Overview
Art Director – Contract Jobs in Calgary, Alberta, Canada at Chatterson
Title: Art Director – Contract
Company: Chatterson
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Chatterson is a full-service creative marketing agency specializing in real estate. We’re looking for an art director to collaborate with our team, with the potential to move into a full-time position as we continue to grow.
We are narrative-driven, transforming places into destinations and brands into experiences. We work with Canada’s leading builders, developers, and visionaries of the built environment, delivering creative that drives real commercial impact. Our team is made up of specialists, and we treat freelancers as trusted extensions of that team.
We’re not order-takers. We value independent thinking, strong opinions, and designers who bring ideas, not just execution. If you’re a freelancer who wants meaningful projects, clear direction, creative autonomy, and work that has real industry impact, you’ll fit here.
We work hard, take pride in our craft, and care deeply about the role our work plays in shaping the future of the built environment.
Role Overview
As an Art Director at Chatterson, you act as a strategic creative partner to the Creative Director. A powerhouse of design expertise, you combine deep knowledge of design fundamentals—from typography and colour theory to brand architecture and storytelling—with a strategic mindset that prioritizes the why behind every creative decision.
The Art Director defines and leads the visual direction for client brands and marketing initiatives across all creative touchpoints. You drive concept development, shape visual storytelling, and oversee design execution to ensure that all creative output is cohesive, strategically aligned, and delivers measurable impact.
Key Responsibilities
- Establish and maintain the overarching visual direction and creative standards for client brands
- Develop compelling, strategy-driven creative concepts that resonate with target audiences and meet client goals
- Lead concept development for marketing, brand, and integrated campaigns, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives
- Guide the evolution of brand identity, design systems, and visual guidelines to ensure long-term consistency and scalability
- Manage multiple high-level projects, balancing timelines and strategic priorities
- Ensure final creative assets meet quality standards, production requirements, and strategic objectives
- Present creative concepts and executions to internal teams, articulating the strategic rationale behind design decisions
Skills & Competencies
- Exceptional visual storytelling, conceptual thinking, and art direction skills
- Expert knowledge of branding, typography, layout, accessibility and colour theory
- High proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and other design tools
- Strong leadership, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders
- Strategic mindset with advanced problem-solving skills, guiding creative work toward measurable business outcomes
- Advanced design, layout, typography, and visual hierarchy skills with a focus on brand strategy and storytelling
- Self-motivated, proactive, and able to drive projects independently
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
- Significant professional experience in digital and integrated design, with a proven track record of delivering high-quality, strategic creative solutions
Performance Expectations
- Consistently delivers clear, strategic, and compelling visual direction across all brand touchpoints
- Maintains high creative standards and ensures consistency across all projects
- Aligns creative output with client goals and broader strategic objectives
- Continuously evaluates and enhances skills, staying ahead of design trends and delivering forward-thinking solutions
