Design Director

As a Design Director at Landor, your primary responsibilities will involve leading a talented creative team, developing innovative and strategic design solutions for clients, and fostering productive relationships with both your team and clients. You will guide the creative vision and execution across projects, ensuring that all design efforts align with the overall brand strategy. Your capacity for storytelling and brand strategy will play a vital role in addressing clients' challenges effectively.

To apply for the Design Director position at Landor, candidates should have a minimum of 2+ years of experience in a similar role within a branding agency and at least 8+ years of broad creative and management experience. A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in graphic design, communication design, fine arts, or a related field is required. Additionally, experience in leading cross-discipline teams and adapting to diverse cultures will be essential.

Landor is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within its workforce, believing that a diverse team drives creativity and innovation. The company actively engages in creating a discrimination-free environment and adheres strictly to Equal Employment Opportunity policies, ensuring fairness and respect for all employees, regardless of race, gender, disability, or any other legally-recognized protected basis.

As a Design Director at Landor, you should possess strong interpersonal skills, allowing you to build relationships and communicate effectively at all levels. Being a strategic thinker, organized planner, and someone who thrives on collaboration is crucial. Additionally, a sense of diplomacy, optimism, and enthusiasm, coupled with the ability to adapt to changing priorities, will contribute significantly to your success in this role.

The work culture at Landor in Cincinnati is vibrant, innovative, and collaborative. As part of the Landor team, you'll be encouraged to express your creativity and collaborate with passionate professionals. Emphasis is placed on building strong relationships, both internally and with clients, while fostering an atmosphere that values diversity, positivity, and continuous improvement. It's a place where your ideas can thrive and make a real impact!

In leading a creative team as a Design Director, I prioritize open communication and collaboration, encouraging team members to share their ideas while fostering a supportive environment. I also believe in empowering my team by delegating responsibilities, allowing them to take ownership of their projects, while providing guidance to help them reach their full potential. Ultimately, my goal is to create an inspiring workspace where everyone feels valued and motivated.

Certainly! One project I led involved a complete rebranding for a client facing challenges in customer engagement. By conducting thorough research and collaborating with my team, we developed a bold new design direction that not only revamped their visual identity but also resonated with target audiences. Our successful implementation drove a significant increase in brand loyalty and customer interactions, demonstrating the power of strategic design.

Handling creative differences within my team involves promoting an open dialogue and a culture of respect. I encourage team members to express their viewpoints, leading to constructive discussions. My approach is to facilitate compromise while ensuring that we ultimately align on the project's vision. This not only resolves conflicts but also strengthens collaboration and fosters a more innovative outcome.

To effectively connect design with business objectives, I begin by deeply understanding the client’s goals and target audience. This insight drives the creative process, ensuring that our design solutions align with measurable outcomes. I employ metrics and key performance indicators throughout the project lifecycle to track our progress and make necessary adjustments, ensuring that design directly contributes to business success.

Staying updated on design trends and industry changes is crucial for a Design Director. I regularly attend design conferences, webinars, and workshops, subscribe to leading design publications, and engage with online design communities. This not only helps me remain informed about emerging trends but also fosters networking opportunities with other professionals in the field.

Incorporating client feedback into designs is an essential part of the design process. I maintain open lines of communication with clients throughout the project to gather their input. After presenting initial concepts, I actively listen to their feedback and engage in collaborative discussions to understand their vision better. This iterative process ensures that the final design aligns with both client expectations and strategic goals.

Storytelling is a fundamental aspect of my design process, as it helps convey meaning and connect with audiences. I strive to infuse narratives into my design concepts, allowing potential users to resonate with the brand's message. By anchoring designs in a compelling story, I ensure that our visual solutions communicate the brand’s essence effectively, leading to enhanced customer engagement.

My experience with cross-discipline teams has been quite enriching. Working collaboratively with specialists from various fields, such as marketing, UX, and strategy, provides invaluable insights that elevate our design projects. I believe in fostering an inclusive environment, where each team member's expertise is valued, leading to holistic solutions that cater to diverse business needs.

When evaluating design success, I consider metrics such as user engagement, brand awareness, and conversion rates. Depending on the project, I may also analyze customer feedback and satisfaction levels post-implementation. These quantifiable results help assess the impact of design decisions, enabling us to refine our strategies in future projects based on what resonates with the audience.

To inspire creativity in my team, I create an environment that encourages experimentation and innovation. I support brainstorming sessions, provide opportunities for learning and exploration, and celebrate each person's creative contributions. By nurturing a culture that values risk-taking and collaboration, I empower my team to think outside the box and push creative boundaries.