Art & Graphic Design Director

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Art & Graphic Design Director

Company: cabi, LLC

Location: Greater Los Angeles, CA (Long Beach)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing / Management & Leadership / Retail

Date Posted: 2026-08-01

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Strategic leadership in art direction and graphic design to elevate and protect the cabi brand across all visual touchpoints, including digital platforms and print collateral.

• Execution of best-in-class design for email marketing, Shopify e-commerce experiences, social media content, and integrated campaigns.

• Art direction for photo and video shoots, ensuring creative briefs are met and fashion stories are visually compelling.

• Mentorship and leadership of a graphic design team, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and professional growth.

• Cross-functional collaboration with Marketing, Merchandising, eCommerce, and Production teams to deliver cohesive and impactful brand experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a senior leadership position within the creative function, requiring a blend of strategic vision, hands-on design execution, and team management. The emphasis on Shopify expertise, digital fluency, and art direction for fashion shoots indicates a need for a candidate with a strong understanding of e-commerce, visual merchandising, and direct-to-consumer brand building in the apparel industry.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and evolve the brand’s visual language in partnership with the Head of Creative & Content, leading concept development for campaigns, product launches, and seasonal initiatives.

• Translate brand strategy into cohesive and scalable design systems that ensure consistency, quality, and innovation across all digital and print outputs.

• Provide confident art direction on photo and video shoots, overseeing talent, styling, set design, and ensuring creative briefs are met and fashion narratives are effectively captured.

• Lead the design for all email and social media marketing, focusing on visual clarity, performance optimization, and adherence to brand standards.

• Oversee Shopify and web design, including homepage storytelling, product detail pages (PDPs), landing pages, and seasonal refreshes, balancing aesthetics with usability and conversion.

• Partner with eCommerce, Marketing, and UX teams to integrate design with user experience, accessibility, and conversion goals.

• Develop design concepts and visual frameworks for video and social-first content, bringing a motion-aware design sensibility to creative development.

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of graphic designers, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and career development.

• Establish and refine workflows, processes, and design systems to improve efficiency, scalability, and operational excellence.

• Support field teams with essential tools and materials that enhance execution and customer experience, ensuring brand consistency in all touchpoints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on strategic creative direction and operational efficiency. The explicit mention of "motion-aware design sensibility" and "video and social-first content" indicates a need for a director who understands current digital content trends and can guide the team in creating dynamic, platform-native assets. The emphasis on "operational excellence" and "workflow refinement" suggests that process improvement and team resource management are critical components of this role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Communications, or a related field is typically expected for senior creative leadership roles.

Experience: 8+ years of art and graphic design experience, with a minimum of 5 years in a senior leadership role. Direct experience within the fashion, apparel, or lifestyle brand sector is mandatory. In-house experience is strongly preferred over agency-only backgrounds.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in digital design, including email marketing, social media-first assets, and e-commerce platforms.

• Deep, mandatory expertise in Shopify platform design and optimization.

• Exceptional portfolio demonstrating brand-led collateral across digital and print, showcasing strong conceptual thinking and refined design sensibility.

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Strong art direction skills, with experience leading photo and video shoots.

• Ability to translate brand strategy into compelling, cohesive design systems.

• Experience in team leadership, mentorship, and fostering a collaborative creative environment.

• Familiarity with AI tools relevant to design and content creation, with a curious and evaluative approach. Preferred Skills:

• Strong background in print design and production.

• Familiarity with Figma and other digital collaboration tools.

• Understanding of UX/UI principles as they relate to e-commerce and digital platforms.

• Experience with motion graphics or video editing software.

• Knowledge of A/B testing and conversion optimization principles in digital design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mandatory Shopify expertise is a critical differentiator for this role, suggesting that candidates must demonstrate a deep understanding of how to leverage the platform for brand storytelling, customer experience, and conversion. The preference for in-house experience indicates a need for someone who understands the pace, cross-functional dynamics, and brand stewardship required within a company setting, as opposed to a client-service model.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a strong track record of leading and executing brand-aligned creative campaigns across both digital and print mediums.

• Showcase examples of successful art direction for fashion photography and/or video shoots, highlighting creative brief execution and visual storytelling.

• Include case studies or examples of significant contributions to e-commerce platforms, specifically Shopify, illustrating design impact on user experience and conversion.

• Present work that exemplifies the development and application of cohesive design systems that ensure brand consistency across diverse channels and touchpoints.

• Highlight projects that involved leading and mentoring a design team, demonstrating leadership and collaborative problem-solving capabilities. Process Documentation:

• Provide evidence of establishing and refining creative workflows, processes, and design systems to improve efficiency and scalability.

• Illustrate how you have translated seasonal creative briefs into actionable visual direction for production teams (photographers, stylists, etc.).

• Showcase examples of how you’ve partnered with cross-functional teams (e.g., Marketing, eCommerce, UX) to integrate design effectively with business objectives.

• Demonstrate an understanding of print production processes and how to ensure brand consistency from concept to final output.

• Include examples of how you’ve integrated emerging technologies, such as AI tools, into design processes to enhance efficiency or creative output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio should not only showcase aesthetic quality but also demonstrate strategic thinking, leadership impact, and process optimization. For this role, a strong emphasis on Shopify design and e-commerce success metrics, alongside art direction for fashion, will be crucial. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their process for developing design systems and managing creative workflows.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the experience level (10+ years, senior leadership), the location (Greater Los Angeles), and the specialized nature of the role (fashion e-commerce, art direction), a competitive salary range for an Art & Graphic Design Director in this market would likely fall between $140,000 - $190,000 annually.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement savings plan (e.g., 401(k)) with potential company match.

• Paid time off (PTO), including vacation days, sick leave, and holidays.

• Opportunities for professional development, including workshops, conferences, and access to learning resources.

• Employee discounts on cabi apparel.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses.

• A collaborative and people-first work environment with a focus on empowering women.

Working Hours: The role is full-time, typically requiring 40 hours per week. Flexibility may be offered, but the on-site nature and leadership responsibilities suggest a standard business week with potential for extended hours during peak campaign periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior creative directors in major metropolitan areas like Los Angeles, considering the specific requirements of fashion e-commerce and Shopify expertise. Benefits are typical for full-time roles at established companies in the US.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Fashion Retail (Direct-to-Consumer/Stylist Model)

Company Size: While specific current numbers aren't provided, cabi has historically operated with a significant network of Stylists and a dedicated corporate team, suggesting a medium to large-sized organization with an entrepreneurial spirit.

Founded: Cabi was founded in 2005, indicating a mature company with established processes and a proven business model.

Team Structure:

• The Art & Graphic Design Director will likely lead a team of graphic designers and potentially junior art directors.

• This role reports to the Head of Creative & Content, indicating a hierarchical structure within the creative department.

• Significant collaboration is expected with Marketing, Merchandising, eCommerce, and Production teams, highlighting a matrixed or highly integrated cross-functional environment. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Creativity: The emphasis on conversion optimization and performance metrics for digital design suggests a data-informed approach to creative strategy.

• Brand-Centric Design: A core methodology will be ensuring all visual output consistently reinforces and elevates the cabi brand identity and narrative.

• Agile Production: Partnerships with Production and Integrated Marketing teams point towards agile workflows for campaign development and asset delivery.

• People-First Approach: The company emphasizes empowering women, suggesting a culture that values personal growth, community, and supportive relationships.

Company Website: https://www.cabionline.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's unique business model, relying heavily on independent Stylists, means that visual assets must not only appeal to end consumers but also equip Stylists with effective marketing materials. The culture is described as "collaborative, entrepreneurial, and deeply people-first," suggesting a dynamic environment where individual contributions are valued and team cohesion is important.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior management/director level within the creative operations of a fashion brand. It requires a blend of deep creative craft, strategic brand thinking, and operational leadership. The scope includes managing a team, overseeing multiple visual channels, and directly impacting brand perception and sales performance.

Reporting Structure: The Director reports to the Head of Creative & Content, placing them in a key leadership position within the broader creative function. This implies a clear path for strategic input and direct influence on departmental goals.

Operations Impact: The Art & Graphic Design Director plays a pivotal role in shaping the customer journey and brand perception. Their work directly influences:

• Customer Engagement: Compelling visuals drive interest and interaction across digital platforms.

• Conversion Rates: Optimized Shopify and email designs can significantly boost sales.

• Brand Equity: Consistent, high-quality design strengthens brand recognition and loyalty.

• Stylist Enablement: Providing effective marketing collateral empowers the sales force.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Influence: Potential to shape the overarching creative direction and brand strategy for cabi.

• Team Development: Opportunity to build and mentor a high-performing design team, developing future leaders.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Expand influence by collaborating on broader marketing and product initiatives.

• Industry Specialization: Deepen expertise in fashion e-commerce, direct-to-consumer marketing, and brand building within a niche sector.

• Potential Advancement: Advancement to VP-level creative roles or broader leadership positions within the company could be possible for exceptional performers.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant opportunities for impact and growth, particularly for a creative leader who can balance artistic vision with business objectives and operational efficiency. The emphasis on Shopify and digital performance suggests a career path leaning towards e-commerce leadership within the creative space.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "On-site," suggesting a traditional office environment where in-person collaboration is valued. This likely includes a creative studio space.

Office Location(s): Greater Los Angeles, specifically Long Beach, CA. This area offers a vibrant creative scene and access to talent.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The on-site nature facilitates direct interaction with creative team members, marketing, eCommerce, and production departments, fostering synergy and quick feedback loops.

• Creative Resources: Expect access to standard design software, hardware, and potentially a photography studio or collaborative spaces for mood boards and brainstorming.

• Team Interaction: Daily opportunities for team meetings, design critiques, and cross-functional project discussions.

Work Schedule: While the standard is 40 hours per week, the demands of fashion campaigns, product launches, and e-commerce optimization may require flexibility and extended hours during critical periods. The on-site requirement means a predictable daily presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "on-site" requirement in a creative role suggests that cabi values in-person collaboration, spontaneous ideation, and the tangible aspects of art direction (e.g., on-set presence). Candidates should be prepared for a structured work environment that prioritizes face-to-face interaction.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Talent Acquisition will likely review applications and resumes for basic qualifications, including years of experience, leadership roles, and mandatory Shopify expertise.

• Portfolio Review & Creative Assessment: Candidates will be asked to present their portfolio, focusing on relevant work such as brand campaigns, digital design (especially Shopify), and art direction examples. This stage assesses creative quality, strategic thinking, and brand alignment.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the Head of Creative & Content to delve deeper into leadership style, strategic approach, team management philosophy, and specific project experiences.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Marketing, eCommerce, and Production to assess collaboration skills, understanding of business objectives, and ability to integrate design across departments.

• Final Round/Executive Interview: Potentially a meeting with higher-level leadership to discuss overall vision and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Focus on 5-7 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prioritize work that demonstrates brand leadership, Shopify expertise, digital campaign success, and art direction in fashion/lifestyle.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the challenges, your strategic approach, the creative solution, and the measurable results (e.g., conversion lift, engagement increase, brand impact).

• Highlight Process: Explain your design process, how you developed design systems, and how you collaborated with teams and managed your direct reports.

• Showcase Shopify Expertise: Dedicate specific examples or a section to your Shopify design work, detailing your contributions to user experience, conversion optimization, and visual merchandising.

• Art Direction Examples: Be prepared to walk through your art direction process for shoots, including how you translated briefs into visual direction and contributed to asset selection.

Challenge Preparation:

• Candidates may be asked to present a case study on how they would approach a specific creative challenge (e.g., re-imagining a seasonal campaign, improving Shopify PDP conversion).

• Be ready to discuss your approach to managing a design team, prioritizing projects, and navigating cross-functional feedback.

• Prepare to articulate your understanding of the cabi brand and how you would contribute to its visual evolution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely be rigorous, with a strong emphasis on assessing both creative talent and leadership capabilities. Candidates must be prepared to substantiate their experience with concrete examples and data, particularly regarding their impact on e-commerce performance and brand consistency through strong art direction and design strategy.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for graphic design and production (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Shopify: Mandatory for e-commerce design and optimization. Proficiency in theme customization, page building, and understanding its functionalities is key.

• Figma: Frequently used for digital design collaboration, prototyping, and design system management.

• Project Management Software: Tools like Asana, Monday.com, or Trello for workflow management, task assignment, and tracking progress.

• Digital Collaboration Tools: Slack, Microsoft Teams for internal communication.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Shopify Analytics: For tracking e-commerce performance, conversion rates, and user behavior.

• Google Analytics: For broader website traffic, user flow, and campaign performance analysis.

• Email Marketing Platform Analytics: (e.g., Klaviyo, Mailchimp) for tracking email campaign engagement, open rates, and click-through rates.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managed by this role, an understanding of how design assets integrate with CRM and marketing automation platforms (e.g., for customer segmentation and personalized campaigns) is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and, crucially, Shopify is non-negotiable. Familiarity with Figma is highly advantageous for modern design workflows. The ability to interpret data from analytics tools to inform design decisions is also a critical requirement for this performance-oriented role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: Encouraging fresh ideas and pushing creative boundaries while staying aligned with brand strategy.

• Brand Stewardship: A deep commitment to protecting and elevating the cabi brand identity across all visual touchpoints.

• Data-Driven Impact: Utilizing performance metrics and customer insights to inform design decisions and drive measurable results.

• Collaboration & Connection: Fostering a supportive and communicative environment where cross-functional teams can work together effectively.

• Empowerment: A company-wide value focused on uplifting women, which translates to supporting team members' professional growth and well-being.

• Efficiency & Excellence: Striving for high-quality output through streamlined processes and effective resource management.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Partnerships: Working closely with Marketing, eCommerce, Merchandising, and Production teams to ensure cohesive campaign execution and brand consistency.

• Open Feedback Culture: Encouraging constructive critique and open dialogue within the design team and with cross-functional partners to refine creative work.

• Knowledge Sharing: Promoting the exchange of ideas, best practices, and learnings, particularly regarding digital trends and platform optimization.

• Proactive Communication: Maintaining clear and consistent communication channels to keep all stakeholders informed and aligned on creative progress and deliverables.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's emphasis on empowerment and connection suggests a culture that values supportive leadership and team cohesion. For this role, demonstrating an ability to collaborate effectively across diverse departments and to foster a positive, growth-oriented environment within the design team will be key.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Vision with Performance Metrics: Effectively translating the artistic vision into designs that also drive measurable e-commerce conversion and engagement.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency Across Channels: Ensuring a cohesive visual identity across a wide array of digital and print touchpoints, especially with evolving platform requirements.

• Leading a Creative Team: Mentoring and managing designers with diverse skill sets and creative approaches, while ensuring alignment with strategic goals.

• Adapting to Rapid Digital Trends: Staying ahead of evolving digital marketing, social media, and e-commerce design trends and integrating them effectively without diluting brand identity.

• On-site Collaboration Demands: Fulfilling the requirements of an on-site role while potentially managing remote or hybrid team members or collaborating with distributed teams.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced E-commerce Design: Deepening expertise in Shopify optimization, conversion rate optimization (CRO) through design, and advanced UX/UI for e-commerce.

• Creative Leadership Development: Opportunities to hone strategic thinking, team management, and cross-functional influence skills.

• Industry Trend Immersion: Staying current with fashion, retail, and digital marketing innovations through conferences, webinars, and industry publications.

• AI in Design Exploration: Leading the exploration and integration of AI tools to enhance creative workflows and efficiency.

• Brand Strategy Influence: Contributing to the evolution of cabi's overall brand narrative and visual identity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge will be merging artistic excellence with performance-driven e-commerce goals. Growth opportunities are strong for a leader who can demonstrate strategic vision, team development, and a keen understanding of how design drives business outcomes in the fashion retail space.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for translating a seasonal campaign brief into a comprehensive visual strategy across digital and print."

• "How have you used design to significantly improve conversion rates or customer engagement on an e-commerce platform like Shopify?"

• "Walk us through your approach to art directing a fashion photoshoot. What are the key elements you focus on to ensure the creative brief is met?"

• "How do you foster a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement within a design team?"

• "Describe a time you had to balance competing priorities or feedback from different stakeholders (e.g., Marketing, Merchandising, eCommerce). How did you navigate it?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about cabi's brand and its mission to empower women?"

• "How do you see your leadership style fitting into a 'people-first' and entrepreneurial culture?"

• "How would you ensure brand consistency across all touchpoints, considering cabi's unique business model with Stylists?"

• "What are your thoughts on the role of AI in the future of graphic design and art direction?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: Begin with a high-level overview of your career and leadership philosophy. Then, for each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the challenges, your strategic solution, and the quantifiable results.

• Emphasize Shopify & Digital: Dedicate significant time to showcasing your Shopify design work, detailing your contributions to user experience, conversion optimization, and visual merchandising.

• Detail Art Direction Process: For relevant projects, explain your methodology for art direction, including mood boards, shot lists, talent direction, and how you collaborated with photographers and stylists.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your design initiatives (e.g., percentage increase in conversion, engagement rates, campaign reach).

• Showcase Leadership: Include examples of how you’ve mentored designers, managed projects, and collaborated with cross-functional teams. Be prepared to discuss your approach to team development and workflow optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to discuss their experience with fashion brands, their expertise in Shopify, and their art direction capabilities with concrete examples. Demonstrating an understanding of how design impacts business metrics and the ability to lead and inspire a creative team will be crucial for success in the interview process.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Art & Graphic Design Director position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Greenhouse job board.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest, most relevant projects, prioritizing those showcasing brand leadership, fashion/apparel experience, significant Shopify contributions, and successful art direction. Prepare to articulate your process and results for each.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 8+ years of design experience, 5+ years in leadership, mandatory Shopify expertise, and any experience in fashion or lifestyle brands. Use keywords from the job description to align with ATS scanning.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on storytelling, quantifiable achievements, and your strategic approach to design challenges and team leadership. Be ready to discuss your art direction process and Shopify optimization strategies.

• Research cabi: Understand the company's mission, brand identity, target audience, and unique business model. Prepare thoughtful questions about the role, team, and company culture.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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