Cultural-Driven Art Director — Hybrid (Chicago)

Socket.dev; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 73,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Kitchen North America in Chicago (Hybrid) is seeking an Art Director to lead visual storytelling across social, digital, film, and integrated campaigns.

You will collaborate with writers, strategists, producers, and the creative director to translate cultural moments into award-winning work while maintaining exceptional craft and impact.

Join a dynamic team that moves at culture speed, delivering work that earns recognition and drives engagement across media.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in an Art Director or conceptually creative role.
• A strong portfolio showcasing concept-driven, culturally relevant work across multiple channels.
• Proven ability to generate original ideas both within and beyond the brief.
• Deep understanding of social-first thinking and how ideas travel across platforms.
• Exceptional design sensibility, typography, and visual storytelling skills.
• Ability to work at speed without compromising craft.
• A collaborative mindset with strong communication skills.
• Curiosity about culture, trends, and what people care about right now.
• Experience working in fast-paced agency or in-house creative environments.

Responsibilities

• Concept and execute breakthrough creative ideas across social, digital, film, and integrated campaigns.
• Partner with a writer to bring ideas to life, and work closely with strategists, and producers and your creative director.
• Translate cultural trends and real-time moments into compelling, brand-relevant creative.
• Lead the visual direction of projects from concept through execution, ensuring high craft and consistency.
• Present ideas clearly and persuasively to internal teams and stakeholders.
• Collaborate across disciplines to create work that earns attention, drives engagement, and delivers results.
• Stay ahead of emerging platforms, tools, and creative trends.

Skills

3+ years experience

Strong portfolio

Original ideas

Social-first thinking

Typography & visual storytelling

Speed and craft

Collaboration & communication

Culture & trends curiosity

Agency/in-house experience

Job description

The Kitchen North America in Chicago (Hybrid) is seeking an Art Director to lead visual storytelling across social, digital, film, and integrated campaigns.

You will collaborate with writers, strategists, producers, and the creative director to translate cultural moments into award-winning work while maintaining exceptional craft and impact.

Join a dynamic team that moves at culture speed, delivering work that earns recognition and drives engagement across media.