Brand Designer
๐ Job Overview
Job Title: Brand Designer
Company: Niagen Bioscience
Location: Westwood, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Marketing & Creative Operations
Date Posted: 2026-08-25
Experience Level: Junior (1-3 years)
Remote Status: Hybrid
๐ Role Summary
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Develop and execute high-quality, on-brand creative assets across print, email, and broader marketing channels.
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Translate creative briefs into clear, effective visual solutions, supporting the company's brand portfolio (Tru Niagen, Niagen Plus).
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Maintain and evolve brand guidelines, templates, and design standards to ensure consistency.
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Collaborate closely with the Creative Director and cross-functional marketing, brand, and product teams.
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Prepare production-ready creative files and support quality control throughout the design and production lifecycle.
๐ Enhancement Note: This role is specifically for a Brand Designer with a focus on supporting marketing and brand initiatives within a bioscience company. The emphasis on print and email design, alongside brand consistency for multiple brands, suggests a need for meticulous execution and understanding of diverse marketing channels. The "C.H.E." cultural values (Character, Horsepower, Experience) indicate a preference for proactive, ethical, and skilled individuals.
๐ Primary Responsibilities
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Design and produce a range of print assets, including packaging updates, product inserts, marketing collateral, and sales materials, ensuring adherence to brand guidelines.
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Create and optimize marketing and lifecycle email creative, considering responsive design best practices and platform requirements for tools like Klaviyo or Mailchimp.
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Support concept development and creative execution for integrated campaigns, product launches, and seasonal initiatives, working collaboratively with marketing and product teams.
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Adapt and apply brand guidelines, templates, and design standards across the company's portfolio to maintain visual consistency.
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Prepare accurate, production-ready creative files and oversee quality control through the design and production phases.
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Perform basic photo retouching and simple compositing for print and email applications.
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Assist with light digital asset creation, such as basic banners and social graphics, as needed.
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Participate actively in creative brainstorming sessions, contributing ideas to support campaign and brand objectives.
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Maintain the organization and quality of the creative team's output and shared design assets.
๐ Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on design execution and collaborative support. A key aspect is managing brand consistency across multiple brands and various print and digital touchpoints, which requires a strong understanding of brand systems and design application. The inclusion of "packaging updates" and "product inserts" suggests a need for understanding physical product design requirements.
๐ Skills & Qualifications
Education: Not specified, but a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is typically expected for this level.
Experience: 1-3 years of professional design experience, with a preference for experience supporting brands in the wellness, supplements, health technology, consumer packaged goods (CPG), or direct-to-consumer (DTC) sectors.
Required Skills:
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Strong foundation in graphic design principles, including layout, typography, composition, color theory, and visual hierarchy.
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Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
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Experience designing print materials (packaging, collateral, inserts) and marketing/lifecycle email creative.
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Ability to work within established brand systems and apply brand guidelines consistently.
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Basic understanding of email platform requirements and responsive design best practices for platforms like Klaviyo or Mailchimp.
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Strong attention to detail and ability to produce accurate, production-ready creative files.
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Ability to manage multiple assignments, adapt to shifting priorities, and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
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A strong portfolio demonstrating relevant brand, print, and email design work. Preferred Skills:
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Familiarity with Figma.
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Basic photo retouching and compositing skills.
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Experience with light digital asset creation (banners, social graphics).
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Understanding of how creative execution supports brand consistency, customer engagement, and brand equity.
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Experience working in a regulated or science-forward industry (health, wellness, supplements, pharmaceuticals).
๐ Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of 1-3 years positions this as a junior to mid-level role. The emphasis on Adobe Creative Suite is standard, but the explicit mention of Figma as a plus indicates a potential future integration or usage within the team. The preferred qualifications point towards candidates who can hit the ground running with specific industry knowledge and a broader skill set.
๐ Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
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A robust portfolio showcasing a strong foundation in graphic design, specifically highlighting brand identity work, print collateral design (e.g., packaging, brochures), and email campaign creative.
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Examples demonstrating the ability to maintain brand consistency across different applications and platforms.
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Case studies or visual examples that illustrate the translation of creative briefs into effective visual solutions.
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Visuals that highlight attention to detail, typographic expertise, and strong compositional skills.
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Samples of production-ready files or clear explanations of the production process. Process Documentation:
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The role requires adherence to established brand guidelines and design standards, acting as a form of process documentation.
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Candidates should be prepared to discuss their process for receiving creative briefs, developing concepts, incorporating feedback, and preparing final files for production.
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Understanding of workflow management for print production and email campaign deployment is beneficial.
๐ Enhancement Note: For a junior designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It serves as the primary evidence of their skills and experience. The emphasis on "production-ready files" and "brand consistency" implies that the hiring team values practical application and adherence to established systems over purely conceptual design.
๐ต Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $30.00 - $40.00 per hour.
Benefits:
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Competitive salary (hourly rate specified).
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Affordable health benefits.
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Company-sponsored life insurance.
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Wellness initiatives.
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Retirement savings plan with company match.
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Paid time off (PTO).
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Career growth opportunities.
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Flexible/hybrid work environment.
Working Hours: 40 hours per week.
๐ Enhancement Note: The salary range of $30-$40 per hour for a Brand Designer with 1-3 years of experience in Westwood, CA, is competitive, reflecting the cost of living and the specialized nature of the role in a bioscience/health tech context. The benefits package is comprehensive, offering standard employee perks along with specific wellness and growth opportunities aligned with the company's mission. The hybrid work environment is also a key perk.
๐ฏ Team & Company Context
๐ข Company Culture
Industry: Bioscience, specifically focused on healthy aging and NAD+ precursors (Niagenยฎ). The company operates in a science-forward, research-driven, and regulated industry.
Company Size: Niagen Bioscience is a publicly traded company (NASDAQ: NAGE), suggesting a medium to large organizational structure with established processes but also potential for growth and innovation. The description implies a dynamic environment.
Founded: Founded in an era that has seen significant advancements in bioscience and health supplements, the company has a history of partnering with universities and research institutions.
Team Structure:
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The Brand Designer will work closely with the Creative Director and report to them.
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Collaboration is expected with cross-functional marketing, brand, and product teams.
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The "C.H.E." (Character, Horsepower, Experience) framework suggests a culture that values integrity, strong work ethic, problem-solving, and functional expertise. Methodology:
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Data-driven approach, evidenced by the focus on clinical studies and research for their flagship ingredient, Niagenยฎ.
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Emphasis on discovery, development, and creating solutions that impact human health.
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Collaborative environment where employees are encouraged to adapt and contribute.
Company Website: Niagen Bioscience (though not explicitly provided, it can be inferred from the company name and implied industry presence). A quick search reveals niagenbioscience.com.
๐ Enhancement Note: The company's mission to "redefine healthy aging" and its scientific backing through Niagenยฎ positions it as a leader in its niche. The "C.H.E." values are a strong indicator of the desired employee profile: proactive, ethical individuals with a strong work ethic and practical skills. The bioscience and potentially regulated nature of the industry mean that attention to detail, accuracy, and adherence to standards are paramount.
๐ Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This is a junior-level Brand Designer role, focused on execution and support within the marketing and creative function. It's an entry point into brand management and creative operations within a science-focused company.
Reporting Structure: The Brand Designer reports directly to the Creative Director, indicating a clear line of supervision and mentorship for creative development.
Operations Impact: While not a traditional "operations" role in terms of systems or process optimization, the Brand Designer's work directly impacts brand perception, customer engagement, and the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. High-quality creative is crucial for communicating the scientific value of Niagen Bioscience's products and building brand equity.
Growth Opportunities:
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Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in print design, packaging, email marketing design, and potentially light digital/social graphics.
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Brand System Mastery: Become an expert in managing and evolving brand guidelines for a growing portfolio of brands.
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Industry Knowledge: Gain valuable experience in a science-forward industry, understanding how creative supports complex product narratives.
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Cross-functional Exposure: Work with various teams (marketing, product) to understand broader business objectives and how creative contributes to them.
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Potential Advancement: With demonstrated success and expanded skills, potential to move into a Senior Brand Designer, Art Director, or specialized roles within the creative or marketing departments.
๐ Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities are framed within the creative and marketing function. For a Brand Designer, career progression typically involves taking on more complex projects, leading design initiatives, or specializing in specific areas like packaging or digital design. The company's growth in the bioscience sector offers a fertile ground for such development.
๐ Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid work environment, indicating a mix of remote and in-office work. Specific details on the number of in-office days are not provided but are typical for hybrid roles.
Office Location(s): Westwood, CA. This location in Los Angeles County is known for its vibrant business and academic community.
Workspace Context:
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Collaborative Environment: The role involves close collaboration with the Creative Director and cross-functional teams, suggesting an open and communicative workspace when in the office.
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Tools & Technology: Access to Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) is expected, with Figma being a plus. The company likely provides necessary hardware and software for design work.
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Team Interaction: Opportunities for in-person brainstorming, feedback sessions, and team alignment when working from the office.
Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week, typical for full-time employment. The hybrid model offers some flexibility in managing the work week.
๐ Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role suggests a modern workplace that balances flexibility with the need for in-person collaboration, which is often beneficial for creative teams. Westwood, CA, is a prime location that may attract talent from a wider metropolitan area.
๐ Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
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Initial Screening: Likely involves reviewing the resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and design aesthetic.
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Portfolio Review: A dedicated session with the Creative Director and/or hiring team to walk through the candidate's portfolio, discussing specific projects, design choices, and problem-solving approaches.
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Skills Assessment: Potentially a design challenge or exercise to evaluate practical application of skills, adherence to brand guidelines, and response to a creative brief. This could involve print or email design tasks.
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Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with marketing or product stakeholders to assess collaboration skills and understanding of campaign objectives.
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Cultural Fit: Discussions to gauge alignment with Niagen Bioscience's "C.H.E." values and overall company culture.
Portfolio Review Tips:
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Curate Selectively: Showcase 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that highlight brand, print, and email design capabilities.
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Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the challenges, your design process, and the impact or outcome.
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Highlight Brand Consistency: Emphasize how you maintained brand guidelines and ensured visual cohesion across different applications.
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Showcase Technical Skills: Include examples that demonstrate your proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and your ability to prepare production-ready files.
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Prepare for Specifics: Be ready to discuss your experience with packaging design, product inserts, and email campaign optimization.
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Demonstrate Responsiveness: Be prepared to discuss how you incorporate feedback and iterate on designs efficiently.
Challenge Preparation:
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Understand the Brand: Thoroughly research Niagen Bioscience, Tru Niagen, and Niagen Plus. Understand their mission, target audience, and existing brand aesthetic.
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Practice Brief Interpretation: Be ready to quickly grasp a creative brief and translate it into design concepts.
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Focus on Core Skills: Prepare for tasks that test layout, typography, and adherence to brand guidelines for print or email.
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Time Management: Practice completing design tasks within a specified timeframe.
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Articulate Design Decisions: Be prepared to explain your design choices and how they align with the brief and brand strategy.
๐ Enhancement Note: The interview process for a creative role heavily relies on the portfolio. Candidates should anticipate a detailed review of their work and potentially a practical design exercise. Understanding the company's specific industry (bioscience, health) and its brands (Tru Niagen, Niagen Plus) will be crucial for demonstrating alignment and strategic thinking.
๐ Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
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Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign are essential.
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Figma: Familiarity is a plus, indicating potential use for collaborative design or prototyping.
Analytics & Reporting:
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While not directly a design tool, understanding how creative performs is key. Familiarity with analytics from email platforms could be beneficial. CRM & Automation:
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Email Marketing Platforms: Basic understanding of platforms like Klaviyo or Mailchimp is required for adapting email templates and understanding deployment requirements.
๐ Enhancement Note: The core technology stack is standard for graphic designers. The mention of Figma as a plus suggests a potential shift towards collaborative design platforms. Familiarity with email marketing platforms is a practical necessity for the email design responsibilities.
๐ฅ Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
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Character: Positive attitude, commitment to success, strong ethics. This implies integrity, reliability, and a good work ethic.
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Horsepower: Good judgment, creative problem-solving, strong work ethic. This suggests a need for initiative, analytical thinking, and efficiency.
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Experience: Functional knowledge and skills to perform efficiently. This emphasizes practical expertise and competence in design execution.
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Data-Driven: The company's foundation in scientific research and clinical studies indicates a value for data, evidence, and measurable impact.
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Innovation & Discovery: A core part of the company's mission, suggesting an environment that encourages new ideas and approaches.
Collaboration Style:
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Cross-functional Integration: Expected to work closely with marketing, brand, and product teams, requiring strong communication and teamwork.
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Feedback-Oriented: The role involves incorporating feedback, suggesting a culture where constructive criticism is shared and acted upon.
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Brand Guardianship: A shared responsibility for maintaining brand consistency and quality across the portfolio.
๐ Enhancement Note: The "C.H.E." framework is central to understanding the desired team member. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate these attributes. The scientific nature of the company also implies a culture that values accuracy, research, and evidence-based decision-making, even within the creative function.
โก Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
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Balancing Multiple Brands: Managing design consistency and unique brand identities for Tru Niagen and Niagen Plus, along with potential future brands.
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Fast-Paced Environment: Adapting to shifting priorities and managing multiple assignments efficiently in a dynamic bioscience company.
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Production-Ready Files: Ensuring accuracy and adherence to print and digital specifications to avoid production issues.
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Incorporating Feedback: Effectively integrating revisions and feedback from various stakeholders while maintaining creative integrity and project timelines.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
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Deepen Industry Expertise: Gain specialized knowledge in the bioscience, health, and wellness sectors, understanding how to communicate complex scientific information visually.
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Expand Design Skillset: Develop advanced skills in packaging design, email marketing optimization, and potentially digital/social media graphics.
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Brand System Management: Learn to manage and contribute to the evolution of comprehensive brand guidelines.
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Cross-functional Collaboration: Enhance communication and project management skills by working with diverse teams.
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Mentorship: Benefit from guidance from the Creative Director and experienced marketing professionals.
๐ Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a junior designer in a growing company, emphasizing the need for adaptability and strong execution. The growth opportunities are directly tied to expanding design capabilities and gaining industry-specific knowledge, which are valuable for long-term career development in creative roles.
๐ก Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
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"Describe a time you had to design for a brand with strict guidelines. How did you ensure consistency while still bringing your own creative input?" (Assesses adherence to brand systems and creative problem-solving).
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"Walk me through your process for designing an email campaign from brief to final asset. What considerations do you make for responsiveness and platform compatibility?" (Evaluates workflow, technical understanding, and email design expertise).
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"How do you approach incorporating feedback from multiple stakeholders on a design project?" (Tests collaboration, communication, and revision management skills). Company & Culture Questions:
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"What interests you about Niagen Bioscience and our mission to redefine healthy aging?" (Assesses motivation and alignment with company values).
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"How do the 'C.H.E.' values resonate with your own work style and professional philosophy?" (Evaluates cultural fit and self-awareness).
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"How do you see your design contributions supporting brand equity and customer engagement for products like Tru Niagen?" (Tests understanding of brand impact and strategic thinking). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
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Select Relevant Projects: Prioritize 3-5 examples that best showcase your brand, print, and email design skills, relevant to Niagen Bioscience's industry.
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Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly outline the problem/brief, your role, the process/solutions, and the outcome/impact.
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Highlight Technical Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your use of Adobe Creative Suite and your methods for preparing production-ready files.
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Emphasize Brand Consistency: Clearly articulate how you maintained and applied brand guidelines across different assets.
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Prepare for Design Exercises: Anticipate a potential design challenge that tests your ability to interpret a brief and execute within brand parameters.
๐ Enhancement Note: The interview questions will likely probe both technical design skills and the candidate's understanding of brand strategy, collaboration, and company values. A strong portfolio that directly addresses the requirements of print and email design within a science-focused company will be key.
๐ Application Steps
To apply for this Brand Designer position:
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Submit your application through the provided application link on jobs.lever.co.
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Customize Your Resume: Ensure your resume highlights experience relevant to brand design, print collateral, email campaigns, and any work within the health, wellness, or bioscience sectors. Use keywords from the job description.
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Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that demonstrate brand consistency, print design (packaging, collateral), and email design. Ensure it's easily accessible (e.g., PDF, personal website).
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Prepare Your Portfolio Walkthrough: Be ready to discuss your projects in detail, explaining your process, design decisions, and the outcomes. Practice articulating how your work aligns with Niagen Bioscience's mission and brands.
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Research Niagen Bioscience: Thoroughly understand the company's mission, its products (Tru Niagen, Niagen Plus), and its "C.H.E." values to tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.
โ ๏ธ 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.
Application Requirements
Candidates must have 1-3 years of professional design experience with a strong foundation in layout, typography, and visual hierarchy. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and experience designing for print and email campaigns are required.