Elevate your Career.
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Acquity Group has a proven track record of developing tailored solutions that leverage our breadth of expertise and deep understanding within strategy, design and technology to help companies enable their digital channel. Acquity Group possesses not only the knowledge to conceptualize and build our clients brand, but the experience needed to elevate their business.
Headquartered in Chicago, IL we have offices in Irvine & Los Angeles, CA; Overland Park, KS; Scottsdale, AZ and Dallas, TX serving many leading brands including United Airlines, General Motors, Kohl's, Motorola, Shimano and American Express.
We are looking for a highly effective Art Director to join our team.
This person is expected to provide innovative, user-centered, information and visual design work that contributes to an enhanced user experience. They are responsible for directing and contributing to the development of a variety of visual design across multiple departments, teams, and solution areas from concept to delivery. Creates and executes creative concepts for interactive media, including web sites, CD-ROMs, presentations, kiosks, etc. Knowledge of web architecture, online design, multimedia communications and interface design is required, Strong visual style and thorough understanding of how typography, layout, color, usability, information architecture, search engine optimization impact design is also necessary. The project production and management breakdown is approximately 70%/30%.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead client discover sessions and assist in defining sponsor and user-centric requirements
- Architect complex content and information systems into use cases, site maps, wireframes, screen flow and work flow models
- Produce lightweight functional specifications, design specs and guidelines
- Lead the creative team in developing creative concepts and direction
- Oversee and often contribute to the development of visual UI mock-ups/comps and interactive prototypes
- Assist Creative Director in client concept/mock-up presentations
- Work with design team to create final screen layout templates, color palettes, typography and user interface elements, style guides as well as HTML/CSS template builds
- Evaluate and recommend solutions based on user feedback and business strategy
- Work with traffic and project managers to manage workflow, team assignments and deadlines on multiple, simultaneous projects
- Assist in structuring engagements and preparing cost estimates
- Partner with User Experience Specialists, Search Specialists, Technical Leads, Copywriters and other Interactive Marketing team members on strategies for clients
- Assist in the development of standards, methodologies and repeatable processes for delivery of creative services
- Mentor less experienced team members
Qualifications
- Minimum five years experience working at an advertising or design agency leading the creative execution of large scale web and software application user-interface design projects including ecommerce, content portals, kiosks, intranet/extranets, e-mail marketing, online advertising and web-based application design
- Thorough understanding of the project life cycle process to effectively manage the complexities of the business solution. Experience in full lifecycle software development process and methods
- An undeniable respect and slight addiction to results-driven design
- Ability to solve complex design problems and achieve the highest quality design while pushing the boundaries of rich media online applications
- Solid portfolio with a range of creative samples that demonstrate relevant work or projects
- Knowledge of design principles, composition, color theory, brand adherance and a solely creative background
- In-depth knowledge of typography, page/screen layout, composition and color theory. Broad understanding of the web and associated technologies and proficiency with a range of appropriate software tools
- Process-oriented with ability to work with different UI materials and rapid prototyping
- Thorough understanding of best practices in web design and user interface/usability/information architecture
- Strong knowledge of fundamental digital marketing and search engine optimization best practices as it relates to UI design
- Solid understanding of the latest Internet trends, business models and technologies
- Strong communications and organizational skills with an ability to thrive in a fast-paced production deadline-driven environment
- Know how to lead, motivate and drive a team of creative individuals to accomplish great things
- Proficient in most MS Office applications as well as both Windows and Mac operating systems
Education and/or Experience
- Bachelor’s (Master’s a plus) of Arts degree in Marketing/Advertising/Interactive Design/Graphic Design or equivalent experience
Certifications, Licenses and Additional Requirements
Desired knowledge or expertise (one or more of the following areas):
- Graphical Interface Design
- Motion Graphic Design
- Usability / Information Architecture
- Copywriting
- SEO – Search Engine Optimization
- Digital Marketing
- Web Analytics
- Web Graphic Production
- HTML, XHTML, CSS skills Web graphic production
- AJAX / JavaScript (plus)
Software package expertise:
- Adobe CS production suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
- Flash
- ImageReady
- Dreamweaver
- Fireworks
- Macromedia HomeSite
- Visio
- IE, FireFox and Opera Browsers (PC)
- Safari and FireFox Browsers (Mac)