Art Director

Shoptalk; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Shoptalk seeks an experienced Art Director in Des Moines, IA, responsible for creating engaging content for Visit California's projects. The role demands strong creativity and collaboration, emphasizing photo planning, layout design, and managing freelance talent.

The ideal candidate should have 5+ years of media design experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, and a Bachelor's in Graphic Design. A keen eye for detail and the ability to multitask are essential, along with strong communication skills across teams.

Qualifications

• 5+ years media design experience.
• Strong design and typographical skills.
• Ability to work in a team-oriented environment.

Responsibilities

• Create visual components for stories and oversee photoshoots.
• Manage photo and art budgets while maintaining visual standards.
• Coordinate with photographers, editors, and freelancers.

Skills

Adobe Creative Suite

Typography

Layout Design

Photo Planning

Team Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design or related field

Tools

Woodwing CMS

AirTable

Slack

Google Docs

Job description

Art Director

The Art Director will be responsible for creating fresh and engaging content for People Inc.’s Visit California account. This individual will have exceptional team collaboration, creativity, typography, design sense, troubleshooting, and storytelling skills to create compelling and innovative magazine layouts and digital design content.

The Art Director must possess an ability to conceptualize the visual components of a story and execute them from start to finish, including formulating pitches, planning photography and illustration, creating story layouts, and communicating ideas and schedules with management, freelance teams, and story editors.

The position will be responsible for working with the client to develop photo orders and oversee photoshoots. The ability to create visually dynamic solutions for onset and location photography is a must. Building the client’s photo library and growing the PITC digital asset management system.

The Art Director will be responsible for researching beautiful and inspiring images for several sections of the magazine and digital tentpoles. The job will have a strong research component of finding existing photos of locations around the world – both scenic shots and service such as hotels, restaurants, shops, etc. for print and digital. The position involves intense multi-tasking and working on projects both short and long term simultaneously.

The individual must have experience identifying and hiring appropriate freelance illustrators, stylists, and photographers while adhering to a strict calendar, licensing agreements/releases, and budget.

The position assists with production duties such as schedule tracking within appropriate platforms and process development, and preparing files for pre‑press and press production.

Being a self‑starter, ambitious, positive team player, and organized are all must‑have qualities, along with a strong eye for detail and the ability to work efficiently while juggling multiple projects.

About The Position’s Contributions

• 25% Maintain the high standards and visual integrity of Visit California including photo planning and research with editors to create inspiring location photography by utilizing strong and decisive art direction skills.
• 25% Managing, coordinating, organizing and researching photos. Helping to manage photo and art budgets. Seeking out new local and regional talent.
• 25% Strong design, typographical sensibilities and graphic/creative problem‑solving abilities for magazine layouts and digital projects.
• 15% Able to multitask, meet deadlines and be a strong communicator with photographers, editors, art directors, illustrators, photography sources and the PITC Imaging Center.
• 10% Executes all additional duties as requested by Visit California and possible travel.

The Role’s Minimum Qualifications and Job Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design or related field or equivalent training and/or experience.

Experience

• Minimum 5+ years media design experience.

Specific Knowledge, Skills, Certifications and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, Woodwing content management systems, AirTable, Slack, and Google docs.
• Strong typography and layout design skills - both formatted and unique feature stories.
• Ability to communicate with photo teams, photographers and stylists.
• Ability to create innovative photo plans for photo shoots.
• Ability to adhere to art team guidelines, brand style guides, and departmental processes.
• Ability to work in a team‑oriented environment.
• Attention to detail.

Travel Required (Approximate): 10%

It is the policy of People Inc. to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Company will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. Accommodation requests can be made by emailing [e-mail].

The Company participates in the federal E‑Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For further information about the E‑Verify program, please click https://www.e-verify.gov/employees.