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Lead Concept Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Creative Concept Development * Develop creative concepts for seasonal windows, in-store animations ... Lead creative development for seasonal showrooms, including moodboards, prop concepts, finishes ...

Senior Women's Concept Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120K - $128K/yr

You will define and lead the overall global design direction and conceptual development of the Old ... Drive the Female Concept Design process, including market research, macro trend, theme direction ...

SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS: * 8+ years of professional experience in concept art, with at least 2 full product cycles and 1 shipped project in a lead role. * A strong portfolio demonstrating expertise ...

... assortments Lead concept development, trend research, color palettes, fabric direction, and ... commerciality (designing for a real customer + price point) Experience owning or heavily ...

Overview Seeking a Commercial Interior Designer to lead concept development, space planning, and project execution for corporate office and hospitality environments. This role blends creative design ...

Lead Environment Concept Artist

Cary, NC · On-site

$117K - $135K/yr

Create and oversee high-quality environment concept designs that support the visual identity and ... Lead, mentor, and provide artistic direction for a small team of environment concept artists What ...

Senior Designer - Sonoma

Menomonee Falls, WI · On-site

$102K - $109K/yr

Lead concept development of the brand and provide direction to the team in building and evolving the brand * Oversee tech packs, trim sheets and design packages and ensure accurate data entry into ...

Senior Designer - Juniors SO

Menomonee Falls, WI · On-site

$102K - $109K/yr

Lead concept development of the brand and provide direction to the team in building and evolving the brand * Oversee tech packs, trim sheets and design packages and ensure accurate data entry into ...

... experience Lead concept ideation and iteration with sketching, wireframe development, and ... designers to maintain design consistency and coherence across the product as appropriate ...

... Lead concept ideation and iteration with sketching, wireframe development, and prototypes • ... designers to maintain design consistency and coherence across the product as appropriate ...

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Lead Concept Designer information

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$42K

$91.2K

$157K

How much do lead concept designer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead concept designer in the United States is $91,161.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,500.00 and $109,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lead Concept Designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lead Concept Designer, you need advanced visual design skills, a strong grasp of art fundamentals, and experience in creating and directing concept art, typically supported by a degree in art, design, or a related field. Mastery of digital illustration tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop, and 3D modeling software such as Blender or ZBrush is often required. Leadership, collaboration, and clear communication are essential soft skills for guiding creative teams and aligning with project goals. These competencies are vital for producing compelling visual concepts that drive the creative direction and success of games, films, or other media projects.

What is the difference between Lead Concept Designer vs Concept Artist?

AspectLead Concept DesignerConcept Artist
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in art, design, or related field; experience in concept art and designUsually holds a degree or portfolio demonstrating artistic skills; may have similar certifications
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with creative teams, directs concept development, oversees design processesCreates visual concepts, sketches, and illustrations based on briefs
Industry UsageUsed in game, film, and entertainment industries for leading design teamsCommonly employed as a visual creator within similar industries

The Lead Concept Designer oversees the entire concept development process, guiding teams and ensuring cohesive design direction. In contrast, the Concept Artist focuses on creating visual representations and illustrations based on project needs. Both roles require strong artistic skills and industry experience, but the Lead Concept Designer has additional responsibilities in leadership and project management.

What are Lead Concept Designers?

Lead Concept Designers are senior creative professionals who oversee the visual development of ideas for films, video games, products, or other projects. They guide a team of concept artists, set the artistic direction, and ensure that the visual concepts align with the project's vision and goals. Beyond creating original designs, they collaborate closely with directors, producers, and other departments to refine and realize concepts into cohesive visual assets. Their leadership and experience help maintain a consistent style and quality throughout the project.

How does a Lead Concept Designer typically collaborate with other departments during a project's development?

A Lead Concept Designer works closely with teams such as art, design, and production to ensure that the project's visual direction aligns with its overall goals. They often facilitate brainstorming sessions, provide feedback to junior artists, and translate creative briefs into actionable visual concepts. Regular meetings with other department leads are common to maintain consistency and address any cross-functional challenges. This collaborative approach helps streamline the creative process and ensures that the final product meets the intended vision.

How much do lead designers make in the US?

Lead concept designers in the US typically earn between $80,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location. Senior roles with strong portfolios and skills in design tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Sketch tend to command higher salaries.

What is the highest paid designer job?

The highest paid designer roles are often executive-level positions such as Creative Director or Chief Design Officer, with salaries reaching into six figures or higher. These roles typically require extensive experience, leadership skills, and a strong portfolio, often in industries like technology, advertising, or product design.

Is there a high demand for concept artists?

The demand for concept artists, including lead concept designers, is growing as the entertainment, gaming, and animation industries expand. Skilled artists with proficiency in digital tools like Photoshop and 3D software are particularly sought after, especially for projects requiring innovative visual development. However, competition remains strong, and building a strong portfolio is essential for securing opportunities.

How much does a lead concept artist make?

A lead concept artist typically earns between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior roles often require strong skills in digital painting, 3D modeling, and proficiency with tools like Photoshop and Blender.
More about Lead Concept Designer jobs
Infographic showing various Lead Concept Designer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 89% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,161 per year, or $43.8 per hour.
Visual Concept Designer

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Posted 25 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Develop creative concepts and visual narratives for seasonal windows, in-store animations, pop-ups, showrooms, and brand experiences.

  • Create high-quality 2D and 3D visualizations, renderings, and presentation materials using industry-standard tools.

  • Collaborate with production, merchandising, and graphics teams to refine designs, ensure feasibility, and maintain creative intent across projects.


Michael Kors rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 53 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 102 rated fashion retailers


Job description

Michael Kors is always interested in hearing from talented, globally-minded individuals with a passion for fashion.

If you enjoy working in a creative, fast-paced environment, then we would love to hear from you!

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Who You Are:

You are a strong conceptual thinker with refined creative taste, a luxury sensibility, and the ability to translate brand storytelling into experiential retail environments. You excel at developing ideas, creating detailed visualizations, and collaborating with cross-functional partners to ensure concepts are realized with integrity and precision. You thrive in a fast-paced, highly creative, global environment and bring a proactive, solutions-oriented approach to every design challenge.

You'll Need to Have:

Creative Concept Development

  • Develop creative concepts for seasonal windows, in-store animations, pop-ups, showrooms, special projects, and brand experiences
  • Translate high-level creative direction into visual narratives, moodboards, sketches, and concept decks
  • Support the creative evolution of seasonal brand stories through iterative development and exploration
  • Own concept development for smaller category-specific or channel-specific projects under the Senior Director's guidance
  • Maintain deep knowledge of fashion, retail innovation, materials, color, and experiential design trends

2D & 3D Visualization

  • Create high-quality visualizations, renderings, and layouts using industry-standard tools
  • Develop 2D and 3D representations for windows, installations, props, fixtures, and showroom elements
  • Produce polished presentation materials for executive reviews and global sharing
  • Maintain organized design files, references, and creative libraries

Technical Design Collaboration

  • Create preliminary technical drawings and conceptual schematics for Production teams
  • Partner closely with VM Production to refine designs, ensure feasibility, and support sample reviews
  • Produce clear visual handoffs and documentation outlining creative intent, materials, proportions, and finishes
  • Support cross-functional alignment on creative intent through early-stage mockups and prototypes

Showroom Creative Support

  • Lead creative development for seasonal showrooms, including moodboards, prop concepts, finishes, and styling direction
  • Provide on-site support during showroom installations to ensure creative integrity is maintained
  • Guide creative placement and styling during set-up while partnering with Execution and Merchandising teams

Global Storytelling & Tools

  • Develop compelling creative decks, seasonal narratives, visual tools, and concept presentations for global distribution
  • Support adaptation of creative concepts for regional needs while maintaining cohesive brand identity
  • Present concepts to regional VM partners and participate in feedback loops
  • Collaborate with the Graphics team to ensure creative alignment across all 2D materials

Licensee & Category Support

  • Provide creative oversight for licensee categories (watches, jewelry, fragrance, eyewear, soft accessories, men's, swim, etc.)
  • Partner with and guide the Junior Designer on execution for licensee and secondary-category design needs
  • Ensure all category executions reflect core seasonal creative intent and maintain brand consistency

We'd Love to See:

  • 5+ years experience in visual, experiential, or spatial design, preferably within luxury or global retail
  • Strong creative portfolio demonstrating concept development and visualization ability
  • Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) and 3D tools (SketchUp, C4D, Keyshot, or similar)
  • Strong understanding of materials, color, form, and spatial composition
  • Exceptional conceptual storytelling and presentation skills
  • Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and deliver under tight timelines
  • Experience supporting global markets and large-scale retail programs preferred

MK Perks:

  • Generous Paid Time Off & Holiday Calendar
  • Summer Fridays
  • Internal Mobility Across Brands
  • Cross-brand Discount
  • Exclusive Employee Sales
  • Fav 5 Cards (MK Discount for friends and family)
  • 401k Match
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Thrive Wellness Program
  • Commuter Benefits
  • Gym Discounts

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The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer. The Company's policy is not to unlawfully discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, military status, disability, genetic information or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state, or local laws. The Company also prohibits harassment of applicants and employees based on any of these protected categories.

At Capri Holdings Limited, we are committed to providing a fair and accessible recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation for the interview or application process, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at CapriTalentAcquisition@CapriHoldings.com.

In compliance with certain Pay Transparency laws, employers are required to disclose a compensation range. The range for this position will vary based on role requirements, skill set, and years of experience. Please note that for salaried roles, the figures reflect full-time equivalency, while for hourly roles, the figures represent the applicable hourly rate.

Compensation Range:

75,000.00 - 90,000.00 USD

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About Michael Kors

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Michael Kors is a world-renowned, award-winning designer of luxury accessories and ready to wear. His namesake company, established in 1981, currently produces a range of products through his Michael Kors and MICHAEL Michael Kors labels, including accessories, footwear, watches, jewelry, men's and women's ready to wear, and a full line of fragrance products. Operating at the luxury, lifestyle and outlet levels combined with a strong e-commerce business, Michael Kors stores are operated in some of the most prestigious cities in the world, including New York, Beverly Hills, Chicago, London, Milan, Paris, Munich, Istanbul, Dubai, Seoul, Tokyo and Hong Kong. We currently employ 14,000 people around the world.

Industry

Apparel and accessories stores

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

New York, NY, US

Year founded

1981