Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Aperture

Location: Portugal

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Creative & Design / Marketing Operations

Date Posted: April 28, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Design high-performing visual assets across paid social, UGC, statics, and emerging formats to drive client growth.

• Collaborate closely with creative strategists, performance teams, and creator managers to produce assets optimized for conversion and platform-native engagement.

• Utilize AI-assisted workflows and creative testing systems to accelerate production, personalize messaging, and scale creative experimentation.

• Maintain a focus on data-driven design principles, ensuring that visual output is informed by performance metrics and user psychology.

• Contribute to building and scaling Aperture's performance creative engine, ensuring design velocity never bottlenecks testing and client success.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a performance marketing and product consultancy firm, emphasizing that the Graphic Designer's output is directly tied to measurable business outcomes (growth, conversion, client success) rather than purely brand aesthetics. The integration of AI and creative testing systems highlights a modern, data-centric approach to creative production.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Performance Creative Design: Create compelling static ads, carousels, UGC-style overlays, ad variations, landing page visuals, and creator assets designed to drive immediate action and conversions.

• Social-Native Execution: Design visuals that are native to platforms like TikTok, Meta feeds, Reels, Stories, and YouTube Shorts, prioritizing platform-specific aesthetics and user behavior over generic design principles.

• Iteration and Testing: Rapidly produce multiple variations of creative concepts, testing hooks, formats, layouts, and messaging, and iterating based on performance feedback from creative strategists and performance teams.

• Creative Systems and Velocity: Maintain a high output of design assets across multiple client accounts, adhering to structured systems for briefing, production, versioning, and file organization to ensure efficient workflow.

• Collaboration: Work seamlessly with creative strategists to understand concepts, performance teams to interpret what's working, and creator managers to support UGC output, incorporating feedback quickly and effectively.

• AI-Assisted Workflows: Leverage AI tools for image generation, background edits, asset variations, and rapid prototyping to enhance speed, efficiency, and output quality in the design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly delineate the "performance creative" aspect of this role, distinguishing it from traditional brand design. Emphasis is placed on speed, iteration, platform-native execution, and direct contribution to client acquisition metrics, requiring a designer comfortable with a fast-paced, data-informed environment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong understanding of design principles, marketing psychology, and digital platforms is expected, often gained through formal education, bootcamps, or extensive self-study.

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

Required Skills:

• Graphic Design Proficiency: Expertise in creating visually compelling static ads, carousels, and other digital assets.

• Performance Marketing Understanding: A solid grasp of what drives performance metrics such as Click-Through Rate (CTR), clarity, and effective hooks.

• Platform-Native Design: Deep understanding of visual design requirements and best practices across key social media platforms (TikTok, Meta, Reels, Stories, YouTube Shorts).

• Design Software Proficiency: Demonstrated experience with industry-standard tools like Figma, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects), or similar.

• Iteration and Velocity: Ability to produce multiple design variations quickly and efficiently, adapting to performance data and feedback.

• Collaboration and Feedback: Excellent communication skills and the ability to receive and implement feedback constructively and without ego.

• Organized and Detail-Oriented: Strong file management, version control, and attention to detail to maintain high output and organization.

Preferred Skills:

• Motion Graphics/Video Editing: Experience with tools like Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro, or similar for creating animated assets or editing video content for ads.

• UGC-Style Design: Ability to create visuals that mimic user-generated content for authenticity and engagement.

• Landing Page Visuals: Experience designing graphics specifically for conversion-focused landing pages.

• AI Design Tools: Familiarity and experience using AI tools for image generation, editing, or rapid prototyping.

• Creative Testing Systems: Understanding of A/B testing methodologies as applied to creative assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "not precious about work," "design for clarity, not just aesthetics," and "understand that the goal is performance" strongly suggests that candidates with a background in conversion-focused design, direct response advertising, or growth marketing will be highly favored. A portfolio that showcases these aspects will be crucial.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Performance-Focused Case Studies: Showcase 3-5 projects demonstrating your ability to design visual assets that directly contributed to measurable performance improvements (e.g., increased CTR, conversion rates, engagement).

• Platform-Specific Examples: Include examples of designs tailored for specific social media platforms (TikTok, Meta, etc.) highlighting your understanding of native formats and user behavior.

• Design Variation Showcase: Present instances where you created multiple variations of a single creative concept to facilitate A/B testing and iteration.

• AI-Assisted Work Examples: If possible, include examples where AI tools were used to accelerate production or generate creative elements, demonstrating your adaptability.

• Clear ROI Demonstration: For each case study, clearly articulate the objective, your role, the design solution, and the quantifiable results achieved, linking design decisions to business outcomes.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Be prepared to discuss how you approach a design brief from concept to final asset delivery, including any personal systems for organization and efficiency.

• Iteration Methodology: Explain your process for receiving feedback and iterating on designs, highlighting how you manage multiple versions and stakeholder input.

• Performance Analysis Integration: Describe how you incorporate performance data or feedback from performance teams into your design iteration process.

• File Management & Versioning: Demonstrate an understanding of best practices for organizing design files and managing asset versions, essential for high-volume creative output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are heavily geared towards demonstrating tangible results and efficient processes. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their design thinking through the lens of performance marketing and to showcase how they manage high-volume, iterative creative production.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on similar remote Graphic Designer roles in Portugal with 2-5 years of experience in performance marketing, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between €28,000 and €45,000 annually. This estimate considers the company's focus on growth, the remote-first nature, and the specialized skill set required for performance creative.

Benefits:

• Work from Anywhere: Full remote flexibility, allowing you to work from your preferred location.

• Meaningful Work: Direct exposure to high-growth clients and impactful projects in the digital product and advertising space.

• Team Connection: Regular team meetups and retreats held globally, fostering collaboration and camaraderie.

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

• Learning & Development: Access to industry conferences, events, and specialized sessions for continuous professional growth.

• Career Progression: Opportunities for rapid progression within a small, high-ownership team environment.

Working Hours: While specific hours are flexible due to the remote-first nature, candidates must be able to work within a UK timezone, implying approximately 40 hours per week with flexibility on daily scheduling.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on market data for remote design roles in Portugal with a specialization in performance marketing. The benefits emphasize flexibility, professional development, and team cohesion, aligning with a modern, remote-first work culture. The UK timezone requirement is critical for collaboration.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Product Consultancy and Advertising Services, with a strong focus on Performance Marketing, Data-Driven Strategy, and Growth Optimization. Aperture operates at the intersection of technology, marketing, and creative services, serving ambitious digital-first companies.

Company Size: Small to Medium-sized (likely 20-75 employees, based on typical growth agency structures and the emphasis on "small team, high ownership"). This size fosters agility, direct impact, and faster career progression.

Founded: 2022 by Hannah Parvaz. Despite its recent founding, Aperture has rapidly gained recognition, being named Business Consultant of the Year and the Most Innovative Growth Agency in 2024, indicating a dynamic, fast-paced, and results-oriented environment.

Team Structure:

• Performance-Centric: The team is built around driving measurable results for clients, with a strong emphasis on data analysis, experimentation, and ROI.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Roles are designed to work closely with each other, such as Graphic Designers collaborating with Creative Strategists and Performance Teams.

• Agile and Iterative: The culture supports rapid iteration, continuous learning, and adapting to market changes, especially with new technologies like AI.

• Ownership and Accountability: Team members are expected to take full responsibility for outcomes and drive client success.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Strategy: Decisions are guided by data, analytics, and experimentation rather than subjective opinions.

• Performance Marketing Integration: Core services include performance marketing, product optimization, CRM, analytics, and experimentation, all aimed at scaling clients.

• AI and Emerging Tech Adoption: Proactive integration of AI tools to enhance efficiency, personalization, and creative capabilities.

• Client Success Focus: Client outcomes are paramount, driving the team's efforts and priorities.

Company Website: https://aperture.org/

📝 Enhancement Note: Aperture's culture is defined by its "impact-first" and "growth mindset" principles. The rapid success and accolades suggest a highly motivated team focused on innovation and delivering exceptional client results in the competitive digital growth landscape. The emphasis on "no ego" and "radical candor" points to a culture of open communication and continuous improvement.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Graphic Designer with a specialized focus on performance creative. It's an opportunity to become a key contributor to a rapidly growing agency's creative output, moving beyond static brand design into a high-impact, results-driven function.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will likely report to a Creative Lead, Creative Strategist, or Head of Creative. They will work collaboratively with cross-functional teams including Performance Marketing Managers and Creator Managers.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's impact is directly tied to client acquisition and revenue growth. By creating high-performing visual assets, they directly influence key performance indicators (KPIs) such as CTR, conversion rates, and overall campaign effectiveness, thereby contributing significantly to client retention and agency revenue.

Growth Opportunities:

• Creative Strategy Specialization: Develop expertise in performance creative strategy, moving from execution to conceptualization and testing frameworks.

• AI in Creative Production: Become a leader in leveraging AI tools for creative design, offering advanced skills in a rapidly evolving field.

• Client Management & Consulting: Gain exposure to client strategy and potentially transition into client-facing roles or lead creative projects for specific accounts.

• Leadership Potential: As the agency grows, opportunities may arise to lead design initiatives, mentor junior designers, or build out specialized creative functions.

• Industry Expertise: Deepen knowledge in specific verticals or platforms through diverse client work and industry event access.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers significant potential for growth within a fast-paced agency environment. The emphasis on performance and AI positions the designer for future relevance and leadership in the evolving creative marketing landscape.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Remote-first. This means the primary work environment is digital and distributed, with no central physical office space required for daily operations.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote, the requirement to work within a UK timezone suggests a need for individuals located in or willing to align their working hours with GMT/BST. The company also organizes global team meetups and retreats, which may take place in various international locations.

Workspace Context:

• Digital Collaboration Hub: The team utilizes digital tools for communication, project management, and collaboration (e.g., Slack, project management software, cloud storage).

• Performance-Oriented Tools: Access to and utilization of various design, analytics, and AI tools essential for performance creative production and testing.

• Team Interaction: While remote, the company actively fosters connection through regular virtual syncs, team sessions, client calls, and planned in-person meetups.

Work Schedule: Flexible work hours are a key benefit, allowing employees to structure their day around peak productivity. However, the requirement to align with a UK timezone is crucial for synchronous collaboration, meetings, and client interactions. This typically means being available during standard UK business hours, with flexibility on when those hours are worked.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "work from anywhere" policy is balanced by the need for timezone alignment. This setup requires strong self-discipline, excellent digital communication skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively across distances.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Application Submission: Submit your CV and portfolio, along with responses to specific application questions designed to assess your thinking process.

2. Initial Screening/Portfolio Review: Aperture will review applications and portfolios, looking for clear examples of performance-driven design and a strong understanding of their culture and values.

3. Interview with Hiring Manager/Team Member: Likely a video call to discuss your experience, portfolio, and how you approach design challenges. This stage will focus on your thought process and ability to articulate your work.

4. Practical Exercise/Case Study: You may be given a design challenge or asked to walk through a specific case study from your portfolio in detail, demonstrating your problem-solving skills, design iteration process, and understanding of performance metrics.

5. Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Performance: For each piece, clearly state the objective, your role, the design solution, and the measurable results. Quantify impact wherever possible (e.g., "Increased CTR by X%", "Improved conversion rate by Y%").

• Showcase Platform Nuance: Include examples that demonstrate your understanding of how design needs to adapt for different platforms (TikTok vs. Meta, static vs. video).

• Demonstrate Iteration: If possible, show how a design evolved based on feedback or performance data. This highlights your adaptability and learning process.

• Explain Your "Why": Be ready to articulate the strategic thinking behind your design choices, linking them to user psychology, platform behavior, and client goals.

• AI Integration: If you've used AI tools, be prepared to explain how they enhanced your workflow, speed, or creativity.

• Keep it Concise: Focus on quality over quantity. Select your strongest, most relevant pieces.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: Carefully analyze any design challenge provided. What is the core objective? Who is the target audience? What platform is it for?

• Focus on Speed & Iteration: Be prepared to work quickly and demonstrate how you would iterate on a concept. Your thought process and ability to adapt are key.

• Data-Informed Decisions: Think about how you would measure success for the challenge piece and what metrics would be most important.

• Platform Native-ness: Ensure your approach considers the native characteristics of the platform(s) involved.

• Articulate Your Process: Be ready to explain your steps, decisions, and considerations clearly and concisely.

📝 Enhancement Note: Aperture emphasizes "real answers" and "specific examples" over generic language. Candidates should prepare to discuss their experiences candidly and demonstrate a deep understanding of how design translates into measurable business results. The focus is on the candidate's thought process and ability to execute effectively in a performance-driven environment.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Figma (primary for collaborative design, prototyping), Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop for image manipulation, Illustrator for vector graphics, potentially After Effects for motion graphics).

• AI-Assisted Tools: Tools for image generation, background editing, asset variation, and rapid prototyping (specific tools may vary, but familiarity with the concept is key).

• Collaboration & Project Management: Slack for communication, and likely a project management tool like Asana, Trello, or Monday.com for task tracking and workflow management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Performance Data Access: While not directly responsible for analysis, a strong understanding of how to interpret data from platforms like Meta Ads Manager, TikTok Ads Manager, and Google Analytics is crucial for informing design decisions.

• Dashboard Tools: Familiarity with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Looker Studio, or in-platform reporting) to understand performance trends.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: While not a primary CRM role, an understanding of how design assets integrate into CRM-driven campaigns (e.g., email marketing visuals) may be beneficial.

• Automation Platforms: Awareness of how design assets are used within marketing automation workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and Adobe Suite is essential. The explicit mention of AI-assisted workflows indicates a strong preference for candidates who are already exploring or utilizing these technologies to enhance creative output and efficiency.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

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

• Ownership & Accountability: Taking full responsibility for outcomes, delivering high-quality work without excuses.

• Obsession with Results: A relentless focus on achieving measurable impact and driving client success through data and performance.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Relying on numbers, analytics, and experimentation to guide creative strategy and execution.

• Client Success: Prioritizing client objectives and ensuring their growth is a direct reflection of Aperture's work.

• No Ego: Openness to feedback, collaboration, and valuing the best idea regardless of its source.

• Radical Candor: Providing and receiving honest, constructive feedback to foster growth and continuous improvement.

• Supportive & Collaborative: Willingness to help team members and go beyond strict job descriptions (JDFI - "Just Do F***ing It").Collaboration Style:-Cross-Functional Integration: Close collaboration with strategists, performance managers, and creator managers to ensure creative output aligns with campaign goals and performs effectively.

• Feedback Loops: An environment where frequent, honest feedback is exchanged to refine creative concepts and improve performance.

• Agile Workflow: A dynamic approach to project execution, emphasizing speed, iteration, and adaptability to changing client needs and market trends.

• Shared Success: A collective understanding that client success and agency growth are team achievements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Aperture's values are strongly aligned with a high-performance, startup-like culture focused on accountability, data, and continuous improvement. The emphasis on "no ego" and "radical candor" suggests a direct, honest, and collaborative communication style.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• High-Volume, High-Performance Demands: Consistently producing a large volume of creative assets that must perform well across various platforms and campaigns.

• Balancing Speed and Quality: Maintaining high design quality while working at the rapid pace required for performance testing and iteration.

• Adapting to Evolving Platforms & AI: Staying ahead of rapid changes in social media platform algorithms, user behavior, and the integration of AI in creative production.

• Interpreting and Acting on Performance Data: Effectively translating performance metrics and feedback into actionable design improvements.

• Managing Multiple Client Demands: Juggling the creative needs and feedback from various clients simultaneously.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Performance Creative Specialization: Deepen expertise in designing for conversion, user psychology, and platform-specific engagement strategies.

• AI in Creative Workflows: Become proficient in leveraging emerging AI tools to enhance design speed, creativity, and output.

• Cross-Functional Skill Development: Gain a stronger understanding of performance marketing, analytics, and client strategy through close collaboration.

• Industry Exposure: Access to conferences, events, and industry trends through company-sponsored participation.

• Mentorship and Leadership: Opportunities to learn from experienced strategists and potentially mentor junior team members as the agency grows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents a significant opportunity for a designer to specialize in a high-demand area of performance creative, leveraging cutting-edge tools and methodologies. The challenges are directly linked to the growth and evolution of digital marketing.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you designed an ad that significantly improved a client's performance metrics. What was your process, and what were the results?" (Focus on quantifiable impact, role, and process.)

• "How do you approach designing for a platform like TikTok versus Meta? What are the key differences you consider?" (Assess understanding of platform-native design.)

• "Imagine a campaign's creative is underperforming. How would you diagnose the issue from a design perspective and what steps would you take to iterate?" (Demonstrate problem-solving, data interpretation, and iterative process.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What does 'growth mindset' mean to you in a professional context, and how have you demonstrated it?" (Assess alignment with core company values.)

• "How do you handle receiving frequent feedback on your work, especially if it's critical?" (Evaluate openness to feedback and "no ego" principle.)

• "Why are you interested in performance creative over traditional brand design?" (Understand motivations and alignment with the role's focus.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Each Case Study: For each piece presented, follow a clear narrative: Problem/Objective -> Your Role -> Design Solution -> Process/Iterations -> Results (quantified).

• Highlight Performance Metrics: Emphasize how your design choices directly influenced KPIs like CTR, conversion rates, engagement, or cost per acquisition. Use numbers prominently.

• Explain Your "Why": Be prepared to articulate the strategic rationale behind your design decisions, linking them to user behavior, platform context, or marketing objectives.

• Showcase Versatility: Demonstrate your ability to design for different platforms and formats (statics, carousels, UGC, landing pages).

• Discuss AI Integration: If applicable, briefly explain how AI tools aided your process for specific projects.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, challenges encountered, and how you overcame them.

📝 Enhancement Note: Aperture's application process emphasizes self-reflection and specific examples. Candidates should prepare to speak candidly about their experiences, demonstrating how they align with the company's values and deliver measurable results through design.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.

• Tailor Your Portfolio: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature 3-5 projects that showcase your experience in performance marketing, paid social, or conversion-focused design. For each project, clearly articulate the objective, your role, the design solution, and quantifiable results.

• Optimize Your Resume: Ensure your resume highlights keywords relevant to performance marketing, social media design, design software proficiency (Figma, Adobe Suite), AI-assisted production, and any experience with A/B testing or conversion optimization. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare for Application Questions: Be thoughtful and specific in your responses to the questions asked during the application process. Draw from your genuine experiences and illustrate your problem-solving approach.

• Research Aperture: Understand their client base, their methodologies (data-driven, performance-focused), and their company culture (growth mindset, radical candor). Be ready to articulate why you are a good fit for their specific environment.

⚠️ 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.