Brand Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Brand Designer

Company: Disturbia

Location: London, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full Time

Category: Creative & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: 2026-10-01

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Focus on strategic, concept-led design projects that build Disturbia's brand impression and identity, rather than routine design requests.

• Partner closely with the Brand team to originate ideas and translate them into memorable customer-facing experiences.

• Drive creative execution across social media, packaging, PR, activations, and evolving brand identities.

• Manage projects autonomously from initial concept and research through to final production and stakeholder sign-off.

• Contribute to Disturbia's ambition to become the leading global alternative fashion brand through distinctive and culturally relevant design.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a strategic Brand Designer, emphasizing concept origination and ownership of end-to-end creative projects, rather than a purely execution-focused Graphic Designer. The focus on "concept development, brand identity, campaigns, packaging and social creative, not only finished assets" highlights the need for strategic thinking and a strong portfolio showcasing the design process.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Partner with the Brand team to develop original creative concepts that strengthen Disturbia's identity and customer perception.

• Lead strategic design projects, including campaign identities, loyalty concepts, PR mailers, packaging, and branded customer touchpoints.

• Create distinctive social-first graphics and culturally relevant creative that builds brand recognition and audience connection.

• Translate brand strategy and creative direction into clear visual systems, design routes, and polished executions.

• Own projects from initial research and concept development through stakeholder sign-off, artwork production, and ordering.

• Develop creative assets for physical brand activations, including event graphics, signage, vinyls, and campaign materials.

• Bring cultural, fashion, and design references into creative conversations, exploring new formats while safeguarding brand consistency.

• Support the Print team on selected projects through graphic development, illustration, or visual concepting when required.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly delineate ownership and strategic involvement, emphasizing the "lead strategic design projects" aspect. The mention of "packaging production, print finishes and supplier processes" as a "nice to have" suggests a need for understanding production realities in addition to creative ideation.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Not specified, but a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is typically expected for mid-level roles in this domain.

Experience: At least three years of experience in a graphic design, brand design, or creative role, ideally within the fashion, lifestyle, or culture sectors.

Required Skills:

• A strong portfolio showcasing concept development, brand identity, campaigns, packaging, and social creative, demonstrating the design process beyond just finished assets.

• Excellent typography, layout, composition, and visual identity skills, with a keen eye for distinctive brand details.

• Advanced Adobe Creative Suite skills, particularly Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

• Ability to translate strategic objectives or open briefs into original creative ideas and coherent visual solutions.

• Strong understanding of contemporary culture, social behavior, and how brands build meaningful audience connection.

• Confidence in presenting creative thinking, constructively challenging ideas, and collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders.

• Organized and detail-focused, with the ability to manage multiple projects from concept through to production-ready artwork. Preferred Skills:

• Hand illustration skills, including freehand drawing or Wacom-based artwork.

• Motion design or video-editing capability.

• Experience designing for e-commerce and digital platforms.

• Knowledge of packaging production, print finishes, and supplier processes.

• Experience using project management tools such as Miro, Wrike, or SharePoint.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio that shows "concept development" and the "design process" is critical. Candidates should prepare to articulate their thinking behind their design choices and how they approach problem-solving from an initial brief. The "ideal person" section further refines these skills, highlighting a conceptual, culturally curious, and commercially aware mindset.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a clear ability to develop original creative concepts from initial research and strategic objectives.

• Showcase end-to-end project management, from ideation and concept development through to final production artwork.

• Include examples of diverse applications: campaign identities, loyalty concepts, PR mailers, packaging, social-first graphics, and physical brand activation materials.

• Highlight strong typography, layout, composition, and visual identity skills with attention to distinctive brand details.

• Present case studies that explain the strategic thinking, design process, and problem-solving approach behind each project. Process Documentation:

• Illustrate how you translate brand strategy and creative direction into clear visual systems and design routes.

• Provide examples of how you manage projects from concept to production, including stakeholder sign-off and artwork preparation.

• Detail your approach to incorporating cultural, fashion, and design references into creative conversations and exploring new formats.

• Show how you develop creative assets for physical brand activations, considering practical application and impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirement is heavily weighted towards strategic thinking and process, not just polished final assets. Candidates should prepare to walk through their projects, explaining their rationale, research methods, and how they overcame challenges to achieve the final outcome. The "nice to have" skills like motion design or packaging production knowledge also suggest an expectation for a broad understanding of creative production workflows.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Brand Designer with 3+ years of experience in London, the estimated salary range is approximately £35,000 - £50,000 per annum. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific portfolio, demonstrated strategic capabilities, and the final negotiation.

Benefits:

• Holiday allowance starting at 23 days, plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service.

• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.

• Enhanced parental leave policies.

• Employee discount on Disturbia products.

• Regular team social events and a dedicated social fund.

• Cycle to Work scheme initiative.

• Birthday treats provided to employees.

• A creative work environment that values individuality, collaboration, and work-life balance.

• Two paid Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) days per year.

Working Hours: The role is Full Time, typically implying a standard 40-hour work week. The hybrid and flexible working arrangements offer some autonomy in managing daily schedules, provided project deadlines and collaborative needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimation is based on UK salary data for Brand Designers in London, considering the mid-level experience requirement and the industry (fashion/lifestyle). Benefits are detailed as provided in the job description, with emphasis on flexibility and employee well-being, which are attractive to creative professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Alternative fashion and lifestyle, catering to a global community drawn to the unconventional. Disturbia positions itself as an independent brand with a distinctive, culturally aware, and evolving visual identity.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the mention of being the "third Graphic Designer in the team" suggests a growing, potentially medium-sized creative department within a larger organization. This implies a balance between established processes and opportunities for individual impact.

Founded: The founding date is not specified, but Disturbia is presented as an established independent brand with a history of creating "clothing and experiences." This suggests a company with a developed brand ethos and a clear vision.

Team Structure:

• The Brand Designer will be part of the Brand team.

• They will report directly to Lauren Walker, who is likely the Brand Director or Head of Brand/Creative.

• The role involves close collaboration with other designers (specifically mentioning being the third graphic designer), the Brand team, Marketing, and the Print team.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a key aspect, indicating a communicative and integrated approach to brand development. Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: While not explicitly stated for design, the role requires a strong understanding of contemporary culture, social behavior, and how brands build audience connection, implying data-informed creative decisions.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: The responsibility to "own projects from initial research and concept development through stakeholder sign-off, artwork, production and ordering" indicates a need for structured project management and workflow adherence.

• Automation & Efficiency: While not a primary focus for this creative role, the mention of "production-ready artwork" and potential use of project management tools suggests an appreciation for efficient creative processes.

Company Website: https://disturbia.co.uk

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is characterized by its focus on the "unconventional," "distinctive visual identity," and a global community. For a designer, this means embracing a unique aesthetic and understanding the subcultures that influence the brand. The team structure suggests a collaborative environment where individual contributions are valued, but also where clear reporting lines and project ownership are expected.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as Mid-Level. It requires a solid foundation of 3+ years of experience and the ability to work autonomously on strategic projects, moving beyond junior-level execution. The expectation is for the designer to "originate ideas" and "lead strategic design projects," indicating a step towards greater creative leadership and ownership.

Reporting Structure: The Brand Designer reports to Lauren Walker, likely a senior member of the Brand or Creative department. This structure offers mentorship and guidance while allowing for significant autonomy in day-to-day tasks and project execution.

Operations Impact: The Brand Designer's impact is directly tied to shaping the brand's visual identity and customer perception. Their work will influence how customers experience Disturbia across various touchpoints, from social media engagement to physical product packaging and event experiences. This role is crucial in translating brand strategy into tangible, memorable customer interactions, directly contributing to brand recognition, loyalty, and overall market positioning within the alternative fashion space.

Growth Opportunities:

• Creative Leadership: The opportunity to "originate ideas" and "lead strategic design projects" provides a clear path towards more senior creative roles, such as Senior Brand Designer or Creative Lead, where they might manage junior designers or lead larger campaign initiatives.

• Specialization: The "nice to have" skills (illustration, motion design, packaging production knowledge) suggest potential for specialization or broadening skill sets within the design function, making the candidate more versatile and valuable.

• Brand Strategy Influence: By consistently delivering strong, concept-led work and demonstrating cultural awareness, the designer can gain influence in shaping Disturbia's broader brand strategy and visual direction.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Working closely with Marketing, Print, and other teams will build a comprehensive understanding of the business, potentially opening doors to roles that bridge creative and strategic functions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth potential is significant, moving beyond pure design execution to strategic brand building. The emphasis on shaping customer experience and influencing visual future indicates a role with substantial impact and opportunities for advancement within a growing brand.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job specifies "Hybrid and flexible working," indicating a blend of remote work and in-office presence. This suggests a modern work environment that balances the benefits of remote flexibility with the collaborative advantages of in-person interaction.

Office Location(s): The role is based in London, England. Specific office details (e.g., neighborhood, amenities) are not provided, but London offers a vibrant hub for the fashion and creative industries.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model suggests opportunities for in-person collaboration with the Brand team, other designers, and cross-functional partners, likely in designated meeting spaces or open-plan areas designed for creative interaction.

• Operations Tools & Technology: While specific tools are listed under "Tools & Technology Stack," the workspace would be equipped with the necessary hardware and software for advanced graphic design tasks. Access to high-speed internet and potentially specialized creative workstations would be expected.

• Team Interaction: Regular socials and a team social fund, along with the collaborative nature of the role, indicate a culture that encourages team bonding and informal knowledge sharing, contributing to a positive and engaging work atmosphere.

Work Schedule: The role is Full Time (40 hours/week) with hybrid and flexible working options. This allows for a degree of autonomy in structuring the workday, accommodating personal needs while ensuring project deadlines and team collaboration requirements are met. The "flexible working" aspect implies that while core hours might exist for team meetings, there's likely room for adjusting start/end times.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key aspect of the work environment, appealing to professionals seeking a balance between autonomy and collaboration. The "creative environment that values individuality, collaboration and life outside work" points towards a supportive and engaging culture.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application & Portfolio Review: Applications will only be reviewed if a relevant portfolio or website link is attached. This is the primary screening stage. The portfolio must showcase concept development and the design process.

• Creative Thinking Assessment: Expect to discuss your design process, how you approach open briefs, and your understanding of brand strategy. This may involve a brief creative challenge or a deep dive into your portfolio projects.

• Stakeholder Collaboration & Presentation: You will likely be asked about your experience working with cross-functional teams and presenting creative ideas. Confidence in articulating your thinking and constructively challenging ideas is key.

• Cultural Fit & Brand Alignment: Assessors will gauge your connection to Disturbia's world, audience, and ambition, looking for someone culturally curious and inspired by fashion, art, and subculture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase the Process: Do not just present final assets. Include mood boards, sketches, early concepts, and explain your rationale, research, and iterative steps.

• Highlight Strategic Thinking: For each project, articulate the brief, the strategic objective, and how your design solution addressed it. Demonstrate commercial awareness.

• Curate for the Role: Select projects that best align with Disturbia's aesthetic and the responsibilities outlined, particularly campaign identities, packaging, and social creative.

• Brand Consistency & Distinctiveness: Ensure your portfolio demonstrates a strong grasp of typography, layout, and visual identity, showing how you create distinctive yet consistent brand experiences.

• Tailor Your Presentation: Be prepared to discuss specific projects in detail and answer questions about your creative choices and problem-solving approach.

Challenge Preparation:

• Conceptual Ideation: Be ready to brainstorm original creative ideas based on a given brief or strategic objective. Practice turning abstract concepts into visual solutions.

• Brand Interpretation: Prepare to discuss how you would interpret and evolve Disturbia's existing brand identity for new campaigns or touchpoints.

• Cultural Relevance: Think about current cultural trends, fashion, art, and subcultures that align with Disturbia and how these can inform design.

• Production Awareness: Understand the practicalities of print production and digital asset creation, as this is part of the end-to-end ownership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process is heavily portfolio-driven. Candidates must ensure their portfolio clearly articulates their strategic approach and creative process. The interview will likely focus on conceptual thinking, cultural relevance, and collaboration skills, as highlighted in the "ideal person" section.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Advanced proficiency is mandatory, particularly in:

  • Photoshop: For image manipulation, digital asset creation, and mockups.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logo design, illustrations, and complex layouts.
  • InDesign: For page layout, typography-heavy designs, and print-ready artwork.

• Project Management Tools:

  • Miro: (Preferred) For collaborative brainstorming, mood boards, and workflow visualization.
  • Wrike: (Preferred) For project planning, task management, and team collaboration.
  • SharePoint: (Preferred) For document management and team collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting: Not directly applicable to the core design function, but an understanding of how design impacts engagement metrics on social media or e-commerce platforms would be beneficial.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to the core design function, but familiarity with how design assets are deployed within marketing automation or CRM-driven campaigns could be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. Proficiency with project management tools like Miro, Wrike, or SharePoint is listed as "nice to have" but strongly recommended, indicating a desire for a designer who can integrate seamlessly into organized creative workflows and collaborate digitally.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Individuality & Authenticity: Disturbia values individuality, suggesting a creative environment where unique perspectives are encouraged, aligning with the "unconventional" brand ethos.

• Collaboration: The emphasis on "building ideas with Brand, Marketing, Print and other creative partners" highlights a strong collaborative spirit. This means valuing teamwork and open communication.

• Cultural Curiosity: Being "inspired by art, music, literature, fashion and subculture" is a core value. Designers are expected to be engaged with contemporary culture and bring fresh, relevant insights.

• Conceptual Thinking: The ideal person "starts with the idea and purpose before moving into execution," valuing strategic thought and the "why" behind design decisions.

• Craft & Detail: "Hands-on and delivery-minded, with the craft and attention to detail to bring ambitious ideas to life" underscores the importance of high-quality execution and meticulousness.

• Brand Ambition: A genuine connection to Disturbia's vision and ambition to be a leading global alternative fashion brand is essential.

Collaboration Style:

• Generous & Partnered: Designers are encouraged to be "generous collaborators who enjoy building ideas with" others. This means a supportive approach, actively seeking input and contributing to shared goals.

• Constructive Challenge: While collaborative, the role also requires "confidence sharing a point of view, while responding thoughtfully to feedback." This indicates a culture where healthy debate and constructive criticism are part of the creative process.

• Process-Oriented: The expectation to manage projects end-to-end implies a structured yet adaptable collaboration style, ensuring smooth handoffs and clear communication across different project phases and teams.

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role explicitly involves working with Brand, Marketing, and Print teams, emphasizing a need for seamless integration and understanding of different departmental objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture values creatives who are not only skilled but also deeply aligned with the brand's alternative ethos, culturally aware, and collaborative. The emphasis on conceptual thinking and constructive feedback suggests a mature creative environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Originality with Brand Consistency: Developing truly original concepts while strictly adhering to Disturbia's distinctive brand identity and visual systems can be a creative challenge.

• Managing End-to-End Project Ownership: Taking full responsibility from concept to production requires strong organizational skills, proactive problem-solving, and managing multiple deadlines and stakeholders simultaneously.

• Translating Cultural Trends into Design: Effectively capturing and translating contemporary culture, fashion, and subculture references into meaningful and relevant design assets requires continuous immersion and strategic interpretation.

• Navigating Hybrid Workflows: Adapting to a hybrid work environment, ensuring effective communication and collaboration with both remote and in-office team members, especially during creative ideation phases.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Creative Strategy: Opportunity to deepen expertise in brand strategy and concept development, influencing the brand's visual direction.

• Specialized Skill Development: Pursue "nice to have" skills like illustration or motion design, potentially funded or supported by the company, to broaden creative capabilities.

• Production Process Expertise: Gain hands-on knowledge of packaging production, print finishes, and supplier management, enhancing end-to-end project delivery skills.

• Cross-Functional Business Acumen: Develop a deeper understanding of marketing, e-commerce, and retail operations through close collaboration, offering pathways to more strategic or integrated roles.

• Industry Exposure: As a brand in the fashion/lifestyle sector, opportunities to attend relevant industry events, trade shows, or workshops may arise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are framed to highlight opportunities for skill development and strategic growth. The company's emphasis on shaping customer experience and brand evolution means the designer can grow by tackling complex creative problems and expanding their influence.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you took an open brief and developed an original creative concept. What was your process from initial idea to final execution?" (Focus on concept development, strategic thinking, and project ownership.)

• "How do you ensure your designs remain distinctive and align with a brand's established identity while also feeling fresh and culturally relevant?" (Focus on balancing brand guidelines with creative innovation and cultural awareness.)

• "Walk us through a campaign identity or packaging design project from your portfolio. What was the strategic objective, what challenges did you face, and how did your design solve them?" (Focus on portfolio presentation, problem-solving, and demonstrating ROI/impact.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What aspects of Disturbia's brand and aesthetic appeal to you most, and how do you see your design style contributing to our future visual identity?" (Focus on cultural connection and brand alignment.)

• "How do you approach collaborating with non-designers, such as marketing or production teams, to bring creative projects to life?" (Focus on cross-functional collaboration and communication skills.)

• "Describe your experience with managing creative projects from concept through to production-ready artwork. What systems or processes do you use?" (Focus on project management, organization, and attention to detail.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Structure your portfolio around compelling narratives for each project. Start with the brief/problem, detail your process and solutions, and conclude with the outcome or impact.

• Highlighting Process: For key projects, explicitly show your journey – sketches, mood boards, iterations, and rationale behind decisions. This addresses the "not only finished assets" requirement.

• Demonstrate Strategic Thinking: Clearly articulate the "why" behind your design choices, linking them back to brand objectives, target audience, or cultural insights.

• Visual Craftsmanship: Ensure your presentation is visually polished, with excellent typography, layout, and high-quality imagery. Your portfolio itself is a demonstration of your design skills.

• Conciseness & Clarity: Be prepared to present your strongest 3-5 projects in detail, keeping the overall presentation focused and impactful.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should center on showcasing conceptual thinking, strategic rationale, and a deep understanding of the brand's alternative fashion context. The portfolio is the primary tool, so candidates must be able to articulate its contents thoroughly.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Brand Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Disturbia's careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects demonstrating concept development, brand identity, campaign design, packaging, and social media creative. Tailor your case studies to highlight your strategic thinking and end-to-end project ownership.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly state your years of experience in graphic/brand design, ideally within fashion or lifestyle sectors. Use keywords from the job description such as "concept development," "brand identity," "Adobe Creative Suite," and "cultural relevance."

• Prepare for Presentation: Be ready to articulate your design process, creative rationale, and how you manage projects from concept to production. Practice presenting your portfolio and discussing your case studies in detail.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself thoroughly with Disturbia's brand aesthetic, current campaigns, target audience, and overall market position. Understand their "unconventional" ethos and how your design approach aligns with it.

⚠️ 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.