Freelance Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Freelance Designer

Company: Archetype

Location: Surry Hills, New South Wales, Australia

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: Creative & Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-04T13:17:35

Experience Level: Early-Career (0-2 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is for an early-career Freelance Designer focused on building a portfolio through project-based work within a global agency environment.

• The position involves supporting senior creatives in the design and adaptation of visual assets for multi-platform campaigns, including PR, Social, Digital, and Integrated initiatives.

• Key responsibilities include translating creative briefs into compelling visuals, maintaining brand consistency, and contributing to both static and motion design elements.

• The ideal candidate will possess strong foundational skills in design principles, proficiency in industry-standard software, and an eagerness to learn and grow within a fast-paced agency setting.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically tailored for a "Freelance Designer" with an "early-career" focus, emphasizing portfolio development. While not a traditional Revenue or Sales Operations role, it sits within the broader "Creative & Design Operations" umbrella as it involves operationalizing creative output for client campaigns within an agency structure. The hybrid work arrangement implies a need for strong self-management and communication skills, crucial for freelance and operations-adjacent roles.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and adapt a variety of visual assets for integrated campaigns, including social media posts, simple digital advertisements, presentation decks, reports, and basic web or email graphics.

• Translate creative briefs and provided direction into clear, on-brand layout options, exploring variations to meet campaign objectives.

• Support the creation of motion design elements for social assets, such as animations, reels, and story formats, under the guidance of Senior Creatives.

• Prepare and organize design files for internal reviews and client presentations, ensuring all assets are well-structured and ready for distribution.

• Resize, reformat, and localize existing design assets to suit different markets, platforms, and specifications.

• Collaborate with account and PR teams to visualize narratives through the creation of simple infographics, micrographics, data visualizations, and content layouts.

• Diligently apply and maintain brand guidelines across all design outputs, paying close attention to design systems, color palettes, typography, hierarchy, spacing, and imagery for both offline and digital executions.

• Respond to feedback and revisions with a positive and agile mindset, iterating quickly while upholding high standards of quality and craft.

• Over time, begin to contribute personal design ideas and recommendations, developing confidence in proposing visual directions that align with and enhance wider campaign concepts.

📝 Enhancement Note: These responsibilities are framed to highlight the operational aspect of design execution within an agency. The emphasis on "translating briefs," "preparing files," "resizing/reformatting," and "applying brand guidelines" speaks to the process-driven nature of the role, which is akin to operational efficiency in creative output.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a portfolio demonstrating strong design fundamentals is paramount. Candidates with formal education in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field will likely have a foundational advantage.

Experience: Candidates should possess hands-on experience as a designer, ideally within an agency or similar fast-paced environment, with the ability to work independently and manage projects from brief to final delivery. The "early-career" designation suggests 0-2 years of relevant professional experience.

Required Skills:

• A digital portfolio showcasing strong fundamentals in layout, typography, and visual storytelling.

• Demonstrated ability to work with and maintain brand systems across static, motion, and digital formats.

• Proficiency in core design tools: Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign).

• Proficiency in Figma for collaborative design and UI work.

• Ability to execute light to medium motion design for social and digital assets, including storyboarding and animating simple sequences.

• Familiarity with social media platforms (Meta, LinkedIn, X, Threads) and understanding of how design adapts across different formats and specifications.

• Experience in UI design, capable of creating clear, on-brand interfaces and layouts for websites or landing pages.

• Strong video and film editing capabilities, including handling edits, cutdowns, transitions, pacing, audio sync, and simple text/graphic overlays.

• Exceptional attention to detail regarding design systems, color usage, typography, hierarchy, spacing, and pixel-level polish.

• Ability to follow brand guidelines and creative direction while contributing fresh ideas.

• Comfort working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, managing multiple projects simultaneously.

• Clear communication regarding progress and dependencies.

• Openness to feedback and a willingness to iterate on designs.

• Experience using AI tools for static and moving imagery (e.g., Midjourney, Gemini) and integrating AI outputs into professional design workflows. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with 3D design software.

• Proficiency in motion design tools such as After Effects and Premiere Pro.

• Experience in more advanced video editing software.

📝 Enhancement Note: The skill set emphasizes a blend of traditional design craft and modern digital execution, including AI tools. The "early-career" context suggests that while deep expertise in all preferred skills may not be required, a demonstrated aptitude and willingness to learn are crucial. The emphasis on "brand systems" and "design systems" aligns with operational consistency.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive digital portfolio is the primary requirement, showcasing a range of projects that demonstrate core design competencies.

• Emphasis on projects that highlight an understanding of brand systems, visual storytelling, and adaptability across different media (static, motion, digital).

• Inclusion of work that illustrates the ability to translate creative briefs into effective visual solutions.

• Projects demonstrating UI design skills, including wireframes and high-fidelity screens, are essential.

• Examples of motion design for social assets and video editing capabilities should be clearly presented. Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly stated as formal "documentation," the portfolio should implicitly demonstrate an understanding of the design process. This includes:

  • Workflow design and optimization: Showcasing how projects move from brief to concept to execution.

  • Implementation and automation methods: Evidence of efficient file preparation, reformatting, and potentially the use of AI tools to streamline workflows.

  • Measurement and performance analysis: While the designer may not directly measure performance, the design choices should reflect an understanding of how visuals contribute to campaign goals and platform specifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a design role, the "portfolio" acts as the primary evidence of process proficiency. The enhancement focuses on how the portfolio should implicitly demonstrate an understanding of design workflows, efficiency, and the application of systematic approaches (like brand systems) required in an operational context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a freelance, contract role, compensation will likely be project-based or an hourly rate. Given the location (Surry Hills, NSW, Australia), the experience level (early-career, 0-2 years), and the skills required (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, motion design), a competitive hourly rate in the Australian market would typically range from AUD $30 to $50 per hour. This can vary significantly based on the specific project scope, duration, and the agency's pricing structure.

Benefits:

• Opportunity to work with colleagues from 21 offices worldwide, gaining diverse perspectives and experiences.

• Part of an organization that prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring a welcoming and inclusive workplace for all.

• Access to ongoing learning and development opportunities to enhance skills and grow career.

• Project-based work that builds a professional portfolio with real agency projects.

Working Hours: The role is described as "CONTRACTOR" and "Hybrid," suggesting flexible working hours aligned with project needs and agency operational requirements. A standard full-time equivalent would be around 40 hours per week, but specific project demands may dictate variations. The "hybrid" nature implies a blend of remote work and in-office presence at the Surry Hills location.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on typical freelance rates for designers in Sydney, Australia, considering the specified experience level and the agency's global presence. Benefits are derived directly from the provided text, highlighting professional development and inclusive culture.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Marketing & Advertising / Public Relations. Archetype operates within the agency space, providing strategic communications, PR, and integrated campaign services to a diverse client base.

Company Size: 650+ employees worldwide. This indicates a large, established agency with a significant global footprint and a structured operational framework.

Founded: Over 40 years ago. This long history suggests stability, deep industry expertise, and a well-developed organizational culture.

Team Structure:

• The Freelance Designer will join the Creative Team, which is part of a larger agency structure.

• This team likely includes Senior Designers, Art Directors, Copywriters, and other creative specialists.

• The role involves supporting Designers and Creatives across various campaign types (PR, Social, Digital, Integrated).

• Collaboration with account management and PR teams is also a key aspect, indicating cross-functional integration. Methodology:

• Archetype emphasizes a strategic, creative approach to client work, turning ambitions into success.

• The culture values curiosity, ambition, and kindness, suggesting a supportive yet high-performing environment.

• Data-driven insights are likely used to inform creative strategies, though this specific role is focused on execution.

• Emphasis on turning ideas into visuals and storytelling through design.

Company Website: https://careers.archetype.co

📝 Enhancement Note: The company size and history suggest a well-defined operational structure for creative services. The culture is described as dynamic and value-driven, which is important for freelance professionals to align with.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as "Early-Career" and "Freelance," primarily focused on gaining practical experience and building a portfolio. It's an entry point into agency design operations.

Reporting Structure: The Freelance Designer will report to senior members of the Creative Team, likely a Senior Designer or Creative Director, depending on the project. They will receive creative direction and feedback from these individuals.

Operations Impact: In this role, the designer's impact is primarily on the execution of client campaigns. High-quality, on-brand visual assets are crucial for effective communication and achieving client objectives. Efficient delivery of these assets contributes to the overall operational success of the creative department and client accounts.

Growth Opportunities:

• Portfolio Expansion: The primary growth opportunity is the development of a robust professional portfolio with real client work from diverse industries.

• Skill Development: Opportunities to hone skills in static design, motion graphics, UI design, video editing, and AI-assisted design.

• Industry Exposure: Learning how design integrates into broader PR, social media, digital, and integrated campaigns within a leading agency.

• Mentorship: Potential for informal mentorship from senior creatives, providing guidance on craft and career progression.

• Networking: Exposure to a global network of creative professionals and potential for future freelance or permanent opportunities within Archetype.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth analysis focuses on the unique trajectory of a freelance, early-career role within an agency's creative operations. It highlights practical skill-building and portfolio development as key career milestones.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Archetype operates a hybrid work model. While specific details of the office environment aren't provided, it is described as a place where "curiosity is encouraged, ambition celebrated, and kindness valued." This suggests a collaborative and professional setting.

Office Location(s): The role is based in Surry Hills, New South Wales, Australia, at "level 3/10-14 Waterloo St, Surry Hills, 2010." This is a well-known creative and business hub in Sydney.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and emphasis on team culture suggest opportunities for collaboration with colleagues, both in-person and remotely.

• Tools and Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma) and potentially agency-specific project management tools.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities to interact with senior creatives, account managers, and PR teams, fostering a dynamic workflow.

Work Schedule: The role is hybrid, indicating a mix of remote and in-office work. While specific days in the office are not detailed, a standard 40-hour work week is implied for full-time equivalent engagement, with flexibility inherent in a freelance contract. This schedule needs to accommodate project deadlines and team collaboration needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of the work environment emphasizes the blend of independent work (freelance) and collaborative interaction (hybrid, agency culture), which is typical for operational roles within creative departments.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application: Submission of resume and a strong digital portfolio.

• Portfolio Review: The primary focus will be on the candidate's portfolio to assess design fundamentals, technical skills, and creative thinking.

• Interview(s): Likely to involve discussions with members of the creative team (e.g., Senior Designer, Art Director) to evaluate:

  • Technical proficiency and software knowledge.
  • Understanding of design principles (layout, typography, color).
  • Ability to translate creative briefs and follow direction.
  • Experience with motion design, UI, and video editing.
  • Familiarity with social media platforms and AI design tools.
  • Problem-solving approach and ability to iterate based on feedback.
  • Cultural fit: alignment with Archetype's values of curiosity, ambition, and kindness.

• Potential Project/Test Task: A small, timed design exercise or a request to adapt an existing piece of work might be included to assess practical application under pressure.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Breadth and Depth: Include a diverse range of projects demonstrating skills in static design, motion graphics, UI, and branding.

• Highlight Process: For key projects, briefly explain the brief, your approach, and the problem-solving involved.

• Emphasize Brand Systems: Clearly show how you apply and maintain brand guidelines and design systems.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): While harder for design, mention if a particular design element contributed to engagement or clarity.

• Curate for the Role: Ensure your portfolio prominently features work relevant to social media, digital campaigns, and presentations.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and visually polished.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Fundamentals: Be ready to discuss principles of layout, typography, color theory, and visual hierarchy.

• Software Proficiency: Be prepared to talk about your experience with Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, and motion/video editing tools.

• AI Integration: Articulate how you've used or would use AI tools to enhance your design workflow and creativity.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Think about how you approach challenges like tight deadlines, conflicting feedback, or complex briefs.

• Brand Consistency: Be ready to explain how you ensure brand consistency across different platforms and formats.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process heavily relies on the portfolio. The advice focuses on how to present that portfolio effectively and prepare for interviews that will assess practical design skills and operational adherence to creative briefs and brand standards.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Essential suite including Illustrator (vector graphics, illustrations), Photoshop (image editing, manipulation), and InDesign (layout, print, digital documents).

• Figma: Crucial for UI design, collaborative workflows, prototyping, and creating design systems.

• Motion Design Tools: After Effects (for animations, motion graphics) and Premiere Pro (for video editing, cutdowns, reels). Experience with similar editing software is also valuable.

• AI Design Tools: Midjourney, Gemini, or similar platforms for generating static and moving imagery, demonstrating an understanding of integrating AI into creative workflows.

Analytics & Reporting: While the designer isn't directly responsible for analytics, an understanding of how design impacts metrics is beneficial. Familiarity with social media platform analytics (e.g., Meta, LinkedIn, X) to understand asset performance is a plus.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to this design role, but awareness of how creative assets are deployed through marketing automation platforms or CRM-related campaigns could be a bonus.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section details the core technical toolkit expected for a modern designer in an agency setting, emphasizing proficiency in industry-standard software and emerging AI tools, which are increasingly part of creative operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Craftsmanship & Quality: A deep care for detail, ensuring "every pixel is perfect" and maintaining high standards in design systems, color usage, typography, hierarchy, and spacing.

• Curiosity & Ambition: Encouraged to explore new ideas, push creative boundaries, and contribute their own design thoughts to advance projects.

• Collaboration & Kindness: Working effectively with a global team, being open to feedback, and fostering a supportive environment where ideas are shared and critiques are constructive.

• Client-Centricity: Understanding how design serves broader campaign objectives and client success, translating briefs into impactful visuals.

• Efficiency & Agility: The ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, managing multiple projects and iterating quickly.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Working closely with account management, PR teams, and senior creatives to bring campaign ideas to life.

• Feedback-Driven Iteration: A willingness to receive and act on feedback, seeing critique as an integral part of the creative process to sharpen the work.

• Knowledge Sharing: Implicitly through working within a global team, sharing perspectives and learning from diverse experiences.

• Proactive Communication: Maintaining clear communication about project progress, dependencies, and any potential roadblocks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values and collaboration style are synthesized from the company description and role responsibilities, framing them within an operational context of delivering high-quality creative output efficiently and collaboratively.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Direction: The need to follow brand guidelines and creative direction while still injecting personal ideas and pushing the work forward.

• Fast-Paced Agency Environment: Managing multiple projects with competing deadlines and evolving client needs, requiring strong time management and prioritization skills.

• Technical Skill Versatility: Constantly adapting to new tools and techniques, including AI, motion graphics, and various social media formats.

• Iterative Design Process: Effectively responding to feedback and making revisions, which can sometimes be extensive, while maintaining design integrity and enthusiasm.

• Building a Portfolio from Scratch: For an early-career designer, the challenge lies in securing and executing impactful projects that demonstrate a high level of skill and creativity.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Hands-on Project Experience: The primary opportunity is to build a diverse and impressive portfolio by working on real client projects across various industries.

• Skill Specialization: Deepening expertise in areas like motion design, UI/UX, or AI-assisted design through practical application.

• Industry Exposure: Understanding the strategic integration of design within PR, social, digital, and integrated marketing campaigns.

• Global Perspectives: Learning from a diverse team of professionals across 21 international offices.

• Mentorship and Guidance: Opportunities to learn from senior creatives and potentially gain insights into career progression within the agency.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section identifies potential hurdles for an early-career freelance designer and frames them as opportunities for growth and skill development within Archetype's operational framework.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate a complex creative brief into a visual design. What was your process?" (Focus on your approach to understanding objectives, ideation, and execution.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across multiple platforms and formats, especially when working with established brand guidelines?" (Highlight your attention to detail, understanding of design systems, and systematic approach.)

• "Walk us through a project where you received significant feedback or revisions. How did you incorporate that feedback, and what was the outcome?" (Demonstrate your ability to iterate, embrace critique, and improve the work.)

• "How have you used or how would you use AI design tools like Midjourney or Gemini in your professional workflow? What are the benefits and potential limitations?" (Show your awareness of emerging technologies and your strategic approach to their integration.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Archetype and our approach to creative work?" (Research Archetype's recent campaigns, values, and global presence.)

• "How do you approach collaboration within a team, especially in a hybrid or remote setting?" (Discuss your communication style, proactivity, and ability to work with diverse colleagues.)

• "What does 'craftsmanship' mean to you in the context of design?" (Relate it to your attention to detail, quality standards, and pursuit of pixel-perfect execution.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each project, don't just show the final output. Briefly explain the client, the challenge, your role, your process, and the solution.

• Highlight Key Skills: Ensure your presentation clearly showcases your proficiency in Adobe CC, Figma, motion graphics, UI design, and AI tools.

• Brand System Focus: Point out specific examples of how you applied brand guidelines, typography, and color palettes effectively.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your portfolio within a given timeframe, focusing on your strongest and most relevant work.

• Engage with Questions: Be ready to dive deeper into specific projects or design decisions based on interviewer questions.

📝 Enhancement Note: These interview questions and preparation tips are tailored to assess the specific skills and operational mindset required for a freelance designer in an agency environment, focusing on practical application, process, and cultural fit.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this freelance design position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Archetype careers site.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your digital portfolio is up-to-date, easily accessible, and prominently features work relevant to social media assets, digital campaigns, presentations, and brand system application. Consider creating a brief introductory statement for your portfolio that highlights your early-career focus and eagerness.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight specific design skills mentioned in the job description (Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, motion design, UI design, AI tools). Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Designed X social assets for Y campaign").

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, how you handle feedback, and your experience with the required software. Prepare to discuss your portfolio projects in detail and how you would approach specific design challenges.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Archetype's work, values (curiosity, ambition, kindness), and global presence. Understand their positioning in the PR and communications industry.

⚠️ 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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