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Creative Design Director Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Be Seen First

The Associate Creative Director is driving innovative strategies and overseeing a diverse mix of ... Design and guide innovative campaign concepts * Drive concept development aligned with brand goals

Posted today

Be Seen First

The Associate Creative Director is driving innovative strategies and overseeing a diverse mix of ... Design and guide innovative campaign concepts * Drive concept development aligned with brand goals

Posted today

This role reports directly to the Senior Creative Director, Kobe Footwear & Apparel Product Design and will lead a team of designers across footwear and apparel. WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR We're looking ...

You'll build a world-class multidisciplinary team spanning design, writing, motion, creative technology, AI, design systems, storytelling, and scaled production. You'll inspire exceptional work while ...

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Creative Design Director information

See Portland, OR salary details

$45.6K

$127.4K

$191K

How much do creative design director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for creative design director in Portland, OR is $127,360.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $92,800.00 and $158,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a creative design director do?

A creative design director leads the visual and conceptual aspects of a project or brand, overseeing design teams to develop creative concepts that align with strategic goals. They coordinate with clients and stakeholders, review and approve designs, and ensure consistency across all visual materials, often using tools like Adobe Creative Suite. Strong leadership, communication, and a deep understanding of design principles are essential for this role.

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. These roles often require leadership skills, proficiency in design tools like Adobe Creative Suite, and a strong portfolio, with employment growth driven by digital marketing and branding 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.

How much is a creative design director paid?

A creative design director's average salary typically ranges from $90,000 to $160,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location. Senior roles with extensive portfolios and leadership responsibilities may earn higher compensation, often supplemented with bonuses and benefits.

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.

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.

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 most commonly searched types of Creative Design jobs in Portland, OR? The most popular types of Creative Design jobs in Portland, OR are:
What job categories do people searching Creative Design Director jobs in Portland, OR look for? The top searched job categories for Creative Design Director jobs in Portland, OR are:
Infographic showing various Creative Design Director job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $127,360 per year, or $61.2 per hour.

Lead Designer, Tennis Apparel Product Design

Nike

Beaverton, OR • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 29 days ago


Nike rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 274 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 104 rated fashion retailers


Job description

NIKE, Inc. designs the future. At NIKE, Inc. designers chase their curiosities and build what's next, shaping the culture and advancing human potential. The Design teams include artists, inventors and specialists, all with different focuses, including color and material experts, and apparel, footwear and graphic designers. Nike designers look to the future, aggressively pursuing materials, ideas and forms that further elevate the athlete experience, raise the bar for modern style and reduce environmental impact.
WHO YOU'LL WORK WITH
As our Apparel Lead Designer, you'll report directly to the Women's Global Tennis Design Director, work with design management and our Expert Designer to actively gain experience, enhance design skills and increase knowledge of Nike's design philosophy, products and processes. You'll also work with category team members in design, development, business and merchandising to ensure feasibility of designs, meeting price point, merchandising needs and product creation timelines.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We are looking for an Apparel Lead Designer who delivers outstanding design skills to create original, innovative designs that accurately reflect Nike's design philosophies and lead the industry. Through consumer connection you will identify key trends that translate into meaningful products that resonate with our consumers and fuels the future of Nike Inc. for our female footballer.
You'll need to have a distinct talent for responding to business objectives with creative design solutions that are aligned to consumer insights. Bringing to life the seasonal category creative direction through apparel design with solutions that are fueled by athlete/consumer insights. The candidate needs to have a passion for craft, innovation & sport culture, keeping in mind Nike's rich legacy in sport and its future forward impact to our planet.
We are looking for a candidate who is curious, inquisitive, and motivated to discover new methods of make. You'll need strong communication skills with teammates across the organization, including expert listening, collaborative problem solving and deep emotional intelligence. We are looking for a candidate with highly collaborative skills and passion for details, and extremely thorough in executing accurate design assets. You'll need to constantly demonstrate process proficiency through best practices, visualization and communication of ideas.
  • Bachelor's Degree in Apparel/Fashion Design or related design field or equivalent combination of relevant education, experience, and training.
  • Minimum 5+ years of relevant work experience in Apparel/Fashion design.
  • Passion and understanding of current and emerging design trends and visual culture.
  • Passion for researching and analyzing trends across sport, youth and culture, and the ability to unpack key opportunities for Nike products.
  • Ability translating insights into authentic narratives, and visual storytelling in presentations & communication.
  • Ability to adapt to change and handle multiple competing priorities.
  • Proficient in sketching, illustration, typography, print and pattern, color theory and layout.
  • Knowledge of apparel product creation.
  • Digital design acumen in Adobe CC Suite and comfortable working with Digital Creation 3D Tools (CLO).
  • Ability to embrace diverse points of view while fostering an environment of inclusivity.
  • Passion for empowering our Athletes/Teams and making their dreams come true.

WHAT YOU'LL WORK ON
As our Apparel Lead Designer in Women's Global Tennis, you'll design innovative apparel product with direction given from design management, utilize design skills to create original, innovative designs that appropriately reflect Nike's design philosophy. You'll communicate design concepts effectively and present concepts within the Women's Global Tennis Apparel organization.
As part of the Women's Global Tennis Apparel design team, specifically you'll be responsible for creating and supporting the future of the Women's Global Tennis portfolio which includes on court SLAM, in season collections and off court sportswear to support the entire athlete journey.
You'll monitor the development of prototype samples and interact with development, pattern making, materials, apparel lab, on court testing and the sample room to exchange ideas and ensure timely completion of each project. This opportunity requires strong collaborative skills to meet deadlines, ensure feasibility of designs, hit price points, while taking your partners through the thinking behind your work.
We offer a number of accommodations to complete our interview process including screen readers, sign language interpreters, accessible and single location for in-person interviews, closed captioning, and other reasonable modifications as needed. If you discover, as you navigate our application process, that you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please complete the Candidate Accommodation Request Form.

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