Associate Creative Director (Aruliden)

Associate Creative Director at Aruliden
(Brand Design Practice)

This role is to be based near our office in New York City.

About us

Aruliden, a Material company, is an award-winning multi-disciplinary design and innovation studio, building brands products and experiences end to end. We work with a diverse range of clients, in the Beauty, Lifestyle, Wellness and Technology spaces, often rethinking categories and industries. Design excellence shows up in all parts of our work, from Innovation and creative strategy to digital content creation with deep roots in bringing brands to life in non-traditional ways.

About the ACD role at Aruliden

Associate Creative Directors on the Brand Design team lead integrated, multi‑disciplinary workstreams and help shape the creative vision across key projects. Reporting to the Creative Director, they are responsible for elevating the quality, craft, and storytelling of the work while contributing hands‑on to concepting and design. The ideal candidate thrives on the art of storytelling, obsesses about craft, and is passionate about the intersection of design and culture. They are equally comfortable directing designers and rolling up their sleeves to create exceptional work.

As an Associate Creative Director, you will

• Conceptualize and execute compelling creative work across brand, product, digital, and experiential touchpoints, while balancing hands‑on design with creative leadership.

• Bring deep experience building dynamic design systems that translate seamlessly across physical and digital environments.

• Lead and inspire designers across levels, providing clear, constructive feedback that elevates craft, conceptual thinking, and overall team output.

• Present and champion creative ideas while listening objectively, iterating thoughtfully, and strengthening the work through collaboration.

• Establish visual tonality and art direction through image curation, typography, layout, motion direction, and storytelling.

• Partner closely with Strategy, Industrial Design, Creative Technology, and Client teams to translate insights and project goals into simple, elegant creative solutions.

• Collaborate with cross‑disciplinary partners to ensure cohesive, high‑craft execution across all deliverables.

• Oversee the development of brand systems, guidelines, and production‑ready assets.

• Contribute to project planning and resourcing, partnering with Project Management to align creative ambition with timelines and budgets.

• Support the growth of designers and help foster a culture of creativity, experimentation, and thoughtful risk‑taking across the team.

• Help shape strategic client presentations and represent the agency with clarity, creativity, and consideration.

• Engage directly in concepting and design work to establish the vision, voice, and look of new brand initiatives.

• Contribute to case studies, new business opportunities, and the ongoing growth of client relationships.

About You 

• 7–10+ years of design studio or agency experience, with a strong track record leading multi‑touchpoint brand work.

• Demonstrated success developing design systems, campaigns, and client relationships across digital and physical applications.

• A hands‑on maker with exceptional craft, taste, and cultural fluency who can move fluidly between directing and designing.

• Strong portfolio showcasing conceptual thinking, systems design, art direction, and high‑level execution.

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Figma; familiarity with motion or type design tools is a plus.

• Strong communication and presentation skills; able to articulate creative strategies and design decisions to clients and internal teams.

• Team player – works across disciplines (art, copy, digital, business strategy) to achieve the right work

• An optimistic problem solver, one who finds opportunity in challenge

• Consistently make creative decisions with a view to business growth 

• Easily prioritize, organize and time-manage within large volumes of projects 

• Solid experience in the retail and/or CPG landscape, the home sector a plus.  

Why work for Material?

• Material is a global company and we work with best-of-class brands worldwide.  We also create and launch new brands and products, putting innovation and value creation at the center of our practice. Our clients are in the top of their class, across industry sectors from technology to retail, transportation, finance and healthcare. 

• Material employees join a peer group of exceptionally talented colleagues across the company, the country, and even the world. We develop capabilities, craft and leading-edge market offerings across seven global practices including strategy and insights, design, data & analytics, technology and tracking. Our engagement management team makes it all hum for clients.  

• A community focused on learning and making an impact. Material is an outcomes focused company. We create experiences that matter, create new value and make a difference in our clients’ lives and their customers’ lives.

Pay Range: $95,000.00-118,000.00

The range shown represents a grouping of relevant ranges currently in use at Material. Actual range for this position may differ, depending on location and specific skillset required for the work itself. 

Equal Employment Opportunity              

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other factors prohibited by law.

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