Graphic Designer (all genders)
π Job Overview
Job Title: Graphic Designer (all genders)
Company: Maniko Nails GmbH
Location: Berlin, Germany or Remote
Job Type: FULL_TIME
Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design
Date Posted: 2026-08-10
Experience Level: 2-5 Years
Remote Status: Hybrid (On-site in Berlin or fully Remote within Germany)
π Role Summary
-
Develop and adapt creative assets for a wide range of channels including digital, social media, CRM, E-commerce, retail, and print.
-
Independently create and verify production-ready print files for packaging and displays, demonstrating a strong understanding of consumer psychology and effective claim placement.
-
Collaborate closely with Art Directors, Brand, Social Media, and Marketing teams to ensure brand consistency and visual impact across all touchpoints.
-
Drive visual storytelling through compelling layouts, graphics, and product-focused assets, contributing fresh ideas informed by visual trends.
-
Maintain and evolve design templates and brand guidelines to uphold a cohesive brand identity.
π Enhancement Note: This role is critical for supporting Maniko Nails' rapid growth by translating campaign concepts into diverse visual formats across all customer touchpoints. The emphasis on print production readiness for packaging and displays signifies a hands-on, production-oriented design function.
π Primary Responsibilities
-
Support the Design team in developing creative assets for digital channels, social media, CRM, E-commerce, retail, and print applications.
-
Adapt campaign concepts and key visuals into various formats and touchpoints, ensuring consistent brand messaging.
-
Independently create and meticulously check production-ready print data for packaging and displays.
-
Design visually appealing and brand-consistent layouts, graphics, and product-focused assets.
-
Strategically determine the optimal placement of claims on packaging, displays, and creatives for maximum impact and consumer appeal.
-
Assist in preparing production-ready files for both digital and print applications.
-
Help maintain and further develop design templates and brand guidelines to ensure brand integrity.
-
Support daily design requests with a keen eye for consistency and detail.
-
Research visual trends and contribute innovative ideas to campaigns and content.
π Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative execution and technical production readiness, particularly in print. The emphasis on "consumer psychology" and "claim placement" suggests a strategic approach to design that goes beyond aesthetics, aiming to influence purchasing decisions.
π Skills & Qualifications
Education: Not specified, but a degree in Graphic Design, Communication Design, or a related field is typically expected for roles requiring 2+ years of experience.
Experience: Minimum of 2 years of practical experience in graphic or communication design.
Required Skills:
-
Minimum 2 years of practical experience in graphic or communication design.
-
Mandatory Print File Production Experience: Proven ability to independently and routinely create and check production-ready print files for packaging and displays. This is a critical, non-negotiable requirement.
-
Strong portfolio showcasing a keen eye for typography, layout, color, and composition.
-
Proficient working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
-
Solid understanding of fundamental print and digital design requirements.
-
Ability to consistently apply an existing brand identity across various formats.
-
Professional proficiency in both German and English languages.
-
High standard for quality and meticulous attention to detail.
-
Eagerness to learn, curiosity, and openness to constructive feedback.
-
Reliable, organized, and capable of managing multiple small tasks concurrently.
-
Collaborative spirit and comfort in a fast-paced team environment.
-
Proactive attitude and readiness to take on responsibility.
-
Genuine passion for design, brands, and visual storytelling. Preferred Skills:
-
Initial professional experience through internships, freelance projects, or a junior role.
-
Basic knowledge of After Effects, Premiere Pro, or other motion design tools.
-
Experience with Figma.
-
Experience in designing for social media, CRM, or E-commerce platforms.
-
Basic understanding of print production processes and packaging design.
-
Familiarity with AI-powered design tools.
-
Interest in beauty, fashion, lifestyle, and contemporary visual culture.
-
Good grasp of current social media and design trends.
-
Confidence in contributing own ideas and asking clarifying questions.
-
Flexibility and a hands-on mentality.
π Enhancement Note: The "absolute muss" for print file production experience is a significant qualifier. Candidates without this specific skill should not apply. The preferred skills indicate opportunities for candidates with broader digital and motion design experience, but the core requirement is print-ready file creation.
π Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
-
A strong, curated portfolio that clearly demonstrates proficiency in typography, layout, color theory, and composition.
-
Specific examples of print-ready files for packaging and displays, showcasing technical accuracy and production understanding.
-
Case studies or examples illustrating the adaptation of campaign concepts into multiple formats across different channels (digital, social, print).
-
Demonstrations of how brand guidelines were applied consistently across various design assets.
-
Examples of work that incorporate elements of consumer psychology or strategic claim placement. Process Documentation:
-
While not explicitly stated, candidates should be prepared to discuss their personal design workflow from brief to final asset delivery.
-
Ability to articulate the process of preparing and checking print files for production.
-
Documentation of how brand consistency is maintained across diverse projects.
-
Examples of how feedback is incorporated into design iterations.
π Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount, especially for demonstrating the critical print production skills. Candidates should select pieces that directly address the core responsibilities, particularly those related to packaging, displays, and multi-channel adaptation.
π΅ Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Not specified. Based on the experience level (2-5 years), location (Berlin, Germany), and industry (fast-growing e-commerce/beauty), a competitive salary range for a Graphic Designer in Germany would typically fall between β¬35,000 - β¬50,000 annually. This can vary based on specific skills, portfolio strength, and negotiation.
Benefits:
-
100% Remote Work Option: Flexibility to work from anywhere within Germany.
-
Flexible Working Hours: Allows for a good work-life balance.
-
Germany Ticket: Provides unlimited public transport across Germany.
-
Urban Sports Club Membership: Access to various fitness and wellness activities.
-
Ownership & Impact: Direct influence on company growth and success with significant autonomy.
-
Workation Opportunities: Ability to combine vacation with work.
-
Growth Opportunities: Personal and professional development with an annual training budget of β¬300 (negotiable).
-
Team Events: Regular company-organized events, with invitations to Berlin for team building.
-
Home Office Equipment: Full provision of necessary equipment for remote work.
-
Individual Travel Budget: For visits to the Berlin office.
-
Collaborative Team: A young, dynamic, and highly motivated team.
-
Inspiring Culture: Flat hierarchies, fast decision-making, and strong teamwork.
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week) with flexible scheduling options.
π Enhancement Note: The benefits package is quite generous, emphasizing flexibility, well-being, and professional development. The β¬300 annual training budget is a starting point and explicitly noted as adjustable, suggesting an openness to investing more in employee growth. The travel budget and team events highlight efforts to foster connection despite the remote-friendly setup.
π― Team & Company Context
π’ Company Culture
Industry: Beauty & Cosmetics (specifically, revolutionary self-adhesive nail polish technology).
Company Size: Growing rapidly, implied by "schnell wachsendes Team" and "innovatives, schnell wachsendes Unternehmen." Likely a startup to scale-up phase.
Founded: Not specified, but Maniko is positioned as an innovative, modern company.
Team Structure:
-
The Graphic Designer will be part of a Design team, working closely with Art Directors, Brand, Social Media, and Marketing teams.
-
The company emphasizes a "fast-paced, young, dynamic, and highly motivated team."
-
Reporting structure likely involves a direct report to a Lead Designer or Art Director. Methodology:
-
Data over Ego: Decisions are driven by data and results, prioritizing company success over individual ego.
-
Challenge Accepted: Embraces challenges as opportunities for growth.
-
Power to the People: Fosters trust, responsibility, and values individual impact.
-
Who if not you?: Encourages proactivity and taking initiative.
-
Hands-on approach: Implied by the need for independent work and the "Γrmel hochkrempeln" mentality.
Company Website: maniko-nails.de
π Enhancement Note: Maniko Nails positions itself as a modern, values-driven company that prioritizes growth, innovation, and employee empowerment. The core values of "Facts over Ego," "Challenge Accepted," "Power to the People," and "Who if not you?" are central to their culture and will likely influence how work is approached and how teams collaborate.
π Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This is an entry to mid-level Graphic Designer role, suitable for individuals with 2+ years of experience seeking to apply and expand their skills in a dynamic e-commerce/consumer goods environment. The role offers significant hands-on experience across diverse design applications.
Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will likely report to an Art Director or Lead Designer within the Design team, with close collaboration across Marketing, Brand, and Social Media functions.
Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly influences brand perception, marketing campaign effectiveness, product presentation (packaging, displays), and customer engagement across all channels. Strong visual assets are crucial for driving sales and brand loyalty in the competitive beauty market.
Growth Opportunities:
-
Skill Deepening: Opportunity to hone print production skills for packaging and displays, a specialized and valuable skill set.
-
Cross-functional Exposure: Gain experience working with various marketing functions (Social Media, CRM, E-commerce) and understanding their design needs.
-
Brand Development: Contribute to the evolution of a growing brand's visual identity.
-
Motion Design Introduction: Potential to develop skills in motion graphics (After Effects, Premiere Pro) if desired and time permits.
-
Figma Proficiency: Opportunity to gain or enhance skills in Figma.
-
Career Progression: Potential to move into a Senior Graphic Designer role, Art Director position, or specialize in areas like packaging design or brand identity, depending on performance and company growth.
π Enhancement Note: While the role is primarily focused on graphic design, the mention of motion graphics and Figma in the preferred skills indicates pathways for individuals looking to broaden their digital design capabilities. The emphasis on "ownership" and "growth opportunities" suggests a supportive environment for career advancement.
π Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid. The company is based in Berlin (Hackescher Markt area), but offers 100% remote work within Germany. This suggests a flexible work policy allowing employees to choose between working from home or potentially utilizing the Berlin office space, which likely offers a collaborative workspace.
Office Location(s): Berlin, Germany (Hackescher Markt). While remote is an option, team events are regularly held in Berlin, and a travel budget is provided for office visits, indicating the Berlin hub remains important for collaboration and culture.
Workspace Context:
-
Collaborative Environment: Despite remote options, emphasis is placed on team events and potential office visits to foster connection, especially for a "fast, young, dynamic" team.
-
Tools & Technology: Access to Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) is mandatory. Preferred tools include Figma, After Effects, and Premiere Pro. Home office equipment is fully provided.
-
Team Interaction: Regular team events and potential office visits facilitate interaction and knowledge sharing. The culture emphasizes collaboration and open communication.
Work Schedule: Flexible working hours are offered within a standard full-time (40 hours/week) framework, allowing for personal life integration.
π Enhancement Note: The "100% Remote in Deutschland" combined with regular team events in Berlin creates a flexible yet connected work environment. Candidates should be comfortable with both remote autonomy and occasional in-person collaboration or team-building activities.
π Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process: While not explicitly detailed, a typical process for a design role might include:
-
Initial Screening: Review of CV and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and creative fit.
-
Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: A deeper dive into the candidate's portfolio, focusing on the required print production skills, design process, and problem-solving abilities. This might involve a discussion about specific projects and how they were executed.
-
Creative Challenge/Test: Potentially a small design task or a case study to assess practical skills, creativity, and ability to work within brand guidelines.
-
Team/Hiring Manager Interview: To assess cultural fit, communication skills, and alignment with company values.
Portfolio Review Tips:
-
Highlight Print Production: Ensure your portfolio prominently features examples of print-ready files for packaging and displays. Clearly articulate your role and the technical considerations involved.
-
Showcase Versatility: Include work demonstrating adaptation of concepts across various channels (digital, social, print).
-
Demonstrate Brand Understanding: Select projects where you successfully applied or developed brand guidelines.
-
Explain Your Process: Be ready to walk through your design process for key projects, explaining your rationale, tools used, and problem-solving approach.
-
Address Consumer Psychology: If possible, include examples where design decisions were influenced by an understanding of consumer behavior or psychology.
-
Keep it Concise & Organized: Make it easy for reviewers to navigate and find relevant examples.
Challenge Preparation:
-
If a design challenge is given, focus on understanding the brief thoroughly.
-
Prioritize the "absolute muss" requirements (print files) if applicable to the challenge.
-
Ensure visual consistency with Maniko Nails' brand identity.
-
Be mindful of time constraints and deliver a polished, well-reasoned output.
-
Prepare to present your solution and rationale clearly and concisely, just as you would present your portfolio.
π Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's print production capabilities. Applicants should prepare to defend their technical skills in this area with specific examples and detailed explanations.
π Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
-
Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign (mandatory).
-
Figma: Preferred skill, indicating potential use for UI/UX or collaborative design.
-
Motion Design Tools: After Effects, Premiere Pro (preferred skills), suggesting potential for future involvement in video or animated content.
Analytics & Reporting: Not specified, but design effectiveness might be indirectly measured through campaign performance metrics.
CRM & Automation: Not specified, but experience with designing for CRM campaigns is a plus.
π Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. Experience with Figma and motion graphics tools will be advantageous. The company is likely leveraging modern design and collaboration tools.
π₯ Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
-
Facts over Ego: Data-driven decision-making, prioritizing objective results and company benefit over personal opinions.
-
Challenge Accepted: A proactive, growth-oriented mindset that views challenges as opportunities for learning and improvement.
-
Power to the People: Emphasis on trust, autonomy, and empowering individuals to make an impact.
-
Who if not you?: Encourages initiative, proactivity, and a sense of ownership.
-
Hands-on Mentality: A practical, results-oriented approach to work.
Collaboration Style:
-
Cross-functional Integration: Close collaboration with Art Directors, Brand, Social Media, and Marketing teams is essential for ensuring brand consistency and effective creative execution.
-
Fast-Paced Environment: Expect dynamic workflows and quick decision-making.
-
Teamwork-Oriented: Despite remote flexibility, there's a strong emphasis on team events and connection, suggesting a culture that values shared experiences and mutual support.
-
Open Communication: Encouraged by the "Who if not you?" value and the general emphasis on taking initiative and contributing ideas.
π Enhancement Note: Candidates should align with Maniko Nails' core values, demonstrating a proactive, data-informed, and collaborative approach to design work. The culture is geared towards rapid growth and individual contribution.
β‘ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
-
Balancing Print & Digital Demands: Effectively managing the creation of technically precise print assets alongside dynamic digital and social media creatives.
-
Rapid Pace & High Volume: Keeping up with the demands of a fast-growing company and a variety of design requests across multiple channels.
-
Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong team cohesion and effective communication while working remotely.
-
Evolving Brand Identity: Contributing to the visual evolution of a growing brand and staying ahead of design trends.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
-
Specialized Print Production: Deepen expertise in packaging and display design and production file preparation.
-
Cross-Channel Design Expertise: Broaden experience across digital, social, CRM, and retail design.
-
Motion Graphics & Figma: Develop skills in these preferred areas.
-
Brand Strategy: Gain insights into how design contributes to overall brand strategy and consumer psychology.
-
Professional Development Budget: Utilize the β¬300 annual budget for courses, workshops, or resources to acquire new skills or deepen existing ones.
π Enhancement Note: The primary challenge will be the rigorous requirement for print production proficiency, which is critical and non-negotiable. Growth opportunities lie in expanding skill sets beyond core graphic design into areas like motion graphics and collaborative design platforms.
π‘ Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
-
"Describe your process for creating production-ready print files for packaging. What are the critical checks you perform?" (Focus on technical accuracy, bleed, CMYK, resolution, die-lines, etc.)
-
"How do you ensure brand consistency when adapting a key visual across diverse channels like social media, CRM emails, and print packaging?" (Highlight brand guidelines, asset libraries, campaign adaptation strategies.)
-
"Walk us through a project where you had to balance creative execution with strict technical production requirements. How did you manage it?" (Use a specific portfolio example.)
-
"How do you incorporate an understanding of consumer psychology into your design decisions, particularly for packaging or retail displays?" (Discuss target audience, visual hierarchy, call-to-actions, emotional appeal.) Company & Culture Questions:
-
"How do you embody our value of 'Facts over Ego' in your design work?" (Focus on data-driven design choices, objective feedback.)
-
"Describe a time you faced a significant design challenge and how you 'accepted the challenge' to overcome it." (Showcase problem-solving and resilience.)
-
"How do you take 'Power to the People' and ownership in a design role?" (Discuss proactivity, initiative, contributing ideas.)
-
"How do you collaborate with marketing and art direction teams to ensure your designs meet both creative and business objectives?" (Emphasize communication, feedback loops.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
-
Lead with Print Production: Start your portfolio walkthrough by showcasing your strongest examples of packaging and display design, detailing the print production process.
-
Structure by Channel/Project: Organize your presentation logically, perhaps by project type or channel, to clearly demonstrate versatility.
-
Tell a Story: For each project, explain the brief, your approach, the challenges, your solutions, and the outcome. Focus on the "why" behind your design decisions.
-
Quantify Impact (if possible): If you have any metrics on how your designs performed (e.g., increased engagement, successful campaign launch), include them.
-
Be Ready for Technical Questions: Anticipate detailed questions about your software usage, file setup, and print production knowledge.
π Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare specific, detailed answers and examples that directly address the core requirements, especially the print file production expertise. The interview will likely be a practical assessment of skills and a cultural fit evaluation.
π Application Steps
To apply for this Graphic Designer position:
-
Submit your application through the provided link on the Maniko Nails GmbH careers page.
-
Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest 3-5 projects that best showcase your print production skills for packaging and displays, alongside examples of multi-channel adaptation and brand consistency. Ensure these are easily accessible and clearly labeled.
-
Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 2+ years of graphic design experience, explicitly mentioning your proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and your experience with print file preparation for packaging and displays. Use keywords from the job description.
-
Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio, focusing on articulating your design process, technical expertise, and how you embody the company's values. Be ready to answer strategic and behavioral questions.
-
Research Maniko Nails: Understand their brand, product, target audience, and recent marketing campaigns. Familiarize yourself with their core values to demonstrate cultural alignment.
β οΈ 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.
Application Requirements
The role requires at least 2 years of practical experience in graphic or communication design with a mandatory proficiency in creating production-ready print files. A strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in typography, layout, and Adobe Creative Suite is essential.