Brand Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Brand Designer

Company: Ideogram

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Remote with Hybrid option)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Brand Design / Product Design

Date Posted: April 14, 2026

Experience Level: 5+ Years

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the evolution and consistency of Ideogram's brand identity across all digital touchpoints, including web, marketing campaigns, and product surfaces.

• Develop and scale a cohesive visual system and asset library, ensuring brand expression is consistent, expressive, and uniquely Ideogram.

• Design high-impact, responsive web experiences and digital marketing campaigns that effectively communicate the company's story and technological advancements.

• Collaborate closely with product, marketing, and external creative agencies to translate brand strategy into compelling visual executions that align with the company's tone and ambition.

• Leverage AI coding tools and rapid iteration techniques for prototyping and developing landing pages, internal branding tools, and interactive prototypes.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is framed as the first Brand Designer, indicating a significant opportunity to shape the brand's foundation. The position blends brand and product design, requiring a candidate with expertise in both visual storytelling and systematic design. The emphasis on AI tools suggests a forward-thinking environment and a need for adaptability.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Brand Guideline Development & Scaling: Define, build, and scale comprehensive brand guidelines that establish a cohesive visual foundation for Ideogram's next growth phase across web, campaigns, and product interfaces.

• Marketing & Web Experience Design: Partner with product and marketing teams to conceptualize and design elegant, responsive web experiences and impactful digital campaigns that clearly communicate Ideogram's narrative and technology.

• Cross-Functional Brand Integration: Work closely with product, marketing, and engineering teams to ensure brand expression is consistently applied and inspiring across all touchpoints, from major launch moments to subtle UI elements.

• Creative Agency Collaboration: Effectively translate high-level brand strategy into tangible visual executions, ensuring all assets produced by external agencies align with Ideogram's established tone, aesthetic, and ambitious goals.

• Rapid Prototyping and Iteration: Utilize sketches, motion studies, and rapid iteration cycles to quickly explore design concepts, incorporating feedback and performance data to refine and optimize design directions.

• Design Excellence and Storytelling Champion: Uphold and champion a high standard for visual quality and brand consistency, while actively inspiring colleagues across teams to embrace creative thinking and bold design execution.

• System Design and Asset Management: Build and maintain a scalable design system and a comprehensive asset library that brings Ideogram's identity to life efficiently and effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on role with strategic impact. The emphasis on "scaling" and "next phase of growth" suggests the need for a designer who can build processes and systems, not just execute individual projects. The direct mention of "AI coding tools" and "rapid iterations" points to a fast-paced, experimental approach to design execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong foundation in graphic design, visual communication, or a related field is expected, demonstrated through a robust portfolio.

Experience: 5+ years of progressive experience in brand design, motion design, visual design, or marketing design, with a preference for candidates from creative technology, AI, or design-led companies.

Required Skills:

• Brand Identity Development: Proven ability to define, evolve, and scale brand guidelines and visual systems.

• Digital Design Expertise: Strong portfolio showcasing excellence in web design, digital campaigns, and brand asset creation that balances craft, clarity, and compelling storytelling.

• Design Systems Thinking: Demonstrated experience in creating and maintaining scalable design systems and reusable components across diverse channels and platforms.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven ability to partner effectively with product management, marketing, and external creative agencies in fast-paced, collaborative environments.

• Technical Proficiency (Figma): Expert-level command of Figma for design system development, collaboration, and prototyping.

• Iterative Design & Experimentation: Experience in blending creative intuition with data-driven decision-making, leveraging experimentation, A/B testing, and performance metrics to guide design evolution and continuous learning.

Preferred Skills:

• Motion Design: Experience in creating dynamic and engaging motion graphics.

• AI Coding Tool Proficiency: Hands-on experience with AI coding tools such as Claude Code and Cursor for rapid prototyping, landing page development, and internal tool creation.

• Understanding of Generative Media/AI: Familiarity with or interest in generative media models and AI-native creative workflows as pioneered by Ideogram.

• Brand Strategy Acumen: Ability to translate high-level brand strategy into actionable visual design executions.

• Responsive Design: Deep understanding of responsive design principles for web experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "5+ years" suggests this is not an entry-level position, but rather for a designer ready to take significant ownership. The explicit mention of AI coding tools is a critical differentiator, indicating a need for a candidate who is not only a skilled designer but also an early adopter of new technologies that can accelerate design workflows.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Brand Systems Showcase: Demonstrate the creation and evolution of a scalable brand identity system, highlighting how it was applied across various touchpoints (web, digital collateral, product interfaces).

• Web & Campaign Design Examples: Feature polished examples of responsive web experiences and impactful digital marketing campaigns, emphasizing visual appeal, clarity of message, and user engagement.

• Storytelling and Craft: Present projects that clearly articulate a compelling brand narrative and showcase a high level of design craft and attention to detail.

• Systematic Approach: Include examples that illustrate your ability to think systematically, showing how you've built reusable components, established design patterns, and ensured consistency across a brand's ecosystem.

• AI Tool Integration: Where applicable, showcase projects that leveraged AI tools for rapid prototyping, asset generation, or experimental design, demonstrating efficiency and innovation.

Process Documentation:

• Brand Evolution Case Studies: Document the process of evolving a brand identity, detailing research, strategic decisions, creative exploration, and implementation phases.

• Design System Development Workflow: Outline the methodology used to create and maintain design systems, including collaboration models, documentation standards, and version control.

• Marketing Campaign Design Process: Illustrate the end-to-end process for designing digital marketing campaigns, from brief interpretation and concept development to asset creation and performance analysis.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration Frameworks: Provide examples of how you've structured collaboration with product, marketing, and engineering teams to ensure brand alignment and successful project delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is a critical component for this role, especially given its foundational nature. Candidates should focus on demonstrating not just aesthetic talent, but also strategic thinking, systematic approaches, and an understanding of how to build and scale a brand identity. The inclusion of AI tool usage in projects is highly desirable.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Brand Designer with 5+ years of experience in a high-growth tech company in Canada, a competitive salary range is estimated to be CAD $90,000 - $130,000 annually. This range accounts for the seniority of the role, the demand for specialized skills (including AI tools), and the company's funding status.

Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation & Equity: Attractive salary package and stock options, reflecting significant impact and contribution.

• Generous Paid Time Off: 4 weeks of vacation annually to ensure work-life balance and prevent burnout.

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Full health, vision, and dental insurance plans provided from day one of employment.

• Retirement Savings Plan: RRSP/401(k) with an employer match of up to 4%, supporting long-term financial security.

• Top-Tier Tools & Technology: Access to the latest hardware, software, and creative tools necessary for high-performance design work.

• Toronto HQ Perks: Prime office location near Union Station with daily catered lunches and dinners, fostering a collaborative in-office environment.

• Autonomy and Resources: Significant freedom to explore and experiment with new ideas, backed by access to necessary compute resources and dedicated time for research and development.

• Culture of Learning: Opportunities for continuous professional development, mentorship, and skill enhancement within a curious and collaborative team.

Working Hours: A standard 40-hour work week is expected, with flexibility offered to accommodate project needs and individual work styles, particularly given the remote and hybrid work arrangements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on data from similar roles in major Canadian tech hubs and takes into account Ideogram's stated funding and growth ambitions. The benefits package is comprehensive and aligns with typical offerings for senior roles in well-funded tech startups. The note on autonomy and resources is crucial for candidates interested in a role with significant creative freedom.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Generative Media / Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Creative Workflows. Ideogram operates at the cutting edge of AI, developing proprietary models to democratize design and multiply human creativity.

Company Size: Ideogram is in a rapid growth phase, aiming to triple its team size within the next year. This suggests a dynamic, evolving environment with approximately 50-150 employees currently.

Founded: Ideogram was founded with a mission to make world-class design accessible, building on breakthroughs in Diffusion Models and technologies like Google's Imagen. This foundation emphasizes innovation and a passion for craft.

Team Structure:

• Product Design Team: The Brand Designer will join the Product Design team, indicating a close integration with product development.

• Flat Hierarchy: Ideogram emphasizes a flat team structure, promoting high ownership, direct collaboration, and reduced bureaucracy.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The role requires close partnership with Marketing, Product, and external creative agencies, highlighting a collaborative and integrated approach to brand building.

Methodology:

• AI-Native Workflows: Ideogram leverages proprietary generative media models and AI-native creative workflows to tackle complex design challenges.

• Data-Driven Iteration: The company encourages blending creative intuition with measurable impact through experimentation, A/B testing, and performance data.

• Craft and Taste: A strong emphasis is placed on design quality, aesthetic sensibility, and storytelling alongside engineering and research excellence.

Company Website: https://ideogram.ai/

📝 Enhancement Note: Ideogram's focus on AI, generative media, and "multiplying human creativity" positions it as a disruptive force in the design tech space. The company culture is described as fast-paced, collaborative, and ownership-driven, appealing to individuals who thrive in dynamic startup environments and are passionate about cutting-edge technology and design.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a foundational, senior-level Brand Designer. As the first dedicated Brand Designer, the individual will have the opportunity to define and build core brand systems and processes, laying the groundwork for future design team expansion. This offers significant scope for influence and impact.

Reporting Structure: The Brand Designer will likely report to a Head of Product Design or a similar senior design leadership role, working closely with cross-functional leaders in Marketing and Product.

Operations Impact: The Brand Designer's work will directly influence Ideogram's market perception, customer acquisition, and user experience. By establishing a strong, consistent brand identity, they will be instrumental in communicating the company's innovative technology and creative mission, thereby supporting GTM strategies and revenue growth.

Growth Opportunities:

• Brand Leadership: Potential to grow into a Brand Lead or Art Director role as the design team expands, overseeing brand strategy and execution for the entire company.

• System Development: Opportunity to build and champion a sophisticated design system that becomes a core asset for Ideogram's product and marketing efforts.

• AI Tool Mastery: Deepen expertise in leveraging AI tools for design, becoming a thought leader in AI-assisted creative workflows.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Develop a strong understanding of product development and marketing strategies through close collaboration.

• Mentorship: As a senior member, there will be opportunities to mentor junior designers and contribute to the team's overall skill development.

📝 Enhancement Note: This is a "build-from-the-ground-up" role. The growth trajectory is less about climbing a pre-defined ladder and more about shaping the function and potentially the team itself. Candidates should be motivated by the prospect of defining processes, setting standards, and having a direct, tangible impact on a rapidly scaling company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Ideogram offers a hybrid work environment, with a primary headquarters in Toronto. This suggests a blend of remote flexibility and in-office collaboration opportunities.

Office Location(s): The Toronto HQ is conveniently located steps from Union Station and the PATH, indicating an accessible and central urban workspace. While the role is remote-eligible for Canada and the US, the Toronto office provides a hub for in-person collaboration, team events, and access to amenities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The Toronto office serves as a central point for in-person collaboration, team lunches, and dinners, fostering a strong sense of community and shared purpose.

• Tech-Forward Environment: Expect access to top-of-the-line tools and technology, including significant compute resources for experimentation, supporting a creative and productive workflow.

• Dynamic Startup Pace: The environment is characterized by rapid iteration, cross-functional teamwork, and a culture of high ownership, encouraging proactive engagement and idea sharing.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is implied, the company's emphasis on autonomy and remote flexibility suggests that individuals can manage their schedules to optimize productivity, provided project deadlines and collaborative needs are met. This is supportive of deep work and creative exploration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model, combined with a central Toronto HQ, offers a balanced approach. Candidates should assess their comfort with both remote work and occasional in-office collaboration. The emphasis on "autonomy to explore and experiment" with access to resources is a key differentiator for this work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess alignment with the role's core requirements and Ideogram's aesthetic.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A deep dive into your portfolio, focusing on key projects that demonstrate brand system development, web/campaign design, storytelling, and your systematic approach. Expect to discuss your process, decision-making, and impact.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Product and Marketing to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and understanding of how brand integrates with product and go-to-market strategies.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: This may involve a design challenge or a discussion focused on your proficiency with Figma and any experience with AI coding tools.

• Cultural Fit Interview: A conversation to gauge alignment with Ideogram's values of curiosity, creativity, shared ownership, and collaboration.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that highlight your brand system building, web design, marketing collateral, and storytelling capabilities.

• Showcase Process, Not Just Polish: Clearly articulate your design process, the problem you were solving, your strategic thinking, the tools you used (especially Figma and AI tools), and the outcomes achieved.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the impact of your design work (e.g., improved engagement, conversion rates, brand consistency scores).

• Highlight Systemic Thinking: Emphasize how you approach building scalable systems and reusable components.

• Demonstrate AI Tool Usage: If you have projects where AI tools were integral to your workflow or outcome, make sure to showcase this prominently.

• Tell a Story: Frame your portfolio presentation as a narrative, guiding the interviewer through your journey and insights for each project.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Ideogram: Research Ideogram's mission, product, current branding, and target audience. Be prepared to discuss how you would evolve or strengthen their visual identity.

• Design System Fundamentals: Brush up on best practices for design system creation, maintenance, and scalability.

• AI Tool Exploration: If you have limited experience with AI coding tools, familiarize yourself with their capabilities and potential applications in design workflows.

• Brand Strategy Basics: Be ready to discuss how brand strategy informs visual design and how you translate strategic goals into creative execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio review and potential design challenge underscores the practical, execution-oriented nature of this role. Candidates should prepare to articulate their design process, demonstrate their system-building capabilities, and showcase their proficiency with key tools, particularly Figma and AI coding tools.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for design system creation, UI design, prototyping, and cross-functional collaboration. Mastery is expected.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects (or similar for motion graphics) is likely beneficial for asset creation and motion studies.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics Platforms (e.g., Google Analytics): Understanding how to interpret data from web experiences to inform design decisions.

• A/B Testing Tools: Familiarity with tools used for experimentation to measure the impact of design variations.

CRM & Automation:

Emerging Technologies:

• AI Coding Tools (e.g., Claude Code, Cursor): A key requirement for rapid prototyping, landing page development, and internal tool creation. Hands-on experience is highly valued.

• Generative AI Design Tools: Familiarity with and willingness to experiment with AI tools for image generation, idea exploration, and asset creation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily skewed towards design tools, with a significant emphasis on Figma and emerging AI coding tools. This signals a forward-thinking design department that embraces technology to accelerate workflows and explore new creative possibilities.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Curiosity: A deep desire to explore, learn, and push the boundaries of what's possible, particularly in AI and design.

• Creativity: Valuing bold ideas, innovative approaches, and a passion for craft and aesthetic excellence.

• Shared Ownership: A commitment to collective success, where everyone takes responsibility for outcomes and contributes to the company's mission.

• Collaboration: Openness to working closely across teams, sharing knowledge, and fostering a supportive, inclusive environment.

• Craftsmanship: A dedication to high-quality execution and attention to detail in all aspects of design and product development.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Teamwork: Close partnerships between Design, Product, and Marketing to ensure cohesive and impactful user experiences and brand messaging.

• Open Feedback Loops: A culture where constructive feedback is welcomed and utilized for continuous improvement of designs and processes.

• Experimentation-Driven: A willingness to try new approaches, test hypotheses, and iterate based on learnings, fostering a dynamic and adaptive workflow.

• High Trust, Low Ego: An environment where individuals feel empowered to contribute their best work without unnecessary bureaucracy or hierarchy.

📝 Enhancement Note: Ideogram's culture emphasizes a blend of innovation, execution, and collaboration. Candidates should be prepared for a fast-paced environment where individual initiative and teamwork are equally valued. The focus on "creating belonging and removing barriers" suggests a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Establishing Foundational Brand Systems: As the first Brand Designer, building and scaling comprehensive brand guidelines and design systems from the ground up will require significant strategic thinking and execution.

• Balancing Craft with Scalability: Ensuring that high-quality design and unique brand expression can be consistently applied across a rapidly growing product and marketing landscape.

• Integrating AI into Workflows: Effectively leveraging new and evolving AI tools to enhance design processes without compromising creative integrity or quality.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Navigating the needs and perspectives of diverse teams (Product, Marketing, Engineering) to maintain brand coherence.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Shaping Brand Identity: A unique chance to define and evolve the visual identity of a pioneering AI company at a critical growth stage.

• Mastering AI Design Tools: Becoming an expert in cutting-edge AI tools for design and prototyping, positioning yourself at the forefront of the industry.

• Strategic Design Influence: Gaining significant influence over brand strategy and its impact on business objectives.

• Mentorship & Team Building: Opportunity to mentor future design hires and contribute to building Ideogram's design function.

• Industry Exposure: Working within a rapidly evolving AI and generative media landscape, offering continuous learning and exposure to industry breakthroughs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge is the opportunity to build. This role requires someone who is proactive, strategic, and comfortable with ambiguity. The growth potential lies in the direct impact and leadership opportunities that come with establishing a key function within a growing company.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach defining and scaling Ideogram's brand guidelines for a company operating in the rapidly evolving AI/generative media space?" (Focus on process, flexibility, and future-proofing.)

• "Describe a time you had to balance high-level brand strategy with the practical needs of product UI or marketing campaigns. How did you ensure consistency?" (Highlight collaboration, system thinking, and problem-solving.)

• "Given Ideogram's mission, how would you leverage AI coding tools to accelerate the design and development of marketing landing pages or internal branding assets?" (Demonstrate technical curiosity and practical application of AI tools.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about Ideogram's mission and your role as the first Brand Designer here?" (Align your passion with the company's vision.)

• "How do you embody Ideogram's values of curiosity, creativity, and shared ownership in your work?" (Provide specific examples from your experience.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Flow: Structure your portfolio presentation as a story, guiding the interviewers through your thought process, challenges, solutions, and results for each key project.

• Focus on Systems: Clearly articulate your approach to building and maintaining design systems. Show examples of components, patterns, and how they ensure consistency.

• Demonstrate AI Tool Impact: If possible, showcase a project where AI tools significantly improved efficiency, enabled new creative avenues, or led to a unique outcome. Explain your role and the specific tools used.

• Quantify Outcomes: Whenever possible, present metrics that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., user engagement, conversion rates, brand recall).

• Be Ready for Live Design: While not guaranteed, be prepared for a brief, spontaneous design exercise or a discussion about how you would approach a specific hypothetical design problem.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only design skill but also strategic thinking, adaptability, and an understanding of Ideogram's unique position in the AI and design space. The emphasis on AI tools and system building is paramount.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Brand Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Ashby link.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your most impactful projects that best showcase your brand system design, web/digital campaign experience, storytelling prowess, and any use of AI coding tools. Ensure your portfolio clearly articulates your process, problem-solving approach, and the outcomes achieved.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience relevant to brand identity development, design systems, cross-functional collaboration, and proficiency with Figma and AI design tools. Use keywords from the job description to optimize for applicant tracking systems (ATS).

• Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your design philosophy, your approach to building foundational brand elements, and how you see yourself contributing to Ideogram's growth and mission. Practice presenting your portfolio projects concisely and effectively.

• Research Ideogram Deeply: Understand Ideogram's product, target audience, current brand presence, and competitive landscape within the AI/generative media industry. This will enable you to speak knowledgeably about their brand and potential future directions.

⚠️ 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.