and innovators in our industry.Overview The Art Director, sits within our in-housevisual team and is responsible for concept idea generation, developing strategic and visual solutions, and seeing the design process through from conception to execution. The Senior Art Director is responsible for overseeing the delivery of all creative assetsfor the campaigns that they will be working on, a and where necessary collaborating with our licensing partners as well as our other internal teams (Fragrance, adidas by SMC, Stella Sport, Lingerie, Eyewear, Kids). They will be expected to liaise and buildrelationships with key stakeholders at senior and director level. They will report to the Visual Director for final sign off at key project stages but will be expected to run projects autonomously. They will collaborate, oversee and direct one or more Senior-Mid-Weightdesigners. The remit includes: brand strategy + identity, product and packaging development, campaign development and roll out across all communication touchpoints (digital platforms, print, POS, experiential). Your Mission:

• Conceives ideas, concepts, develops final designs, produces, works with others and coordinates in the creation of multifaceted communication materials in print, packaging, digital and other mediums.
• Manages projects from pre through to post production, finished art and delivery working with producer and project manager.
• Works with project managers and team members to provide professional recommendations for concept, design, art direction (if asked by Visual Director), production, print buying, and monitors quality control.
• Defines design criteria; develops concept and direction; proposes, directs and creates art signed off by Visual Director.
• Operates a computer for a variety of graphic design activities, including layout, production, illustration, and prepress file preparation.
• Creates and develops media using digital art and photographic techniques.
• Oversees approvals and quality control, along with Project Management team.
• Supervises, trains, and directs the work of senior - mid weight designer.
• Liaise directly with licensee partners and builds strong relationships with internal and external contacts.

Your Talent:

• Proven experience in a senior creative role
• Bachelors or masters design in art, design, communication or a related field
• Must have experience working on fashion, beauty and luxury brands
• Strong creative and strategic awareness: creative flair, originality and a strong visual sense, understanding of the commercial objectives
• Adobe creative suite
• Confidence, to present and explain ideas to senior department heads and colleagues
• Excellent eye for detail
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Pro-active and motivated
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects/tasks of varying complexities, meet deadlines and work well under pressure
• Awareness of the competitive business environment in which they work
• A matter-of-fact approach when ideas or designs are rejected
• A strong interest in various cultural and art forms
• Prior experience of managing senior - mid weight designers

Systems and Essentials

• Strong graphic design skills: understanding of and experience in branding, layout, colour theory and typography in both print and digital media
• Strong knowledge of who we can creatively partner with to produce outstanding visuals (photographers, directors, stylists, models, artists, illustrators etc)
• The ability to grasp marketing, licensee and PR needs and consider practical solutions