Brand Designer (Contract)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Brand Designer (Contract)

Company: Open Inc.

Location: Los Angeles, California, United States

Job Type: Contract / Freelance

Category: Creative & Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-24

Experience Level: 2-5 years

Remote Status: Hybrid (Remote flexible)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on crafting compelling visual assets and maintaining brand consistency across diverse marketing and product channels.

• The Brand Designer will be instrumental in translating brand strategy into engaging visual narratives for a modern wellness studio.

• Key responsibilities include designing for social media, digital platforms, print collateral, and in-app user experiences.

• The position requires a blend of strong design fundamentals, technical proficiency, and adaptability to evolving design workflows, including AI integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a contract position, indicating a need for immediate impact and project-based deliverables rather than long-term strategic planning typically associated with internal Brand Operations roles. The focus on "active production needs" and "moving fast" highlights a hands-on, execution-oriented approach.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute high-quality visual designs for social media content, ensuring assets feel native and engaging to each platform's audience.

• Create impactful marketing collateral for both digital advertising campaigns and traditional print materials, adhering to brand guidelines.

• Design intuitive and aesthetically pleasing in-app graphics and supporting visual content to enhance user experience within the Open platform.

• Conceptualize and execute visuals for seasonal campaigns, editorial features, and other brand initiatives to drive engagement and brand recognition.

• Collaborate closely with marketing, content, and product teams to ensure cohesive brand messaging and visual identity across all touchpoints.

• Maintain and evolve the existing design system, ensuring typography, color palettes, and visual elements are applied consistently and effectively.

• Explore and integrate AI-driven design workflows to enhance efficiency and creative output.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is for a Brand Designer, its emphasis on working with marketing, product, and content teams to "bring ideas from concept through execution" and "maintain a consistent visual identity as Open grows" positions it closely to a Brand Operations function within a creative context. The responsibility for "seasonal and editorial moments" implies a strategic element in content planning and visual storytelling.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent knowledge and practical application of design principles is essential.

Experience: 2-4 years of professional graphic design experience, with a preference for candidates who have worked with editorial or lifestyle brands.

Required Skills:

• Graphic Design Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to create compelling visual assets across various mediums.

• Figma Expertise: Advanced skills in Figma for design, prototyping, and collaboration.

• Adobe Creative Suite Mastery: Proficient in Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects for image editing, vector graphics, and motion design.

• Motion Design & Animation: Experience creating dynamic visual content that brings static designs to life.

• Typography Sensibility: A keen eye for typography, with the ability to apply and innovate within established design systems.

• Agility & Speed: Proven ability to deliver high-quality work efficiently in a fast-paced, contract environment.

• AI Workflow Exploration: Willingness and ability to experiment with and integrate AI tools into the design process.

Preferred Skills:

• Video Editing: Experience with video editing software beyond basic animation.

• Mobile App Design: Familiarity with designing for mobile applications and user interfaces.

• Wellness/Mindfulness Practice: Personal experience or deep interest in mindfulness, movement, or well-being practices.

• LA Based: Proximity to Los Angeles is a bonus, potentially facilitating hybrid collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 2-4 years of experience, coupled with the expectation to "work within (and push) an existing design system" and "explore AI workflows," suggests a mid-level designer capable of both execution and thoughtful contribution to the brand's visual evolution. The "BONUS" section indicates areas where candidates can differentiate themselves, particularly if they align with the company's core mission.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated collection of design projects showcasing a broad range of skills, including social media, digital marketing, print, and in-app graphics.

• Case studies demonstrating the design process from concept to final execution, highlighting problem-solving and creative decision-making.

• Examples of work that illustrate a strong understanding of typography, visual hierarchy, and brand consistency.

• Demonstrations of motion design or animation capabilities, showcasing dynamic visual storytelling.

• Evidence of proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite through project examples. Process Documentation:

• Visual documentation of how design concepts were translated into final assets for various campaigns.

• Examples of how existing design systems were utilized, adapted, or expanded upon.

• Demonstration of workflow efficiency, particularly concerning the integration of new tools or techniques like AI.

• Documentation of collaborative processes with marketing, content, or product teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a contract role, the portfolio serves as the primary demonstration of capability. It should not only showcase aesthetic quality but also the designer's ability to understand project briefs, execute efficiently, and deliver results that align with business objectives. Emphasis should be placed on projects that reflect the "editorial or lifestyle brands" experience mentioned.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As a contract role, compensation will be on a competitive hourly or project-based rate, commensurate with experience. For a Brand Designer with 2-5 years of experience in Los Angeles, contract rates can typically range from $40 to $75+ per hour, depending on the complexity of the work, required skills (e.g., motion design, AI workflows), and the specific duration of the contract.

Benefits:

• Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid model allowing for remote work flexibility.

• Project-Based Engagement: Opportunity to work on diverse and impactful creative projects.

• Creative Freedom: Chance to contribute to a growing wellness brand with a strong mission.

• Potential for Future Engagements: Successful contract performance may lead to further collaboration opportunities.

Working Hours: This is a contract role with active production needs, implying a commitment to meeting project deadlines. While specific hours are not defined, it's expected that the designer will dedicate sufficient time to complete assigned tasks, likely aligning with a standard 40-hour work week, with potential for overtime depending on project scope and urgency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Competitive rate DOE" (Depending on Experience) along with the contract nature of the role means salary is highly variable. The estimated range is based on industry benchmarks for contract graphic designers in a major metropolitan area like Los Angeles with the specified skill set. Benefits are typically limited for contract roles, so emphasis is placed on the nature of the work and flexibility.

getTeam & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Wellness & Technology. Open Inc. operates at the intersection of wellness, technology, and community, aiming to make mindfulness accessible through innovative digital and in-person experiences. This unique positioning requires a blend of creative aesthetics and user-centric design.

Company Size: The description mentions a "growing team," and the investor list includes prominent names, suggesting a well-funded startup environment. This implies a dynamic, fast-paced culture with opportunities for significant impact, though potentially less structured than a large enterprise.

Founded: While the founding date isn't explicitly stated, the mention of significant investors in a modern context suggests a relatively recent founding, likely within the last 5-10 years, positioning it as an emerging player in the wellness tech space.

Team Structure:

• The Brand Designer will likely be part of a lean marketing or creative team, working closely with marketing managers, content creators, and product leads.

• Collaboration is expected to be cross-functional, with direct interaction with individuals responsible for brand strategy, content development, and user experience.

• The contract nature suggests they might report to a Creative Director or Marketing Lead who oversees external creative resources. Methodology:

• Data-Informed Creativity: While not explicitly stated, the backing by venture capital and focus on digital experiences suggest a data-driven approach to understanding user engagement and campaign effectiveness.

• Iterative Design: The emphasis on "moving fast" and "active production needs" implies an iterative design process where rapid prototyping and feedback are crucial.

• Brand Consistency: A key methodology will be maintaining a strong, consistent visual identity across all touchpoints, requiring adherence to brand guidelines while allowing for creative exploration.

Company Website: open.inc (This is an inferred URL based on the domain_derived field, actual URL may vary)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission to "make wellbeing accessible and inspiring" and its blend of "music, sound, breath, and movement" suggest a culture that values creativity, community, and holistic well-being. The brand's aesthetic is described as "inspired by art, culture, and design," indicating a sophisticated and visually driven approach.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Brand Designer, suitable for individuals with 2-4 years of dedicated graphic design experience. It requires a solid foundation in design principles and software, along with the ability to execute independently and contribute creatively to ongoing campaigns.

Reporting Structure: The contract designer will likely report to a senior member of the marketing or creative team, such as a Creative Director, Art Director, or Marketing Manager, who will provide project briefs, feedback, and manage deliverables.

Operations Impact: The Brand Designer's impact is directly tied to the visual appeal and consistency of Open Inc.'s brand presence. High-quality design across marketing, product, and campaigns is crucial for attracting and retaining users in the competitive wellness market, directly influencing brand perception, user engagement, and ultimately, business growth.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Expansion: Opportunity to gain experience with AI workflows, motion design, and potentially video editing, broadening the designer's technical toolkit.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Working with a well-backed startup in the wellness space provides strong portfolio pieces that align with current market trends and consumer interests.

• Industry Exposure: Exposure to the fast-paced startup environment and the wellness technology sector can open doors to future opportunities within this growing industry.

• Networking: Potential to build relationships with creative professionals and industry leaders within Open Inc. and its investor network.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a contract role, direct career progression within Open Inc. is unlikely. However, the experience gained can significantly advance the designer's freelance career, potentially leading to longer-term engagements or full-time opportunities elsewhere based on the demonstrated skills and portfolio growth.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "Hybrid," with "Remote flexible." This suggests that while the company is based in Los Angeles (Venice is mentioned in the description), and there might be an office space for collaboration, the contract designer is not required to be on-site full-time.

Office Location(s): The company is based in Venice, California, with a primary mention of Los Angeles. This implies that any in-person collaboration would likely occur within the greater Los Angeles area.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect to collaborate digitally with teams using tools like Figma and potentially Slack or other project management software. In-person collaboration may occur for specific key meetings or workshops if in the LA area.

• Tools & Technology: Access to company design systems and potentially brand assets will be provided. The designer is expected to bring their own proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite.

• Team Interaction: While remote-flexible, communication channels will be established for regular check-ins, feedback sessions, and project updates with relevant team members.

Work Schedule: This is a contract role with "active production needs." While the standard work week is likely 40 hours, the focus is on delivering against project timelines. Flexibility is implied by the hybrid and remote-friendly nature, but meeting deadlines is paramount.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Remote flexible" aspect for a hybrid role suggests that the contract designer has significant autonomy in choosing their work location, provided they can meet project demands and participate in necessary virtual or occasional in-person meetings.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of the applicant's resume and portfolio to assess relevant experience and design skills.

• Portfolio Review & Discussion: A session with the hiring manager or creative lead to walk through selected portfolio pieces, discuss design choices, and understand the candidate's process.

• Skills Assessment: Potentially a short design challenge or a discussion focusing on specific technical skills like motion design or AI workflow integration.

• Cultural Fit & Collaboration: An assessment of how well the candidate can integrate with the existing team, communicate effectively, and adapt to the company's fast-paced environment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 strong projects that best represent the skills required for this role (social, digital, print, in-app, motion).

• Highlight Process: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the design challenges, your creative process, and the final outcome. Use visuals to support your narrative.

• Showcase Versatility: Include examples that demonstrate your ability to work within an existing brand system while also showing creative innovation.

• Demonstrate Technical Skills: Specifically include examples of Figma work, Adobe Creative Suite applications, and any motion design or animation pieces. If you've explored AI workflows, showcase those results.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): While challenging for design roles, try to connect your design work to tangible outcomes like engagement rates or user feedback if data is available.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brand: Thoroughly research Open Inc.'s mission, values, current branding, and target audience.

• Anticipate Design Needs: Think about the types of assets Open Inc. would need for its marketing and product.

• Prepare for AI Questions: Be ready to discuss your thoughts on AI in design and how you might approach incorporating it.

• Practice Articulation: Be prepared to clearly and concisely explain your design decisions and processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: As this is a contract role, the emphasis during the interview process will likely be on demonstrating immediate capability and a strong understanding of the required tools and deliverables. The portfolio is paramount, and the ability to articulate one's process and fit within a fast-moving environment will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for collaborative design, prototyping, and asset creation. Proficiency is essential.

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Photoshop: For image manipulation, retouching, and digital asset creation.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, and scalable illustrations.
  • After Effects: For motion graphics, animation, and video compositing.

Analytics & Reporting: While the designer isn't directly responsible for analytics, understanding how their designs perform (e.g., social engagement, click-through rates) can inform future creative decisions. Familiarity with how assets are tracked is beneficial.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to this design role, but understanding how marketing assets are deployed through various platforms might be helpful.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and the full Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects) indicates a need for a designer who is already proficient in industry-standard tools. The mention of "AI workflows" suggests a forward-thinking approach, and candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience or interest in using AI tools for graphic design.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Wellbeing & Accessibility: A core value driving the company's mission, impacting the empathetic and inclusive nature of design.

• Creativity & Inspiration: A commitment to innovative and aesthetically pleasing design that resonates with users.

• Community & Connection: A focus on shared experiences, which can translate into designs that foster connection.

• Efficiency & Adaptability: Essential for a fast-paced startup environment, requiring designers to be agile and responsive.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to work closely with marketing, content, and product teams, requiring strong communication and teamwork skills.

• Feedback-Driven: Open to constructive feedback and iterative improvements to ensure designs meet project goals.

• Proactive Communication: Maintaining clear and consistent communication, especially in a hybrid/remote setting, is crucial for project alignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission in the wellness space suggests a culture that values mindfulness, personal growth, and positive impact. Designers are likely expected to contribute to this ethos through their work, creating visuals that are not only appealing but also promote a sense of calm, inspiration, or connection.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Fast-Paced Production: The contract nature and "active production needs" mean delivering high-quality work under tight deadlines.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Balancing creative exploration with the need to adhere to an established design system across diverse assets.

• Integrating New Technologies: Adapting to and effectively utilizing AI workflows as part of the design process.

• Remote Collaboration: Ensuring seamless communication and collaboration with teams while working remotely or in a hybrid capacity.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Tool Proficiency: Deepening expertise in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and potentially new AI design tools.

• Portfolio Growth: Adding impactful projects for a recognized wellness brand to one's professional portfolio.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining experience in the rapidly evolving wellness technology sector.

• Understanding Brand Operations: Learning how design integrates with broader marketing and product strategies in a startup environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge will be to quickly integrate into Open Inc.'s workflow and deliver high-impact creative assets that align with their brand identity and mission. The growth opportunity lies in expanding one's skillset and portfolio with relevant, modern design experiences.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How do you approach designing social media content that feels native to the platform while maintaining brand consistency?"

• "Describe a time you had to balance rapid production needs with maintaining high design quality. What was your process?"

• "How do you foresee AI tools impacting the role of a brand designer, and how would you integrate them into your workflow at Open Inc.?"

• "Walk us through your process for designing an in-app graphic that enhances user experience." Company & Culture Questions:

• "What resonates with you about Open Inc.'s mission and approach to wellness?"

• "How do you typically collaborate with marketing, content, and product teams?"

• "Describe your experience working within or pushing an existing design system."

• "What are your thoughts on the importance of typography in brand identity for a lifestyle brand?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each project, tell a clear story: the problem, your solution, your process, and the result.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. Use high-resolution images and clear descriptions.

• Focus on Impact: Highlight how your design work contributed to the overall goals of the project or campaign.

• Demonstrate Technical Skill: Be ready to discuss the specific tools and techniques used, especially Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and any motion/animation aspects. Be prepared to discuss your approach to AI in design.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to discuss your experience with the specified tools (Figma, Adobe CC, motion design) and your willingness to explore AI. Since it's a contract role, emphasize your ability to hit the ground running and deliver results quickly.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Brand Designer (Contract) position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on lever.co.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects relevant to lifestyle brands, social media, digital marketing, and in-app experiences. Ensure it showcases your proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, with a strong emphasis on motion design if applicable.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly state your years of experience (2-4+) and proficiency with required software. Quantify achievements where possible, and highlight any experience with editorial, lifestyle, or wellness brands.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, explaining your rationale behind creative choices, and discussing your experience with fast-paced production environments. Prepare to discuss your approach to AI in design.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Open Inc.'s mission, brand aesthetic, and target audience to demonstrate genuine interest and alignment with their values.

⚠️ 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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