Design Director: Visual Systems & Motion Leader (Hybrid)

BigStar; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Remote Fridays option

Full-time staff position with benefits

Job summary

BGSTR in NYC seeks a Design Director to lead our graphic design practice, setting visual language, typography, and design systems across projects. The role demands a senior designer with deep craft, capable of translating typography and identity into motion with precision and wit.

This full-time staff position is primarily on-site in our NYC studio Monday through Thursday, with the option to work remotely on Fridays.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of graphic design experience with mastery of visual identity and brand systems.
• Strong typography expertise and architectural design approach to type.
• Experience designing for motion and collaboration with motion designers.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor design teams and give actionable feedback.
• Clear conceptual thinker who communicates ideas to clients and teams.
• Able to manage multiple projects while maintaining quality and energy.
• Excellent presentation and client-facing communication skills.
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite; motion workflows and AI awareness a plus.
• Experience in broadcast or motion-adjacent design is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the graphic design direction across multiple projects.
• Set visual language, typography systems, color, and composition from concept to delivery.
• Uphold high craft, intentionality, and visual intelligence across projects.
• Collaborate with Creative Directors, Art Directors, and Motion Designers.
• Lead and develop the design team; mentor designers at all levels.
• Drive concepting and pitch development for clients and internal teams.
• Develop comprehensive design systems and scalable brand language.
• Make typographic choices that elevate the work for static and motion contexts.
• Ensure design timelines are met across active projects without sacrificing depth.
• Stay current with design tools and AI-assisted workflows.

Skills

Graphic design

Visual identity

Typography

Design systems

Motion design

Leadership

Communication

Conceptual thinking

Project management

Creative direction

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

After Effects

Illustrator

Job description

BGSTR in NYC seeks a Design Director to lead our graphic design practice, setting visual language, typography, and design systems across projects. The role demands a senior designer with deep craft, capable of translating typography and identity into motion with precision and wit.

This full-time staff position is primarily on-site in our NYC studio Monday through Thursday, with the option to work remotely on Fridays.