Senior Art Director

• Job Title: Senior Art Director
• Location: Santa Monica - On site
• Company: Forge, A Tech-Powered Creative Agency

About Us

At Helios & Partners, we empower consumer brands to achieve significant growth by providing capital, enhancing brand experience, optimizing talent, and driving revenue. We scale brands effectively through our unique ecosystem of expert agencies and visionary partners. From initial strategy to flawless execution, our collective approach delivers measurable, creative growth.

Forge is a subdivision of Helios , a dynamic, tech-powered creative agency that blends art and technology to create innovative solutions for a pragmatic tomorrow. We specialize in harnessing the power of AI, immersive experiences, and cutting-edge development to drive our clients' success across various industries. Our global collective of creative developers, immersive scientists, and digital alchemists is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what's possible.

Job Overview

We are seeking a hands-on, visionary Senior Art Director to join our team. This is a high-ownership role designed for a multidisciplinary creator who bridges brand identity, digital product design (UX/UI), and generative AI workflows. You will lead the visual and conceptual execution of high-impact consumer brand launches, working directly with founders and collaborating seamlessly with distributed creative, strategy, and engineering teams across different offices and time zones.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute high-impact visual identities, brand systems, and digital creative concepts for Forge’s consumer brand clients.
• Identify emerging trends and technologies, particularly in generative AI, digital experiences, and no-code/low-code platforms, to keep Forge’s creative output ahead of the curve.
• Collaborate with senior leadership and brand operators across different offices to align creative execution with commercial and growth goals.
• Drive a culture of innovation through continuous experimentation with new methodologies, specifically in AI-driven workflows and codeless environments (e.g., Webflow, Framer).

Cross-Office & Creative Collaboration

• Partner daily with a distributed, multidisciplinary collective of designers, creative developers, UX specialists, and strategists across multiple offices and time zones.
• Foster a collaborative, low-ego creative environment that encourages rapid prototyping, testing, and growth.
• Provide clear art direction, visual feedback, and creative guidance to junior creatives and external partners to ensure brand consistency.
• Lead the hands-on design and execution of high-impact projects—from brand launches to web/app interfaces—ensuring the highest craft and adherence to timelines.
• Work closely with project managers across locations to scope creative deliverables, allocate resources effectively, and keep projects on track.
• Collaborate directly with clients and founders to understand their business needs and translate them into innovative, conversion-focused design solutions.
• Present design concepts, pitch decks, and visual strategies to clients, clearly articulating the commercial value and impact of Forge's work.
• Implement processes, design systems, and AI-enabled tools that enhance creativity and streamline the multi-office design workflow.
• Bachelor's degree in Design, Visual Communication, Digital Media, or a related field (or equivalent portfolio-proven experience).
• 4–6 years of experience in a creative agency, brand studio, or high-growth consumer startup, with proven ownership over end-to-end brand and digital product launches.
• Exceptional portfolio showcasing strategic thinking, strong typography/visual craft, digital product/UX sensibility, and measurable business results.
• A proven track record of taking complex creative and digital projects from initial concept to launch in fast-paced environments.
• Strong understanding of the latest design tools, technologies, and methodologies, especially in generative AI (Midjourney, Runway, Pika, LLMs) and codeless environments (Webflow, Framer).
• Expert-level proficiency in Figma, Photoshop, and Illustrator is essential; working knowledge of Premiere and After Effects is a strong plus.
• Strong ability to collaborate asynchronously and synchronously with distributed teams across different offices and time zones.
• Commercial mindset with the ability to present, pitch, and sell creative ideas effectively to clients and internal stakeholders.
• Creative builder with a passion for innovation, user experience, and a keen eye for detail.

What We Offer

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits
• Access to the latest AI and creative tech stack
• A creative, fast-paced environment that encourages innovation and direct exposure to consumer brand founders
• Professional development and growth opportunities.