Art Director

Company Overview

Strada is a Denver-based creative agency specializing in branding, marketing, and placemaking. That means we not only develop and guide brands for places such as reinvigorated downtown districts, emerging communities, and, in some cases, whole new regions, but we actually have a hand in creating the places themselves. It’s diverse, exciting, meaningful work. So with every position, we look for people who share our love of culture and community, our desire to make a real difference, and perhaps most of all, our spirit of fun, creativity, and hard work. Or, as we like to say: be true, have fun and do the unexpected.

One other thing you should know about us … Strada is currently a WFA (work from anywhere), remote-first company, which allows team members to choose how and when to meet and work in the office.

Full-time, 40+ hours per week, based in the Denver Metro area

Strada is looking for a highly creative, professionally skilled Associate Art Director – Senior Art Director.

At Strada we believe that design expresses distinctive character and allure within a brand space. It may be executed with personal wit and whimsy, or with business-like precision, but it always comes from a place of empathy – an essential connection – with our audience. The Art Director helps to codify the visual language of a campaign or brand; manifest it conceptually through innovative, visual executions; and maintain a superior level of craft through all marketing channels.

The ideal candidate is someone driven by a passion for the creative process. They are insatiably curious, digitally native, and skilled across all media. They are also effective problem-solvers – responsible, collaborative and able to thrive in a deadline-driven environment.

Projects include all things digital: content development, animation and motion graphic executions, video editing, social media posts, e-blasts, websites, social ads, display ads, etc. Plus all things traditional: print ads, collateral (high-end brochures, booklets, folders, flyers, handouts, direct mail), signage, outdoor, environmental, and brand/identity development etc.

Value You’ll Need to Provide

The role of Art Director at Strada is to provide excellence in all aspects of design through imagery, color, type and motion graphics, with a strong skill set in digital as well as other media (from website design to banner ads to printed collateral). At a strategic level, the Art Director provides essential brand development expertise — consistently pushing the work through design to achieve key campaign objectives.

• Collaborative with all team members (account and creative) to optimize process and outcome.
• Continually learning; responds well to direction and constructive feedback.
• Takes initiative; able to manage workload and project management channels efficiently and independently.
• Confident; able to present creative work clearly and persuasively.
• Conscientious; able to work within time and budget parameters.
• Motivated to do what’s best for the client, the brand and the agency.
• Exceptionally attentive to detail.
• Highly attuned to evolving craft and trends.
• Versatile in digital, traditional and motion media; continually learning.
• Able to execute fresh, strong design solutions independently or established in direction from existing brands, design directors and creative directors.
• Proficient in the execution of production-ready files for both traditional and digital mediums.
• Knowledgeable of basic printing techniques, media and trends.
• Ready to assist on assigned projects through all stages of production; and to meet all deadlines and client objectives.
• Able to review internal and vendor proofs, ensuring adherence to brand standards and guidelines.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Digital native with 5-10+ years of graphic design experience in a professional environment or comparable position.
• Technically advanced in graphic design.
• Able to communicate in a wide range of styles and tones using current creative software, including InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Figma, Canva and Sketch; with proficiency in Adobe After Effects or Premiere animation or video editing software. Experience with HTML, Flash, CSS, JavaScript, ActionScript, and various CMS is a plus.

Other

• Some evening and weekend work may be required. Occasional travel.

Salary range commensurate with skills and years of experience
Salary range commensurate with skills and years of experience.

Benefits

Health insurance (medical/dental/vision); short-term disability insurance; 401k eligibility; paid time off (PTO); sick time; flex-time; eleven observed holidays, plus Strada is closed the week between Christmas and New Year; professional development stipend; performance program; year-end bonus potential based on company performance; among other fun perks!

EOE

We know that sometimes the “perfect candidate” doesn’t exist and that people can be put off applying for a job if they don’t fit all the requirements. If you’re excited about working for us and have most of the skills or experience we’re looking for, please apply. You could be just what we need! We also believe strongly in the value of diversity and creating supportive, inclusive environments where our team members can succeed. As such, Strada is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by law or regulation. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions are based on job-related factors.