Design Observer · 19 hours ago
Art Director
Palo Alto, CA
Full-time
Hybrid
Senior Level
5+ years expDesign Observer is seeking a highly conceptual and focused Art Director to join their team. The role involves leading brand concept development, managing client relationships, and collaborating closely with Creative Directors and designers to elevate the studio's reputation and visual language.
ArchitectureDigital MediaNews
Responsibilities
Lead brand concept development, visual exploration, and execution across multiple projects
Serve as a primary point of contact for assigned clients, managing expectations, scope, schedules, budgets, and contract considerations
Maintain a clear creative vision from concept through execution—building iconic brands with cohesive identity systems, confident art direction, and thoughtful detail
Craft compelling, concise presentations that are as considered and provocative as the work itself
Guide and manage designers with a calm, clear, and collaborative leadership style
Liaise with partners and collaborators (developers, hospitality groups, architects, photographers, fabricators) to ensure excellence at every stage
Lead design production across digital, print, signage, and environmental applications with the highest standards of execution
Maintain an active curiosity for culture, design, and branding—ensuring the work remains distinctive, timeless, and never trend-driven
Qualification
Required
5–7 years of experience at top-tier studios or in-house creative teams within luxury real estate, hospitality, lifestyle, or cultural sectors
A refined visual sensibility and elevated typographic instincts—your taste is evident in everything you produce
Confident presenting and defending ideas in front of clients with patience, personality, and humility
Able to think several steps ahead—pushing ideas further while knowing when to edit, refine, or abandon work in service of clarity, schedule, and business realities
Mastery of Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) and Figma
Curious and experimental across both tactile design (hand sketching, printmaking, texture creation) and motion (logo animation, kinetic typography, moving imagery)
Intermediate experience in After Effects and Premiere
Genuine interest and working knowledge of generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Visual Electric, Synthesia, Sora)
Equally adept at building a strategic deck, designing a hotel keycard, or setting a book with disciplined typographic systems
Advanced knowledge of print production and UX/UI best practices
Thoughtful, humble, and earnest—you seek beauty, clarity, and impact in everything you do
Someone who moves with the speed of lightning and the precision of a Swiss clock
Preferred
Experience with motion design or creative direction for photography and video
Familiarity with residential real estate development and/or hospitality
A deep appreciation for language, writing, naming, and editorial storytelling
Working knowledge of architectural software (AutoCAD, Rhino, SketchUp)
Fluency with visual research platforms such as Cosmos, Savee, Hypra Studio, Death To Stock, and similar
Benefits
Paid time off and studio-wide breaks
Health, dental, and vision insurance
Mentorship, growth, and a supportive team environment
Opportunities for domestic and international travel for projects and industry events
Company
Design Observer
Design Observer, an online platform providing news, commentary, and criticism about design, urbanism, social innovation, and visual culture.
11-50 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageLeadership Team
Jessica Helfand
Partner, Creative Director
Company data provided by crunchbase