Chicago Senior Visual Communication Designer

Chicago Senior Visual Communication Designer

In a nutshell:

Visual Communication Designers at IDEO make the biggest impact through visual storytelling. They work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to bring ideas, research, strategy, and stories to life through strong craft execution.

The ideal candidate has a strong foundation in graphic design and experience applying practical and conceptual design principles across brand expression, digital interfaces, motion, and storytelling. We’re looking for designers who bring a distinct visual voice, curiosity, and a commitment to craft excellence.

In this role, you will…

You’ll work as a key contributor on project teams, supporting all phases of the design process—from early exploration and prototyping through to polished, client-facing deliverables. Your work may span brand, storytelling, motion, interface design, information design, packaging, and environmental expression.

Once here you will:

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to translate research and strategy into compelling visual narratives

• Contribute to the development and expression of brand identities across mediums

• Create looks-like/works-like prototypes at varying levels of fidelity to explore and communicate design directions

• Design thoughtful experiences across digital, physical, and hybrid touchpoints with the end user in mind

• Produce high-quality visual deliverables that communicate user stories and strategic intent working across a variety of industries (health, financial services, consumer products, etc.)

• Advocate for exceptional visual craft through making, iteration, and collaboration

Some previous projects to check out:

• Cornell Lab of Ornithology Brand

• Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health

• The Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California Berkeley

• Cities United Rebrand

Design Craft:

• 3-5 years interactive/graphic design experience across a variety of applications and media

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Graphic Design, Interaction Design, or related field

• Strong portfolio demonstrating elevated design craft, typography, layout, and visual storytelling

• Extensive experience with tools such as Adobe Creative Suite and Figma

• Familiarity with motion and interaction tools (After Effects, prototyping platforms, etc.)

• Comfort collaborating in client-facing presentation environments such as Google Slides and FigJam/Figma Slides

• Curiosity and openness to experimenting with emerging mediums including 3D, motion, and AI-assisted design

Diverse Experience:

• Experience establishing and expressing brand identity, from understanding strategy through creative interpretation and execution, including: visual identities, brand systems, and guidelines for implementation

• Experience in concept ideation, design research, and prototyping, with a curiosity for learning and experimenting across visual, digital, and experiential mediums

• Ability to work across a wide range of design challenges, recognizing patterns, and translating insights into thoughtful visual solutions

• Comfort moving between exploratory and polished work, helping teams bring ideas to life through strong craft and storytelling

Key Mindsets:

• Collaborative and adaptable: able to navigate team dynamics, timelines, and client contexts while delivering exceptional design.

• Growth oriented and resilient: open to feedback, eager to iterate, and comfortable learning through experimentation and critique

• Curious and proactive: able to generate ideas, take initiative, and contribute wherever needed, from early exploration to final delivery.

What does IDEO offer you?

IDEO is a place where you can solve diverse, complex challenges for our clients and their organizations, alongside thoughtful, intelligent individuals who lead with curiosity, empathy, and humility. We intentionally craft moments that allow our community to pause, create, and connect. We encourage our community to bring their whole selves to work, respect the need for work-life balance, and allow for autonomy in the design process and your career.

Payscale & Benefits

IDEO is committed to paying its employees, contractors & vendors equitably, regardless of gender identity or race/ethnicity/cultural identity.

The salary range for this role is $80,000–$100,000 USD. Final offers may vary based on candidate experience, location, and other factors. As a full-time position, this role is eligible for employee benefits.