Art Director

The Art Director at Crain Communications strengthens the Crain Design Hub’s ability to deliver high-impact editorial storytelling across digital, print, social, and multimedia platforms, while consistently maintaining exceptional visual standards across Crain brands. This position creates and manages visual storytelling experiences aligned to brand identity and newsroom editorial priorities.

Location

Detroit, MI (onsite)

Compensation

The estimated salary range for this position is $65,000 to $90,000 per year. The final offer will be based on factors including experience, accomplishments, and location. The position is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and not eligible for overtime pay.

Responsibilities

• Design visual storytelling experiences across print, digital, and multimedia platforms from concept through publication.
• Partner with editors during story development to identify visual storytelling opportunities that strengthen stories and improve the reader experience.
• Translate complex journalism into engaging, audience-centered visual storytelling that improves understanding and engagement.
• Communicate creative concepts and design recommendations to editors, stakeholders, and project partners.
• Collaborate with editorial teams, freelance photographers, designers, and other creative partners to develop cohesive storytelling experiences.
• Support cross-platform storytelling initiatives, including digital-first presentations, alternative story formats, social storytelling, and multimedia experiences.
• Create timely digital art, graphics, and visual assets as part of the Design Hub’s daily visual storytelling workflow while balancing editorial publications across multiple brands.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining high creative standards and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced newsroom environment.
• Provide creative feedback, design support, and project reviews to team members as needed.
• Assist with copy fitting, headline writing, proofreading, and design production tasks for print publishing.
• Stay current on emerging storytelling formats, audience engagement strategies, accessibility best practices, and AI-assisted creative workflows that enhance efficiency while preserving editorial quality.
• Build familiarity with audiences, products, editorial priorities, and storytelling approaches across Crain brands.
• Demonstrate curiosity, adaptability, and a collaborative mindset while helping evolve visual storytelling across a changing media landscape.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in visual journalism, graphic design, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in editorial design, visual journalism, or graphic design, preferably within a news, publishing, or media organization.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex stories into compelling visual storytelling across digital and print platforms.
• Strong editorial judgment and understanding of news values.
• Experience art directing photography, illustration, and other visual assets.
• Strong understanding of typography, layout, color theory, accessibility, and audience-centered design principles.
• Experience working within digital publishing workflows and content management systems such as Arc XP, WordPress, or Drupal.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud, including InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator.
• Understanding of SEO fundamentals, digital publishing best practices, and accessibility considerations.
• Strong communication, organization, and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
• Experience communicating creative concepts and collaborating with editors and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Collaborative, curious, and solutions-oriented mindset with a willingness to embrace evolving storytelling formats and new technologies.
• Basic copy editing skills and strong attention to detail.

Technologies

• Arc XP
• WordPress
• Drupal
• Adobe Creative Cloud
• InDesign
• Photoshop
• Illustrator

Benefits

• Retirement plan savings contributions
• Bonus opportunities based on individual and company performance

Environmental Demands

• The employee work location is determined by the needs of the specific team and may include on-site, hybrid, or remote.
• An in-office role would require coming into the office most days, with occasional flexibility to work remotely if tasks can be performed elsewhere and if the manager approves.
• A remote role allows working from a home office in one of the states Crain does business in: AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, MD, MA, MI, MN, NV, NY, NC, OH, OR, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, and Washington, DC.
• A hybrid role is a mix of in-office and remote work.
• Employees within a reasonable commute distance from a Crain office are expected to work on-site 3 days per week.
• Many positions also include work done in the field, which may include conducting in-person interviews, attending work-related events, and meeting with sources or clients.
• Travel to cover news stories and events, meetings with clients, and geographically separated offices may be required.
• Non-standard working hours and being on-call may be required for responding to email, attending meetings, attending work-related events, story development, or breaking news.
• Most employees work Monday through Friday, although early-morning, evening, or weekend shifts may be required.
• Physical requirements include remaining at a desk or computer workstation for prolonged periods, performing computer-related tasks, and creating or maintaining documents within filing systems.
• Close visual acuity is essential, including preparing and analyzing reports, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, or extensive reading.
• Typical physical requirements are light work, exerting up to 25 lbs of force occasionally and/or up to 10 lbs of force frequently, and may include climbing, pushing, standing, hearing, walking, reaching, grasping, kneeling, stooping, and repetitive motion.
• Some positions may include additional physical requirements, including exerting up to 50 lbs of force to move or carry equipment, supplies, files, or other materials.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions and meet environmental and physical demands.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing for print and digital publishing environments.
• Experience creating alternative story formats, digital storytelling experiences, or audience-focused visual journalism.
• Experience collaborating across editorial or other cross-functional teams.
• Familiarity with AI-assisted creative tools and workflows that enhance design efficiency and storytelling.
• Experience providing creative guidance within a collaborative team environment.
• Basic understanding of video storytelling or interactive design principles.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in visual journalism, graphic design, or a related field.