Art Director

GREY•Toronto, ON

12h•CA$45,000 - CA$95,000•Hybrid

About The Position

At GREY, part of WPP, we create Famously Effective ideas that move people, business, and the world forward – harnessing the power of creativity to solve business problems – for the world’s most influential brands. Our core values – creativity, unity, empathy, and service – power the work we do in each of our 25+ studios across six continents. About WPP WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com. JOB DESCRIPTION | Art Director (Advertising)

Requirements

In-depth knowledge of the execution of creative work, including designing, photography, typefaces, production processes, production houses, and costing.
Strong visual and graphic design aesthetic sense.
Excellent organizational skills
Strong communication skills
Eye for detail
Innovative: willing to come up with alternate solutions
Out of the box thinker
Team player, especially with copywriters and producers
Possesses an awareness of the latest cultural trends by TV, movies, magazines and books.
Computer savvy
Good understanding of all facets of the business of communication, the market and our competitors.

Responsibilities

Participates, generally in tandem with a Copywriter, in the graphic conceptualization of creative ideas, developing and realizing the concepts, all within the marketing strategy.
Consults with various clients to establish overall look, graphic elements, and content of communications materials - produces bold, strategic and persuasive messages in all media for all clients.
Seeks out and works with photographers, illustrators, type houses and other suppliers.
Selects and recommends models, locations and props needed in photographic shooting. Supervises a photographer or an illustrator in final execution and visualization of the advertising idea.
Executes layouts and storyboards for print, outdoor and television media, as well as collateral and point of purchase material.
Specifies and designs the typography employed in print advertising. Supervises retouching and cropping of finished art and approves engravings.
Responsible for the conception, design and execution of innovative visual materials for print, TV advertising and collateral uses.
Creates and develops original, effective and memorable ideas, concepts and campaigns on a routine basis.
Develops the graphic elements that meet clients’ objectives and participates in the development of ideas and visualization of concepts.
Develops precise and ingenious brand-building creative base on the brief and transforms that idea into a visual image.
Takes initiative in understanding all aspects of creative elements that go into executing an idea.
Responsible for original visual conceptions, for type selections and art treatments.
On concept approval, finds or creates the best visualization of the product within budget limits.
Works closely with copywriter, account executive and production personnel as a team member to help develop and guide creative ideas on assigned accounts to produce effective themes and campaigns and to ensure uniformity of the brand.
Possesses credibility and confidence to present and defend own ideas internally and externally when required.
Demonstrates ability to understand and communicate the specific aspects of the product.
Responsible for the execution and quality of print ads so the idea does not get lost during production.
Work reflects an appropriate approach to objective, strategy and brand with minimum revisions required by the client.
Understands how advertising works to solve marketing problems.
Oversees production to ensure ideas are executed properly including but not limited to print, TV commercials, and electronic materials such as websites, interactive terminals and web videos.
Understands technically how concepts get produced.
Has experience and knowledge in the latest production techniques.
Maximizes department’s resources; is sensitive to cost considerations.
Reviews key lines, rough cuts, etc. for accuracy before final production.
Knowledgeable about all aspects of the client’s business
Builds client relationships; is viewed as a key resource.
Prepares and presents creative materials effectively in a professional manner
Respects the client budget constraints in the development of work.
Demonstrates an ability to understand and communicate the technical aspects of the product to the client.
Has the respect of client at all levels of exposure.
Contributes to the development of breakthrough work in a multidisciplinary environment.
Collaborate with illustrators or photographers to produce original pieces for clients’ communications need.
Displays professional courtesy to clients and co-workers; is considerate of their work schedules.
Is a respected member of the core team; is someone that team members can count on.
Demonstrates a respect for the core team; ensures they have adequate time to review, discuss and contribute to achieving the best work prior to client presentation.
Secures approval of layouts and final art from the Account Services contact person and keeps him/her and the Associate Creative Director aware of pertinent account activity.
Attends appropriate meetings and provides important information.
Meets deadlines or secures advance approval if additional time is needed.
Knowledgeable on execution costs for various creative elements.
Monitors the progress of assigned projects through each phase of development.
Ensures exposure on all mediums of creative execution (TV press, radio, outdoor, promotions).
Maintains personal graphic resources, visual data, samples, graphic standards manuals, etc.