Associate Design Director

Advent LLC•Nashville, TN

just now•Onsite

About The Position

Based in Nashville, TN, Advent is an experiential creative firm that focuses on experiences that move people. They thrive on meaningful connections forged at the intersection of dynamic spaces and evocative storytelling, describing themselves as quirky but fiercely creative problem solvers who relish a good challenge. The primary goal of the Associate Design Director is to cast the strategic and creative vision for project(s) and lead/participate in its execution. This role involves establishing, developing, refining, and championing the strategic and creative vision throughout the entire project lifecycle. The individual must demonstrate strong creative problem-solving skills, vision casting, consistently high-quality ideation, and excellent creative technical ability in 2D and 3D design. They must also be able to lead complex and architecturally integrated projects, including concept ideation and creative output such as visual mood boards, high-level conceptual ideas, and 2D/3D design. The role requires balancing multiple projects/clients, advocating for creative quality while managing client, schedule, and budgetary needs, and demonstrating strong communication skills to articulate creative intent persuasively. Collaboration and design management skills are essential for leading and working with an interdisciplinary team. An Associate Design Director has strong creative vision and execution skills, with an aptitude for directing as much as creating, and should manage/design 5-10 overlapping projects of medium scope and complexity, directing 1-2 designers as needed, splitting time 60% directing and 40% designing.

Requirements

Strong creative problem solver who demonstrates strong technical ability in 2D and 3D design.
Excel at thinking divergently, exploring many ideas and/or executions early in the creative process.
Demonstrate some architectural awareness and construction understanding in order to effectively cast vision and lead some complex, architecturally integrated projects.
Strong communication skills to effectively articulate creative intent to internal team members and external clients/partners.
Time management skills with the ability to meet deadlines consistently.
Design management and collaboration skills to effectively lead, manage and collaborate with an interdisciplinary project team.
Care for and attention to details large and small.
Self-starter with an aptitude for learning quickly.
Keynote proficiency.
Sketchup proficiency.
Photoshop proficiency.
Illustrator proficiency.
A bachelor’s or equivalent degree in Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Environmental/Spatial Design, Interior Design, Architecture and/or other relevant design field.
5-10 years of relevant design experience.
A portfolio demonstrating design capabilities in graphic design, industrial design, environmental/spatial design, exhibit design, interior design, architecture and/or other relevant design field(s).

Nice To Haves

Procreate or other digital sketching software proficiency.
InDesign proficiency.
Google Suite proficiency.
Bim360 / BlueBeam or other architectural collaboration tools proficiency.
Enscape / 3D Max / Lumion / Vray or other rendering software proficiency.
AfterEffects or other animation/motion media software proficiency.
A sense of humor.
A minimum of one (1) interesting hobby.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with the Story Team for all discovery, including leading some client interviews and performing relevant research prior to conceptual design.
Establish the strategic and creative vision for the project that captures client and audience needs, visual direction and audience journey.
Lead and collaborate with the Experience Designer(s) to create audience journey maps, inspiration/ mood boards, story maps and other design narrative collateral that articulate that creative vision.
Lead and collaborate on the design and development of new concepts that solve client problems and capture powerful storytelling through graphics, form, material and space to realize the creative vision.
Lead and collaborate with the Experience Designer(s) to champion creative solutions while balancing budgetary and schedule needs when appropriate.
Lead and collaborate with the Experience Designer(s) and any freelance talent to deliver the design output that best visualizes creative intent and conceptual designs (Photoshop renders, photo-realism renders, hand sketches and/or digital sketches).
Lead client presentations, including creation of presentation decks, and co-presenting with the Experience Designer(s) when appropriate.
Lead and collaborate on the refinement of concepts and further executions of the creative intent based on client feedback and through collaboration with the Experience Designer(s) and Delivery Team.
Collaborate with architecture and interiors partners on space planning, schematic design, FFE, lighting, etc. to define the creative intent.
Collaborate with both the internal team and external construction partners and subcontractors to coordinate all integration requirements such as blocking, power, data and other inputs as needed to uphold the creative intent.
Lead/manage the art direction of production designers and collaborate with the Delivery Team to ensure consistency with the approved concepts and that the project implementation quality meets the standard set by the creative intent.
Work with the Project Manager(s) to define clear and reasonable schedules for creative deliverables, advocating for creative needs while respecting client objectives.
Lead and collaborate with the Experience Designer(s) to meet those agreed upon deadlines.
Lead and collaborate with the Project Manager(s) to foster strong client and partner relationships, including the management of client expectations when appropriate.
Collaborate with the Delivery Team (Project Manager(s), Project Engineer(s), Technical Designer(s), Installers, and Vendor Partners) to creatively solve for budgetary, schedule, install or other constraints while upholding the quality of the creative intent.
Attend and contribute to Live Creative Sessions with the client by ideating, sketching, asking good questions, seeking insights and solving problems.
Assist the Design Director with planning and execution of these sessions.
Provide constructive creative feedback, direction and support to the Experience Designer(s) when appropriate to foster a strong creative and collaborative environment within the project team.