Role Overview
The Design Lead is a senior visual craft leader responsible for ensuring high-quality visual direction and execution across learning experiences. On projects with a Creative Director (CD), the Design Lead translates the approved creative vision into scalable, production-ready visual systems. On projects without a CD, the Design Lead defines and implements the visual approach in close collaboration with the CDs, Learning Experience Designers (LXD), and Technical Leads. This role leads through expertise and influence. The Art Director safeguards visual consistency, visual accessibility, visual asset creation quality, and UI design, especially as teams scale across internal and offshore environments.Core Responsibilities
- Lead graphic designers and freelancers on assigned projects.
- Provide clear visual direction that aligns with learning objectives and brand standards.
- Act as the primary quality control for visual elements when scaling production across distributed teams, including offshore teams.
- Ensure cohesion and consistency across user interfaces, layouts, assets, and interaction patterns.
- Balance leadership responsibilities with hands-on design work as needed, directly contributing to design efforts on smaller projects or when quick execution is required.
- Translate high-level creative concepts into cohesive UI systems and reusable components.
- When no Creative Director is assigned, define the visual approach in alignment with instructional and technical requirements.
- Ensure design decisions support storytelling, user experience, and learning effectiveness.
- Maintain visual integrity across all screen types, interaction models, and deliverables.
- Serve as the final visual checkpoint before development.
- Ensure alignment between storyboard and design.
- Identify and correct inconsistencies in spacing, typography, layout structure, and component usage.
- Verify visual accessibility, such as color contrast, click target sizing (minimum 44x44px), logical focus order.
- Create master components and scalable UI patterns as new interaction types emerge.
- Provide structured, actionable feedback to designers.
- Elevate overall team quality through thoughtful critique and guidance.
- Serve as a trusted problem-solver for complex design challenges.
- Partner closely with Creative Directors, LXDs, other Design and Technical Leads, and Project Managers.
- Present visual approaches to internal teams and clients when appropriate.
- Influence visual strategy through expertise and thoughtful recommendations.
Requirements
- Speak and write business English.
- 5+ years of experience.
- Provide a current portfolio and show work samples.
- Thrive on working with teams and leading others.
