Freelance Art Director

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Freelance Art Director to support our creative team by providing strategic design leadership, constructive creative feedback, and brand-focused direction across a variety of client projects. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys elevating creative work, mentoring designers through thoughtful feedback, and occasionally contributing hands-on design work when needed.

The ideal candidate possesses expertise in branding and visual identity systems, a refined design sensibility, professional photography and videography experience, and a proven ability to produce cohesive creative work that aligns with client goals and brand standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide creative and design strategy for client campaigns and internal initiatives.
• Establish and maintain strong visual direction across multiple projects.
• Ensure creative work aligns with brand guidelines, business goals, and target audiences.
• Collaborate with project managers and creative teams to develop effective creative solutions.
• Review design work created by internal designers and freelancers.
• Deliver clear, constructive, and actionable feedback that elevates the quality of creative deliverables.
• Ensure consistency in typography, layout, color, imagery, messaging, and overall visual execution.
• Maintain a high standard of creative excellence across all projects.
• Lead and support branding initiatives, including visual identity development and brand evolution.
• Ensure consistency across all brand touchpoints.
• Advise on brand positioning through visual communication and creative storytelling.
• Help define and refine brand systems that can scale across digital and print applications.
• Occasionally create or refine design assets when additional creative support is needed.
• Assist with presentations, marketing collateral, social media graphics, pitch decks, and campaign assets.
• Jump into projects during high-volume periods while maintaining creative quality and consistency.
• Assist with content productions, including capturing and editing photo and video content as needed.
• Partner with designers, copywriters, photographers, videographers, and other creative contributors.
• Participate in creative reviews, brainstorming sessions, and project kickoffs.
• Provide art direction for photography, video, digital content, and marketing campaigns as needed.

Requirements

• 5+ years of professional experience in Art Direction, Brand Design, or Senior Graphic Design.
• Strong portfolio highlighting branding, visual identity systems, marketing design, and creative campaigns.
• Experience with professional photography and videography is a plus.
• Deep understanding of design principles, typography, color theory, layout, and visual storytelling.
• Experience reviewing creative work and mentoring or directing designers.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with practical execution.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Preferred Experience

• Branding and identity design.
• Agency or creative studio experience.
• Digital marketing and social media creative.
• Presentation and pitch deck design.
• Print production knowledge.
• Experience directing creative for photo and video content.

Schedule

This opportunity is structured as an independent contractor (1099) engagement. It is a freelance, project-based opportunity with no guaranteed hours or minimum workload. Project opportunities are offered on an as-needed basis and may include reviewing creative work, providing feedback, art directing projects, and occasionally contributing hands-on design support. Work arrangement is remote, though some projects may require on-site production or in-person collaboration in the Atlanta area as needed.

Pay

$25 - $40/hr, based on experience and expertise.