Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: KEEN Creative

Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: 2026-09-18

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

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in co-creating comprehensive brand, digital, and campaign assets, from initial concept development to final polished deliverables.

• You will be instrumental in designing and iterating on concepts that effectively solve client briefs and strategically support marketing objectives.

• A key responsibility involves building and refining robust brand systems, encompassing logos, typography, color palettes, grids, and comprehensive guidelines.

• The position requires managing the entire lifecycle of website projects, from initial planning and wireframing through to complete site design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Graphic Designer" title in a marketing agency context, especially one emphasizing "strategy-first," implies a role that goes beyond pure aesthetics. It suggests a need for a designer who understands marketing objectives and can translate strategic goals into compelling visual solutions. The emphasis on "co-create" and "client-facing experience" indicates a collaborative and client-involved workflow.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Research, design, and lay out creative assets for both print and digital applications, ensuring alignment with client objectives and brand consistency.

• Develop and iterate on creative concepts that effectively address project briefs and strategically support overarching marketing goals.

• Build, refine, and maintain comprehensive brand systems, including logos, typography, color palettes, grids, and detailed brand guidelines.

• Design a wide range of campaign assets, including social media graphics, digital advertisements, landing pages, email templates, and out-of-home (OOH) materials.

• Create compelling designs for website projects, encompassing the entire process from planning and wireframing to the final visual design of the complete site.

• Present creative work clearly and persuasively to internal teams and clients, demonstrating the ability to effectively receive and apply feedback.

• Proactively manage personal workload and time, ensuring adherence to agreed-upon milestones and successful delivery of all project deliverables.

• Consistently follow established KEEN workflows and maintain clean, organized project files to ensure efficient team collaboration and project continuity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a full-service design role within a marketing agency. The inclusion of "brand systems," "campaign assets," and "website projects" indicates a need for versatility across various design disciplines. The emphasis on "research," "strategy," and "client presentation" points to a role that requires critical thinking and client interaction, not just execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A diploma or degree in Graphic/Visual Communication Design is required.

Experience: Minimum of 3 years of professional experience working as a Graphic Designer, with a proven track record in brand and campaign development across online and print media.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in industry-standard design software, including Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and Figma.

• Demonstrated experience in designing cohesive brands and comprehensive campaigns for both online and print applications.

• Experience with wireframing and designing websites, with no coding experience required.

• Familiarity with UX/UI design principles and experience conducting website audits.

• Proven client-facing experience, including presenting design concepts, co-creating in workshops, and capturing insights to enhance design outcomes.

• Strong communication skills, with an ability to effectively translate ideas and briefs into compelling visual designs.

• Excellent organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail in all design work.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced agency environment and effectively manage multiple concurrent projects.

• A self-starter mindset, demonstrating initiative and a strong sense of ownership, coupled with respect for team collaboration and established processes. Preferred Skills:

• Copywriting skills, including comfort with writing headlines and microcopy.

• Experience creating designs or websites using Webflow.

• Familiarity with motion graphics or video editing software.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 3+ years of experience, a design degree, and proficiency in key software like Adobe Creative Suite and Figma aligns with mid-level graphic designer expectations. The inclusion of wireframing, UX/UI, website audits, and client-facing presentation skills suggests that KEEN Creative values designers who can contribute strategically to digital projects and client relationships, not just execute visual assets. The "bonus skills" indicate areas where candidates can further differentiate themselves.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3 years of design work, demonstrating a breadth of experience across brand identity, full campaign development, and digital design.

• Include specific case studies that detail your process from concept to execution for both online and print applications.

• Present examples of website wireframes and mockups, illustrating your approach to UX/UI considerations and design for digital platforms.

• Highlight your ability to develop and maintain brand systems, including logos, typography, color palettes, and comprehensive brand guidelines.

• Demonstrate client-facing interactions through examples of presentations, workshop contributions, or how client feedback was incorporated into your designs. Process Documentation:

• For each project in your portfolio, briefly outline your design process, from initial brief analysis and research to concept development and final delivery.

• Detail your approach to collaborating with internal teams (e.g., strategists, copywriters) and clients throughout the design lifecycle.

• Explain how you ensure brand consistency and adherence to guidelines across all visual communications, particularly for campaigns and digital assets.

• Provide insights into how you manage your workload, prioritize tasks, and ensure timely delivery of projects within a fast-paced agency setting.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a graphic designer role in a strategy-first agency, the portfolio should not just be a collection of pretty pictures. It needs to demonstrate a strategic thought process, an understanding of client needs, and the ability to execute across different mediums. Highlighting process, collaboration, and how design solves business problems will be crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a mid-level Graphic Designer with 3+ years of experience in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, the estimated annual salary range is CAD $60,000 - $80,000. This estimate considers the cost of living in Edmonton, the demand for skilled designers, and the agency's emphasis on strategy and client-facing capabilities.

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation package.

• Generous paid time off, including vacation days, sick days, and flex days.

• Additional paid time off during the December holiday break for extended rest and rejuvenation.

• Comprehensive employee health and dental benefits coverage.

• A flexible and supportive work environment designed to foster well-being and productivity.

• Convenient on-site free parking for employees.

Working Hours: The standard working hours for this full-time position are approximately 40 hours per week, with potential for some flexibility depending on project needs and team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is estimated based on typical compensation for a mid-level graphic designer in a major Canadian city like Edmonton, factoring in the agency's focus on strategy and client interaction. Benefits are directly pulled from the job description, with added context on their value to professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Marketing & Advertising, with a focus on strategy and creative execution for a diverse client base ranging from startups to the public sector across North America.

Company Size: KEEN Creative operates as a collaborative team, suggesting a size that allows for close-knit interaction and cross-functional support, likely in the range of 10-50 employees. This size fosters a dynamic environment where individual contributions are highly visible and impactful.

Founded: While the founding date is not specified, KEEN Creative positions itself as an established "strategy-first marketing team," implying a history of developing client relationships and refining its methodologies.

Team Structure:

• The operations team is characterized by its collaborative nature, working closely on client projects. The structure likely facilitates direct interaction between designers, strategists, and other creative professionals.

• Reporting lines are expected to be clear but flexible, allowing designers to contribute across various projects and client needs.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a cornerstone, with designers working hand-in-hand with strategists, copywriters, and potentially account managers to deliver cohesive marketing solutions. Methodology:

• KEEN Creative adopts a "strategy-first" approach, meaning that all creative work is deeply rooted in understanding client objectives, target audiences, and market positioning.

• Workflow planning emphasizes clarity and efficiency, ensuring that projects move smoothly from brief to execution while maintaining high-quality standards.

• Automation and efficiency practices are implicitly valued, as indicated by the need for organized files and adherence to workflows, allowing the team to focus on creative problem-solving rather than administrative overhead.

Company Website: keencreative.ca

📝 Enhancement Note: The company description emphasizes a "strategy-first" approach and a "collaborative crew." This suggests an environment where designers are expected to think critically about marketing objectives and work closely with other disciplines. The mention of working with startups to the public sector indicates a diverse client portfolio and the need for adaptability.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This Graphic Designer role is positioned at a mid-level. It requires a solid foundation of 3+ years of experience and the ability to work independently on projects, while also being a strong collaborator within a team. The role involves taking ownership of design execution and contributing to client-facing presentations, indicating a step beyond junior-level tasks towards more integrated project involvement.

Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report to a Creative Director or a Senior Designer. The emphasis on "co-create" and "jump in where you’re needed" suggests a flat hierarchy where direct collaboration and open communication are encouraged across all levels and departments.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's impact is significant, directly influencing the visual communication and brand perception of KEEN Creative's clients. Through strategic design, they contribute to client success by enhancing brand recognition, driving engagement, and supporting marketing campaign effectiveness, ultimately contributing to client ROI and KEEN's reputation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas like brand system development, digital design, UX/UI, or even explore bonus skills like motion graphics or Webflow development.

• Client Relationship Development: As comfort and capability grow, opportunities to take on more direct client interaction and lead design discussions.

• Creative Leadership: Potential to move into senior design roles, mentorship of junior designers, or even specialized roles within the creative department as the agency evolves.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "mid-level" designation, coupled with client-facing responsibilities and the need for strategic input, suggests that this role offers a strong platform for career growth within a creative agency. The emphasis on collaboration and a supportive environment indicates that learning and development are likely integrated into the daily work.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an in-person role located at KEEN Creative's Edmonton office, with some flexibility for occasional remote work. This hybrid arrangement aims to balance the benefits of in-office collaboration and idea generation with the flexibility of remote work.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is the KEEN Creative office in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (Postal Code T6E 5J1). This location offers accessible amenities and potentially free parking as noted in the benefits.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed to foster collaboration, with an expectation of daily interaction with the KEEN team. This environment is conducive to brainstorming, feedback sessions, and shared problem-solving.

• Access to industry-standard tools and technology, including Adobe Creative Suite and Figma, is fundamental to the role, ensuring designers have the necessary resources to produce high-quality work.

• Opportunities for frequent team interaction are inherent in the role, supporting a culture of shared learning and mutual support.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, with an estimated 40 working hours per week. While the core schedule is set, the "flexible and supportive work environment" suggests some adaptability may be available, particularly for hybrid work arrangements or when managing personal needs, provided project milestones are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role is a key aspect, balancing in-office collaboration with remote flexibility. The mention of "free parking" in Edmonton is a practical detail that enhances the understanding of the office environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume, cover letter, and portfolio link to assess qualifications and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: Candidates will likely be invited to present their portfolio, discussing their process, strategic thinking, and how they approach design challenges. This may involve specific case studies relevant to brand development, campaigns, or web design.

• Team/Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focused on cultural fit, collaboration style, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of KEEN's "strategy-first" approach.

• Potential Design Challenge: A small, timed design exercise or a take-home assignment may be used to assess practical design skills and ability to work under specific constraints.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your versatility across brand, digital, and campaign design. Prioritize projects where you can articulate the strategy behind the design.

• Showcase Process: For each project, clearly explain your design process, from understanding the brief and conducting research to concept development, iteration, and final execution. Use visuals to illustrate key stages.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If your designs contributed to measurable results (e.g., increased engagement, improved conversion rates, successful campaign launch), highlight these outcomes.

• Tailor to KEEN: Emphasize projects that align with KEEN's client base (startups to public sector) and their "strategy-first" philosophy. Demonstrate how your design work solves business problems.

• Prepare to Present: Be ready to walk through your portfolio verbally, articulating your design decisions and responding to questions about your approach and client interactions.

Challenge Preparation:

• If a design challenge is given, focus on understanding the brief thoroughly.

• Prioritize creating a clear, strategic solution over exhaustive visual polish if time is limited.

• Practice articulating your thought process and design rationale concisely.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio and client-facing experience suggests that the interview process will heavily scrutinize these areas. Candidates should be prepared to not only show their work but also to explain the "why" behind their design decisions and how they collaborate with stakeholders.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for graphic design, including Photoshop for image manipulation, Illustrator for vector graphics and logos, and InDesign for layout and print design.

• Figma: A critical tool for collaborative interface design, wireframing, prototyping, and UI design, increasingly becoming an industry standard for digital design workflows.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as a primary tool for the designer, familiarity with how design impacts analytics (e.g., website performance, campaign engagement) is beneficial. Understanding how to interpret basic website analytics or A/B testing results related to design elements could be an advantage. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the Graphic Designer role, but understanding how design assets are used within marketing automation platforms or CRM systems for campaigns could provide context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Adobe Creative Suite and Figma highlights the core technical requirements for this role. Their integration into the workflow suggests a modern design agency environment.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Curiosity: A commitment to continuous learning and exploration, essential for staying ahead in design trends and client needs.

• Usefulness, Clarity, Craft: A focus on creating designs that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional, easy to understand, and meticulously executed.

• Meaningful Positive Impact: A drive to create work that makes a tangible difference for clients and their audiences.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on teamwork, where egos are left out, and collective intelligence drives better outcomes.

• Self-Starter Mindset: Encouraging initiative, ownership, and proactive contribution within the team and on projects.

Collaboration Style:

• Co-creation: Designers actively work alongside strategists, copywriters, and clients to develop ideas and solutions.

• Supportive Team Environment: The culture fosters mutual support, where team members "have your back," creating a safe space for creative exploration and feedback.

• Open Communication: Regular interaction and clear communication are key to ensuring project alignment and effective problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: KEEN Creative's values of "useful, clear, and well-crafted" work, combined with a "strategy-first" and "collaborative" approach, define the ideal team member. Designers are expected to be strategic thinkers and team players who contribute to a positive and impactful work environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Strategy and Creativity: Effectively translating complex strategic objectives into compelling and clear visual designs that resonate with target audiences.

• Managing Diverse Client Needs: Adapting design style and approach to meet the unique requirements of a broad range of clients, from startups to public sector organizations.

• Pace of Work: Thriving in a fast-paced agency environment and consistently delivering high-quality work under tight deadlines while juggling multiple projects.

• Evolving Digital Landscape: Staying current with new design tools, technologies, and digital trends to ensure designs remain innovative and effective.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to expand proficiency in bonus skills like Webflow, motion graphics, or video editing through practice and project involvement.

• Strategic Design Acumen: Developing a deeper understanding of marketing strategy and how design directly contributes to client business objectives through close collaboration with strategists.

• Client Presentation Skills: Honing presentation and communication abilities through regular client-facing interactions, leading to greater confidence and impact.

• Mentorship and Peer Learning: Learning from experienced colleagues within a collaborative team environment, fostering continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a creative agency role, emphasizing the need for adaptability, strategic thinking, and efficient execution. The growth opportunities are directly linked to expanding the designer's skillset and strategic contribution.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate a complex strategy into a simple, impactful visual design. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on articulating your strategic thinking and design rationale.)

• "How do you approach collaborating with copywriters and strategists to ensure a cohesive brand message across all campaign materials?" (Highlight your teamwork and cross-functional communication skills.)

• "Walk us through a challenging project where you received significant client feedback. How did you incorporate that feedback to improve the design?" (Demonstrate your ability to handle feedback constructively and deliver client satisfaction.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What does 'strategy-first' mean to you in the context of graphic design?" (Show your understanding of KEEN's core philosophy.)

• "How do you contribute to a collaborative team environment, and what do you value most in team dynamics?" (Align your answer with KEEN's emphasis on collaboration and leaving egos out.)

• "How do you ensure your designs are not only visually appealing but also 'useful' and 'clear,' as per KEEN's values?" (Connect your design principles to the company's stated values.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• The "Why": For each project, clearly articulate the client's objective, your strategic approach, and the specific design decisions you made to achieve those goals.

• Process Narrative: Guide the interviewer through your workflow, from initial brief to final delivery, highlighting key stages and problem-solving moments.

• Visual Storytelling: Use your visuals to support your narrative. Point out specific elements that demonstrate your skills in branding, campaign design, web design, or adherence to strategy.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Practice delivering your portfolio overview efficiently, focusing on your strongest points and being prepared for deeper dives into specific projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, collaborative spirit, and a strong understanding of KEEN's values and approach. The portfolio presentation is a critical component, requiring candidates to effectively communicate their process and impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your resume, cover letter, and a link to your online portfolio through the KEEN Creative careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features 3-5 of your strongest projects that showcase brand development, campaign design, and digital/web design experience. Tailor your project selection to reflect KEEN's client types and "strategy-first" approach.

• Resume Optimization: Highlight your 3+ years of experience, degree in Graphic/Visual Communication Design, and proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Figma. Quantify achievements where possible and use keywords from the job description.

• Portfolio Walkthrough Practice: Rehearse presenting your portfolio, focusing on articulating your strategic process, design rationale, and how you handle client feedback. Be prepared to discuss specific projects in detail.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with KEEN Creative's website (keencreative.ca) and their work. Understand their philosophy, client base, and any recent projects or case studies to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural alignment.

⚠️ 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.