Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Aperture

Location: Italy

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Design / Marketing Operations

Date Posted: 2026-04-28

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Design high-performing visual assets for paid social and digital platforms to drive measurable growth and conversion.

• Collaborate closely with creative strategists, performance marketing teams, and creator managers to iterate on concepts based on data and platform-native trends.

• Leverage AI-assisted workflows and tools to accelerate production, enable rapid prototyping, and scale creative experimentation.

• Ensure design output is optimized for social-native execution, clarity, and effectiveness across platforms like TikTok, Meta, and YouTube Shorts.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically focused on performance creative design, emphasizing conversion and measurable impact over purely aesthetic or brand-focused work. The integration of AI and a strong understanding of performance marketing principles are critical differentiators. The requirement to work within a UK timezone for a role based in Italy suggests a need for strong asynchronous communication skills and adherence to specific working hours.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design compelling static ads, carousels, UGC-style overlays, ad variations, landing page visuals, and creator assets that drive action and engagement.

• Translate creative concepts and briefs into clear, visually engaging assets tailored for specific platforms (TikTok, Meta feeds, Reels, Stories, YouTube Shorts).

• Understand and apply principles of user psychology, scroll behavior, clarity, and conversion optimization to visual design.

• Produce multiple variations of creative concepts rapidly to support A/B testing and performance iteration, working closely with creative strategists to test hooks, formats, layouts, and messaging.

• Maintain high output velocity and ensure design processes do not bottleneck testing cycles by adhering to structured systems for briefing, production, versioning, and file organization.

• Collaborate effectively with creative strategists to grasp concepts, performance teams to analyze results and identify winning elements, and creator managers to support UGC production.

• Utilize AI tools (e.g., for image generation, background edits, asset variations, rapid prototyping) to enhance speed, efficiency, and creative exploration.

• Adapt quickly to feedback, iterate on designs without friction, and maintain a focus on commercial effectiveness and measurable impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "social-native execution" and designing for specific platform behaviors is a key differentiator for this performance-focused design role. The responsibility to "ensure design never bottlenecks testing" highlights the critical link between design output and the company's data-driven testing methodology.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong understanding of design principles, marketing dynamics, and user psychology is essential, often gained through formal education or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 2-5 years of experience in graphic design, with a significant focus on performance marketing, paid social advertising, or digital product design.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in graphic design tools such as Figma, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects), or similar.

• Demonstrated experience designing for paid social media platforms (Meta, TikTok, YouTube).

• Ability to produce high volumes of creative assets and variations quickly while maintaining quality.

• Strong understanding of performance marketing metrics and how design impacts these (e.g., CTR, conversion rates, clarity, hook effectiveness).

• Familiarity with social-native content styles and platform-specific design considerations.

• Comfort working with AI-assisted design tools for image generation, editing, and rapid prototyping.

• Excellent organizational skills for managing multiple projects, versions, and file structures.

• Ability to receive and implement feedback constructively and efficiently.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with motion graphics, video editing, or animation tools (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects).

• Understanding of user psychology and behavioral economics as applied to creative.

• Experience with creative testing systems and iterative design processes.

• Knowledge of landing page design best practices for conversion optimization.

• Familiarity with creator-led content production.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Skills and mindset" section strongly emphasizes a practical, results-oriented approach. Candidates should highlight their comfort with iterative processes, data-driven decision-making, and a "no ego" attitude towards feedback and performance outcomes.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a minimum of 3-5 case studies or project examples demonstrating clear, effective design for conversion-focused content.

• Specific examples of paid social ads (statics, carousels, video), UGC-style content, or landing page visuals that achieved measurable performance goals.

• Demonstration of design variations and iterative improvements based on performance data or strategic direction.

• Evidence of adapting designs to be "social-native" and compelling across different platforms (e.g., TikTok, Meta).

Process Documentation:

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their process for taking a creative brief from concept to final, performance-ready asset.

• Ability to articulate how they organize files, manage versions, and collaborate with cross-functional teams (creative strategists, performance managers) to ensure efficient workflow and timely delivery.

• Understanding of how design feeds into and supports structured creative testing methodologies, including how they would approach iterating on winning concepts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio should explicitly highlight the connection between design choices and performance outcomes. Generic design portfolios will likely not meet the requirements for this performance-centric role.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the role's mid-level experience (2-5 years), remote-first nature, and requirement for UK timezone alignment, a competitive salary range for a Graphic Designer in Italy, adjusted for remote work and the UK timezone context, could be estimated between €35,000 - €55,000 per annum.

📝 Enhancement Note: This estimate considers typical mid-level graphic design salaries in Italy, augmented by the premium often associated with specialized performance creative roles and the requirement to align with UK business hours. Actual compensation will vary based on the candidate's specific experience, portfolio strength, and negotiation. Researching comparable roles in Italy and for remote positions aligned with UK time zones is recommended.

Benefits:

• Work from Anywhere: Full remote flexibility, allowing employees to work from their most productive location.

• Team Meetups & Retreats: Regular in-person gatherings globally to foster team connection and collaboration.

• Travel Coverage: All travel expenses for team meetups and events are covered by Aperture.

• Conference & Event Access: Opportunities to attend industry conferences, events, and specialized sessions for professional development.

• Professional Development: Access to learning resources, industry sessions, and a culture that supports continuous improvement.

• High Ownership, Fast Progression: A lean team structure that allows for significant responsibility and rapid career advancement.

• Meaningful Work: Direct exposure to high-growth clients and impactful projects.

Working Hours: While the role is remote-first, candidates must be able to work within a UK timezone. This typically implies a standard full-time work week (approximately 40 hours), with flexibility in structuring the day, but requiring availability during core UK business hours for collaboration and client work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Work from anywhere" benefit is balanced by the "UK timezone" requirement, indicating a need for strong asynchronous communication skills alongside synchronous collaboration during specific hours.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Consultancy (Product Consultancy, Advertising Services)

Company Size: Small to Medium-sized (startup phase, rapidly growing)

Founded: 2022 by Hannah Parvaz. Aperture has quickly gained recognition, including "Business Consultant of the Year" and "Most Innovative Growth Agency" in 2024.

Team Structure:

• A lean, high-ownership team focused on delivering measurable impact for clients.

• Likely organized around functional areas such as Performance Marketing, Creative Strategy, Product Optimization, and CRM/Analytics, with cross-functional collaboration being key.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Strategies: Core to Aperture's approach, using data to inform decisions across performance marketing, creative strategy, and product optimization.

• Growth Mindset: Emphasis on continuous learning, improvement, and embracing new challenges.

• Client-Centric: Client success is paramount, driving a focus on delivering tangible results and ROI.

• Experimentation: A strong culture of testing and iteration across all aspects of service delivery.

• AI Integration: Actively leveraging generative AI to enhance efficiency and innovation in creative and research processes.

Company Website: aperture.org

📝 Enhancement Note: Aperture positions itself as an innovative, results-obsessed growth agency. The culture emphasizes autonomy, accountability, and a relentless pursuit of measurable outcomes, making it a dynamic environment for operations and creative professionals aligned with these values.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level individual contributor focused on executing and scaling performance creative output. It offers a pathway to becoming a senior or lead creative strategist within the performance marketing domain.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will likely report to a Creative Lead or Head of Creative, working closely with Creative Strategists and Performance Marketing Managers. The structure emphasizes direct collaboration across disciplines.

Operations Impact: Creative output is explicitly identified as a "biggest lever in paid acquisition." This role directly contributes to client growth by producing high-performing creative assets that improve key metrics like CTR, conversion rates, and overall campaign ROI. The effectiveness of the creative directly impacts Aperture's ability to scale client businesses and maintain its reputation as an innovative growth agency.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in performance creative design, AI-assisted production, and platform-native content optimization.

• Leadership Potential: Progress to a Senior Graphic Designer, Creative Strategist, or Creative Lead role, potentially managing junior designers or specific client creative streams.

• Skill Development: Gain exposure to cutting-edge AI tools, advanced A/B testing methodologies, and diverse client industries, fostering continuous learning and adaptability.

• Broader GTM Exposure: Understand the full GTM funnel and how creative integrates with offer strategy, targeting, and CRM, leading to a more holistic understanding of growth marketing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "small team, high ownership, fast progression" suggests that individuals who demonstrate strong performance and initiative can expect rapid career advancement opportunities within Aperture.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Remote-first. Aperture operates without a central physical office, promoting a distributed workforce.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote, the requirement to work within a UK timezone implies that the company structure and client base may have a strong UK presence. Employees are expected to work from their own productive locations.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Fostered through regular virtual team sessions, client work, and in-person meetups/retreats.

• Tools & Technology: Access to design software (Figma, Adobe Suite), AI tools, and communication platforms necessary for remote collaboration and high-output creative production.

• Autonomy: High degree of independence in managing one's workday and work location, balanced with team connectivity and project demands.

Work Schedule: While flexible, the requirement to align with UK timezones means core working hours will likely fall within GMT/BST. Full-time commitment (approx. 40 hours/week) is expected, with flexibility in how the day is structured, but requiring availability for synchronous collaboration and client needs during UK business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote-first approach combined with timezone alignment necessitates excellent self-management, time zone awareness, and proactive communication skills.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application Review: Focus on resume and portfolio quality, assessing relevance to performance creative and clarity of impact.

• Application Questions: Candidates will be asked specific questions designed to gauge their thinking process, experience with performance creative, and ability to articulate real-world examples (not generic answers).

• Portfolio Walkthrough/Case Study Presentation: Expect to present specific projects from your portfolio, detailing your role, design process, rationale, and the performance outcomes achieved. Be prepared to discuss how you'd approach specific challenges.

• Skills & Mindset Assessment: Interviews will likely assess alignment with Aperture's culture (growth mindset, data-obsession, accountability, no ego) and comfort with iterative, performance-driven work.

• Final Interview/Team Fit: Potentially meet with leadership or team members to assess cultural fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Impact: For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the design strategy, and the measurable results (e.g., "Increased CTR by X%", "Reduced CPA by Y%", "Achieved Z% conversion rate").

• Showcase Iteration: Include examples of how you iterated on designs based on feedback or performance data. Highlight variations created for testing.

• Platform Native Examples: Demonstrate an understanding of designing for specific social platforms (TikTok, Meta, Reels, Stories).

• AI Integration: If applicable, showcase how you've used AI tools to enhance your creative process or output.

• Clarity & Brevity: Ensure your portfolio is easy to navigate and your case studies are concise, highlighting key information upfront.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize work that aligns with performance marketing, conversion optimization, and social-native content rather than purely brand or editorial design.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for hypothetical scenarios related to designing ads for specific client goals or platforms.

• Anticipate questions about how you would approach a creative testing system or iterate on a concept that isn't performing well.

• Practice articulating your design rationale clearly and concisely, linking it back to performance objectives and user behavior.

• Be ready to discuss your understanding of current trends in paid social creative and AI's role in design.

📝 Enhancement Note: Aperture explicitly states they "read every single application" and value "specific examples" over "polished language." Candidates should focus on authenticity and demonstrable results in their application and portfolio.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for collaborative UI/UX design, prototyping, and asset creation.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Including Photoshop (image editing, manipulation), Illustrator (vector graphics, logos), and potentially After Effects (motion graphics, video editing).

• AI Design Tools: Proficiency or willingness to learn and utilize tools for image generation (e.g., Midjourney, DALL-E), background removal, asset variation, and rapid prototyping.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with understanding performance metrics from platforms like Meta Ads Manager, TikTok Ads Manager, and Google Analytics is crucial for iterating designs.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managing CRM systems, an understanding of how creative impacts lead generation and customer journeys within a CRM context is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on AI tools and platforms like Figma suggests a modern, agile design workflow. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with these specific technologies.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Growth Mindset: A constant drive to learn, improve, and adapt to new challenges and technologies.

• Responsibility: Taking full ownership of outcomes and delivering without excuses.

• Results Obsession: A commitment to achieving measurable impact and driving client success.

• Data-Driven: Decisions are guided by data and analytics, not personal opinions.

• Client Success: Prioritizing client outcomes as the ultimate measure of success.

• No Ego: Valuing the best idea and fostering collaboration over individual status.

• Radical Candour: Providing and accepting honest, constructive feedback to fuel growth.

• Support & Collaboration: Willingness to help team members and go beyond strict job descriptions (JDFI - Just Do F***ing It).Collaboration Style:-Cross-Functional Integration: Seamless collaboration between design, strategy, and performance teams is fundamental.

• Feedback-Oriented: An environment where constructive feedback is regularly exchanged to refine creative and improve performance.

• Agile & Iterative: Working in fast-paced cycles, with a focus on rapid iteration and continuous improvement based on data.

• Transparent Communication: Open sharing of insights, challenges, and progress.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is a significant aspect of Aperture's identity. Candidates should demonstrate alignment with these values, particularly the emphasis on performance, data, accountability, and collaborative feedback.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• High-Volume Output: Maintaining a consistent high output of creative assets while adhering to diverse client needs and platform specifications.

• Performance Pressure: Designing creative that directly impacts client KPIs and revenue, requiring a constant focus on effectiveness and measurable results.

• Rapid Iteration: Adapting quickly to performance data and iterating designs on tight deadlines, often with limited input.

• AI Integration: Staying current with and effectively integrating evolving AI tools into creative workflows to enhance speed and innovation.

• Platform Evolution: Keeping pace with the constantly changing algorithms, best practices, and creative formats across major social platforms.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in performance creative, AI-driven design, and conversion optimization techniques.

• Industry Exposure: Gain experience with a variety of high-growth clients and industries, broadening market understanding.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Opportunities for growth into senior or lead roles, potentially mentoring junior team members and shaping creative strategy.

• Continuous Learning: Access to industry events, conferences, and internal knowledge sharing to stay at the forefront of creative and marketing trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity to blend creative talent with a strong understanding of performance marketing and AI, positioning the candidate for high-demand roles in the evolving digital marketing landscape.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you designed an ad that significantly increased a key performance metric (e.g., CTR, conversion rate). What was your process, and what were the results?"

• "How do you approach designing for different social media platforms (e.g., TikTok vs. Meta)? What are the key differences in your visual strategy?"

• "Imagine a client's ad campaign is underperforming. How would you use design to diagnose and improve its performance?"

• "How do you balance speed of production with creative quality and effectiveness in a performance marketing context?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What does 'growth mindset' mean to you, and how have you demonstrated it in your work?"

• "How do you handle receiving critical feedback on your designs?"

• "Why are you interested in performance creative rather than traditional brand design?"

• "How do you ensure your work is data-driven and focused on measurable outcomes?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling with Data: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your solution (design), and the quantifiable impact. Use visuals to support your narrative.

• Highlight Process: Explain your workflow, decision-making process, and how you collaborated with others. Emphasize iterative steps and learnings.

• Focus on Performance: Explicitly connect your design choices to performance goals and metrics. Discuss how you understood and responded to what the data indicated.

• Showcase Versatility: Present a range of work that demonstrates your ability to adapt to different platforms, styles, and objectives.

• Be Ready for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your specific contributions, challenges faced, and alternative approaches you might have considered.

📝 Enhancement Note: Aperture emphasizes "real answers" and "specific examples." Prepare to discuss your work in detail, focusing on problem-solving, results, and alignment with their core values of performance, data, and continuous improvement.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature performance-driven creative work, specifically paid social ads, UGC-style content, and conversion-focused visuals. Quantify results wherever possible.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in performance marketing, paid social, Figma, Adobe Suite, AI-assisted design, and any demonstrated impact on key marketing metrics. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare for Application Questions: Think through specific examples and stories that align with Aperture's culture (growth mindset, data-driven, accountability) and the role's responsibilities. Be ready to articulate your unique approach to performance creative.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Aperture's website, services, and stated values. Understand their positioning as an innovative growth agency and how your skills contribute to that mission.

⚠️ 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.