Rakuten Design Lab Art Director / Graphic Designer (Intermediate - Senior) - Marketing Division

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Rakuten Design Lab Art Director / Graphic Designer (Intermediate - Senior) - Marketing Division

🔹 Company: Rakuten

🔹 Location: Tokyo, Japan

🔹 Job Type: Full-time

🔹 Category: Design

🔹 Date Posted: April 10, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading the group's design through branding, production, and support for services
• Creative direction and art direction for various specialists and creators
• Planning and promotion of creative design strategies
• Setting, operation, and teaching of design guidelines
• Collaboration with top management, colleagues, external agencies, and other departments

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of creativity, communication, and organizational skills to manage diverse projects and stakeholders effectively.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead the group's design through branding, production, and support for services

✅ Provide creative direction and art direction for various specialists and creators

✅ Plan and promote creative design strategies

✅ Set, operate, and teach design guidelines

✅ Collaborate with top management, colleagues, external agencies, and other departments

✅ Work on designs with group branding and new services/prioritized services

✅ Coordinate with team members, mainly speaking Japanese, but use English for overseas businesses

ASSUMPTION: The role may require working on multiple projects simultaneously, necessitating strong time management and prioritization skills.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design or a related field (or equivalent experience)

Experience: At least 5 years of experience in graphic or web design, regardless of business company, agency, production company, or freelancer

Required Skills:

• Excellent graphic and web design skills
• Strong communication skills from a business perspective
• Good organization skills
• Ability to explain design logically
• Flexibility in responding to new processes, ideas, and speedy changes
• Business-level or advanced Japanese language ability

Preferred Skills:

• Art direction of web and applications, UI design, knowledge
• Leadership ability to proactively solve issues and lead projects
• Extensive experience of creative direction in a global environment
• Planning and promotion of communication strategy beyond art direction
• Experience of defining design strategy and framework from scratch
• Native-level or advanced business English ability
• UX design experience and knowledge (persona, customer journey, user test, prototyping)

ASSUMPTION: Given the global nature of Rakuten, proficiency in English is crucial for effective communication and collaboration with overseas subsidiaries.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: ¥7,000,000 - ¥10,000,000 per year (Based on experience and skills, as Rakuten does not disclose salary information)

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Employee discounts on Rakuten services
• Opportunities for professional development and training

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility for project demands

ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for similar roles in Japan. Actual compensation may vary depending on the candidate's skills and experience.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Rakuten operates in the e-commerce, fintech, digital content, and communications sectors, with a focus on empowering individuals, communities, businesses, and society through innovative services.

Company Size: Rakuten has over 10,000 employees worldwide, providing a large and diverse work environment.

Founded: 1997, in Tokyo, Japan

Company Description:

• Rakuten Group, Inc. (TSE: 4755) is a global leader in internet services, with a mission to empower individuals, communities, businesses, and society through innovative services.
• Founded in Tokyo in 1997 as an online marketplace, Rakuten has expanded to offer services in e-commerce, fintech, digital content, and communications.
• Rakuten Group has operations in 30 countries and regions, with more than 30,000 employees worldwide.

Company Specialties:

• E-commerce (Rakuten Ichiba, Rakuten Books, etc.)
• Card & Payments
• Life & Leisure support services
• Communications & Energy & Mobile
• Investment
• Sports
• Digital Contents
• Open EC
• AD
• Affiliate
• Securities
• Bank
• Insurance
• Travel
• Mobile
• Mobile Network Operator
• Telecommunications
• and Artificial Intelligence

Company Website: https://global.rakuten.com/corp/

ASSUMPTION: Rakuten's diverse business portfolio and global presence offer employees numerous opportunities for growth and exposure to various industries.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Intermediate to Senior level, with opportunities for growth and leadership

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to Chief Creative Director Kashiwa Sato, with collaboration across various departments and external agencies

Work Arrangement: Primarily on-site, with potential for hybrid work arrangements based on project needs

Growth Opportunities:

• Progression to senior art director or creative director roles
• Expansion of design responsibilities across the group
• Opportunities to work on international projects and collaborate with overseas subsidiaries

ASSUMPTION: The role's focus on creative direction and collaboration with top management provides ample opportunities for professional growth and development.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, collaborative workspace with a focus on creativity and innovation

Office Location(s): Rakuten Crimson House, 1-14-1 Tamagawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 158-0094, Japan

Geographic Context:

• Tokyo is a vibrant, multicultural city with a rich history and numerous attractions
• Setagaya-ku is a central, bustling district with easy access to public transportation and amenities
• The office is located near several parks, shopping centers, and dining options

Work Schedule: Standard work hours with flexibility for project demands and deadlines

ASSUMPTION: The office environment is designed to foster creativity and collaboration, with ample opportunities for professional growth and development.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screening
• On-site or virtual interview with the hiring manager and relevant team members
• Final decision and offer

Key Assessment Areas:

• Creativity and design skills
• Communication and presentation abilities
• Problem-solving and adaptability
• Alignment with Rakuten's company values and culture

Application Tips:

• Highlight relevant design projects and achievements in your portfolio
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize skills and experiences relevant to the role
• Prepare examples of your design process and decision-making for the interview
• Research Rakuten's design philosophy and company culture to demonstrate your fit

ATS Keywords: Graphic Design, Web Design, Art Direction, Creative Direction, Branding, Communication Skills, Organization Skills, Leadership, UX Design, Planning, Flexibility, Problem Solving, Design Strategy, CI Design, VI Design, Prototyping

ASSUMPTION: Rakuten's application process is designed to assess candidates' skills, creativity, and cultural fit, with a focus on finding the best fit for both the candidate and the company.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
• Sketch or Figma
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)

ASSUMPTION: The required tools and technologies may vary depending on the specific projects and teams the candidate works with.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Empowerment
• Optimism
• Innovation
• Harmony
• Gratitude

Work Style:

• Collaborative and creative
• Focused on continuous improvement and innovation
• Results-driven and accountable
• Adaptable and open to change

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you embody Rakuten's values in your daily work?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt to a significant change in a project or process?
• How do you approach collaboration and teamwork, especially with diverse stakeholders?

ASSUMPTION: Rakuten's company culture emphasizes empowerment, innovation, and collaboration, with a focus on creating a positive and inclusive work environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously
• Adapting to new processes, ideas, and changes quickly
• Working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Collaborating effectively with team members who primarily speak Japanese

ASSUMPTION: The role's fast-paced nature and diverse project portfolio may present challenges, but also offers opportunities for growth and learning.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Compared to other art director roles, this position offers more exposure to top management and opportunities for creative direction and strategy
• Rakuten's global presence provides more international collaboration and project diversity compared to roles in smaller, domestic companies
• Career progression may be faster in Rakuten due to its large size and diverse business portfolio

ASSUMPTION: The role's unique combination of creative direction, strategy, and international collaboration sets it apart from similar positions in the industry.

📝 Sample Projects

• Redesigning Rakuten's visual identity and brand guidelines
• Developing a comprehensive design system for a new e-commerce platform
• Creating a cohesive visual language for a global marketing campaign

ASSUMPTION: The role's diverse project portfolio offers candidates the opportunity to work on various design challenges and gain experience in different aspects of the creative process.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does the design lab collaborate with other departments and external agencies to ensure consistency in Rakuten's branding?
• Can you describe a recent project that required significant adaptation or problem-solving, and how you approached it?
• How does Rakuten support the professional development and growth of its design team members?
• What are the most rewarding aspects of working in the design lab, according to current team members?
• How does the design lab balance maintaining Rakuten's brand identity while also innovating and evolving its visual language?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, insightful questions demonstrates your interest in the role and commitment to understanding Rakuten's design process and culture.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences
• Prepare a portfolio showcasing your design projects and achievements
• Prepare examples of your design process and decision-making for the interview
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application, expressing your interest in the role and asking if they need any additional information

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.