Designer

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

AKQA is looking for a Designer to join their Amsterdam studio full-time onsite. The designer will translate strategic insights into compelling visuals across brand, campaign, and digital experiences, contribute to scalable visual systems, and own work from concept to delivery while collaborating with strategists, writers, developers, and other designers. The ideal candidate has 2+ years in an agency or similar fast-paced environment, a strong craft portfolio, and fluency with Figma and Adobe, plus an understanding of motion, AI, and visual systems. Tips to apply: tailor your portfolio to show end-to-end work, clearly articulate the why behind your designs, demonstrate collaboration and flexibility, and highlight curiosity about culture and tech. They encourage hybrid work and inclusive culture.

Creatives at AKQA apply artistry and craftsmanship to strategic insight, creating and bringing to life beautiful and technologically innovative ideas that move the world. From a variety of backgrounds and disciplines, our creatives are innately curious and strive to transform client challenges into beautiful, cutting-edge solutions.

The Designer is a key contributor to the imaginative application of craft and visual storytelling across brand and digital experiences. They are a versatile talent, adept at developing and executing design solutions, and contributing to scalable visual systems. Collaborating across disciplines, they translate strategic insights into compelling design codes. This role demands a curious, open, and passionate individual with a can-do mindset, deeply engaged with design, art direction, culture, tech, and AI.

Located on the Nieuwe Herengracht in central Amsterdam, you will work in an environment which fosters a meritocratic culture and encourages ownership, and you will be surrounded by some of the brightest minds in their fields.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Concept & Craft: Contribute to and execute innovative visual design from concept to delivery across brand, campaign, and digital experiences, under the guidance of senior team members.
• Independent Contribution: Deliver high-quality design work with a strong sense of ownership and attention to detail, seeking feedback and support when needed.
• Meaning into Form: Translate strategic insights into compelling visual narratives and distinctive design codes, understanding the 'why' behind the work.
• Systematic Application: Apply and contribute to scalable visual systems, ensuring consistency and craft across platforms, channels, and moments.
• Visual Intent: Draw inspiration from culture, fashion, photography, and design to inform and contribute to distinct, contemporary art direction.
• Clear Communication: Present design work clearly and articulate design decisions to internal teams, with opportunities to present to clients.
• Interdisciplinary Team Collaboration: Collaborate effectively with strategists, client service, delivery, writers, developers, and fellow designers to push ideas further and make the work better.

QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

• Proven Craft: A strong portfolio showing exceptional craftsmanship, sharp concepts, and a growing range across brand and digital work.
• Visual Storytelling: A conceptual thinker who designs with meaning and intent, grounding ideas in the why and bringing them to life with precision and taste.
• Relevant Experience: 2+ years as a Designer or (Digital) Art Director in an agency or similarly fast-paced creative environment.
• Tool Fluency: Proficient use of Figma and Adobe, with an understanding of motion principles and experience working with AI.
• System Mindset: Experience applying and contributing to scalable visual systems, with an appreciation for both the big picture and the details.
• Multidisciplinary Range: Eager to develop and apply skills across brand identity, campaign art direction, and digital product design.
• Clear Persuasion: Clear communicator, able to articulate design ideas effectively to internal teams and keen to develop presentation skills for wider audiences.
• Cultural Curiosity: Actively engaged with design, art direction, culture, technology, and emerging trends, with an interest in AI and its creative potential.
• Adaptive Energy: Flexible and resilient, ready to embrace evolving briefs, new challenges, and change.
• Can-Do Mindset: Proactive, solution-oriented, and positive, with a genuine drive to learn, grow, and make better work.

Explore our extensive range of benefits here.

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.