Overview

We have a simple belief — Unexpected Works. It means that the best idea is the one you never saw coming. The thing that catches you so off guard that you can‘t look away. And the only path to genuinely unexpected works is through creativity. Not just what passes for creativity because it answers a brief, looks the part and helps everyone sleep at night. But creativity that is foreign, surprising and interesting enough to cause jaws to drop and sales to soar. It’s having the fresh perspective and raw energy to bring something into the world that no one’s ever seen before. We’re talking about the courage to shake things up and maybe even tear a few things down. And knowing that what most would call the finish line is where the real work starts. We believe in people, product, and profit, in that order. For us, people always come first. They’re the soul of our agency. It takes amazing folks to make amazing work. That’s why we make sure everyone who comes through the door is as great as the people who are already here. It’s also why we constantly strive to build diverse teams where everyone brings something unique to the table. Because you can’t make the unexpected if you only work with the usual suspects. By bringing together diverse thinkers with different backgrounds and perspectives, we validate Bill Bernbach’s notion that an idea can turn to dust or magic, depending on the talent that rubs against it. So, come be part of the magic. 

The Sr. Art Director typically works with a Sr. Copywriter partner. The Sr. Art Director/Sr. Copywriter team is responsible for executing the creative and marketing strategy for all projects. Sr. Art Directors manage and direct the work of production design staff, external creative resources such as illustrators, photographers, and video/multimedia providers. Sr. Art directors must possess written and presentation skills and reports directly to the CD of assigned team. 

Responsibilities

• Establishes visual tone, character, and messages that will effectively communicate with the target audience and fulfill the project objectives. 
• Responsible for the proper placement, context and meaning of every image and graphic element within a creative assignment. 
• Assists CD's and in commissioning and management of outside illustrators, photographers, comp artists, and video producers. Proactively defines and assembles all necessary content assets with the creative staff. 
• Works daily with the Project Manager or Account Team to ensure all deliverables and deadlines are met within budget. 
• Seeks approvals from CD's on all work before delivery to Account or Client. 
• Participates in (and may lead) brainstorms. 
• Assists in developing presentation materials for business development projects. 
• Assists CD in presenting work to client. 
• Collaborates with other creative staff to share learning and experience and to establish initiatives that will improve DDB’s creative product. 
• Contributes to overall office morale, spirit, character and work quality. 
• Reports to CD's. 
• Partners with Sr. Copywriter. 
• Directs the work of external creative vendors. 
• Collaborates with mainline agency counterparts.

Qualifications

• 5 years of art direction experience
• Proven highly versatile design skills. Portfolio necessary. 
• Working knowledge of Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash and Dreamweaver (or other html editing software). Familiarity with KeyNote is also desirable. 

DDB is committed to diversity in its workforce and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and to review all of our job postings to minimize biased language. DDB Chicago does not make hiring or employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sex, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, citizenship, or any other basis protected by applicable local, state or federal law.