Design Director

About Us

We partner with high-growth startups and venture-backed companies to deliver world-class brand strategy, creative execution, and digital experiences. Our studio combines exceptional creative talent with strategic thinking to help ambitious companies build category-defining brands.

We're looking for a Design Director who can combine exceptional creative execution with leadership, strategic thinking, and client partnership.

This is a unique opportunity to join a small but ambitious creative studio and play a meaningful role in shaping both the work and the future of the team.

About the Role

As Design Director, you'll lead the development of sophisticated brand identities and digital experiences while helping guide creative direction across client engagements.

This role remains highly hands-on. We're looking for someone who still loves designing but can also own larger projects, contribute to creative leadership, and confidently engage with clients.

The ideal candidate has a world-class portfolio, strong strategic instincts, and experience leading creative work from concept through execution.

Responsibilities

Creative Leadership

Lead the creative development of branding and design engagements
Establish visual direction and ensure quality across projects
Guide creative decisions from concept through final delivery
Collaborate closely with creative leadership across design and copy

Brand Identity & Systems

Create and oversee the development of visual identity systems
Translate brand strategy into compelling creative solutions
Ensure consistency and excellence across all brand touchpoints
Raise the overall creative standard of the studio

Client Partnership

Present creative work to clients
Explain strategic rationale and creative decisions
Participate in client workshops, discussions, and presentations
Build trusted relationships with founders, operators, and stakeholders

Team & Project Leadership

Own larger, more complex engagements
Provide feedback and creative guidance to other designers and collaborators
Help establish scalable creative processes and workflows
Support the continued growth and evolution of the studio

AI & Creative Innovation

Leverage AI tools throughout the creative process
Explore emerging technologies and workflows that improve creative output
Help define how AI can be integrated into branding and design work while maintaining exceptional quality

Qualifications

Required

Exceptional portfolio demonstrating world-class brand identity work
Significant experience leading branding and design projects
Strong strategic thinking and creative problem-solving abilities
Experience presenting and defending creative work to clients
Outstanding typography, visual systems, and design fundamentals
Ability to independently lead projects from strategy through execution
Strong communication and leadership skills

Preferred

Agency leadership experience
Experience working with technology, SaaS, or venture-backed companies
Experience mentoring designers or leading creative teams
Strong website and digital design capabilities
Experience integrating AI into creative workflows
Portuguese language skills are a plus

Application Requirements

Please include:

Portfolio website
Brand identity case studies
Examples of client-facing work or creative leadership
Examples of digital or website work
Brief description of how you currently leverage AI within your creative process

Applications without a portfolio will not be considered.

61032269130 - Brand Design Director