Freelance Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Freelance Designer

Company: Local Eclectic

Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Type: TEMPORARY

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Services

Date Posted: 2026-05-19

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on maintaining and enhancing the visual brand identity of Local Eclectic across all digital and print platforms.

• Key responsibilities include the creation of high-impact marketing assets for digital channels, such as email campaigns, website banners, and paid advertisements.

• The position requires a strong understanding of design principles, brand stewardship, and the ability to translate design briefs into polished visual solutions.

• Candidates will manage multiple projects within a 12-week contract, ensuring timely delivery and organized file management, demonstrating strong project management and content management capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Freelance Designer," the description implies this role will work closely with the marketing and operations teams, suggesting a need for understanding marketing operations workflows and GTM strategy support through visual assets. The emphasis on digital KPIs also points towards a performance marketing focus.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Brand Stewardship: Consistently uphold and evolve Local Eclectic's brand identity across all visual communications, ensuring adherence to established brand guidelines and incorporating contemporary design trends and best practices.

• Digital Marketing Asset Creation: Design compelling and effective visual assets for digital platforms, including engaging email marketing campaigns, dynamic website banners, and visually striking paid advertising creative to support weekly promotions, product launches, and overarching marketing campaigns.

• Print Collateral Development: Provide occasional design support for the Operations and Store teams to produce essential print materials such as postcards, in-store signage, and packaging. This includes managing final layouts and ensuring files are print-ready.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Engage closely with the Marketing and Leadership teams to interpret design briefs, transforming them into high-quality, finalized design concepts and assets that align with business objectives.

• Content Management Support: Assist with the daily updates and maintenance of digital content, ensuring visual consistency and timely refreshes across various online platforms.

• Project Lifecycle Management: Oversee design projects from initial concept through to final delivery, meticulously managing timelines, ensuring all deadlines are met, and maintaining a well-organized system for project files.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mention of "Operations and Store teams" for print collateral indicates this role will interface with internal operations functions, requiring an understanding of how design supports operational efficiency and customer experience in a retail environment. The need to "turn design briefs into polished final designs" suggests a need for strong interpretation and execution skills beyond pure creative output.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, or a related field; equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: Minimum of 2-5 years of experience in graphic design, with a proven track record in digital design, specifically within email marketing and digital advertising creative.

Required Skills:

• Digital Design Expertise: Demonstrated proficiency in creating visually engaging assets for digital channels, including email, web banners, and social media ads.

• Adobe Creative Suite Proficiency: Mastery of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is essential for asset creation and manipulation.

• Portfolio Excellence: An outstanding portfolio is mandatory, showcasing a strong foundation in digital design, email marketing campaigns, and brand identity application.

• Brand Guideline Adherence: Ability to meticulously follow and apply existing brand guidelines while also contributing fresh design perspectives.

• Print Design Fundamentals: Solid understanding of print design principles, including file preparation for various print processes (e.g., packaging, signage, collateral), with familiarity with print materials, finishes, and specifications.

• Data-Driven Design Acumen: A strong comprehension of digital design Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as click-through rates (CTR), conversion rates, and engagement metrics, with the ability to design for optimal performance.

• Project Management Skills: Excellent organizational abilities with a demonstrated capacity to manage multiple concurrent projects, prioritize tasks, and consistently meet deadlines.

• Communication Skills: Clear and effective verbal and written communication abilities for collaborating with internal teams and stakeholders.

• Attention to Detail: Meticulous attention to detail in all design work and file management.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with content management systems (CMS) for website updates.

• Familiarity with animation or motion graphics for digital assets.

• Basic understanding of UX/UI principles for web design optimization.

• Experience in the e-commerce, jewelry, or fashion retail sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a "data-driven mindset with a solid understanding of digital design KPIs" suggests that candidates should be prepared to discuss how their designs have impacted metrics like CTR and conversion rates, linking creative output directly to business objectives. This is a critical aspect for roles supporting performance marketing and GTM operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Digital Design Showcase: A significant portion of the portfolio must highlight digital design work, with a strong emphasis on email marketing campaigns, website banners, and paid digital advertisements. Include examples that demonstrate an understanding of user engagement and conversion optimization.

• Brand Consistency Examples: Showcase projects where brand guidelines were strictly followed and effectively applied across various touchpoints, demonstrating brand stewardship.

• Print Production Readiness: Include examples of print-ready files (e.g., packaging mockups, signage layouts) that illustrate an understanding of print specifications, bleed, color modes (CMYK), and resolution requirements.

• Project Management Case Study: If possible, include a brief case study or description of a project that illustrates your process from brief to completion, highlighting how you managed timelines, revisions, and final delivery.

Process Documentation:

• Design Workflow: Be prepared to discuss your typical design process, from receiving a brief to final asset delivery, including any stages of concept development, feedback incorporation, and quality assurance.

• File Management System: Demonstrate an organized approach to file naming conventions, folder structures, and version control for digital and print assets.

• Collaboration Protocols: Articulate how you collaborate with marketing teams, communicate design feedback, and manage revisions to ensure alignment with project goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given this is a contract role, the emphasis on a portfolio that demonstrates immediate readiness and a clear process for delivering high-quality digital assets is paramount. The company is looking for someone who can hit the ground running with minimal onboarding, so portfolio pieces should reflect self-sufficiency and a clear understanding of marketing objectives.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a freelance, temporary position with a specified hourly commitment (up to 20 hours/week) and an estimated experience level of 2-5 years in Chicago, the estimated hourly rate would range from $25 - $40 per hour. This estimation is based on industry benchmarks for freelance graphic designers in major metropolitan areas like Chicago, considering the required skills in digital and print design, Adobe Creative Suite proficiency, and the need for a strong portfolio.

Benefits:

• Flexible Schedule: Opportunity to work up to 20 hours per week, offering flexibility around other commitments.

• Project-Based Work: Engage in a defined 12-week contract, providing clear project scope and duration.

• Creative Exposure: Gain experience working with a growing fine jewelry company and contribute to diverse marketing initiatives.

• Potential for Future Opportunities: Successful completion of the contract may lead to future freelance or project-based engagements.

• On-site Work Environment: Access to a dynamic office environment in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood, fostering collaboration and direct interaction.

Working Hours: This is a part-time position, requiring up to 20 hours per week. The specific schedule can be flexible, but preference is given to candidates available to work from the Chicago Headquarters in Streeterville, indicating a need for availability during standard business hours for collaboration and workflow integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates for freelance roles are highly variable and depend on the candidate's portfolio, specific skill set, and negotiation. The provided range is a guideline based on typical freelance rates for this experience level and location. No specific benefits beyond the project scope and potential flexibility are mentioned, common for contract roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Fine Jewelry and Retail, with a focus on design-led brands and a recent expansion into a flagship retail and cafe experience. This industry demands strong aesthetic sensibilities and an understanding of brand storytelling.

Company Size: Local Eclectic has grown significantly since 2013, developing five proprietary brands and establishing national wholesale partnerships. While specific employee numbers aren't provided, the progression from a curated destination to a multi-brand house suggests a growing, dynamic team, likely in the small to medium-sized business (SMB) range, fostering a collaborative and agile work environment.

Founded: 2013. This indicates a relatively young company with a modern approach, likely embracing current design trends and digital marketing strategies.

Team Structure:

• The designer will join the Marketing team, reporting to a Marketing Manager or similar role.

• Collaboration will extend to the Leadership team for design approvals and strategic alignment.

Methodology:

• Brand-Centric Approach: A strong emphasis on maintaining and evolving a distinct brand identity across all marketing efforts.

• Data-Informed Creativity: Utilizing digital design KPIs to inform creative decisions and measure the effectiveness of visual assets.

• Agile Project Management: Managing multiple projects with a focus on timely delivery and efficient workflow, typical of a fast-paced retail and e-commerce environment.

Company Website: http://www.localeclectic.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's growth from a curated destination to a multi-brand house suggests a culture that values innovation, design aesthetics, and market responsiveness. The opening of a flagship retail and cafe experience indicates a strategic move towards a more integrated customer experience, where visual branding plays a crucial role. This freelance role is positioned to directly support this expansion and ongoing marketing efforts.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Specialist/Individual Contributor within the creative and marketing functions. It's a contract position focused on executing specific design tasks rather than defining overarching strategy.

Reporting Structure: The Freelance Designer will report to a manager within the Marketing department. Direct collaboration will occur with marketing specialists and potentially leadership figures for approvals and project direction.

Operations Impact: The designer's work directly impacts the company's brand perception, customer engagement, and marketing campaign effectiveness. High-quality visual assets are crucial for driving traffic, conversions, and brand loyalty in the competitive fine jewelry and retail space. The role's success is measured by its contribution to marketing KPIs and the consistent representation of the brand's aesthetic.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in digital design, particularly email marketing and paid advertising creative, and gain experience in print production for retail environments.

• Portfolio Expansion: Add significant, high-quality work for a reputable retail brand to the candidate's professional portfolio.

• Industry Exposure: Gain valuable experience in the fine jewelry and multi-brand retail sector, understanding its unique design and marketing demands.

• Networking: Build professional connections within the marketing and creative teams at Local Eclectic.

• Potential for Extended Contracts: Demonstrating strong performance and cultural fit could lead to opportunities for extended contract work or future freelance projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a contract role, "growth" is primarily defined by skill enhancement and portfolio building rather than traditional career progression within the company. Candidates should view this as an opportunity to hone specific design skills in a real-world marketing context and gain experience with a growing brand.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company is opening its first flagship retail and cafe experience, suggesting a modern, potentially boutique-style office environment. The preference for candidates available to work from the Chicago Headquarters in Streeterville indicates an on-site component.

Office Location(s): Chicago, Illinois, specifically in the Streeterville neighborhood. This is a prime downtown Chicago location, known for its accessibility and vibrant commercial activity.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Atmosphere: The role requires close collaboration with the Marketing and Leadership teams, suggesting an open and interactive workspace.

• Design Resources: Access to necessary design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and potentially company brand assets and style guides.

• Brand Immersion: Working within a company that values design and brand aesthetics provides an inspiring environment for a creative professional.

Work Schedule: The role is part-time, up to 20 hours per week. While specific hours may be flexible, the preference for on-site work implies alignment with typical business hours for effective team collaboration and integration into daily marketing operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mention of a "flagship retail and cafe experience" suggests a potentially energetic and customer-facing environment, even for a design role. Candidates should be aware that while the role is design-focused, interactions with operations and retail teams might occur, requiring adaptability.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application Review: Screening of resumes and, critically, portfolios to assess design skills, relevant experience, and brand fit.

• Portfolio Presentation/Discussion: A likely interview stage where candidates present their portfolio, discussing specific projects, design choices, and their approach to meeting client objectives. Expect questions on how designs address KPIs.

• Skills/Technical Assessment: Potential for a small design challenge or a discussion about problem-solving scenarios related to design briefs and brand consistency.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: Conversation with marketing or leadership team members to assess communication skills, project management capabilities, and alignment with the company's collaborative culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Digital Focus: Ensure your portfolio prominently features strong examples of digital design, especially email marketing. Quantify results where possible (e.g., "designed emails that achieved X% higher CTR").

• Brand Consistency: Showcase projects where you successfully applied or adapted brand guidelines. Explain your thought process for maintaining brand integrity.

• Print Readiness: Include examples of print-ready files and be prepared to discuss your understanding of print production processes and specifications.

• Process Explanation: Be ready to walk through your design process for key projects, explaining your problem-solving approach and how you manage feedback.

• Data Integration: Highlight designs that were informed by or aimed to achieve specific KPIs. Be prepared to discuss how design impacts business goals.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Brief Interpretation: Practice quickly analyzing and interpreting design briefs, identifying key objectives and target audiences.

• Time Management: Be ready to discuss how you manage your time effectively on multiple projects with tight deadlines.

• Brand Alignment: For any hypothetical challenge, focus on aligning your proposed solution with the Local Eclectic brand aesthetic and marketing goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit statement "applications without a portfolio will not be considered" underscores the paramount importance of the portfolio. Candidates should curate their best, most relevant work and be prepared to articulate the strategy and impact behind each piece. The emphasis on KPIs suggests a need to frame design work in terms of business outcomes.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Proficiency is explicitly required. This includes:

  • Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and web asset creation.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, icons, and layout design.
  • InDesign: For print layout design (postcards, signage, collateral).

• Content Management Systems (CMS): Familiarity is preferred, likely for updating website banners or blog content. Specific platforms are not mentioned, but general understanding is valuable.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Digital Design KPIs: While not specific tools, a strong understanding of metrics like Click-Through Rates (CTR), Conversion Rates, and Engagement Metrics is crucial. Candidates should be comfortable discussing how their designs aim to influence these.

CRM & Automation:

• Not explicitly mentioned, but experience with email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, Klaviyo, etc.) would be highly beneficial for creating and understanding email campaigns.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core requirement is mastery of the Adobe Creative Suite. While other tools are not specified, an understanding of email marketing platforms and basic CMS functionality would be a significant advantage, demonstrating a broader grasp of the digital marketing ecosystem.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Design Excellence: A commitment to producing high-quality, aesthetically pleasing visual assets that align with the brand's premium positioning.

• Brand Integrity: Upholding and consistently representing the Local Eclectic brand across all touchpoints.

• Data-Informed Decisions: Using performance metrics to guide design choices and measure impact.

• Efficiency & Timeliness: Delivering projects on schedule and managing workflows effectively, especially critical for a contract role and a growing business.

• Collaboration & Communication: Working effectively with cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Close partnership with Marketing, Leadership, Operations, and Store teams to ensure design projects meet diverse business needs.

• Feedback-Driven Improvement: Openness to receiving and incorporating feedback from stakeholders to refine designs.

• Proactive Communication: Maintaining clear lines of communication regarding project status, potential challenges, and design rationale.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on design-led brands and its recent expansion suggest a culture that values creativity, brand storytelling, and a customer-centric approach. For a designer, understanding how their work contributes to the overall brand experience and business objectives will be key.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Fast-Paced Environment: Working on a 12-week contract requires quick adaptation, efficient project execution, and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

• Brand Consistency Across Channels: Ensuring a unified brand message and visual identity across diverse digital and print platforms can be complex.

• Balancing Creative Vision with Business Objectives: Translating marketing briefs and KPIs into compelling designs that also serve the company's strategic goals.

• Limited Onboarding Time: As a contract role, there's an expectation to onboard quickly and contribute immediately with minimal ramp-up time.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Digital Marketing Design Specialization: Deepen skills in creating assets optimized for email marketing, paid social, and web promotions.

• Retail Operations Design: Gain practical experience in designing for physical retail spaces, including signage and packaging.

• Brand Development: Contribute to the visual identity of a growing multi-brand jewelry house.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Add impactful projects to your portfolio from a well-regarded e-commerce and retail brand.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge for a freelance designer in this role will be the need for immediate impact and efficient delivery within a defined timeframe. Demonstrating adaptability and a proactive approach to problem-solving will be crucial for success.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing an email campaign for a new product launch, considering our brand aesthetic and the goal of driving X% click-through rate?" (Focus on process, KPI consideration, and brand alignment).

• "Describe a time you had to manage multiple design projects with competing deadlines. What was your strategy?" (Focus on project management, prioritization, and communication).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What appeals to you about Local Eclectic and our brand?" (Show research into the company, its products, and its mission).

• "How do you prefer to collaborate with marketing teams and receive feedback?" (Focus on communication style and openness to revision).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly articulate the problem (the brief/objective), your solution (the design), and the result (impact, KPIs, client satisfaction).

• Highlight Digital & Email: Dedicate significant time to showcasing your strongest digital and email marketing work. Explain your design choices and how they aimed to achieve specific goals.

• Demonstrate Print Readiness: Be prepared to show examples of final print files and discuss your technical knowledge of print production.

• Emphasize Brand Fit: Explain how your design approach aligns with Local Eclectic's brand identity and target audience.

• Be Concise and Engaging: Practice your presentation to be clear, engaging, and respectful of the interviewer's time.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to discuss their design process in detail, linking their creative decisions to potential business outcomes and the company's stated goals (e.g., increased engagement, conversions, brand awareness). The interview is as much about demonstrating design skill as it is about showcasing problem-solving ability and professional collaboration.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this freelance design position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Local Eclectic careers page.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest and most relevant design work, ensuring a significant portion highlights digital design, email marketing, and any print collateral experience. Quantify results or explain the strategic intent behind your designs where possible.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience with Adobe Creative Suite, digital marketing asset creation, brand stewardship, and project management. Emphasize any experience in e-commerce, retail, or the jewelry sector.

• Prepare for Portfolio Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio, articulating your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss how you approach KPIs and brand guidelines.

• Research Local Eclectic: Familiarize yourself with Local Eclectic's brands, website, social media presence, and recent marketing efforts. Understand their aesthetic and target audience to better articulate your 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.