Leads the visual direction and design of multiple children’s magazines, partnering with editorial to develop visual storytelling and manage illustration assignments, photo shoots, layouts, and production workflows. Oversees creative consistency across publications, mentors design staff, manages freelancers and artists, and balances multiple deadlines in a fast-paced publishing environment.
Art Director, Highlights Magazines
Highlights for Children is looking for an experienced Art Director to help lead the design and visual direction of our four magazines — Highlights, High Five, BrainPLAY, and Hello — with primary responsibility for Highlights and High Five. This person will help shape the overall look and feel of our magazine portfolio, partner closely with editorial to bring stories and activities to life, and keep multiple monthly publications moving smoothly through a fast-paced production cycle.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the design and visual direction of Highlights and High Five, while providing creative oversight and support across BrainPLAY and Hello.
- Partner closely with editorial to shape content and develop strong visual storytelling.
- Make and manage illustration assignments.
- Guide illustrations from concept through final art.
- Art direct photo shoots.
- Identify and cultivate emerging illustration talent while maintaining strong relationships with established artists and freelancers.
- Lead and oversee the design of covers, features, departments, activities, crafts, and other magazine content.
- Manage and mentor an associate designer and a production artist.
- Balance multiple projects and deadlines across all four magazine publications.
- Collaborate closely with editorial, production, and other partners throughout the creative process.
- Help maintain a distinct and consistent visual identity for each magazine while continuing to evolve and strengthen its design.
What You Bring
- 10+ years professional magazine design and art direction experience.
- A strong understanding of magazine editorial and production workflows.
- Experience managing and mentoring creative staff.
- Experience assigning and art directing illustrators.
- Experience art directing photo shoots.
- Strong design skills and a sophisticated eye for illustration, photography, typography, and layout.
- Ability to lead design while also providing thoughtful, constructive creative direction.
- Strong collaborative skills and experience working closely with editorial teams.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Fluency in Adobe Creative Suite and experience working in an InCopy workflow.
- Experience with K4, CenShare, or similar workflow/project-management systems is a plus.
- Experience designing for children’s publishing, toys and games, products, and/or experiences.
- A sense of humor, curiosity, playfulness, and whimsy — and an appreciation for creating work that speaks authentically to kids.
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