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Visual Design Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Visual Design Lead

Chicago, IL · On-site

$95K - $139K/yr

Visual Design Lead Creative Services - Dedicated to B2B Web About the role Morningstar's Creative Services team is seeking an experienced Visual Design Lead to drive the visual quality and brand ...

Visual Design Lead

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$95K - $139K/yr

Visual Design Lead Creative Services - Dedicated to B2B Web About the role Morningstar's Creative Services team is seeking an experienced Visual DesignLeadto drive the visual quality and brand ...

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 ...

Visual Communication Designers at IDEO make the biggest impact through visual storytelling. They ... The ideal candidate has a strong foundation in graphic design and experience applying practical and ...

Visual Communication Designers at IDEO make the biggest impact through visual storytelling. They ... The ideal candidate has a strong foundation in graphic design and experience applying practical and ...

A team of UX and Visual Designers, Design Directors, and Content specialists, who create digital experiences that help our clients achieve measurable business outcomes. As a Visual Designer, you'll ...

A team of UX and Visual Designers, Design Directors, and Content specialists, who create digital experiences that help our clients achieve measurable business outcomes. As a Visual Designer, you'll ...

A team of UX and Visual Designers, Design Directors, and Content specialists, who create digital experiences that help our clients achieve measurable business outcomes. As a Visual Designer, you'll ...

A team of UX and Visual Designers, Design Directors, and Content specialists, who create digital experiences that help our clients achieve measurable business outcomes. As a Visual Designer, you'll ...

A team of UX and Visual Designers, Design Directors, and Content specialists, who create digital experiences that help our clients achieve measurable business outcomes. As a Visual Designer, you'll ...

Design Lead

Chicago, IL · On-site

$73K - $220K/yr

They are highly strategic, detail-oriented, and multi-skilled, bringing a deep understanding across visual design, user experience, user interface design, branding and even coding. Creating digital ...

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Visual Design information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$40

$62

$84

How much do visual design jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for visual design in Chicago, IL is $62.07, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48.03 and $74.28 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is visual design?

Visual design is a field focused on the aesthetics and graphical elements of a product, website, or digital interface. It combines principles of graphic design, color theory, typography, and layout to create visually appealing and effective communications. Visual designers work to ensure that interfaces are both attractive and functional, enhancing user experience by guiding attention and conveying brand identity. Their work often overlaps with UI design, but visual design prioritizes the look and feel rather than the structure or usability alone.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a visual designer?

To thrive as a Visual Designer, you need a strong foundation in design principles, typography, color theory, and proficiency with a degree in graphic or visual design. Mastery of tools such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and familiarity with digital platforms or prototyping tools like Figma is essential. Creativity, attention to detail, and excellent communication skills set outstanding visual designers apart. These skills ensure the creation of compelling visuals that effectively communicate ideas, align with brand goals, and engage target audiences.

How do visual designers typically collaborate with other teams during a project?

Visual designers frequently work alongside UX designers, developers, and product managers to ensure that the visual aspects of a product align with the overall user experience and technical requirements. Collaboration often involves participating in design reviews, providing assets, and iterating on feedback from different stakeholders. Clear communication and openness to feedback are crucial, as visual designers must balance creative vision with practical constraints and user needs. This collaborative environment helps ensure cohesive, visually appealing, and user-friendly final products.

What is the difference between Visual Design vs Graphic Design?

AspectVisual DesignGraphic Design
FocusCreating visual concepts, layouts, and user interfaces for digital productsDesigning visual content for print and digital media, including logos, posters, and branding materials
SkillsUI/UX principles, typography, color theory, digital toolsTypography, layout, branding, print production
Work EnvironmentPrimarily digital, web, app interfacesPrint studios, advertising agencies, digital media
Common UsageWebsites, apps, digital productsPrint media, branding, marketing materials

While both roles involve visual creativity, Visual Design primarily focuses on digital interfaces and user experience, whereas Graphic Design emphasizes visual content for print and branding. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or project focus.

Are visual designers in demand?

Yes, visual designers are in demand across various industries such as technology, marketing, and media, as companies prioritize strong visual branding and user experience. The role often requires proficiency in design tools like Adobe Creative Suite and knowledge of user-centered design principles, with job growth expected to continue as digital content expands.

Is visual design a good career?

Visual design is a viable career that involves creating visual content for digital and print media, often requiring skills in graphic design software like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. It offers opportunities in various industries such as advertising, marketing, and technology, with roles ranging from junior designer to art director. Success typically depends on creativity, technical skills, and the ability to adapt to evolving design trends.

What does a visual designer do?

A visual designer creates visual content for digital and print media, including layouts, graphics, and user interfaces. They use design tools like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to communicate ideas visually and ensure aesthetic consistency across projects.

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

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

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

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

Infographic showing various Visual Design job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 81% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $129,201 per year, or $62.1 per hour.

Visual Design Lead

Morningstar, Inc.

Chicago, IL • On-site

$95K - $139K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 5 days ago


MorningStar Senior Living rating

6.7

Company rating: 6.7 out of 10

Based on 30 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

65th of 247 rated social care providers


Job description

Visual Design Lead
Creative Services - Dedicated to B2B Web
About the role
Morningstar's Creative Services team is seeking an experienced Visual Design Lead to drive the visual quality and brand expression of our B2B marketing website. This is a visual design role - not UX or product design - focused on craft: typography, layout, composition, color, and brand expression at scale.
You'll lead design work across our digital marketing platforms, collaborating with Creative Services peers, the Corporate Digital Web team, and cross-functional partners in marketing and technology. The ideal candidate is AI-fluent - helping pilot and advance AI-enabled workflows that accelerate iteration and raise quality, while upholding Morningstar's standards for craft, brand integrity, and ethics.
This position is based in our Chicago office with a minimum of four days onsite per week.
Our creative culture
Morningstar is a collaborative environment with a strong commitment to craft. Our design heritage is rooted in helping people around the world make confident investing decisions. We look for team members who bring good judgment, empathy, and a collaborative mindset - and who can navigate competing priorities while maintaining Morningstar's standard of design excellence. The Creative Services team embraces brand consistency and efficiency through design systems and AI-enabled workflows.
Job responsibilities
  • Lead visual design for Morningstar's B2B marketing website - web experiences, landing pages, and the design system that powers them.

  • Apply exceptional craft in typography, layout, composition, color, and information hierarchy to create brand-forward digital experiences.

  • Contribute to and help art-direct imagery so that visual assets feel cohesive and consistent across the site.

  • Translate briefs and creative direction into polished, high-quality visual executions.

  • Present and defend design solutions to cross-functional teams, connecting visual decisions to brand and business goals.

  • Contribute to and evolve Morningstar design systems and digital brand standards, partnering with engineers to ensure design quality through implementation.

  • Champion AI-enabled design workflows, piloting tools that augment creativity and accelerate production.

Qualifications
Design
  • 7+ years of experience designing large-scale marketing websites or digital marketing experiences.

  • Exceptional visual design skills - typography, layout, color, brand expression, and data visualization.

  • Experience contributing to and managing design systems.

  • Bachelor's or master's degree in visual/graphic design, a related field, or equivalent experience.

Communication & Collaboration
  • Ability to clearly present and defend design decisions to senior stakeholders, connecting visual rationale to brand and business impact.

  • Proven ability to build alignment across teams while navigating competing priorities and feedback.

Work Style & Leadership
  • Self-directed and able to manage multiple projects in a fast-moving environment.

  • Experience mentoring peers; interest in people leadership is a plus.

Tools & Technology
  • Advanced proficiency in Figma.

  • Proficiency with CMS platforms (Contentstack is a plus), HTML, and CSS

  • Working knowledge of AI-assisted design tools, used responsibly to augment creativity and efficiency.

How to apply
Include a portfolio showcasing your visual design work - polished layouts, typography, and marketing website executions. We're looking for visual craft, not UX case studies. Tell us about your role in each project and the visual decisions that shaped it.
Compensation and Benefits
At Morningstar we believe people are at their best when they are at their healthiest. That's why we champion your wellness through a wide range of programs that support all stages of your personal and professional life. Here are some examples of the offerings we provide:
  • Financial Health
    • 100% 401k match up to 6% of salary
    • Stock Ownership Potential
    • Company provided life insurance - 1x salary + commission
  • Physical Health
    • Comprehensive health benefits (medical/dental/vision) including potential premium discounts and company-provided HSA contributions (up to $500-$2,000 annually) for specific plans and coverages
    • Additional medical Wellness Incentives - up to $300-$600 annual
    • Company-provided long- and short-term disability insurance
  • Emotional Health
    • Trust-Based Time Off
    • 6-week Paid Sabbatical Program
    • 6-Week Paid Family Caregiving Leave
    • Competitive 8-24 Week Paid Parental Leave
    • Adoption Assistance
    • Leadership Coaching & Formal Mentorship Opportunities
    • Annual Flex Stipend - $1000 annually to cover personal education & well-being expenses
    • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Social Health
    • Charitable Matching Gifts program
    • Dollars for Doers volunteer program
    • Paid volunteering days
    • 15+ Employee Resource & Affinity Groups

Total Cash Compensation Range
$95,275.00-139,741.66
Inclusive of annual base salary and target incentive
Morningstar's hybrid work environment gives you the opportunity to collaborate in-person each week as we've found that we're at our best when we're purposely together on a regular basis. In most of our locations, our hybrid work model is four days in-office each week. A range of other benefits are also available to enhance flexibility as needs change. No matter where you are, you'll have tools and resources to engage meaningfully with your global colleagues.
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