How to Choose an Art Director in Riyadh
A practical checklist for brands and government entities hiring creative leadership in Saudi Arabia.
Omar FawziSenior Art Director, Riyadh · 
Hiring an art director, whether for a project or a full-time role, is one of the decisions that shapes how a brand looks for years. Here is the checklist I would use if I were on the other side of the table.
Look for systems, not just beautiful images
A portfolio full of single beautiful posts tells you about taste. A portfolio that shows campaigns, templates and guidelines tells you the person can make a whole organisation look consistent.
Check bilingual skill
In Saudi Arabia almost every brand speaks Arabic and English. Ask to see Arabic typography, right-to-left layouts and bilingual systems, not just English work translated at the end.
Ask about leadership
Has the person briefed and reviewed other designers? Led a team through a launch? Managed many brands at once? Leadership experience is the difference between an excellent designer and an art director.
Match the sector
Government communication, broadcast, banking and retail each have their own constraints. Experience in your sector shortens the learning curve. For example, financial and government clients such as SME Bank need clarity and trust as much as creativity.
Look at how they present
Ask how they present creative directions. Good art directors explain the reason behind each route, which makes approvals faster and keeps discussions focused on goals.
A short list of questions to ask
- Show me a project where you built a system other people used.
- How do you handle Arabic and English in one identity?
- Tell me about a time you led a team under a tight deadline.
- How do you use AI in your process, and where do you not use it?
The right art director makes everyone else's work better. That is what you are really hiring.