Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: George P. Johnson Experience Marketing (GPJ)

Location: Boston, MA

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design

Date Posted: September 30, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on translating client brand identities into compelling 2D visual designs for experiential marketing campaigns.

• The Graphic Designer will be instrumental in developing innovative design solutions that enhance brand presence in physical spaces.

• Key responsibilities include creating high-quality visual assets, managing multiple projects under tight deadlines, and collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.

• The position requires a blend of strong design skills, a passion for emerging technologies, and the ability to mentor junior creative talent.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job title and description clearly indicate a role within the creative services function, specifically focused on graphic design for experiential marketing. While not a direct Revenue Operations, Sales Operations, or GTM role, the enhancement will frame the description with an operations lens where applicable, particularly regarding process management, efficiency, and collaboration, which are critical in any GTM support function.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Translate creative briefs and client brand guidelines into impactful 2D design concepts, sketches, graphics, layouts, mock-ups, and presentations for experiential marketing events.

• Lead the development of new design techniques and applications, pushing creative boundaries to elevate brand representation in both digital and physical environments.

• Collaborate closely with graphics production, creative technology, and account management teams to solve design and budgetary challenges while upholding design integrity and brand standards.

• Manage a portfolio of multiple design projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery, adherence to scope, and consistent quality across all deliverables.

• Provide direct support in concept design and development, leveraging a strong understanding of environmental design principles, including textures, materials, architecture, fabrication, and styling.

• Mentor and supervise junior creatives and "Igniters" (likely entry-level creative staff), fostering skill development and ensuring consistent output quality.

• Research and integrate emerging trends, including AI-based design software (e.g., Firefly, Gemini), into the creative process to drive innovation and efficiency.

• Prepare initial drafts of client presentations and decks, including research, analysis, and the creation of functional design templates with a solid understanding of deck structures and master slides.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities are heavily design-centric. The operational aspects lie in project management, cross-functional collaboration, and process adherence (time tracking, budget awareness). These are critical for ensuring efficient execution of creative strategies, aligning with GTM operational principles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design, Advertising, Visual Communication, or a related field of study. Experience:

• 3-5 years of professional experience as a Graphic Designer, with a strong focus on experiential marketing or related creative fields. Required Skills:

• Mastery of Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Proficiency in Figma for collaborative design and prototyping.

• Expertise in Google Suite for presentations and collaboration.

• Strong understanding of environmental design principles, including materials, textures, architecture, and spatial allocation for experiences.

• Comprehensive knowledge of graphic and 2D-based design principles, with the ability to apply techniques effectively based on desired outcomes.

• Proven ability to manage multiple projects concurrently, meet tight deadlines, and maintain high-quality standards under pressure.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts clearly, provide constructive feedback, and work effectively within a team.

• Experience in preparing client presentations, including deck creation, research, and template development.

• Adaptability and flexibility to navigate evolving project requirements and client expectations. Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with AI-based design software such as Adobe Firefly or Google Gemini.

• Understanding of UX/UI principles and prototyping for digital environments.

• Basic comprehension of graphic production processes and file setup for print and fabrication.

• Basic understanding of the experiential marketing industry and GPJ's role within it.

• Familiarity with budget management and designing within budgetary restrictions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills are standard for a graphic designer. The "preferred skills" and "your skills" section highlight a forward-thinking approach, incorporating AI and digital design, which aligns with operational efficiency and future-proofing creative output. The emphasis on understanding budgets and production processes is crucial for operational alignment.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a strong understanding of brand identity and its application across various mediums, with a focus on experiential design.

• Demonstrated ability to translate creative briefs into impactful visual concepts, presenting multiple solutions and rationale.

• Examples of successful project management, highlighting how deadlines were met and challenges overcome.

• Case studies illustrating collaboration with cross-functional teams (production, account) and problem-solving within budgetary constraints.

• Visual evidence of applying emerging design trends or software, particularly in relation to AI or digital integration. Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly stated as a requirement for the candidate to create, the role implies adherence to established design workflows, including:

  • Workflow design and optimization phase: Conceptualizing and sketching initial ideas.

  • Implementation and automation methods: Utilizing software like Adobe Creative Suite and Figma for execution, and potentially exploring AI tools for efficiency.

  • Measurement and performance analysis: Implicit in delivering high-quality work that meets client objectives and internal standards, and by tracking time and flagging scope misalignments.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a creative role, a portfolio is paramount. The enhancement focuses on what the portfolio should demonstrate from an operational perspective: process adherence, problem-solving, collaboration, and efficiency. This aligns with how operations professionals are often evaluated.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry research for Graphic Designers with 3-5 years of experience in Boston, MA, the estimated salary range is $65,000 - $85,000 annually. This estimate considers the cost of living in Boston, the typical compensation for mid-level creative roles in agency environments, and the specific requirements of experiential marketing design. Benefits:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP): Provides employees with an ownership interest in the company, fostering a sense of shared success.

• Flexible Time Off (FTO): A modern approach to paid time off, moving away from traditional accrual systems.

• 401(k) Plan: Employer matching contributions available with no vesting period.

• Healthcare: Low employee contribution healthcare options.

• Travel: Ability to travel up to 25%.

• Irregular Hours: Flexibility to work non-standard hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as project demands require.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are expected, but the role requires flexibility to work irregular hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as needed for project deadlines and client demands. This suggests a dynamic work schedule common in the agency and event marketing sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on regional data for similar roles. The benefits are explicitly listed and are a significant draw, particularly the ESOP and FTO. The mention of irregular hours is important for setting expectations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Experiential Marketing / Marketing Services

Company Size: GPJ is part of Project Worldwide, a global network of agencies. GPJ itself has multiple global offices, indicating a significant company size and reach within the experiential marketing sector. This scale suggests robust operational frameworks and cross-office collaboration.

Founded: GPJ has a long history in experiential marketing, contributing to its reputation and established processes.

Team Structure:

• Creative Department: The Graphic Designer will be part of a broader creative team, likely including Art Directors, Senior Designers, Copywriters, and Creative Directors.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role necessitates close collaboration with Production teams, Account Management, Strategy, and potentially Creative Technology teams.

• Reporting: The designer will likely report to a Creative Director or Design Lead, with opportunities to supervise junior staff.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Creativity: While creativity is paramount, GPJ emphasizes bringing respected brands to life in "powerfully, exciting ways," suggesting a strategic approach that aligns creative output with client objectives and market insights.

• Innovation Focus: The company actively seeks "fearless people dreaming up ideas that are transforming industries," indicating a culture that values innovation and pushing boundaries.

• Process Adherence: The emphasis on time tracking, budget awareness, and file setup for production points to a structured operational approach within the creative process.

Company Website: https://www.gpj.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: GPJ's position as a leader in experiential marketing implies a sophisticated operational structure to manage complex global campaigns. The company culture appears to value innovation, collaboration, and employee ownership, which are attractive aspects for professionals seeking a dynamic work environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Mid-Level Graphic Designer role. It requires proven design skills and the ability to work independently on projects, while also offering opportunities for leadership through mentoring junior staff.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report to a Creative Director or Design Manager. They will also collaborate with various departments, including Account Management, Production, and Creative Technology.

Operations Impact: While not a direct operations role, the Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the success of experiential marketing campaigns. High-quality, on-brand visual design is critical for client satisfaction, brand perception, and the overall effectiveness of marketing initiatives. Efficient design processes and clear communication contribute to project profitability and client retention.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in environmental design, digital design (UX/UI), or emerging technologies like AI in design.

• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a Senior Graphic Designer, Art Director, or Creative Lead role, with increased responsibility for strategy, client interaction, and team management.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Working across various departments provides a holistic understanding of the experiential marketing ecosystem, which can open doors to broader roles within the agency or industry.

• Mentorship: Developing leadership and coaching skills by mentoring junior creatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path for a designer in an agency like GPJ often involves progressing from individual contributor to team lead or art director. The "operations impact" is framed in terms of how design efficiency and quality contribute to business outcomes, mirroring the goals of operational roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "hybrid," requiring a minimum of 2 days per week in the Boston office. This suggests a modern office setting designed for collaboration and creative work, with facilities to support in-person team interaction.

Office Location(s): Boston, MA. Specific office details would typically be provided upon further inquiry or during the interview process.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and emphasis on collaboration indicate a workspace designed to foster teamwork, brainstorming, and knowledge sharing among designers and other departments.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma) and potentially emerging AI tools.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities to work closely with colleagues from various disciplines, contributing to a dynamic and integrated project execution.

Work Schedule: While the core work hours are not specified, the requirement for flexibility to work irregular hours (nights, weekends, holidays) is a key aspect of the work schedule, common in event-driven industries.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature and emphasis on collaboration point to a typical agency work environment that balances focused individual work with team-based creative sessions.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and creative output.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, discussing their design process, rationale behind key projects, and how they approach challenges. This is a critical stage for evaluating creative thinking and communication skills.

• Skills Assessment/Challenge: A design challenge or exercise may be given to assess practical skills, problem-solving abilities, and speed under pressure. This could involve creating a concept based on a brief or refining existing designs.

• Team/Culture Fit Interview: Meeting with hiring managers and potential team members to assess collaboration style, cultural alignment, and ability to integrate into the GPJ team.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic thinking and long-term fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate your skills in experiential design, brand application, and problem-solving. Include a mix of conceptual work and executed projects.

• Tell a Story: For each project, explain the brief, your thought process, the challenges you faced, your solutions, and the outcome. Emphasize your role and contributions.

• Showcase Process: Include sketches, mood boards, wireframes, and iterations to illustrate your design journey. This demonstrates your problem-solving approach.

• Highlight Collaboration: If possible, showcase projects where you worked effectively with other teams (e.g., production, account).

• Quantify Impact (where possible): If a project had measurable results (e.g., increased engagement, successful event execution), highlight this.

• Tailor to GPJ: Research GPJ's work and clients; tailor your presentation to show how your skills align with their specific needs and aesthetic.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: Carefully read and dissect any design challenge brief. Ask clarifying questions if permitted.

• Time Management: Allocate your time effectively across ideation, execution, and presentation.

• Focus on Strategy: Even for a design task, consider the underlying strategic goal. Why is this design needed? What problem does it solve?

• Presentation Clarity: Be prepared to present your work concisely and confidently, explaining your decisions clearly.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for creative roles heavily relies on portfolio assessment. The tips focus on presenting a designer's work in a way that showcases not just creative talent, but also a professional, process-oriented approach relevant to operational efficiency.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for graphic design, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

• Figma: Crucial for collaborative design, prototyping, and potentially UI/UX work.

• Google Suite: Standard for presentations, documents, and collaboration (Docs, Slides, Sheets).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly responsible for deep analytics, designers often use presentation tools (Google Slides, PowerPoint) for reporting on design concepts and project progress. Understanding how designs contribute to campaign metrics is beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this design role, but awareness of how creative assets integrate into marketing automation platforms or CRM-driven campaigns is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section highlights the core software proficiency required. The "analytics & reporting" and "CRM & automation" sections are framed to show how a designer's work connects to broader operational systems and reporting, even if they don't directly use those tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Urgency & Responsiveness: Decisive and fast-acting, achieving goals quickly while maintaining quality. Adaptable and agile under pressure.

• Communication: Clearly conveying and selling ideas, articulating concepts with brevity, and maintaining a positive image internally and externally.

• Creative Innovation: Idea-driven, thinking about the big picture, driving new methods, and implementing the latest technology. Innovative storytelling that is on strategy, transformative, and authentic.

• Flexibility: Easily moving between tasks with little notice, adapting strategies, forms of communication, or objectives without panic. Maintaining composure when priorities shift.

• Prioritization & Organization: Effectively allocating time and resources to meet deadlines and budgets, managing all resources (full-time and freelance) efficiently.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Works closely with graphics production, creative tech, and account teams to achieve project goals.

• Team-Oriented: Excited to work with new people and bring forward the best collective ideas.

• Mentorship: Willingness to supervise and mentor junior creatives.

• Openness to Feedback: Implied through the need to communicate ideas clearly and work collaboratively.

📝 Enhancement Note: GPJ's stated competencies (Urgency, Communication, Creative Innovation, Flexible, Prioritization/Organization) are directly applicable to operational excellence. These values emphasize efficiency, adaptability, and effective collaboration, which are hallmarks of strong operations teams.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity with Constraints: The primary challenge is to deliver innovative, high-impact designs while adhering to client brand guidelines, budgets, and production limitations.

• Managing Multiple Demanding Projects: Juggling various client projects with competing deadlines and stakeholder expectations requires strong organizational and time management skills.

• Keeping Pace with Evolving Technology: Continuously learning and integrating new design software and trends (like AI) to remain at the forefront of the industry.

• Adapting to Client Feedback: Effectively incorporating feedback while maintaining the integrity of the design vision.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Software Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and explore AI-powered design tools.

• Experiential Design Immersion: Gaining deeper insights into environmental design principles, fabrication, and event production through hands-on project involvement.

• Mentorship Programs: Formal or informal opportunities to learn from senior designers and creative directors.

• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Potential to attend events focused on experiential marketing, design trends, and new technologies.

• Career Progression: Clear pathways to Senior Designer, Art Director, or Creative Lead roles within GPJ.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges in this role often mirror operational challenges: resource management, process optimization, and adapting to change. Growth opportunities are framed to enhance both creative and operational competencies.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance creative vision with strict brand guidelines or budget limitations. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Assesses problem-solving, strategic thinking, and adherence to constraints.)

• "Walk us through your process for developing a 2D design concept for a large-scale experiential event. What are the key considerations?" (Evaluates design methodology, understanding of experiential context, and ability to articulate process.)

• "How do you stay updated on emerging design trends and technologies, such as AI in design? Can you give an example of how you've applied a new tool or technique?" (Tests proactivity, innovation, and technical curiosity.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about GPJ's work in experiential marketing, and how do you see your design skills contributing to our clients' success?" (Assesses research, alignment with company mission, and understanding of impact.)

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid or agency environment. How do you manage collaboration and communication across different teams and potentially remote colleagues?" (Evaluates adaptability, collaboration style, and understanding of team dynamics.)

• "How do you handle constructive criticism or feedback on your designs, especially when it differs from your initial concept?" (Gauges receptiveness to feedback, maturity, and collaboration.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the challenges, your process, the solution, and the results.

• Highlight Key Skills: Ensure your chosen projects demonstrate proficiency in required tools (Adobe Suite, Figma), understanding of environmental design, and successful project execution.

• Emphasize Collaboration & Problem-Solving: Point out instances where you worked effectively with others or navigated complex design or budget issues.

• Showcase Adaptability: Include examples that demonstrate your ability to adapt to different brand aesthetics or project requirements.

• Be Ready for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, technical execution, and how you would approach future projects for GPJ's clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions are framed to probe for operational competencies like strategic thinking, process management, collaboration, and adaptability, alongside core design skills.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on GPJ's careers page.

• Portfolio Preparation: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, well-organized, and showcases your strongest work relevant to experiential design. Tailor selections to highlight projects demonstrating brand application, concept development, and collaboration.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your 3-5 years of experience, proficiency in required software (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Google Suite), and any experience with environmental design or AI tools. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Practice: Prepare to discuss your portfolio in detail, articulate your design process, and answer behavioral questions related to collaboration, problem-solving, and working under pressure. Practice presenting your work concisely and confidently.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with GPJ's recent campaigns, client roster, and company values. Understand their approach to experiential marketing and how your skills can contribute to their success.

⚠️ 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.