Brand Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Brand Designer

Company: Clio

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Design

Date Posted: May 22, 2026

Experience Level: 3-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Conceptualize and execute impactful brand design across a diverse range of channels, including advertising, social media, presentations, and experiential marketing.

• Own the end-to-end design process, from initial brief to final quality assurance, ensuring all deliverables meet high standards.

• Drive the evolution and consistency of Clio's global visual brand identity, while also developing net-new visual identities and design systems for emerging sub-brands.

• Collaborate closely with creative leads and cross-functional teams to deliver polished, on-brand creative assets efficiently within a fast-paced environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical for maintaining and advancing Clio's brand presence. The emphasis on owning projects from brief to QA and developing sub-brand identities suggests a need for strategic thinking and end-to-end execution capabilities, beyond just execution. The hybrid model indicates an expectation for in-person collaboration and contribution to office culture.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute compelling brand design concepts for marketing campaigns, advertising initiatives, social media content, case studies, and presentations.

• Proactively extend and refine Clio's established visual brand guidelines, ensuring consistency across all touchpoints while exploring innovative design directions.

• Design and implement new visual identities and comprehensive design systems for Clio's sub-brands, ensuring cohesive branding across the portfolio.

• Support various communication and campaign needs for marketing, demand generation, and event teams, translating objectives into strong visual solutions.

• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks effectively to meet deadlines without compromising on design quality or craft.

• Partner effectively with creative directors, marketing managers, and other stakeholders to understand project requirements and deliver impactful design solutions.

• Conduct thorough quality assurance (QA) on all design outputs before final delivery, ensuring accuracy, brand compliance, and technical readiness.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic brand stewardship and high-volume production design. The need to "push the work forward" and develop "net-new visual identities" indicates a role that is not just about maintaining existing standards but also about innovation and growth within the brand architecture.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong understanding of design principles, visual communication, and brand strategy is essential, typically gained through a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 3-5 years of dedicated brand design experience, preferably gained within a creative agency or a fast-paced in-house marketing/creative department.

Required Skills:

• Proven ability to concept and execute brand design across a variety of media, including digital advertising, social media graphics, presentations, and potentially experiential activations.

• Demonstrated experience in developing or significantly contributing to brand systems and visual identities.

• High proficiency in industry-standard design software, including Figma for collaborative design and prototyping, and Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop) for advanced asset creation and manipulation.

• Familiarity and comfort with leveraging AI design tools (e.g., Midjourney, Krea) as part of the creative workflow to enhance ideation and execution.

• Exceptional visual storytelling skills, with the ability to articulate and present design concepts effectively, even before pixel-level execution.

• Strong understanding of typography, layout, color theory, and composition.

• Excellent project management and prioritization skills, with the capacity to manage multiple workstreams concurrently and meet demanding deadlines.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in building and scaling design systems for large organizations or complex product portfolios.

• Background in SaaS, legal tech, or other complex, regulated industries, demonstrating an understanding of unique industry challenges and communication needs.

• Familiarity with presentation design tools such as Keynote and Google Slides, particularly for executive-level communications and event materials.

• A strong, opinionated perspective on typography and its strategic application in brand building.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for AI design tool proficiency is a forward-thinking expectation, indicating Clio's embrace of emerging technologies in their creative processes. The emphasis on "sweating the craft details" and having "opinions about type" points to a desire for a designer with a high level of polish and a discerning aesthetic.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 3-5 years of professional brand design work.

• Clear examples demonstrating the development and execution of brand systems, including style guides, logo variations, and application across multiple platforms.

• Case studies illustrating multi-channel campaign execution, highlighting how a core concept was translated across different media (e.g., digital ads, social posts, landing pages).

• Projects that exemplify strong conceptual thinking and visual problem-solving, detailing the brief, the creative process, and the final outcome.

• Demonstrations of proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Cloud, potentially including interactive prototypes or system documentation.

Process Documentation:

• For each portfolio piece, provide a concise overview of the project brief, your role and responsibilities, the design process undertaken, and the measurable impact or outcome.

• Showcase an understanding of end-to-end project management, from initial concepting and client/stakeholder alignment to final asset delivery and QA.

• Highlight experience with design system implementation or extension, including documentation and governance considerations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role. Candidates should focus on demonstrating not just aesthetic capability but also strategic thinking, process rigor, and the ability to manage projects from inception to completion. Including examples of how AI tools were integrated into the workflow will be a significant advantage.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The expected salary range for this position in Canada is $71,500 to $96,700 CAD per year. Clio typically hires around the midpoint of the band for experienced individuals, with the upper portion reserved for sustained high performance. Candidates new to the role may start below the midpoint and grow over time. The final offer will depend on the candidate's geographical region, experience, and skillset.

Benefits:

• Competitive and equitable salary with top-tier health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Hybrid work environment with a minimum expectation of two days per week in the local office (Vancouver, Calgary, or Toronto).

• Flexible time off policy with an encouraged minimum of 20 days off per year.

• Annual counseling benefit of $2,000.

• RRSP matching and RESP (Registered Education Savings Plan) contributions.

• Clioversary recognition program acknowledging milestones at 3, 5, 7, and 10 years of service.

Working Hours: While not explicitly stated, the full-time employment type and hybrid work arrangement suggest a standard 40-hour work week, with flexibility inherent in the hybrid model.

📝 Enhancement Note: The detailed salary band explanation indicates Clio's commitment to transparent and equitable compensation practices. The salary range provided is specific to Canadian regions, and candidates in other international locations will have separate bands. The inclusion of RRSP matching and RESP contributions are significant financial benefits.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Legal Technology (LegalTech) and AI-powered software solutions. Clio is a pioneer in transforming the legal industry through AI, aiming to improve efficiency for legal professionals and increase access to justice.

Company Size: Clio is a significant player in the legal tech space, evidenced by its global presence and substantial employee base (implied by the need for multiple office locations and a comprehensive benefits program). This scale suggests opportunities for impact within a structured, yet dynamic, organization.

Founded: Clio was founded in 2008, giving it over a decade of experience and established market leadership. This history implies a stable company with a proven track record, coupled with an ongoing commitment to innovation.

Team Structure:

• The Brand Designer will be part of the Creative team, reporting to creative leadership (e.g., Creative Director, Head of Brand).

• This team likely includes other designers, copywriters, content creators, and potentially project managers.

Methodology:

• Clio emphasizes a human and high-performing AI approach, integrating AI to enhance operations while ensuring human oversight and decision-making.

• The company culture values data-driven insights, process optimization, and efficiency, which will likely extend to the creative team's workflow.

• A strong focus on "bettering the lives of legal professionals" and "increasing access to justice" underscores their mission-driven approach.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Clio's mission-driven culture, combined with its adoption of AI, presents a unique environment for a Brand Designer. The company's commitment to innovation and efficiency, alongside its established position in the legal tech market, offers a compelling career opportunity.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Brand Designer, requiring 3-5 years of experience. It's a production-forward role with conceptual scope, indicating a significant level of autonomy and responsibility for project execution and brand consistency.

Reporting Structure: The Brand Designer will likely report to a Creative Lead or Manager within the broader Creative team. They will collaborate extensively with marketing and demand gen teams, suggesting a matrixed influence structure.

Operations Impact: The Brand Designer's work directly impacts Clio's brand perception, market presence, and campaign effectiveness. By creating compelling visual narratives and maintaining brand integrity, they contribute to lead generation, customer acquisition, and overall brand equity, which are key GTM metrics.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Develop deeper expertise in specific areas like brand system design, motion graphics, or AI-driven creative tools.

• Leadership: Progress into a Senior Brand Designer or Art Director role, taking on more strategic responsibilities and potentially leading smaller projects or mentoring junior designers.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain experience in other creative disciplines or marketing functions through collaboration.

• Industry Expertise: Deepen knowledge within the legal tech sector, becoming a subject matter expert in designing for complex and regulated industries.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth within a leading legal tech company. The emphasis on AI integration and sub-brand development suggests opportunities to shape future brand initiatives.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Clio operates a hybrid work model, requiring employees in their designated office locations (Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver) to be present a minimum of two days per week. This fosters a blend of focused individual work and collaborative team interaction.

Office Location(s): The role is available in Toronto, Ontario; Calgary, Alberta; and Burnaby/Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. These are major Canadian cities offering vibrant work environments.

Workspace Context:

• The hybrid setup encourages a balance between focused work at home and collaborative sessions, brainstorming, and team building in the office.

• The office environment is expected to be equipped with the necessary technology and foster a culture of collaboration, essential for a creative role.

• Opportunities for informal interactions with colleagues from various departments will be available during office days, facilitating cross-functional understanding.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time work schedule is implied, with flexibility afforded by the hybrid model. The emphasis on meeting deadlines suggests a results-oriented approach to work hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model is a key aspect of Clio's current work environment, aiming to balance flexibility with the benefits of in-person collaboration. Candidates should be comfortable with this model and prepared to contribute to the office-based portion of their work week.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and creative output.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion about your experience, skills, and fit for the role and team.

• Portfolio Presentation/Creative Challenge: A session where you present your portfolio, discuss your process, and potentially complete a design exercise or case study relevant to Clio's brand. This is a critical stage to demonstrate conceptual thinking, craft, and problem-solving abilities.

• Cross-functional/Team Interviews: Meetings with potential collaborators from marketing or other creative team members to assess teamwork and communication style.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss overall fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate your portfolio to highlight projects most relevant to brand design, system development, and multi-channel execution.

• For each project, clearly articulate the challenge, your specific role, the strategic approach, the design process, and the outcomes or impact. Use metrics where possible.

• Be prepared to discuss your proficiency with Figma, Adobe Creative Cloud, and your experience with AI design tools.

• Showcase your ability to evolve a brand and create new visual identities.

Challenge Preparation:

• If a design challenge is provided, thoroughly understand the brief. Focus on demonstrating your process, strategic thinking, and ability to apply Clio's brand principles (or develop new ones if appropriate).

• Be ready to articulate your design decisions and justify them based on brand strategy, user experience, and business objectives.

• Prepare to discuss how you would manage timelines and stakeholder feedback in a real-world scenario.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh your portfolio and your ability to articulate your design process and strategic thinking. Be ready to defend your creative choices and demonstrate how your work aligns with Clio's mission and brand identity.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for collaborative design, prototyping, and creating design systems. Proficiency is a must.

• Adobe Creative Cloud:

  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logo creation, and complex illustrations.
  • InDesign: For layout design, presentations, and print collateral.
  • Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.

• AI Design Tools: Midjourney, Krea, or similar. Expected to be integrated into the creative workflow for ideation and asset generation.

Analytics & Reporting: While not directly a design tool, understanding how design impacts metrics (e.g., engagement rates, conversion rates) is beneficial. Familiarity with analytics platforms used by marketing teams may be helpful for context.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to the Brand Designer role, but understanding how marketing automation platforms and CRM systems are used can provide context for campaign asset requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Mastery of Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite is foundational. The explicit mention of AI design tools indicates a company that is forward-thinking and eager to leverage new technologies in its creative output.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Human & High Performing: A commitment to leveraging AI to enhance human capabilities and achieve exceptional results.

• Mission-Driven: Dedicated to "bettering the lives of legal professionals" and "increasing access to justice."

• Customer-Centric: Focused on improving the experience for legal professionals.

• Innovation: Embracing new technologies like AI to drive progress.

• Collaboration: Working effectively across teams to achieve shared goals.

• Craftsmanship: A serious approach to design quality and attention to detail.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expected to work closely with marketing, demand gen, and other teams, requiring strong communication and partnership skills.

• Feedback-Oriented: A culture that likely values constructive feedback to refine creative work and processes.

• Agile & Iterative: In a fast-moving environment, adaptability and the ability to iterate on designs are key.

📝 Enhancement Note: Clio's values emphasize a blend of technological advancement (AI) with a strong human-centric mission. Candidates should demonstrate how their work and collaboration style align with these core principles.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Innovation: Evolving Clio's established brand while ensuring consistency across all touchpoints and developing new sub-brand identities.

• Pace and Volume: Delivering high-quality creative assets at speed within a fast-moving in-house environment.

• Cross-functional Alignment: Effectively managing diverse stakeholder needs and feedback from various departments.

• Integrating AI Tools: Mastering the effective and ethical integration of AI into the design workflow to enhance creativity and efficiency.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to deepen expertise in areas like brand system design, motion graphics, or complex illustration.

• Industry Knowledge: Gaining in-depth understanding of the legal tech industry and its specific design challenges.

• AI Tool Proficiency: Becoming a leader in using AI for creative purposes within the company.

• Mentorship: Potential to mentor junior designers or art direct specific projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers significant opportunities to contribute to a growing brand in a dynamic industry, with a focus on modern creative tools and methodologies.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to evolve a brand's visual identity. What was your process, and what were the key considerations?" (Focus on brand strategy, process, and stakeholder management.)

• "How do you approach creating a design system for a new brand or sub-brand?" (Detail your methodology for consistency, scalability, and documentation.)

• "Walk us through a campaign you designed from concept to execution. What were the challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Highlight your end-to-end ownership and problem-solving skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Clio's mission and the legal tech industry?" (Research Clio's mission, values, and impact on access to justice.)

• "How do you collaborate with marketing and demand generation teams to ensure design aligns with campaign goals?" (Discuss your experience with cross-functional collaboration and understanding marketing objectives.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type (brand systems, campaigns, etc.) or chronologically. Start with your strongest, most relevant work.

• Storytelling: For each project, tell a compelling story. Clearly state the problem, your solution, your process, and the impact. Use visuals effectively.

• Process Emphasis: Be ready to discuss your design thinking, tool usage (especially Figma, Adobe CC, and AI tools), and how you arrive at your creative decisions.

• Clio Context: Tailor your presentation to Clio. Consider how your work demonstrates an understanding of their brand, mission, and target audience. If possible, subtly weave in how your skills could benefit Clio's specific challenges.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Practice presenting your work efficiently, hitting the key points without getting bogged down in minor details.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skill but also strategic thinking, process efficiency, and cultural alignment with Clio's mission and values. Be prepared to defend your creative choices and discuss the impact of your work.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Brand Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Clio's career site.

• Portfolio Customization: Carefully curate your portfolio to showcase your strongest work in brand identity, brand systems, multi-channel campaign execution, and your experience with Figma, Adobe Creative Cloud, and AI design tools. Prioritize projects that demonstrate conceptual thinking and end-to-end ownership.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight experience relevant to brand design, SaaS/tech industries (if applicable), and your proficiency with the required software. Quantify achievements and responsibilities where possible, using keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly research Clio, its mission, values, and recent marketing campaigns. Prepare to discuss your portfolio in detail, focusing on your process, strategic decisions, and the impact of your work. Practice answering strategy and behavioral questions.

• Company Research: Understand Clio's position in the legal tech market, their AI initiatives, and their commitment to improving the legal experience. Be ready to articulate why you are a good fit for their culture and mission.

⚠️ 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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