Art Director

The Art Director strengthens the Crain Design Hub's ability to deliver high-impact editorial storytelling across digital, print, social, and multimedia platforms. As the Design Hub continues to expand its cross-platform storytelling capabilities, this role provides creative capacity to support editorial initiatives while maintaining exceptional visual standards across Crain brands.

Working in a centralized, fast-paced newsroom environment, this role is responsible for creating compelling visual storytelling experiences that align with each brand's identity while elevating journalism through thoughtful, audience-centered design. Working closely with reporters, editors, designers, and cross-functional partners, the Art Director helps transform complex stories into engaging visual experiences that inform, connect with readers, and strengthen audience engagement.

• Design compelling visual storytelling experiences across print, digital, and multimedia platforms from concept through publication.
• Partner with editors throughout story development to identify visual storytelling opportunities that strengthen stories and improve the reader experience.
• Translate complex journalism into engaging, audience-centered visual storytelling that improves understanding, engagement, and overall reader experience.
• Communicate creative concepts and design recommendations to editors, stakeholders, and project partners.
• Collaborate with editorial teams, freelance photographers, designers, and other creative partners to develop cohesive storytelling experiences.
• Support cross-platform storytelling initiatives, including digital-first presentations, alternative story formats, social storytelling, and multimedia experiences.
• Serve as part of the Design Hub's daily visual storytelling workflow by creating timely digital art, graphics, and visual assets while balancing editorial publications and across multiple brands.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining high creative standards and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced newsroom environment.
• Provide creative feedback, design support, and project reviews to team members as needed.
• Assist with copy fitting, headline writing, proofreading, and design production tasks as part of the print publishing process.
• Stay current on emerging storytelling formats, audience engagement strategies, accessibility best practices, and AI-assisted creative workflows that enhance efficiency while preserving editorial quality.
• Build familiarity with the audiences, products, editorial priorities, and storytelling approaches across Crain brands.
• Demonstrate curiosity, adaptability, and a collaborative mindset while helping evolve visual storytelling across a changing media landscape.

• Bachelor's degree in visual journalism, graphic design, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in editorial design, visual journalism, or graphic design, preferably within a news, publishing, or media organization.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex stories into compelling visual storytelling across digital and print platforms.
• Strong editorial judgment and understanding of news values.
• Experience art directing photography, illustration, and other visual assets.
• Strong understanding of typography, layout, color theory, accessibility, and audience-centered design principles.
• Experience working within digital publishing workflows and content management systems such as Arc XP, Word Press, or Drupal.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud, including InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator.
• Understanding of SEO fundamentals, digital publishing best practices, and accessibility considerations.
• Strong communication, organization, and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
• Experience communicating creative concepts and collaborating with editors and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Collaborative, curious, and solutions-oriented mindset with a willingness to embrace evolving storytelling formats and new technologies.
• Basic copy editing skills and strong attention to detail.

• Experience designing for print and digital publishing environments.
• Experience creating alternative story formats, digital storytelling experiences, or audience-focused visual journalism.
• Experience collaborating across editorial or other cross-functional teams.
• Familiarity with AI-assisted creative tools and workflows that enhance design efficiency and storytelling.
• Experience providing creative guidance within a collaborative team environment.
• Basic understanding of video storytelling or interactive design principles.

The estimated salary range for this position is $65,000 to $90,000.

The final salary offering will take into accounta wide range of factors, including experience, accomplishments and location. The salary range provided should not be considered as a salary limit or cap. In addition to base salary, Crain also offers…