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Creative Design Director Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

OLBERDING

Design Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

$120 - $170/hr

Design Director Location: Chicago, IL Job ID: 755 # of Openings: 1 Job Overview Founded in 1919 as ... Strong knowledge of consumer products packaging, creative design, and production artwork * Ability ...

Olberding Brand Family

Design Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

$85K - $115K/yr

Design Director Founded in 1919 as Phototype and recently rebranded as the Olberding Brand Family ... Expert level in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign) * Motion Graphics ...

Olberding Brand Family

Design Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

$85K - $115K/yr

Design Director Founded in 1919 as Phototype and recently rebranded as the Olberding Brand Family ... Expert level in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign) * Motion Graphics ...

Olberding Brand Family

Design Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

$85K - $115K/yr

Design Director Founded in 1919 as Phototype and recently rebranded as the Olberding Brand Family ... Expert level in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign) * Motion Graphics ...

Olberding Brand Family

Design Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

$85K - $115K/yr

Design Director Founded in 1919 as Phototype and recently rebranded as the Olberding Brand Family ... Expert level in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign) * Motion Graphics ...

Engaging Talent LLC

Design Director

Aurora, IL · On-site +1

This role needs to be able to Lead Creative and be hands-on. Design, Direct and develop trust with clients. This role may be remote, but the ability to come into the Chicago office a day or two a ...

Marks, an sgsco company

Design Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

ABOUT THE ROLE As a Design Director, you are both a creative leader and a practicing designer. You lead by example: guiding teams, shaping ideas, and elevating creative quality while remaining deeply ...

Schawk USA LLC

Design Director

Chicago, IL

ABOUT THE ROLE As a Design Director, you are both a creative leader and a practicing designer. You lead by example: guiding teams, shaping ideas, and elevating creative quality while remaining deeply ...

Makemarks

Design Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

$106 - $116/hr

ABOUT THE ROLE As a Design Director, you are both a creative leader and a practicing designer. You lead by example: guiding teams, shaping ideas, and elevating creative quality while remaining deeply ...

SGS & Co

Design Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

$106 - $116/hr

ABOUT THE ROLE As a Design Director, you are both a creative leader and a practicing designer. You lead by example: guiding teams, shaping ideas, and elevating creative quality while remaining deeply ...

Freeman Company

Design Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

$125 - $140/hr

Summary The Design Director defines and leads the creative vision for experiential environments, shaping impactful brand expressions through immersive physical spaces. With a holistic view of ...

sgsco

Design Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

ABOUT THE ROLE As a Design Director, you are both a creative leader and a practicing designer. You lead by example: guiding teams, shaping ideas, and elevating creative quality while remaining deeply ...

sgsco

Design Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

ABOUT THE ROLE As a Design Director, you are both a creative leader and a practicing designer. You lead by example: guiding teams, shaping ideas, and elevating creative quality while remaining deeply ...

Freeman

Design Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

Summary The Design Director defines and leads the creative vision for experiential environments, shaping impactful brand expressions through immersive physical spaces. With a holistic view of ...

blueStone

Experience Design Director

Chicago, IL

We are seeking an engaging, design-tested leader to become our Experience Design Director. You'll ... creative control over the entire experience will rest with you and your team. As with our other ...

blueStone

Experience Design Director

Chicago, IL

We are seeking an engaging, design-tested leader to become our Experience Design Director. You'll ... creative control over the entire experience will rest with you and your team. As with our other ...

PepsiCo

Brand Design Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$111 - $185/hr

Lead, manage, and mentor designers across the Protein portfolio, always emphasizing creative excellence and working in close collaboration with the PBUS Gatorade Design Director and other leaders ...

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All JobsCreative Design JobsCreative Design Director JobsCreative Design Director Jobs in Illinois

Creative Design Director information

See Illinois salary details

$41.7K

$116.3K

$174.4K

How much do creative design director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for creative design director in Illinois is $116,338.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,800.00 and $144,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a creative design director?

A Creative Design Director is a senior professional responsible for overseeing the visual and creative direction of projects within an organization. They lead design teams, develop creative strategies, and ensure that all visual communications align with the brand’s identity and business goals. Creative Design Directors often collaborate with marketing, product development, and executive teams to deliver cohesive and innovative designs. They combine artistic vision with leadership skills to inspire teams and deliver impactful results.

How does a creative design director typically collaborate with other departments to deliver cohesive brand experiences?

Creative Design Directors frequently work cross-functionally, partnering closely with marketing, product, and development teams to ensure design concepts align with overall business objectives. This collaboration often involves participating in strategy meetings, providing creative direction during project kick-offs, and offering feedback throughout the production process. By fostering open communication and sharing visual guidelines, Creative Design Directors help maintain consistent branding and drive innovative solutions that meet both user needs and business goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a creative design director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Creative Design Director, you need extensive experience in visual design, branding, and project management, typically backed by a degree in design or a related field. Mastery of industry-standard tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and familiarity with digital asset management systems are essential. Exceptional leadership, collaboration, and communication skills help you inspire teams and articulate creative vision to stakeholders. These competencies ensure the delivery of innovative, cohesive design solutions that align with business goals and client needs.

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

AspectCreative Design DirectorGraphic Designer
ResponsibilitiesOversees entire creative projects, manages teams, sets design visionCreates visual content, executes design tasks based on briefs
Required SkillsLeadership, strategic thinking, advanced design skillsStrong graphic skills, proficiency in design software
Work EnvironmentCreative agencies, corporate marketing teams, large design firmsDesign studios, marketing departments, freelance work
CredentialsTypically a degree in design, art, or related field; extensive experienceDegree or certification in graphic design or related field

The main difference between a Creative Design Director and a Graphic Designer lies in scope and leadership. The Creative Design Director leads creative teams, sets strategic vision, and manages large projects, while the Graphic Designer focuses on executing specific visual tasks. Both roles require strong design skills, but the director position involves more oversight and strategic planning.

Are creative design directors paid well?

Creative design directors typically earn high salaries due to their leadership role in overseeing design teams and projects. Compensation varies by industry, experience, and location but generally includes a base salary plus bonuses and benefits, reflecting the seniority of the position.

Is there a demand for creative design directors?

The demand for creative design directors remains strong across industries such as advertising, media, and technology, as companies seek innovative visual branding and user experiences. Employment opportunities often require strong leadership skills, proficiency in design tools, and a portfolio demonstrating strategic vision, with growth driven by digital transformation and branding efforts.

What does a creative design director do in design?

A creative design director leads the visual and conceptual aspects of design projects, overseeing creative teams to develop innovative concepts that align with brand goals. They review and approve designs, set creative standards, and collaborate with clients and stakeholders to ensure the final product meets strategic objectives. Strong leadership, communication skills, and proficiency with design tools like Adobe Creative Suite are essential in this role.

What qualifications do I need to be a creative design director?

A creative design director typically needs a bachelor's degree in graphic design, visual arts, or a related field, along with extensive experience in design and creative leadership. Strong skills in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite, excellent communication, and project management abilities are also essential, often complemented by a portfolio demonstrating leadership in successful projects.

What are the most commonly searched types of Creative Design jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Creative Design jobs in Illinois are:

What are popular job titles related to Creative Design Director jobs in Illinois?

For Creative Design Director jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Creative Design Director jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Creative Design Director jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Creative Design Director jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Creative Design Director job openings:

Creative Design Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Creative Design Director job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,338 per year, or $55.9 per hour.

Design Director

Chicago, IL • On-site

OLBERDING
See more jobs at OLBERDINGexternal

$120 - $170/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

Design Director

Location: Chicago, IL

Job ID: 755

# of Openings: 1

Job Overview

Founded in 1919 as Phototype and recently rebranded as the Olberding Brand Family, we are a family company focused on delivering the highest quality and client service in the graphics design, management and printing industry. We design, optimize and protect brands. Our clients are primarily consumer products companies and printers, and we help them by delivering a broad range of services from brand strategy and packaging design, to adaptive design across various print and digital platforms, all the way to color management and the production of printing plates. With our world headquarters located in Cincinnati, we have over 450 employees throughout the United States and offices in Europe and Asia.

The Design Director will work with our cross‑functional internal team to support our client in helping to market the brands they produce and consumers have come to love. Design Directors design within an established brand identity for some of America’s favorite CPG brands, specifically for their packaging and digital presence.

Responsibilities
  • Support the organization of all files and assets created
  • Takes on the most complex tasks and conceptual work
  • Skilled wielder of design craft
  • Empowered to, and expectation of decision making autonomy
  • Looked to for expertise from fellow designers
  • Master storyteller
  • Expected to lead design WIP and work sessions to drive conceptual development
  • Maintain and build client relationships and present work to them
  • Help forge and stabilize new client relationships
  • Collaborate seamlessly with Brand Leader partners
  • Manage and guide teammates in their career/craft development
  • Participate in crafting cross‑disciplinary workflows
  • Take on new assignments and the most complex work
Management Expectations
  • Inspire and produce great work across virtual environments from all team members
  • Develop team goals, prioritize and delegate work effectively across team
  • Build a team that exhibits trust and positively collaborates cross‑functionally
  • Review employee strengths and gaps in order to develop them for our current and future business needs
  • Understand and ensure employees adhere to our company policies, procedures and compliance
Qualifications
  • Ability to create, collaborate, design and direct within the packaging and digital workspace
  • Strong project management and organizational skills
  • Strong knowledge of consumer products packaging, creative design, and production artwork
  • Ability to articulate rationale behind design choices
  • Ability to diplomatically give and receive feedback on their work and work of fellow designers
  • 12+ years’ experience
  • Agency experience preferred
  • Expert level in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign)
  • Motion Graphics / Animation, photography, and/or illustration skills are a plus
Benefits
  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance to keep you and your family healthy
  • A 401k retirement plan with company contributions to help you plan for your future
  • Generous paid time off (PTO), personal time, and volunteer time off, in addition to 8 observed holidays
  • Parental leave to support growing families

The Olberding Brand Family is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes individuals of diverse talents and backgrounds.

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