Art Director jobs in Ankeny, IA

As the Senior Art Director you will manage all aspects of design related to the production of assigned print and/or digital publications under the leadership of the Project Director. You will be concepting print and/or digital layouts through mood boards, sketches and templates; planning, procuring/producing materials and sets for photography; directing photo shoots and completing finished graphic design works. The ideal candidate has a passion for creating visually innovative work and thrives in collaborative, creative settings.

Please submit your portfolio along with your resume

About Us:

Grey Dog Media is a growing, national-award-winning creator and publisher of custom and consumer media. Our products include magazines, catalogs, books, websites, videos, commercials, and collateral. This is a fast-paced, yet relaxed environment with experienced professionals. We offer a friendly, professional workplace, full-benefits, competitive salary, and remarkable opportunities for creative-skills development, and career advancement.

Job Responsibilities:

• Concept print and/or digital layouts and stories in agreement with established strategies, style and aesthetics using thumb nails, mood boards, sketches and templates
• Design and produce finished layout designs working within the confines of the Editorial Brief, Editorial Outline, directives from the Project Director(s), client input and established strategies, style and aesthetics
• Plan, procure products/produce materials and build sets for photography
• Direct photoshoots in the studio and on location to create high-level photography covering a variety of subjects including food, products, plants and floral, talent and interior/exterior sets
• Oversee photography set and staff, including directing photographers, stylists, assistants and talent to maintain safe practices and achieve project goals
• Flow text, place photography and finalize layouts
• Deliver complete designs in a clean and finished fashion to executive team
• Assist with all aspects of magazine or project production, including opening and closing an issue, folder generation and management, client change inputs, color mark ups, etc.
• Follow production schedules and meet deadlines for all assigned tasks
• Use and maintain physical and digital folders
• Demonstrate knowledge, understanding of and respect for media law
• Exhibit strong attention to detail, with an understanding and goal of achieving high-level, refined work
• Ability to multi-task, assess and prioritize layered deliverables with different schedules
• Attend and participate in progress meetings, work presentations, brainstorms and post-mortems
• Remain up-to-date on marketplace, industry and design trends, including insights into cultural trends, competition and target audiences
• Work in a collaborative manner to meet client deadlines
• Maintain a positive can-do attitude, even while working under pressure in an environment where job demands change regularly and support that attitude among other staff and freelancers
• Other duties as assigned
  

Job Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Art, Graphic Design or a related field
• Minimum of 5 years’ Art Director experience in magazine publishing
• Advanced layout and typography skills
• Sophisticated sense of design, photography and typography
• Experience directing studio and location photography
• Problem-solving, interactive approach to design
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Highly motivated with ability to work in a deadline-driven environment
• Ability to multi task
• Desire to work on a collaborative team with high standards
• Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office
• Web/Interactive Design experience preferred

Job Location:

West Des Moines, Iowa; In-office

Position/Type:

Full-Time/professional

Benefits:

Medical/HSA/401K/LTD/AD&D/Life Ins./Dental/PTO

Compensation:

 Highly Competitive