Freelance Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Freelance Graphic Designer

Company: Comfy

Location: San Francisco, California, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Technology / Marketing / Software

Date Posted: 2026-07-30

Experience Level: 5-10 Years (Mid to Senior Level)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on elevating Comfy's visual identity and brand presence through expert graphic design, with a strong emphasis on web design and the creation of scalable design systems.

• The Graphic Designer will be instrumental in maintaining and evolving brand guidelines, ensuring visual consistency across all platforms and marketing materials.

• A core responsibility involves high-volume production design, including the development of robust template libraries for digital assets, social media, and presentations.

• The position requires deep, hands-on expertise with ComfyUI, leveraging its node-based ecosystem and AI capabilities to create innovative design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Freelance Graphic Designer," the employment type is listed as "FULL_TIME," and the description emphasizes working closely with internal teams and taking ownership of web presence and brand systems. This suggests the role may be a full-time, on-site position with a potential for contract-to-hire or a long-term freelance engagement structured as full-time work, rather than a typical project-based freelance role. The compensation is hourly, reinforcing the freelance aspect.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Brand Guideline Stewardship: Proactively maintain and evolve the company's brand guidelines, ensuring visual consistency and high-quality execution across all design outputs as the company scales rapidly.

• Web Experience Optimization: Design, iterate, and optimize core website pages and campaign landing pages to enhance user engagement and conversion rates.

• Scalable Asset Production: Execute high-volume production design, creating and managing comprehensive template libraries for social media assets, video thumbnails, presentations, and other marketing collateral.

• Creative Collaboration: Partner closely with the Creative Director and cross-functional teams (Product, Marketing) to elevate the brand's visual quality and artistic direction.

• ComfyUI Integration: Utilize ComfyUI and its advanced AI capabilities extensively within your design workflow, creating new content and integrating it seamlessly into design projects.

• Campaign & Product Launch Support: Contribute to the creative development and visual execution for product launches, feature updates, and integrated marketing campaigns.

• Systems Thinking in Design: Develop and manage scalable design systems and template libraries, particularly within Figma, to ensure efficiency and consistency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic brand management and high-volume, technical production design, emphasizing the need for both creative vision and operational efficiency. The explicit mention of "creating new content using ComfyUI" and "integrating it into your designs" indicates a unique requirement for hands-on experience with the company's proprietary tool as part of the day-to-day design process.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, or a related field is typically expected for roles with this level of experience and responsibility.

Experience: 3–6 years of professional design experience in an agency, in-house, or creative studio setting, with a demonstrated track record of impactful visual work.

Required Skills:

• Graphic Design Mastery: Impeccable sense of taste, mastery of color theory, typography, and layout principles.

• Portfolio Excellence: A strong, versatile portfolio showcasing high-impact work across multiple channels including web design, presentation design, and social media assets.

• Web Design Expertise: Proven ability to design and optimize web experiences, with a focus on core pages and landing pages.

• Brand System Development: Experience building and managing scalable design template libraries and brand systems.

• Technical Proficiency: Advanced skills in Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and Figma.

• ComfyUI Expertise: Deep, hands-on expertise in ComfyUI, including building and running custom workflows, understanding the node-based ecosystem, and creative application of AI.

• AI Tool Integration: Comfort and proficiency in using AI tools as a core part of a daily workflow.

• Production Design Acumen: Ability to execute high-volume production design efficiently and accurately.

• Systems Thinking: A methodical approach to design, focusing on scalability and maintainability of design assets and systems.

• Autonomy & Pace: Ability to thrive with a high degree of autonomy in fast-paced production environments.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working in a fast-paced startup environment.

• Familiarity with UI/UX principles and best practices.

• Experience collaborating with Creative Directors or Art Directors.

• Understanding of visual storytelling techniques beyond static design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "Deep expertise in ComfyUI" and "Comfortable using AI tools as a core part of your daily workflow" is a critical differentiator. This isn't just about using design software; it requires a generative AI-native mindset and practical application skills within a specific, complex node-based system. This significantly narrows the candidate pool to those who are not only skilled designers but also early adopters and practitioners of advanced AI creative tools.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate Versatility: Showcase a minimum of 3-5 distinct projects that highlight expertise across web design (landing pages, core pages), social media assets, and presentation design.

• Brand System Examples: Include a section or specific projects detailing experience in building or managing brand template libraries within Figma, demonstrating scalability and consistency.

• ComfyUI Integration Case Study: A dedicated project or case study demonstrating how ComfyUI was leveraged to create unique assets or workflows, showcasing the node-based ecosystem and AI application. This should explain the problem, the workflow designed, and the resulting creative output.

• Visual Polish and Taste: Ensure all portfolio pieces reflect a high level of aesthetic quality, strong typography, color harmony, and effective layout.

• Process Documentation Snippets: Briefly outline the design process for 1-2 key projects, focusing on problem-solving, iteration, and the tools used (especially ComfyUI and Figma).

Process Documentation:

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their design process in detail, particularly how they approach:
  • Workflow Design & Optimization: How they build and refine efficient design workflows, especially when integrating AI tools like ComfyUI.
  • System Implementation: The methodology for creating and maintaining scalable design systems and template libraries in Figma.
  • Performance Analysis: How they measure the success of their designs, particularly for web experiences (e.g., conversion rates, engagement metrics) and brand material effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirement is uniquely tied to the company's core technology. Candidates must not only have a strong design portfolio but also explicitly showcase their ability to integrate and innovate with ComfyUI. This goes beyond standard graphic design portfolios and requires a demonstration of technical creativity within a generative AI context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $50 - $95 per hour.

Estimated Annual Salary (Full-Time Equivalent): Based on a 40-hour work week and the provided hourly rate, the estimated annual salary would range from approximately $104,000 to $197,600 USD. This estimate assumes consistent full-time employment.

Benefits:

• Competitive Hourly Rate: Reflects the specialized skill set and high demand for designers proficient in advanced AI tools and node-based systems.

• Creative Tool Access: Potential access to ComfyUI and other industry-standard design software.

• Impactful Work: Opportunity to work on a cutting-edge AI creation engine with a rapidly growing user base and significant industry recognition.

• Collaborative Environment: Work alongside experienced professionals from leading tech companies in a fast-paced, intense, and fun startup culture.

• Professional Development: Hands-on experience with advanced AI creative tools and participation in the growth of a significant open-source project turned commercial entity.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, standard full-time. The on-site requirement suggests a typical 9 AM to 5 PM schedule, though flexibility may be available given the nature of creative work and the company's culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided as hourly, which is common for freelance roles. However, given the "FULL_TIME" employment type and emphasis on "ownership," this likely translates to a full-time, on-site engagement rather than project-based freelance. The hourly rate is competitive for a designer with 3-6 years of experience in a high-cost-of-living area like San Francisco, especially considering the specialized AI/ComfyUI requirements.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: AI Creation Engine / Visual AI / Software Development. Comfy operates at the intersection of cutting-edge AI research, creative tooling, and open-source development, serving visual professionals.

Company Size: Small, intense team in San Francisco. (Specific number not provided, but implied to be lean and founder-led).

Founded: 2023. ComfyUI itself originated as an open-source project in 2023, quickly gaining massive traction.

Team Structure:

• Lean & Intense: The team is described as small, intense, and comprised of individuals with deep expertise, many of whom were core contributors to the ComfyUI ecosystem prior to joining the company.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Close collaboration is expected between the Graphic Designer, Creative Director, Product team, and Marketing team.

• Reporting: The Graphic Designer will report to a Creative Director and work closely with Product and Marketing stakeholders.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: While not explicitly stated for design, the company's mission implies a focus on empowering users with control and visibility, suggesting design decisions will be informed by user needs and product goals.

• Workflow Optimization: A core tenet of ComfyUI is enabling users to build and optimize complex workflows, a philosophy that likely extends to internal processes.

• AI-Powered Innovation: The company is built on AI, so leveraging AI tools for efficiency and creative output is fundamental to their operations and product development.

Company Website: https://www.comfy.org/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as "low ego, high ownership," with team members who "work hard and demand a lot of each other, but we have fun." This indicates a high-performance environment where initiative, collaboration, and a shared passion for building something meaningful are highly valued. The team's background from Stability AI and Google suggests a deep technical and creative pedigree.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid to Senior Graphic Designer, demanding 3-6 years of experience and specialized technical skills. It's a hands-on production role with significant ownership over key brand assets and web presence.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report to the Creative Director, working closely with Product and Marketing teams. This implies a collaborative structure where design is integrated early in the product and marketing lifecycle.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work will directly influence Comfy's brand perception, user acquisition through web presence, and the visual communication of its innovative AI tools. Their output will inspire other creators and contribute to the company's mission of empowering visual professionals.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization in AI Design: Deepen expertise in designing for and with cutting-edge AI tools like ComfyUI, a rapidly evolving and high-demand field.

• Brand System Leadership: Potential to grow into a lead role for brand systems and design operations as the company scales.

• Cross-Functional Skill Development: Gain exposure to product development and marketing strategy through close collaboration.

• Contribution to Open Source Ecosystem: Opportunity to contribute to the evolution of a leading open-source AI project, potentially influencing industry standards.

• Startup Growth Trajectory: Participate in the growth of a well-funded ($30M raise at $500M valuation) startup, potentially leading to broader design leadership roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path is less about traditional hierarchical promotion and more about developing specialized expertise in a nascent field (AI-driven design) and taking on increasing ownership within a high-growth startup. The unique technical requirements of ComfyUI position this role as a significant learning and development opportunity for ambitious designers.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site in San Francisco. The description implies a collaborative office setting conducive to intense work and team interaction.

Office Location(s): San Francisco, California. Specific office details are not provided, but it's implied to be a central hub for the small, intense team.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment is designed for close collaboration, facilitating direct interaction with the Creative Director, Product, and Marketing teams.

• Tooling: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma) and, crucially, the company's own powerful AI tool, ComfyUI.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular brainstorming, feedback sessions, and working sessions with colleagues who are deeply invested in the company's mission.

Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week. While on-site, the startup environment may offer some flexibility, but the emphasis on "intense team" suggests dedicated presence during core working hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in San Francisco, coupled with a "small, intense team" culture, suggests a highly collaborative and potentially fast-paced work environment. Candidates should be prepared for a hands-on, in-person role where spontaneous collaboration and direct feedback are integral to the workflow.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application Review: Focus on portfolio strength, relevance of experience (especially ComfyUI and Figma), and alignment with the company's mission.

• Portfolio Deep Dive: A session (potentially with the Creative Director) to thoroughly review the candidate's portfolio, discussing specific projects, design rationale, and problem-solving approaches.

• Technical Assessment/Workflow Discussion: Candidates will likely be asked to demonstrate their ComfyUI expertise, discuss their workflow for creating assets, and potentially complete a design challenge.

• Team/Culture Fit Interview: Meetings with key team members (Product, Marketing) to assess collaboration style, autonomy, and cultural alignment with Comfy's "low ego, high ownership" ethos.

• Final Interview: Likely with a founder or senior leader to discuss overall fit, long-term vision, and compensation.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight ComfyUI Work: Dedicate a prominent section to projects where ComfyUI was used. Clearly explain the workflow, the specific nodes or processes utilized, and the creative outcomes. This is the most critical differentiator.

• Showcase Scalability: For template library or brand system examples, demonstrate how they are structured for efficiency and ease of use by others. Use Figma examples to illustrate this.

• Web Design Focus: Ensure your web design examples show an understanding of conversion-focused design, user experience, and responsiveness.

• Tell a Story: For each project, briefly outline the challenge, your approach, the tools you used (especially ComfyUI), and the results achieved. Quantify impact where possible.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. High-quality mockups are essential.

Challenge Preparation:

• ComfyUI Workflow Design: Be prepared to design a workflow for a specific creative task (e.g., generating a set of social media graphics, creating a unique visual asset for a campaign). Understand node connections, parameter settings, and output formats.

• Brand System Application: Be ready to discuss how you would extend or apply Comfy's existing brand system to new asset types or marketing initiatives.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Prepare to discuss how you would approach a design challenge with limited information or under tight deadlines, emphasizing your autonomous and efficient work style.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process heavily emphasizes the portfolio, particularly the demonstration of ComfyUI expertise. Candidates should tailor their portfolio and be ready to discuss their technical creative process in detail, not just their aesthetic sensibilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• ComfyUI: Expert-level, hands-on proficiency required. This includes building custom workflows, understanding node interactions, and leveraging AI capabilities for design asset generation.

• Figma: Advanced proficiency for design systems, template libraries, web design, and collaborative design.

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Comprehensive suite including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for various graphic design tasks.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed for the designer, understanding how design impacts web metrics (e.g., conversion rates, engagement) will be crucial. Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics or similar web analytics platforms would be beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the Graphic Designer role, but understanding how marketing assets integrate into campaign workflows might be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for "Deep expertise in ComfyUI" positions this tool as central to the role's daily function, not just a supplementary skill. This tool is Comfy's proprietary AI workflow engine, making it a unique and critical requirement.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• High Ownership: Individuals are expected to take full responsibility for their work and drive projects to completion with minimal supervision.

• Intensity & Focus: The team operates with a high degree of focus and intensity, dedicated to building something significant.

• Low Ego: Collaboration and contribution are prioritized over personal recognition; the focus is on collective success.

• Passion for Creation: A shared enthusiasm for visual AI, creative tooling, and empowering other creators is fundamental.

• Continuous Learning: Embracing new technologies and methodologies, especially in the rapidly evolving AI space.

Collaboration Style:

• Direct & Efficient: Expect open communication, direct feedback, and a focus on clear, actionable discussions.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Design is not siloed; it's deeply integrated with Product and Marketing, requiring active participation and contribution across teams.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture where sharing insights, workflows (especially ComfyUI), and best practices is encouraged.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is highly performance-oriented, driven by a mission to build a leading AI creation platform. Candidates who thrive in autonomous, high-impact environments and are passionate about generative AI will likely find this culture appealing.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Rapidly Evolving AI Landscape: Staying ahead of new AI model releases, techniques, and ComfyUI updates requires continuous learning and adaptation.

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Innovation: Maintaining a strong, consistent brand identity while pushing creative boundaries with advanced AI tools.

• High-Volume Production Demands: Efficiently producing a large quantity of high-quality assets under tight deadlines.

• Defining Best Practices for AI Design: As a relatively new field, establishing and refining best practices for using AI in creative workflows.

• On-site Requirement in a Competitive Market: Securing and retaining top talent in a competitive San Francisco market for specialized design roles.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mastering ComfyUI: Becoming a true expert in one of the most powerful and flexible AI workflow engines available.

• AI-Driven Design Specialization: Developing a highly sought-after skill set at the forefront of creative technology.

• Contributing to a Leading AI Project: Gaining experience with a product that has significant industry adoption and impact.

• Startup Growth Experience: Understanding the dynamics of scaling a well-funded technology company.

• Mentorship: Potential to learn from experienced professionals who were early contributors to the ComfyUI ecosystem and from leading figures in AI and creative technology.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary growth opportunity lies in becoming a specialist in a cutting-edge field. The challenges are inherent to working with new technology and in a fast-paced startup environment, offering significant learning potential for motivated individuals.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex workflow you built in ComfyUI to achieve a specific visual outcome. What were the challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on process, problem-solving, and technical depth).

• "How would you approach designing a scalable template library in Figma for social media assets for Comfy, ensuring brand consistency and ease of use for a non-designer?" (Focus on systems thinking, efficiency, and brand application).

• "Imagine we're launching a new feature for Comfy. How would you collaborate with the Product and Marketing teams to develop the visual assets for this launch?" (Focus on cross-functional collaboration, strategic thinking, and understanding of campaign needs). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Comfy's mission and the ComfyUI tool specifically?" (Demonstrate genuine interest and understanding of the product).

• "Describe a time you worked with a high degree of autonomy. How do you stay organized and motivated?" (Assess self-management and proactive work style).

• "How do you approach feedback on your design work, especially within a fast-paced, high-ownership environment?" (Gauge adaptability and receptiveness to critique). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with ComfyUI: Lead with your strongest ComfyUI-integrated projects. Clearly articulate the problem, your unique workflow solution, and the final impact. Use visuals and potentially screen recordings if possible.

• Demonstrate System Thinking: For Figma examples, walk through how your templates are structured, the logic behind them, and how they ensure brand consistency.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, highlight metrics related to your web design work (e.g., improved conversion, engagement) or the efficiency gains from your template libraries.

• Be Ready for Live Design Exercises: While not explicitly stated, be prepared for a potential live design exercise or whiteboard session to demonstrate problem-solving and creative thinking on the spot.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to test not only design skills but also technical aptitude with ComfyUI, system thinking, and cultural fit for a high-ownership, fast-paced startup. Candidates must be prepared to speak fluently about their technical creative processes.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit Your Portfolio (Required): Ensure your portfolio prominently features your ComfyUI work, Figma system design capabilities, and versatile graphic design projects. This is the most critical component of your application.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 3-6 years of design experience, specific tool proficiencies (ComfyUI, Figma, Adobe CC), and any experience with AI tools or in fast-paced environments. Use keywords from the job description.

• Write a Concise Cover Note: Briefly explain why you are passionate about ComfyUI and its mission, and how your specific skills and experience align with the role's unique requirements.

• Prepare for Portfolio Review: Be ready to discuss your ComfyUI workflows, design decisions, and how you approach building scalable design systems during the interview process.

• Research Comfy: Understand their product, their mission, and their place in the AI creative landscape to articulate your interest and alignment during interviews.

⚠️ 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.