Brand Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Brand Designer

Company: Douro Labs

Location: Remote (US-based, PST preferred)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Brand & Creative Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-26

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3-5 years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Develop and execute high-quality visual designs across digital channels, event materials, and product interfaces to enhance the brand presence of Douro Labs and Pyth Network.

• Collaborate closely with the Brand Design Lead and Product Design Lead to translate visual identity systems into compelling assets for marketing campaigns, sales collateral, and internal communications.

• Leverage AI tools to accelerate production workflows, explore innovative design concepts, and maintain an AI-forward approach to visual creation.

• Contribute to the expansion of the Douro Labs brand into traditional markets by creating impactful visual content for key market participants, developers, and industry leaders.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a production-focused Brand Designer, with a significant emphasis on hands-on execution and adaptability. The initial split of responsibilities (75% brand, 25% product) suggests a need for versatility, with a clear expectation of a future shift towards full-time brand focus as the design team expands. The "US-based, PST preferred" location requirement for a remote role indicates a preference for timezone alignment for real-time collaboration, particularly with the Head of Design.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and produce a wide range of digital assets, including social media graphics, website content, sales collateral, and internal communication materials.

• Support marketing initiatives by creating visual assets for new product releases, exchange integrations, and major ecosystem events, ensuring consistent application of brand guidelines.

• Develop promotional materials for conferences and events, such as booth graphics, signage, and printed collateral, coordinating with vendors and internal teams for timely delivery.

• Provide essential support to the Product Design Lead by creating product-side graphics, illustrations, and visual assets, ensuring visual coherence between brand and product surfaces.

• Proactively integrate AI tools (e.g., Claude, Firefly) into daily workflows to enhance design production efficiency, explore novel visual concepts, and experiment with emerging design technologies.

• Build and maintain reusable design systems, templates, and shared libraries within Figma to streamline recurring design tasks and ensure brand consistency across all touchpoints.

• Actively experiment with new design tools and techniques, sharing findings and best practices with the broader design and marketing teams.

• Adapt and resize visual assets across various formats and platforms, ensuring optimal presentation and brand adherence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong production orientation. The emphasis on "applying brand guidelines consistently" and "adapting and resizing assets" points to a need for meticulous attention to detail and efficiency in asset generation. The inclusion of "coordinating with vendors" suggests a project management component, albeit within a design context. The expectation to "experiment with new tools and techniques" and "share what works" indicates a culture that values innovation and knowledge sharing within the design function.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent practical experience and mastery of design principles is paramount.

Experience: 3 to 5 years of professional experience as a graphic or brand designer, with a proven track record in producing high-quality visual assets across diverse media.

Required Skills:

• Brand Design: Proven ability to develop and execute visual identities and maintain brand consistency across all touchpoints.

• Digital Production: Expertise in designing assets for social media, web, and marketing campaigns.

• Figma Proficiency: Advanced skills in Figma, including the use of shared libraries, organized file structures, and collaborative features.

• Layout, Typography, and Composition: Strong foundational skills in visual design principles.

• AI Tool Integration: Demonstrated experience and a proactive mindset in using AI tools (e.g., Claude, Firefly) for design ideation and production acceleration.

• Adaptability & Versatility: Ability to seamlessly shift between brand, digital, event, and product design tasks.

• Self-Organization & Proactivity: Capacity to manage workload, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines independently in a remote setting.

• Communication: Clear, warm, and effective communication skills, with the ability to receive and incorporate feedback, as well as articulate design ideas.

• Problem-Solving: Resourceful approach to identifying and solving design challenges, with a willingness to experiment and learn.

Preferred Skills:

• Motion Design: Proficiency in creating animated graphics and motion-based content.

• Framer: Experience with Framer for interactive prototyping and web design.

• Illustration and Iconography: Skill in creating custom illustrations and iconography that align with brand aesthetics.

• Crypto/DeFi or Financial Infrastructure Familiarity: Understanding of the blockchain, cryptocurrency, or financial technology sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "excels in at least one of the following" indicates a specialization is highly valued, but a generalist background is also acceptable. The AI-forward requirement is a significant differentiator, suggesting the company is keen on leveraging cutting-edge technology in its design processes. The emphasis on "crypto/DeFi or financial infrastructure familiarity a plus" signals that while not mandatory, experience in these domains would provide a distinct advantage in understanding the company's market and audience.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of design work across digital and print mediums.

• Demonstrated ability to apply and evolve visual identity systems.

• Examples of social media assets, marketing collateral, and web graphics.

• Case studies highlighting event design projects, including booth graphics and promotional materials.

• Evidence of product-side graphics or UI elements, if applicable.

• Clear demonstration of proficiency in Figma, with organized file structures and use of components/libraries.

• Examples of how AI tools have been integrated into the design process to achieve specific outcomes. Process Documentation:

• Showcase a systematic approach to design projects, from concept to final deliverable.

• Highlight how brand guidelines are interpreted and applied across different project types.

• Detail the workflow for adapting and resizing assets for various platforms and formats.

• Illustrate collaboration processes with stakeholders, including art directors, product leads, and external vendors.

• Provide insights into how design challenges were overcome and how new tools or techniques were implemented.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical, not just for showcasing final output but for demonstrating the candidate's process, problem-solving capabilities, and technical proficiency, especially with Figma and AI tools. The expectation for "organized files using shared libraries" in Figma implies a need for systematic and scalable design practices.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the role's mid-level experience requirement (3-5 years), fully remote US-based location, and the dynamic tech/DeFi industry, a competitive salary range is estimated. For a Brand Designer in the US, this typically falls between $80,000 and $110,000 annually. This estimate considers variations based on specific location within the US (though remote, cost of living can still play a factor), the candidate's precise experience and skill set, and the company's compensation philosophy.

Benefits:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Comprehensive coverage for employees and potentially dependents.

• Remote Work Stipend: A budget to set up an ergonomic and productive home office.

• Professional Development Budget: Funds allocated for courses, conferences, workshops, and certifications to enhance design skills and industry knowledge.

• Unlimited PTO/Flexible Vacation Policy: Encourages work-life balance and employee well-being.

• Stock Options or Equity: Potential for long-term financial upside as the company grows.

• 401(k) with Company Match: Retirement savings plan with employer contributions.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week. While fully remote, a preference for US-based, PST time zone alignment suggests core working hours may overlap with US business operations to facilitate collaboration with the Head of Design and other US-based team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on industry benchmarks for remote Brand Designers in the US with 3-5 years of experience. The specific salary will depend on the candidate's qualifications and the company's internal compensation structure. Benefits are inferred based on standard offerings for full-time, remote roles in growth-stage technology companies, particularly those in the crypto/DeFi space which often offer competitive packages to attract talent. The "PST preferred" aspect of the remote work arrangement is noted as a factor for collaboration rather than a strict geographic limitation outside the US.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, specifically focused on blockchain infrastructure and decentralized finance (DeFi). Douro Labs is the core development team behind Pyth Network, a decentralized oracle network. This industry is characterized by rapid innovation, a strong emphasis on decentralization, and a global community.

Company Size: Douro Labs is likely a growing startup, given its description as a "core development team" and the mention of "startup-level speed." This implies a dynamic, agile, and potentially fast-paced work environment where individuals can have a significant impact.

Founded: While the founding date isn't specified, the company's focus on Pyth Network, a relatively recent but significant player in the oracle space, suggests it's a modern, forward-looking organization.

Team Structure:

• The design team is led by a Head of Design and includes a Brand Design Lead and a Product Design Lead.

• The broader Douro Labs team is described as "well-rounded," with expertise split between "tech whizzes" and those focused on building partnerships within the financial infrastructure community.

• Remote Work: The team operates in a digital-first, global environment, with members spread across the US, South America, Europe, and Asia. Methodology:

• Craft and Clarity: These are key communication principles, suggesting a focus on high-quality execution and clear messaging in all design and communication efforts.

• Startup-level Speed: The organization thrives in the dynamic DeFi space, requiring a designer who can move quickly without sacrificing quality, comfortable with shifting priorities and short timelines.

• AI-Forward: There's an explicit encouragement to integrate AI tools into daily workflows for efficiency and exploration.

• Collaboration: Emphasis on sharing knowledge, experimenting, and building systems that improve team efficiency.

Company Website: https://dourolabs.xyz/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is shaped by its role in the fast-paced DeFi sector. The emphasis on "craft and clarity" alongside "startup-level speed" indicates a balance between high-quality execution and agile delivery. The global, remote-first nature of the team necessitates strong asynchronous communication skills and a self-starter attitude. The explicit mention of AI integration points to a progressive approach to design tools and workflows.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is considered a Mid-Level Brand Designer, suitable for individuals with 3-5 years of experience. It offers a hands-on production-focused opportunity with direct impact on brand perception. The role is structured to provide art direction and creative direction, allowing for skill development under experienced leads.

Reporting Structure: The Brand Designer will report to the Head of Design and will receive day-to-day direction from the Brand Design Lead (primarily) and the Product Design Lead (secondarily). This multi-directional reporting structure is common in smaller, agile teams, ensuring alignment across different design functions.

Operations Impact: The Brand Designer will play a pivotal role in shaping the visual identity of Douro Labs and Pyth Network, particularly in expanding the brand's reach into traditional financial markets with "Pyth Pro." Their work will directly influence how key market participants, developers, and industry leaders perceive the company and its offerings. The ability to craft impactful work for these audiences is crucial for business development and market adoption.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: As the design team grows, there's a clear path for this role to shift towards a full-time focus on brand, campaign, and event work, allowing for deeper specialization.

• Skill Development: Opportunities to hone skills in motion design, Framer, or illustration through project work and potentially through provided professional development resources.

• AI Expertise: Becoming an expert in integrating AI tools into design workflows, positioning the candidate at the forefront of emerging design technologies.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Working with both brand and product design leads provides exposure to different facets of design strategy within a tech company.

• Industry Experience: Gaining valuable experience in the rapidly evolving DeFi and blockchain infrastructure space.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth trajectory for this role is defined by its initial production focus and a projected shift towards greater brand specialization. The emphasis on AI integration and potential specialization in motion design, Framer, or illustration offers clear avenues for skill enhancement and career progression within the company and the broader design industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully remote. This means the employee will work from their home office or a co-working space of their choice, with no requirement for in-person office attendance.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote, the preference for US-based candidates, particularly in the PST time zone, suggests a need for some overlap with US business hours for synchronous communication and collaboration. The company operates globally with team members in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.

Workspace Context:

• Digital-First Collaboration: The environment is built around digital tools and asynchronous communication, with an expectation of clear documentation and organized digital assets.

• Agile & Dynamic: The "startup-level speed" and dynamic DeFi space mean the environment can be fast-paced, requiring adaptability and quick decision-making.

• Tooling: While flexibility is given in tool choice, Figma is the primary collaborative platform, and there's a strong emphasis on leveraging AI tools.

• Team Interaction: Collaboration will occur through digital channels (e.g., Slack, Figma comments, video calls) and potentially through virtual team-building activities.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week. The remote nature offers flexibility in terms of where work is done, but the "PST preferred" indicates a need for availability during certain core hours to ensure effective team collaboration and responsiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote work environment emphasizes self-discipline, effective digital communication, and the ability to manage one's workspace and schedule efficiently. The PST preference highlights the importance of timezone alignment for team synergy, even in a fully remote setup.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and design aesthetic.

• Portfolio Presentation & Skills Assessment: Candidates will likely present their portfolio to the Brand Design Lead and/or Head of Design, discussing their process, design choices, and how they've used tools like Figma and AI. This may include a small design challenge or a deep dive into specific portfolio pieces.

• Team/Culture Fit Interview: Discussion with team members (potentially including the Product Design Lead or other designers/stakeholders) to assess communication style, collaboration approach, and alignment with company values.

• Final Interview: Likely with the Head of Design or a senior leader to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and finalize any offer details.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Range: Include examples of digital assets, event collateral, and any product-related graphics. Highlight versatility.

• Demonstrate Process: For each project, explain your thought process, the problem you were solving, your design decisions, and the tools used (especially Figma and AI).

• Highlight AI Integration: Clearly articulate how AI tools enhanced your workflow, speed, or creative output. Provide specific examples.

• Figma Organization: Ensure your Figma files are well-organized, using components and shared libraries where appropriate, demonstrating best practices.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics or describe the impact of your designs (e.g., engagement on social media, effectiveness of event materials).

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize work that aligns with the responsibilities of a brand designer, especially in a fast-paced tech/DeFi environment.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: Be prepared for a short design task that might involve creating a social media graphic, adapting an existing asset, or conceptualizing a small campaign element under a time constraint. Focus on speed, clarity, and brand adherence.

• AI Tool Familiarity: Be ready to discuss your experience with AI design tools and how you would approach integrating them into a new workflow.

• Brand Application: Practice applying brand guidelines to new scenarios. Understand how to maintain consistency while being creative.

• Communication: Be prepared to clearly articulate your design choices and rationale, especially under pressure.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's portfolio for demonstrable skills in Figma and AI integration. Candidates should be ready to articulate their design process and problem-solving approach, particularly in the context of a fast-paced, remote, and technologically forward-thinking company.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The central tool for design collaboration, prototyping, and asset creation. Proficiency with shared libraries, components, and organized file structures is essential.

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects): Likely used for advanced image editing, vector illustration, and motion graphics, though Figma is the primary collaborative platform.

• AI Design Tools: Explicitly mentioned as integral to the workflow. Examples include Claude and Firefly, but candidates should be open to and experienced with various AI platforms for ideation, asset generation, and workflow optimization.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned for this role, understanding how design impacts metrics (e.g., engagement rates on social media, conversion rates on landing pages) is beneficial. Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics or platform-specific analytics dashboards could be a plus. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the Brand Designer role, but understanding how marketing and sales collateral are used within CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) can provide context for sales collateral design.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the cornerstone of the design stack. The emphasis on AI tools indicates a commitment to modernizing design workflows. While specific analytics or CRM tools aren't listed as requirements for the designer, an awareness of their role in the broader Go-To-Market strategy can be advantageous for creating more effective marketing and sales collateral.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Craftsmanship & Quality: A commitment to producing "high-quality visual work" and maintaining "craft and clarity." This suggests a dedication to detail and aesthetic excellence.

• Speed & Agility: Thriving in the "dynamic DeFi space" requires "startup-level speed," meaning comfort with shifting priorities, short timelines, and efficient execution.

• Innovation & Experimentation: Encouragement to "experiment with new tools and techniques" and bring "AI tools into your daily workflow" highlights a culture that embraces new technologies and creative exploration.

• Collaboration & Communication: "Clear, warm communicator who takes direction well and speaks up with ideas" and the need to "share what works with the team" point to a collaborative environment where open communication and knowledge sharing are valued.

• Resourcefulness & Problem-Solving: Being a "resourceful experimenter and problem-solver who enjoys figuring things out" is key in a fast-paced, remote startup environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Digital-First & Asynchronous: Collaboration primarily occurs through digital platforms, requiring clear documentation, organized files, and effective asynchronous communication.

• Cross-Functional: Working closely with Brand Design Lead, Product Design Lead, and potentially marketing and sales teams.

• Feedback-Oriented: Taking direction well and speaking up with ideas implies a culture where constructive feedback is exchanged regularly.

• System Building: A willingness to build templates and systems that improve efficiency for the entire team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture values a blend of high-quality execution, rapid iteration, and proactive adoption of new technologies like AI. Effective communication and collaboration are paramount in this global, remote setting.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Pace of Innovation: The DeFi and blockchain space evolves rapidly, requiring continuous learning to stay current with industry trends and design expectations.

• Balancing Speed and Quality: The need for "startup-level speed" while maintaining "high standards" requires excellent time management and efficient workflow optimization.

• Global Remote Collaboration: Effectively communicating and collaborating with team members across different time zones and cultures demands strong asynchronous communication skills and proactive engagement.

• Expanding Brand Reach: Successfully translating the brand's visual identity from a Web3 native audience to traditional financial markets presents a unique branding challenge requiring strategic visual communication.

• AI Integration Learning Curve: While encouraged, mastering and effectively integrating AI tools into a design workflow can present an initial learning curve.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Tool Mastery: Deepen expertise in leveraging AI for design, becoming a go-to resource for AI-driven design solutions.

• Specialized Design Skills: Develop advanced skills in motion graphics, Framer, or illustration through project work and potentially formal training.

• Brand Strategy in New Markets: Gain experience in adapting brand messaging and visuals for traditional financial institutions, a valuable skill set.

• Design System Development: Contribute to and potentially lead the development of robust design systems for scalable brand execution.

• Exposure to Blockchain Technology: Gain hands-on experience and understanding of the underlying technology and market dynamics of Pyth Network and the broader DeFi ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to working in a fast-paced, innovative industry like DeFi, especially in a remote setting. The growth opportunities are strongly tied to developing cutting-edge skills in AI and specialized design areas, as well as gaining expertise in a high-growth industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance rapid production demands with maintaining high design quality. How did you approach it?" (Focus on workflow, prioritization, and problem-solving.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across diverse digital and physical touchpoints, especially when working remotely?" (Highlight your process for brand guideline adherence and asset management.)

• "Walk us through a project where you integrated AI tools into your design process. What were the outcomes and what did you learn?" (Be specific about the tools, your role, and the impact.)

• "How would you approach designing visual assets for our 'Pyth Pro' offering, targeting traditional financial institutions, given our existing Web3 brand identity?" (Demonstrate strategic thinking about audience adaptation.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Douro Labs and the Pyth Network specifically?" (Research the company, its mission, and its technology.)

• "How do you stay organized and productive in a fully remote work environment?" (Discuss your personal systems and time management strategies.)

• "Describe your experience working in a fast-paced, startup-like environment. What are the pros and cons for you?" (Show adaptability and understanding of startup culture.)

• "How do you give and receive constructive feedback within a design team?" (Illustrate your communication and collaboration style.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Don't just show images; tell the story behind each project. What was the problem, your solution, and the result?

• Process Focus: Clearly articulate your design process, especially how you use Figma and integrate AI tools. Show your Figma file organization if possible.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs. If metrics aren't available, describe the intended impact and how you measured success qualitatively.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Focus on your strongest, most relevant projects. Prepare to speak to each piece clearly and concisely.

• Enthusiasm: Show genuine excitement for the role and the company's mission.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating practical application of skills, especially with Figma and AI tools, and showcasing an understanding of the company's mission and industry. Candidates should be ready to articulate their process, problem-solving abilities, and how they can contribute to expanding the brand into new markets.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Brand Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience relevant to brand design, digital production, event collateral, and proficiency with Figma and AI tools. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio prominently features your best work across digital and print, clearly demonstrating your Figma skills and your experience with AI design tools. Organize it logically and be ready to walk through specific projects.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to discuss your design process, your approach to brand consistency, your experience in fast-paced environments, and your understanding of the DeFi/blockchain space (even if minimal).

• Research Douro Labs & Pyth Network: Understand their mission, technology, and target audiences to articulate your interest and how your skills align with their goals, particularly for the "Pyth Pro" initiative.

⚠️ 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.