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Design Lead Jobs (NOW HIRING)

AKQA

Freelance Design Lead

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$3.0K - $3.4K/wk

We are seeking an experienced Freelance Design Lead to support one of the world's most recognized travel brands, a globally admired company whose digital products and services reach millions of ...

Panthalassa

Brand Design Lead

Portland, OR · On-site

Your day-to-day as Brand Design Lead includes the concepting and execution of brand and design projects that communicate our company's mission, technology, and team. Deliverables include websites ...

Bjak

Motions Design Lead

Charleston, WV · Remote

Lead the design and animation of motion graphics for marketing campaigns, product explainers, social content, and digital advertising * Conceptualize and develop storyboards, frames, and animation ...

AKQA

Freelance Design Lead

Seattle, WA · On-site

We are seeking an experienced Freelance Design Lead to support one of the most globally recognized consumer brands in the world, a company with an enormous and deeply loyal customer base whose ...

Whitbread

Design Lead

New York, NY · On-site

$130K - $150K/yr

Purpose of the Job HH Global is looking for a high-calibre Design Lead to spearhead a new "always-on" creative production engine dedicated to a premier global technology client in the AI space. This ...

ArchKey Solutions LLC

Engineering Design Lead

San Jose, CA · On-site

$120K - $158K/yr

Description Engineering Design Lead This position can be based out of our San Jose, CA office. About Arch Key ArchKey is one of the nation's largest privately held specialty trade installation and ...

ArchKey Solutions

Engineering Design Lead

Minneapolis, MN

$106K - $140K/yr

Engineering Design Lead This position can be based out of our Minneapolis, MN office. About Arch Key ArchKey is one of the nation's largest privately held specialty trade installation and integrated ...

Quatrain Creative

Sr. Designer / Design Lead

Orlando, FL · On-site +1

$80K/yr

Design Lead Quatrain Creative About the Company Quatrain is a fully remote, woman-owned content agency that blends strategy, storytelling, and design to create high-impact content. For more than a ...

Panthalassa

Brand Design Lead

Portland, OR · On-site

Your day-to-day as Brand Design Lead includes the concepting and execution of brand and design projects that communicate our company's mission, technology, and team. Deliverables include websites ...

Quatrain Creative

Sr. Designer / Design Lead

Savannah, GA · On-site +1

$80K/yr

Sr. Designer / Design Lead Quatrain Creative About the Company Quatrain is a fully remote, woman-owned content agency that blends strategy, storytelling, and design to create high-impact content. For ...

Quatrain Creative

Sr. Designer / Design Lead

Orlando, FL · On-site

$80K/yr

Design Lead Quatrain Creative About the Company Quatrain is a fully remote, woman-owned content agency that blends strategy, storytelling, and design to create high-impact content. For more than a ...

Sia

Visual Design Lead

Manhattan, NY · On-site

About the Role We're looking for a Visual Design Lead who drives the visual craft behind brand, web, and digital marketing work. This is a hands-on design leadership role for someone who comes from a ...

IDEO

Visual Communication Design Lead

Chicago, IL

$100K - $120K/yr

Chicago Visual Communication Design Lead In a nutshell: We are looking for a Visual Communication Design Lead who can guide teams and clients through complex design challenges, setting the visual ...

Highwire

AI Design Lead

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$80K - $105K/yr

As our AI Design Lead, you sit at the intersection of human-centered creative craft and machine-driven scale. You are a designer and a systems architect, defining how we build repeatable creative ...

Gymshark

Spatial Design Lead

New York, NY · Hybrid

$123K - $160K/yr

As Spatial Design Lead, you'll be the craft authority and systems thinker for spatial design at Gymshark, defining the design language that scales across a growing portfolio of physical environments ...

ArchKey Solutions

Engineering Design Lead

Plymouth, MN

$107K - $140K/yr

Engineering Design Lead This position is based out of our Plymouth, MN office. About ProKey An ArchKey Solutions company, ProKey is an integrated facility services provider optimizing mechanical ...

Archkey Solutions LLC

Engineering Design Lead

Plymouth, MN · On-site

$107K - $140K/yr

Description Engineering Design Lead This position is based out of our Plymouth, MN office. About ProKey An ArchKey Solutions company, ProKey is an integrated facility services provider optimizing ...

ArchKey Solutions

Engineering Design Lead

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$107K - $140K/yr

Engineering Design Lead This position is based out of our Plymouth, MN office. About ProKey An ArchKey Solutions company, ProKey is an integrated facility services provider optimizing mechanical ...

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Design Lead information

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How much do design lead jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for design lead in the United States is $60.25, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46.63 and $72.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a design lead?

A Design Lead is a senior professional responsible for guiding the creative direction and execution of design projects within an organization. They oversee design teams, collaborate with stakeholders, and ensure that visual and user experience standards are met. Design Leads often mentor junior designers, manage project timelines, and help align design strategies with business goals. Their role blends creative leadership with project management to deliver effective and innovative design solutions.

How does a design lead typically balance hands-on design work with team leadership responsibilities?

As a Design Lead, you'll often split your time between guiding and mentoring your team, setting the creative direction, and contributing directly to high-priority projects. While your leadership duties—such as conducting design reviews, coordinating with stakeholders, and ensuring alignment with business goals—will take up a significant portion of your schedule, most organizations still expect you to remain actively involved in the design process. This balance requires strong organizational skills and the ability to delegate effectively, ensuring both team growth and high-quality deliverables.

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

To thrive as a Design Lead, you need a solid background in design principles, user experience (UX), and visual communication, typically supported by a degree in design or a related field. Proficiency with industry-standard tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and knowledge of project management systems is crucial. Strong leadership, collaboration, and communication skills help you guide teams and articulate design vision effectively. These skills ensure projects are delivered with high-quality design, aligned with business goals, and foster innovation within teams.

What is the difference between Design Lead vs UX Designer?

AspectDesign LeadUX Designer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Design, Graphic Design, or related fields; experience in leadership rolesBachelor's or Master's in Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, or related fields; portfolio showcasing UX projects
Work EnvironmentLeads design teams, collaborates with product managers and developers, oversees project directionFocuses on user research, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing within product teams
Industry UsageCommonly found in tech, advertising, and design agenciesPrimarily in tech companies, startups, and digital product firms

The main difference is that a Design Lead oversees the entire design process and team, providing strategic direction, while a UX Designer concentrates on creating user-centered experiences through research and design. Both roles require strong design skills, but the Design Lead has broader responsibilities and leadership duties.

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Design Lead jobs near you
Infographic showing various Design Lead job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $125,322 per year, or $60.3 per hour.

Freelance Design Lead

AKQA

Atlanta, GA • On-site

$3.0K - $3.4K/wk

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

At AKQA, we believe in the imaginative application of art and science to create beautiful ideas, products and services. With an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, we design adaptive digital services and applications that capture the imagination, delivering impressive returns for our clients.

Design Leads at AKQA bring artistry, craft, and creative vision to complex digital challenges. They inspire and guide designers, champion design systems, and ensure creative excellence across all deliverables. Hands-on and deeply thoughtful, they shape the look, feel, and coherence of digital experiences from early concept through final delivery, elevating both the work and the people around them.

We are seeking an experienced Freelance Design Lead to support one of the world's most recognized travel brands, a globally admired company whose digital products and services reach millions of customers every day. In this role you will guide and inspire designers, lead the evolution of complex design systems, and ensure creative excellence across a flagship digital product experience. This is a high-visibility engagement where strong design leadership and systems-level thinking have a direct and meaningful impact on the people using these products every time they travel. This is a freelance role from August 17 through December 23, 2026.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

  • Provide hands-on leadership and creative direction, guiding a team of designers to produce world-class digital product experiences
  • Oversee the creation, maintenance, and evolution of complex design systems, ensuring scalability, consistency, and craft at every level
  • Shape the creative vision for digital platforms and products, aligning with client goals and the needs of a diverse, global user base
  • Collaborate closely with UX, strategy, and development teams to deliver cohesive, high-quality solutions
  • Present creative concepts and design solutions to clients with clarity, confidence, and strategic insight
  • Actively mentor and support junior and mid-level designers, fostering collaboration, accountability, and professional growth
  • Contribute to a culture of creative excellence, pushing for the most distinctive and effective solutions at every stage of the work

QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

  • 5+ years of experience in UI design, art direction, or a related field, with a strong portfolio showcasing digital platforms and products
  • Proven ability to lead and inspire teams, with a track record of mentoring and elevating designers
  • Deep expertise in creating and evolving design systems, with a focus on scalability, consistency, and innovation
  • Strong working knowledge of user interface, application, mobile, and responsive design principles
  • Expert proficiency in Figma, including advanced component and library management
  • Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to present and defend creative work to clients and stakeholders
  • Experience collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams, including UX and development, to deliver integrated solutions
  • A proactive mindset and the ability to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of technology and design
  • A strong point of view and the ability to promote and encourage conceptual thinking across the team

Location & Commitment

  • Remote (United States only); Atlanta-based candidates are especially welcome and, if local, encouraged to join the team in person from time to time
  • August 17, 2026 through December 23, 2026
  • 40 hours/week
  • Expected weekly compensation: $3,000 to $3,400 

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