Design Director Interior Design Jobs in Chicago, IL

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Full Time Interiors Chicago, Chicago, IL, US

The Interior Design Creative Director - Living Studio is a senior creative leadership role responsible for defining, advancing, and protecting the interior design vision for Baker Barrios' Living projects. This position serves as the primary design authority for interiors within the Living Market sector, with responsibility for concept integrity, experiential quality, and creative consistency from early visioning through project realization.

The position is designed to fill a critical creative design leadership role while Baker Barrios formalizes our long-term Interior Design practice structure. The Interior Design Creative Director will provide senior level interior design mentorship to support design quality and culture within the living practice.

The Interior Design Creative Director focuses on leadership, concept development,and creative judgment, rather than day-to-day operational management. The Interior Design Creative Director partners closely with architectural leadership, project teams, and clients to elevate the experiential quality of Living projects while preserving design intent throughout all phases of work.

The Interior Design Creative Director works in partnership with Practice Leadership, maintaining equal creative authority while operating with a clearly defined division of responsibilities: Practice Leaders manage business, staffing, and operations; the Creative Director leads design vision, narrative, and quality.

• Design Vision and Creative Authority
• Establish and champion the interior design vision for Living Studio projects.
• Serve as the final creative authority for interior design direction prior to executive escalation.
• Develop compelling design narratives, experiential strategies, and conceptual frameworks that elevate Living environments.
• Lead design intent across space planning, materiality, color, lighting, FF&E, and interior architecture.
• Ensure design excellence and consistency across all phases - from concept through construction and installation.
• Protect design intent throughout documentation and delivery, collaborating closely with technical teams.
• Integration with Architecture and Vision Studio
• Partner with architectural design leadership to ensure seamless integration between architecture and interiors.
• Operate as a market-sector-embedded creative leader, while remaining tethered to Vision Studio and the Chief Creative Officer.
• Participate in firmwide design reviews, critiques, and charrettes to reinforce Baker Barrios' design culture and standards.
• Furniture, FF&A, and Experiential Depth
• Lead the integration of furniture and FF&E design as a core component of Living and hospitality-influenced projects.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to ensure furniture strategy aligns with design narrative, user experience, and brand positioning.
• Contribute to defining how furniture design interfaces with interior architecture across Living projects.
• Client Engagement and Representation
• Lead or support client visioning sessions, workshops, and key presentations.
• Present design concepts clearly, persuasively, and at a senior level.
• Balance client input with strong creative judgment, maintaining the integrity of the design vision.
• Mentorship, Culture, and Practice Building
• Mentor interior designers and emerging leaders through critique, guidance, and example.
• Help rebuild a strong Interior Design culture, reinforcing identity, craft, and creative confidence.
• Contribute to the evolution of Baker Barrios' interior design standards, best practices, and brand expression.
• Support DACI initiatives and long-term efforts to establish Interior Design as a Center of Excellence with specialized studios.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Interior Design or Architecture
• NIDQ and/or LEED preferred

• 10-15+ years of professional experience in Interior Design or Architecture
• Deep experience in Multi-Family and Mixed-Use Living environments
• Demonstrated leadership in design concept development and client-facing presentations

• Exceptional design sensibility and creative judgment
• Strong understanding of interior architecture, materials, FF&E, and furniture
• Ability to influence, mentor, and lead without relying on formal authority
• Confident, collaborative, and aligned with Baker Barrios' Mission, Vision, and Values