At AKQA (part of WPP) we believe in the imaginative application of art and science to create beautiful ideas, products and services. With an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, we design adaptive digital services and applications that capture the imagination, delivering impressive returns for our clients.
We are seeking a highly experienced and passionate Freelance Design Lead to join our team, focusing on one of AKQA’s most enduring and prestigious accounts. This is an exceptional opportunity to lead the creative vision for a flagship digital product, partnering with a global leader in travel and hospitality. As a Design Lead, you will guide and inspire designers, oversee the development of innovative solutions, and ensure creative excellence across all deliverables. You’ll play a critical role in shaping impactful digital experiences that elevate the brand and delight its customers.
ROLE REQUIREMENTS
- Provide hands-on leadership and art direction, guiding a team of designers to produce world-class digital experiences.
- Oversee the creation, maintenance, and evolution of complex design systems, ensuring scalability, consistency, and innovation.
- Collaborate closely with UX, strategy, and development teams to deliver cohesive and impactful solutions.
- Shape the creative vision for digital platforms and products, aligning with client goals and user needs.
- Present creative concepts and design solutions to clients with clarity, confidence, and strategic insight.
- Actively mentor and support junior and mid-level designers, fostering collaboration and professional growth.
- Contribute to new business pitches by generating creative ideas and presenting compelling design work.
QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS
- A minimum of 5 years’ experience in UI design, art direction, or a related field, with a strong portfolio showcasing digital platforms and products.
- Proven ability to lead and inspire teams, with a track record of mentoring and managing designers.
- Deep expertise in creating and evolving design systems, with a focus on scalability and consistency.
- Strong working knowledge of user interface, application, mobile, and responsive design principles.
- Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to present and defend creative work to clients and stakeholders.
- Experience collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams, including UX and development, to deliver integrated solutions.
- A proactive mindset and the ability to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of technology and design.
- Thought leadership: A strong point of view and the ability to promote conceptual thinking among the team.
OTHER DETAILS
This is a freelance position starting ASAP and running through the end of December 2026. Compensation ranges from $3,600 to $4,400 per week, commensurate with experience. This is a hybrid role, and candidates must live within a commutable distance from the AKQA office in Atlanta. While remote work is supported, the team occasionally meets in person at the office and visits the client to present work and collaborate.
We believe great work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach including required in-office days. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.
AKQA is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.
About WPP
WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.
Skills Required
- Minimum 5 years' experience in UI design, art direction, or related field with strong portfolio
- Proven ability to lead, mentor, and manage design teams
- Deep expertise creating and evolving scalable design systems
- Strong working knowledge of user interface, application, mobile, and responsive design principles
- Exceptional communication and presentation skills for client and stakeholder meetings
- Experience collaborating with UX, strategy, and development teams
- Ability to provide hands-on art direction and guide production of digital experiences
- Availability to start ASAP and commit through end of December 2026 (freelance contract)
- Must live within a commutable distance to AKQA Atlanta office and attend required in-office days
AKQA Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about AKQA and has not been reviewed or approved by AKQA.
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Parental & Family Support — Policies include fully paid parental leave for all parents, adoption support, and family leave for caregiving needs. Additional supports such as subsidized backup childcare and regional enhancements reinforce family care.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage offers multiple plan options with full preventive care, mental‑health resources, and dental and vision coverage. Some regions provide 24/7 virtual doctor access and supplementary healthcare budgets for services not covered by insurance.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time‑away provisions include generous paid holidays with increases over tenure and a companywide year‑end closure. Special, study, and event‑based leave (e.g., weddings, moving) broaden the range of available time off.
AKQA Insights
What We Do
The imaginative application of art and science. AKQA is a design and communications company that employs 2,200 professionals in 29 studios across five continents. Awarded two Cannes Lion Grand Prix’s in 2019, and recently named by Gartner and Forrester as one of the world’s leading experience design and innovation agencies.
