ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Creative Design Associate Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Staples, Inc.

Production Designer

Lincolnshire, IL · On-site

Associate's degree in a creative/design or related area or equivalent work experience Preferred Qualifications: * Bachelor's degree in related field. We Offer: * Inclusive culture with associate-led ...

VML

Associate Creative Director, Art

Chicago, IL · On-site

VML is seeking an Associate Creative Director to join our world class creative team: A next-level ... Collaborate | Partner with the ACD Copy and design team for the timely development and execution of ...

Albertsons

Cake Decorator

Niles, IL

$14.75 - $15/hr

You will use your artistic and creative design skills to put the "icing on the cake" on beautifully ... associates gives you energy · You take pride in the work you do, whether big or small · You are ...

VML

Associate Creative Director, Art

Chicago, IL · On-site

VML is seeking an Associate Creative Director to join our world class creative team: A next-level ... Collaborate | Partner with the ACD Copy and design team for the timely development and execution of ...

Albertsons

Retail Sales and Store Support

Tinley Park, IL

$14.85 - $18.35/hr

You will use your artistic and creative design skills to put the "icing on the cake" on beautifully ... associates gives you energy · You take pride in the work you do, whether big or small · You are ...

DERSE INC

Estimator - Trade Shows

Waukegan, IL · On-site

$71K - $85K/yr

Collaborate with design team and perform ballpark estimates to aid creative with concept ... Bachelors or Associate degree and / or 5+ more years of relevant experience * Experience working ...

DERSE INC

Estimator - Trade Shows

Waukegan, IL

Collaborate with design team and perform ballpark estimates to aid creative with concept ... Bachelors or Associate degree and / or 5+ more years of relevant experience * Experience working ...

DERSE, Inc.

Estimator - Trade Shows

Waukegan, IL · On-site

$71K - $85K/yr

Collaborate with design team and perform ballpark estimates to aid creative with concept ... Bachelors or Associate degree and / or 5+ more years of relevant experience * Experience working ...

Compass Group

SR. GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$70K - $75K/yr

The Senior Graphic Designer will support business development efforts by using creative design to ... Associate Shopping Program * Health and Wellness Program * Discount Marketplace * Employee ...

Compass Group

SR. GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$70K - $75K/yr

The Senior Graphic Designer will support business development efforts by using creative design to ... Associate Shopping Program * Health and Wellness Program * Discount Marketplace * Employee ...

Compass Group

SR. GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Chicago, IL · On-site

$70K - $75K/yr

The Senior Graphic Designer will support business development efforts by using creative design to ... Associate Shopping Program * Health and Wellness Program * Discount Marketplace * Employee ...

Terraboost

Graphic Design Intern

Naperville, IL

$18 - $19/hr

This position will partner closely with the creative team to help develop high-quality, visually ... Associates or Bachelors degree in Graphic Design/Multimedia Design or related field or comparable ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsCreative Design Associate JobsCreative Design Associate Jobs in Chicago, IL

Creative Design Associate information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$20.1K

$60.3K

$90.1K

How much do creative design associate jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for creative design associate in Chicago, IL is $60,326.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,000.00 and $70,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Creative Design Associate vs Graphic Designer?

AspectCreative Design AssociateGraphic Designer
Required CredentialsAssociate's degree or relevant certificationBachelor's degree in Graphic Design or related field
Work EnvironmentCollaborative teams, marketing or advertising agenciesDesign studios, corporate marketing departments
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in marketing, advertising, media companiesCommon across various industries including publishing, advertising
Common Search & Comparison IntentYesYes

The main difference between a Creative Design Associate and a Graphic Designer lies in experience level, scope of work, and educational requirements. Creative Design Associates often have an associate's degree and focus on supporting design projects, while Graphic Designers typically hold a bachelor's degree and handle more complex design tasks independently. Both roles are integral to creative teams in marketing and advertising industries.

What are Creative Design Associates?

Creative Design Associates are professionals who support the design team in developing visual concepts and materials for a variety of media. They assist with tasks such as creating graphics, layouts, and presentations, as well as contributing fresh ideas for branding and marketing campaigns. Their role often involves collaboration with other designers, marketing teams, and clients to ensure cohesive and effective visual communication. Creative Design Associates typically work in advertising agencies, design studios, or in-house creative departments across different industries.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Creative Design Associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Creative Design Associate, you need a strong grasp of visual design principles, creativity, and proficiency with design software, usually supported by a degree in graphic design or a related field. Expertise in tools like Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and familiarity with digital asset management systems are typically required. Strong communication, collaboration, and time management skills set outstanding candidates apart in this role. These competencies are crucial for producing high-quality, impactful visual content that meets both client expectations and project deadlines.

How does a Creative Design Associate typically collaborate with other departments on projects?

As a Creative Design Associate, collaboration with departments such as marketing, product management, and sales is a core part of the role. You’ll often attend brainstorming sessions, share design drafts for feedback, and adapt visuals based on input from stakeholders to ensure alignment with brand goals and campaign objectives. Effective communication and openness to feedback are essential, as projects frequently require iterative revisions and cross-functional teamwork. This collaborative environment not only enhances creative outcomes but also provides great learning opportunities from different perspectives.
What are the most commonly searched types of Creative Design jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Creative Design jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Creative Design Associate jobs near you
Production Designer

Production Designer

Staples, Inc.

Lincolnshire, IL • On-site

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago

Staples rating

5.8

Company rating: 5.8 out of 10

Based on 617 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

422nd of 713 rated retailers

Job description

Staples is business to business. You're what binds us together.

Our marketing team is charged with an important task - sharing our Staples story. We use customer data and analytics to help us understand and improve our customers' experiences, drive customer retention and encourage brand loyalty. Our team is diverse, with skillsets and responsibilities ranging from graphic design, content creation and performance marketing to internal communications and loyalty & rewards programs. We work together to provide expertise and guidance, so that the Staples brand is well represented in all areas.

At Quill, you'll join an in-house creative agency that brings customer experiences to life across digital, print, social, email, and site channels. This role is based in Lincolnshire, IL.

We are seeking a talented and detail-oriented digital creative to join our team. The ideal candidate will showcase a strong online portfolio, a passion for quality assurance in design, and the ability to juggle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment. If you excel in cross-functional collaboration and thrive on process improvement-especially in Figma-we'd love to hear from you.

What You Bring to the Table:

  • A strong online portfolio demonstrates digital projects, creative thinking, and execution.
  • Detail-oriented production mindset with a sharp eye for QA across layout, typography, imagery, and brand consistency.
  • Ability to manage multiple fast-moving projects and competing priorities with accuracy.
  • Collaborative approach-comfortable partnering with Creative, Merchandising, Sales, Site, and Promo stakeholders.
  • Process-improvement mindset, with interest in streamlining workflows and scaling reusable systems in Figma.

What's needed: Basic Qualifications:

  • 2+ years of experience in advertising/marketing-focused design.
  • 2+ year Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite.
  • 2+ year proficiency in Figma, including building and maintaining scalable design systems, component libraries, templates, and collaborative workflows.
  • Associate's degree in a creative/design or related area  or equivalent  work experience

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in related field.

We Offer:

  • Inclusive culture with associate-led Business Resource Groups
  • Flexible PTO (22 days) and Holiday Schedule (7 observed paid holidays)
  • Online and Retail Discounts, Company Match 401(k), Physical and Mental Health Wellness programs, and more!
Staples is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.

What Staples employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply