Brand Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Brand Designer

Company: Stellar Development Foundation

Location: San Francisco, California, United States (Hybrid)

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Brand & Creative Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-06

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

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead end-to-end brand design for campaigns, product launches, and multi-channel marketing content, ensuring high-fidelity output that elevates the Stellar brand.

• Drive creative strategy and execution by developing narrative-driven visual concepts and contributing to the evolution of the design system.

• Exercise operational autonomy by managing full production lifecycles, from scoping and revisions to delivery, with minimal day-to-day oversight.

• Foster collaboration by partnering with internal stakeholders and external agencies, providing constructive feedback to ensure consistent brand excellence.

• Lead creative development on high-visibility projects and innovate team processes, including the integration of AI tools to enhance creative output.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a mid-level Brand Designer with significant ownership and autonomy, indicated by "operational autonomy" and "minimal day-to-day oversight." The focus on evolving the design system and integrating AI tools suggests a forward-thinking approach to brand operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the design and execution of visual assets for global digital and marketing channels, including social media, web, print, and presentations, ensuring brand consistency and impact.

• Develop and maintain narrative-driven visual concepts that effectively communicate the Stellar mission and brand values across all touchpoints.

• Contribute to the ongoing evolution and adherence of the Stellar design system, ensuring scalability and high standards of quality.

• Independently manage the full production lifecycle for assigned projects, from initial concept and scoping through revisions and final delivery.

• Collaborate closely with Creative leadership, internal stakeholders (Marketing, Strategy, Communications), and external agencies/freelancers, providing clear feedback and guidance.

• Lead creative development for key initiatives and high-visibility projects, demonstrating strategic thinking and design leadership.

• Proactively identify and implement improvements to team processes, including the exploration and integration of emerging AI design tools and scalable components.

• Ensure all creative output aligns with Stellar's mission of creating equitable access to the global financial system.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize end-to-end ownership, strategic contribution to brand evolution, and proactive process improvement, aligning with a mid-level role that requires both strong execution and strategic thinking within brand operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is typically expected for roles requiring this level of experience and responsibility.

Experience: 3-5 years of experience in brand design, with a blended background of agency and in-house experience preferred.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated mastery in brand design principles and visual systems.

• Robust portfolio showcasing coherent visual systems, brand thinking, and execution across digital (ads, web, social), motion, company merchandise (SWAG), and/or physical collateral.

• Advanced proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Proven ability to build upon and extend existing brand design systems.

• Experience managing end-to-end design projects, including liaising with external agencies and freelance partners.

• Strong organizational and project management skills with the capacity to manage multiple concurrent projects and deadlines independently.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for effective collaboration with cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders.

• Ability to articulate design rationale and advocate for creative decisions clearly and persuasively. Preferred Skills:

• Fluency in emerging AI design tools (e.g., Claude, Gemini, Midjourney, Envato) and experience integrating them into creative workflows.

• Familiarity with the Stellar ecosystem, open-source software, decentralized finance (DeFi), or the fintech landscape.

• Prior experience working with mission-driven organizations or non-profits.

• Experience contributing to or evolving design systems within fast-paced, growing creative teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize practical design execution, system thinking, and project management, while preferred skills highlight forward-looking capabilities like AI integration and domain-specific knowledge, indicating a role that values both current expertise and future potential.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating a strong understanding of visual systems and brand development.

• Case studies showcasing end-to-end project management, from initial concept and problem definition to final execution and impact.

• Examples of high-fidelity output across various digital and marketing channels (web, social, ads, presentations).

• Evidence of experience extending and evolving established brand design systems.

• Demonstrations of collaboration with external partners (agencies, freelancers) and ability to provide constructive feedback.

• Visuals that highlight an understanding of motion design, company merchandise (SWAG), or physical collateral if applicable. Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly a deliverable, candidates should be prepared to discuss their personal workflow for managing design projects from ideation to final delivery.

• Be ready to articulate how you document and communicate design decisions and project progress to stakeholders.

• Demonstrate an understanding of how to integrate new tools and processes (like AI) into an existing design workflow for efficiency and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are heavily focused on demonstrating practical application of brand design skills, project ownership, and collaboration, reflecting the operational aspects of a brand designer role.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $100,000 - $130,000 USD per year.

Explanation: This range is explicitly stated in the job description and is considered competitive for a Brand Designer with 3-5 years of experience in the San Francisco Bay Area, a high cost-of-living region.

Benefits:

• Competitive health, dental, and vision coverage, with most plans covered at 100% for the employee and dependents.

• Flexible time off (PTO) policy.

• 15 company holidays, including a company-wide holiday break.

• Generous paid parental leave for all parents.

• Paid pregnancy disability leave for birthing parents.

• Gym reimbursement ($80 per month).

• Life & Accidental Death & Dismemberment (ADD) insurance (up to $50,000).

• Short-term and long-term disability insurance.

• 401K retirement plan with a 4% employer match.

• Health & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).

• Commuter benefits with a $250/month employer contribution.

• Health Savings Account (HSA) with a monthly employer contribution.

• Family building benefits through Kindbody.

• Wellbeing benefits including One Medical, Rightway, and Headspace subscriptions.

• Learning & Development (L&D) budget of $1,500 per year.

• Daily lunch and snacks provided when in the office.

• Company retreats for team building and strategic alignment.

• Lumen-denominated grants (specifics would be discussed during the offer process).

Working Hours: The role is listed as FULL_TIME, implying a standard 40-hour work week. The "Hybrid" work arrangement suggests flexibility, but specific daily schedules would likely be determined by team needs and individual project demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The compensation and benefits package is comprehensive, with a strong emphasis on health and wellness, work-life balance, and professional development, reflecting a commitment to employee well-being and growth, particularly for hybrid roles. The inclusion of "lumen-denominated grants" is unique to Stellar and indicates an innovative compensation structure.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Blockchain Technology, Cryptocurrency, Financial Technology (Fintech), Open-Source Software. Stellar is at the forefront of creating equitable access to global financial systems through its blockchain network.

Company Size: The Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) is a growing organization supporting a rapidly expanding ecosystem. While the exact number isn't specified in the raw data, the description implies a dynamic and evolving team structure.

Founded: 2014. The company has a history of supporting the Stellar blockchain network and its ecosystem, emphasizing a mission-driven approach.

Team Structure:

• The Brand Designer will join the Creative Team, which is described as "kind and evolving," with "curiosity celebrated" and "support foundational."

• This role involves close partnership with "creative leadership" and "diverse stakeholders" across departments like marketing, strategy, content, and communications.

• The team structure likely includes senior mentors to guide growth and innovation. Methodology:

• The team operates with a focus on "growth-minded" individuals who can "elevate our visual narrative."

• There's an emphasis on "operational autonomy," "managing production lifecycles," and "agency partnerships."

• Innovation is encouraged, particularly through "honing craft," "innovating design systems," and introducing "scalable components and emerging AI tools."

• The overall approach is collaborative and mission-driven, aiming to bring the Stellar mission to life.

Company Website: https://stellar.org/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is characterized by a strong mission, collaborative spirit, and a drive for innovation, particularly in leveraging technology (like AI) to enhance creative operations and brand impact.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as a Mid-Level Brand Designer. It requires 3-5 years of experience and involves end-to-end ownership of projects, managing production lifecycles, and collaborating with senior stakeholders. It represents a significant step beyond junior designer roles, offering autonomy and the opportunity to lead creative development.

Reporting Structure: The Brand Designer will report to Creative leadership and will collaborate closely with internal stakeholders across various departments. This structure allows for mentorship and exposure to strategic decision-making.

Operations Impact: The Brand Designer's work directly impacts the external perception and communication of the Stellar brand. By ensuring high-fidelity output and consistent visual narratives across global channels, they contribute to building brand awareness, trust, and adoption of Stellar's technology. Their role in evolving the design system also ensures scalability and efficiency in future brand communications.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunity to hone craft in brand design, visual systems, and digital marketing content. Significant potential to develop expertise in integrating and leveraging emerging AI design tools within a professional workflow.

• Leadership Potential: Lead creative development on high-visibility projects, demonstrating leadership capabilities and strategic influence within the creative team.

• System Stewardship: Contribute to and evolve a dynamic design system, gaining experience in scalable component design and best practices for growing creative teams.

• Domain Expertise: Deepen understanding of the blockchain, DeFi, and fintech industries through consistent engagement with the Stellar ecosystem and its mission.

• Mentorship: Learn from senior mentors and creative leadership, fostering professional development and career progression within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth through skill development, leadership opportunities on key projects, and deeper engagement with cutting-edge technologies and industry trends, positioning it as a valuable step in a brand design career.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as "Hybrid," indicating a blend of remote work and in-office presence. This suggests a modern work environment that balances flexibility with in-person collaboration.

Office Location(s): San Francisco, California. The job description mentions "Daily lunch and snacks in office," which implies a physical office space is available and utilized for in-office days.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model encourages collaboration through in-office days, fostering team interaction and spontaneous idea-sharing. The description emphasizes partnership with internal stakeholders and creative leadership.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools like Figma and Adobe Creative Suite is a given. A key aspect of this role is the exploration and integration of emerging AI tools, suggesting a forward-thinking technology stack.

• Team Interaction: In-office days are likely designed for strategic planning, brainstorming sessions, team meetings, and building stronger working relationships. Remote days offer focused work time.

Work Schedule: As a FULL_TIME position, a standard 40-hour work week is expected. The hybrid nature suggests flexibility in managing work hours, with core collaboration times likely established for in-office days. The emphasis on "operational autonomy" and "minimal day-to-day oversight" implies a trust-based approach to scheduling, focusing on results and deliverables.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work environment at Stellar aims to combine the benefits of remote flexibility with the advantages of in-person collaboration, supported by modern tools and a culture that values autonomy and results.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process: While not explicitly detailed, a typical interview process for a Brand Designer role at a tech organization like SDF would likely include:

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

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion about your experience, skills, approach to brand design, and alignment with the team's needs.

• Portfolio Review Session: A deep dive into your portfolio with Creative leadership and/or senior designers, focusing on your process, strategic thinking, and execution. This is where you'll showcase your ability to manage production lifecycles and collaborate.

• Cross-functional Interview(s): Meetings with stakeholders from marketing, communications, or strategy teams to assess collaboration skills and understanding of broader business objectives.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a higher-level executive to discuss company culture, mission alignment, and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent your brand design expertise, visual systems thinking, and ability to manage end-to-end projects. Prioritize work that aligns with Stellar's industry (fintech, blockchain) and mission.

• Showcase Process: For each project, clearly articulate the problem you were solving, your strategic approach, the design decisions you made, and the rationale behind them. Use visuals to illustrate your thought process.

• Highlight Collaboration: If applicable, explain your role in team projects and how you collaborated with stakeholders or external partners.

• Demonstrate System Thinking: Emphasize projects where you built or evolved a design system, showcasing your understanding of consistency, scalability, and brand integrity.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics or outcomes that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., engagement rates, campaign performance, brand recognition improvements).

• Prepare for AI Discussion: Be ready to discuss your experience with AI design tools and how you envision integrating them into your workflow and the team's processes.

Challenge Preparation:

• You may be asked to complete a small design exercise or present a case study from your portfolio.

• Be prepared to discuss how you would approach a hypothetical design challenge for Stellar, considering their brand and mission.

• Practice articulating your design decisions and strategic rationale concisely and persuasively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's portfolio, emphasizing not just aesthetic quality but also strategic thinking, process management, and collaborative capabilities relevant to brand operations.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for collaborative design, prototyping, and creating design systems. Expect advanced usage for complex UI/UX and system components.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Proficiency required in Photoshop (image manipulation, digital assets), Illustrator (vector graphics, logos, icons), and potentially InDesign (print collateral, presentations).

• Generative AI Tools: Experience with tools like Claude, Gemini, Midjourney, or Envato is a significant plus, indicating a need for candidates to be at the forefront of design technology and automation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus for a Brand Designer, understanding how design impacts metrics tracked by marketing and analytics teams (e.g., conversion rates, engagement) is beneficial. Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics or similar platforms might be helpful for context. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core responsibilities, but an understanding of how marketing campaigns are managed and automated within CRM systems (like Salesforce, HubSpot) could provide context for campaign design. Other Relevant Tools:

• Motion Design Software: (e.g., After Effects) may be relevant if motion graphics are part of the brand's visual narrative.

• Project Management Software: (e.g., Asana, Jira, Trello) candidates will likely use these to manage their workload and collaborate.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma and Adobe Creative Suite is standard, but the explicit mention of Generative AI tools highlights a progressive approach to the design technology stack, indicating that candidates with AI integration experience will be highly valued.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A core value is "creating equitable access to the global financial system." Designers are expected to align with and contribute to this mission through their work.

• Collaboration & Support: The team is described as "kind" and "evolving," with "support foundational." This suggests a culture where teamwork and mutual assistance are highly valued.

• Curiosity & Innovation: "Curiosity is celebrated," encouraging exploration and learning. The role specifically calls for innovation in design systems and the adoption of new technologies like AI.

• Growth Mindset: Candidates are sought for being "growth-minded," indicating an emphasis on continuous learning and professional development.

• High Ownership & Autonomy: The role requires individuals who can independently manage projects and make decisions, demonstrating a commitment to delivering high-quality results.

• Excellence & Quality: Maintaining "high-fidelity output" and a "high standard of quality" are paramount in elevating the brand.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The Brand Designer will partner closely with internal stakeholders across marketing, strategy, content, and communications, requiring strong communication and relationship-building skills.

• Feedback Exchange: The role involves providing and receiving "constructive feedback," fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the creative team and with external partners.

• Knowledge Sharing: Implicit in the "growth" and "innovation" values is the expectation that team members share insights, best practices, and learnings, particularly around new tools and methodologies.

• Agency Partnerships: A key collaboration aspect is managing and working effectively with external agencies, requiring clear communication and direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at Stellar Development Foundation is a blend of mission-driven purpose, collaborative teamwork, and a forward-thinking approach to innovation, particularly in leveraging technology to enhance brand operations and impact.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Innovation: The need to maintain a cohesive brand identity while also driving innovation and incorporating new tools (like AI) can be a delicate balance.

• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Collaborating with various internal departments and external agencies requires adept stakeholder management to align expectations and ensure project success.

• Rapidly Evolving Industry: The blockchain and fintech space is fast-paced. Staying current with industry trends, competitor branding, and emerging technologies is crucial.

• Remote/Hybrid Collaboration: Effectively collaborating and maintaining team cohesion in a hybrid environment requires proactive communication and intentional team-building efforts.

• Driving AI Integration: Successfully introducing and integrating new AI tools into established design workflows requires change management, training, and demonstrating clear value.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Tool Mastery: Deepen expertise in leveraging generative AI tools for creative ideation, asset creation, and workflow optimization within a professional context.

• Design System Evolution: Contribute to and potentially lead the expansion of Stellar's design system, gaining experience in scalable component design and governance.

• Cross-functional Understanding: Gain deeper insights into marketing, communications, and strategic planning by working closely with these teams.

• Industry Exposure: Become more immersed in the blockchain, DeFi, and open-source technology sectors, understanding their unique design challenges and opportunities.

• Leadership Experience: Take on leadership roles in creative development for high-visibility projects, building skills in project direction and team influence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in dynamic tech environments, offering significant opportunities for professional growth, particularly in areas of technological adoption and strategic brand management.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a visual concept for a new campaign, from initial brief to final execution." (Focus on strategic thinking, ideation, and process.)

• "How do you approach evolving an existing brand design system? Can you provide an example?" (Demonstrate system thinking and ability to build upon established guidelines.)

• "Tell me about a time you had to manage a challenging stakeholder or agency relationship. How did you ensure a successful outcome?" (Assess collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills.)

• "How do you integrate new technologies, such as AI tools, into your design workflow? What are the benefits and potential drawbacks?" (Evaluate forward-thinking approach and adaptability.)

• "Walk me through a project in your portfolio where you had significant ownership and minimal oversight. What were the key decisions you made?" (Highlight autonomy and project management capabilities.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Stellar's mission to create equitable access to the global financial system?" (Assess mission alignment and understanding of the company's purpose.)

• "How do you see your role as a Brand Designer contributing to Stellar's growth and brand awareness?" (Connect your skills to business objectives.)

• "Describe your ideal team environment. How do you contribute to a collaborative and supportive culture?" (Gauge cultural fit and teamwork approach.)

• "How do you stay current with design trends and emerging technologies in the blockchain/fintech space?" (Demonstrate continuous learning and industry awareness.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Flow: Structure your presentation around key projects, using a clear narrative for each: the challenge, your approach, your solutions, and the results.

• Visual Emphasis: Let your work speak for itself, but be prepared to zoom in on specific details or elements that illustrate your skills and decision-making.

• Process Over Polish: While polished final assets are important, focus equally on showcasing your thought process, iterations, and problem-solving.

• Concise Explanations: Keep your talking points clear, direct, and relevant to the role's requirements. Avoid jargon where possible, or explain it clearly.

• Engage with Questions: Be prepared for in-depth questions about your design choices, technical skills, and how you handle feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of brand strategy, operational efficiency in design execution, collaborative capabilities, and alignment with Stellar's mission, backed by concrete examples from the candidate's portfolio.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Brand Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects demonstrating your experience with brand systems, end-to-end production lifecycle management, and digital/multi-channel marketing content. Tailor your presentation to highlight your proficiency in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and any experience with AI design tools.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to highlight your 3-5 years of brand design experience, emphasizing achievements in campaign execution, design system evolution, and project management. Use keywords from the job description such as "brand design," "visual systems," "Figma," "Adobe Creative Suite," "production lifecycle," and "stakeholder management."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, strategic rationale, and collaborative approach. Be ready to discuss your portfolio in detail, focusing on how your skills align with Stellar's mission and the operational demands of the role. Prepare specific examples of how you've managed projects independently and collaborated with teams and external partners.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research the Stellar Development Foundation, its mission, its blockchain technology, and its brand presence. Understand their target audience and the competitive landscape. This will help you tailor your application and interview responses to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural fit.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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