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Design Director Jobs in Chicago, IL (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 Phototype and recently rebranded as the Olberding Brand Family, we are a family company focused on ...

Olberding Brand Family

Design Director

Chicago, IL

$85K - $115K/yr

Design Director 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 ...

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, we are a family company focused on delivering the highest quality and client service in the graphics ...

Olberding Brand Family

Design Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

$85 - $115/hr

Design Director Location: Chicago, IL Job Id: 755 # of Openings: 1 Founded in 1919 as Phototype and recently rebranded as the Olberding Brand Family, we are a family company focused on delivering the ...

Engaging Talent LLC

Design Director

Aurora, IL · On-site +1

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 week would be a plus. Clients include big name corporations and ...

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 ...

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 ...

New

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

New

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 ...

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 ...

sgsco

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 ...

blueStone

Experience Design Director

Chicago, IL

We are seeking an engaging, design-tested leader to become our Experience Design Director. You'll test, iterate, and refine our core offerings and feature set, starting first with the launch of our ...

blueStone

Experience Design Director

Chicago, IL

We are seeking an engaging, design-tested leader to become our Experience Design Director. You'll test, iterate, and refine our core offerings and feature set, starting first with the launch of our ...

Eidra

Product Design Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

$160K - $240K/yr

Eidra is expanding in the US market and as we build our digital product and design presence, we're looking for a Product Design Director to help build a team and lead from the ground up. You'll shape ...

CourtAvenue

Design Director, Platform UI

Chicago, IL · On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

At CourtAvenue, the Design Director, Platform UI leads the visual interface layer of our most complex platform engagements, building and evolving the components, design systems, and pixel-level ...

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All JobsDesign JobsDesign Director JobsDesign Director Jobs in Chicago, IL

Design Director information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$38.1K

$139.9K

$250.3K

How much do design director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for design director in Chicago, IL is $139,856.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $112,800.00 and $167,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How do you become a design director?

To become a design director, individuals typically need several years of experience in design roles, a strong portfolio demonstrating leadership and innovative work, and skills in project management and team collaboration. Many also pursue advanced education such as a bachelor's or master's degree in design, visual arts, or related fields, and develop expertise in design tools and industry standards.

How does a design director typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive project success?

As a Design Director, you will regularly work with product managers, engineers, marketing teams, and other stakeholders to ensure that design solutions align with business goals and user needs. This role often involves leading design reviews, facilitating brainstorming sessions, and providing clear feedback to your team. Effective communication and the ability to advocate for design principles are essential, as you'll need to balance creative vision with practical constraints. Being proactive in building relationships across departments helps streamline workflows and fosters a collaborative environment that leads to successful project outcomes.

What is the difference between Design Director vs Art Director?

AspectDesign DirectorArt Director
ResponsibilitiesOversees overall design strategy, manages multiple projects, and leads design teamsFocuses on visual style, aesthetics, and execution of specific projects or campaigns
Required SkillsLeadership, strategic planning, broad design expertiseVisual creativity, technical skills, attention to detail
Work EnvironmentTypically in corporate, agency, or large studio settingsOften in advertising, media, or entertainment industries
Common UsageUsed when referring to senior design leadership rolesUsed for roles focused on visual and artistic direction

The main difference between a Design Director and an Art Director lies in scope and focus. A Design Director oversees overall design strategy and manages teams across multiple projects, while an Art Director concentrates on the visual style and execution of specific projects. Both roles require strong design skills, but the Design Director's responsibilities are broader and more strategic.

What does a design director do?

A Design Director leads and oversees the creative vision and direction of design projects within an organization. They manage design teams, collaborate with stakeholders, and ensure that all visual outputs align with the company's brand and objectives. Design Directors are responsible for setting design standards, mentoring team members, and ensuring the quality and consistency of creative work across various platforms. Their role often includes strategic planning, project management, and communication with clients or upper management.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a design director?

To thrive as a Design Director, you need deep expertise in design principles, visual communication, and leadership, often supported by a degree in design or a related field and significant industry experience. Mastery of design software such as Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and project management tools is essential, along with experience in overseeing brand and creative strategy. Exceptional communication, creative vision, and team leadership skills distinguish top performers in this role. These capabilities are crucial for delivering cohesive design solutions, inspiring creative teams, and ensuring alignment with business objectives.

What are the most commonly searched types of Design jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Design jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Design Director jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Design Director jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Design Director jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Design Director jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Design Director jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Design Director job openings:

Design Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Design Director job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 86% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $139,856 per year, or $67.2 per hour.

Design Director

OLBERDING

Chicago, IL • On-site

$120 - $170/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 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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