Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Merchants Bank of Indiana

Location: Carmel, Indiana, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Art & Design / Marketing / Creative & Media

Date Posted: August 07, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Responsible for the creation of compelling print and digital marketing collateral that upholds and enhances the Merchants Bank brand identity across all affiliated companies.

• Collaborates closely with internal stakeholders and the Marketing team to conceptualize, design, and deliver high-quality visual assets that support diverse business initiatives, including marketing, sales, recruiting, and executive communications.

• Manages multiple design projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to brand guidelines and project-specific requirements.

• Stays abreast of emerging design trends and technologies, proactively identifying and implementing new tools and methodologies to enhance creative output and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within the Marketing and Creative functions, with a strong emphasis on supporting the broader financial services operations of Merchants Bank and its subsidiaries. The graphic design output directly contributes to the bank's brand perception, sales enablement, and overall corporate communications strategy.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute innovative design concepts for a wide array of marketing and corporate communications materials, including advertisements, brochures, direct mail pieces, social media graphics, website banners, presentations, templates, signage, and trade show displays.

• Ensure all design work consistently adheres to established brand guidelines, visual principles, and messaging accuracy for Merchants Bank and its affiliated entities.

• Collaborate with marketing managers and other internal stakeholders to understand project objectives, target audiences, and desired outcomes for each design request.

• Manage project timelines effectively, coordinating with the Marketing team to ensure on-time delivery of all design assets and maintaining clear communication regarding project status and potential roadblocks.

• Maintain and regularly update all sales support materials, ensuring that collateral for each business line and company remains current, accurate, and aligned with brand standards.

• Proactively research and implement new design tools, software, and industry best practices to elevate the quality and impact of visual communications.

• Assist with basic video production and photography needs as required, contributing to a broader range of multimedia content creation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer who can not only execute creative tasks but also manage projects autonomously, understand business objectives, and proactively contribute to process improvements within the marketing operations workflow.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Multimedia Design, or a closely related field is preferred.

Experience: A minimum of 2-5 years of demonstrated professional experience in graphic design, with a strong emphasis on creating marketing and corporate communications materials.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, and Acrobat.

• Solid understanding of design principles, including typography, color theory, layout composition, and visual hierarchy.

• Proven ability to conceptualize and execute creative designs that align with established brand standards and strategic objectives.

• Demonstrated experience in creating both print and digital design assets.

• Excellent multi-tasking capabilities and the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently under tight deadlines.

• Strong independent work ethic and problem-solving skills. Preferred Skills:

• Basic video editing and production skills.

• Basic photography skills and experience.

• Familiarity with CRM and marketing automation platforms for asset integration.

• Experience within the financial services industry or a regulated environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level suggests a candidate who can work independently on most tasks but may require guidance on highly strategic or complex projects. The emphasis on Adobe Creative Suite and a strong portfolio is critical for evaluating design capabilities.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a diverse range of print and digital design projects, demonstrating creativity, technical skill, and adherence to brand guidelines.

• Case studies or project examples that highlight the design process from concept to final execution, including any problem-solving or strategic considerations.

• Examples of designs for marketing collateral, corporate communications, social media, and web assets.

• Demonstrations of how design solutions effectively met specific project objectives or business needs. Process Documentation:

• Ability to document design processes and workflows for internal reference and team collaboration.

• Understanding of how design assets integrate into broader marketing campaigns and operational workflows.

• Experience in managing design feedback and revision cycles efficiently.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is paramount for this role, serving as the primary indicator of the candidate's ability to meet the design demands and operational requirements of the position. The portfolio should clearly articulate the candidate's design thinking and problem-solving approach.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Graphic Designers with 2-5 years of experience in the Carmel, Indiana area, the estimated salary range is $55,000 - $75,000 annually. This estimate considers the cost of living in Indiana and the specialized skills required for financial services marketing.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• 401(k) Retirement Plan

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

• 100% Tuition Assistance for continued education

• Generous Paid Time Off (4 weeks)

• Additional benefits as offered by the company.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, standard business hours. While the role is primarily on-site, there may be occasional flexibility for project-specific needs, subject to management approval.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is derived from aggregated data for similar roles in the Midwest region, factoring in the specialized nature of financial institution design. The benefits package is particularly strong, with a notable emphasis on employee ownership (ESOP) and education support, which can be attractive to long-term career professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Banking, Mortgage Banking, Real Estate Financing). Merchants Bank of Indiana operates as a diversified bank holding company, indicating a stable yet dynamic industry with a focus on regulatory compliance and customer trust.

Company Size: $18.8 billion in assets and $11.9 billion in deposits as of December 31, 2024. The company has been recognized nationally as a Top Workplace with 500-999 employees, suggesting a mid-to-large sized organization with a structured but collaborative environment.

Founded: Merchants Bank of Indiana has a history of being recognized as a Best Place to Work in Indiana for seven consecutive years (2016–2022), underscoring a commitment to employee well-being and a positive work environment.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the Marketing team, likely working closely with marketing managers, content creators, and digital specialists.

• Collaboration is expected across various departments, including Sales, Recruiting, and Executive Communications, requiring strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• The reporting structure will likely be to a Marketing Director or Manager, with clear lines of communication for project assignments and performance feedback. Methodology:

• The company emphasizes data-driven decisions and a commitment to quality, as evidenced by its S&P Global Market Intelligence ranking and USA Today Top Workplaces recognition.

• Creative processes are expected to be efficient and aligned with brand standards, with an emphasis on delivering professional and impactful visual communications.

• Continuous improvement is encouraged, as indicated by the call to stay current on design trends and implement new tools.

Company Website: https://www.merchantsbankofindiana.com/ and https://www.merchantscapital.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to value employee development, recognition, and a strong commitment to core business principles. The financial services sector demands a high level of professionalism, accuracy, and brand integrity, which will be reflected in the design work.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is typically considered an intermediate-level position within the creative and marketing operations spectrum. It requires a solid foundation of design skills and the ability to work with a degree of autonomy, managing individual projects from conception to completion.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report to a Marketing Manager or Director, who will oversee strategic direction and provide project assignments. This structure allows for focused creative work while ensuring alignment with broader business objectives.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the bank's brand perception, marketing campaign effectiveness, and sales enablement. High-quality visual assets are crucial for conveying professionalism, building trust, and supporting revenue-generating activities within the financial services industry.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific design areas such as digital marketing graphics, motion graphics, or advanced print production techniques.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Potential to contribute to larger marketing initiatives, gaining experience in campaign strategy and execution.

• Leadership Potential: With proven success and expanded responsibilities, potential for advancement into senior designer roles, team lead positions, or specialized marketing roles within the organization.

• Continuous Learning: The company's commitment to 100% tuition assistance and recognition for Top Workplaces suggests a supportive environment for professional development and ongoing skill enhancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a dedicated design role, understanding its place within the broader "operations" of a financial institution is key. The impact is measured not just in creative output but in how that output supports sales, marketing, and brand integrity, which are critical operational functions for a bank.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at the company's physical location in Carmel, Indiana, indicating an on-site work environment. This setup is typical for financial institutions where collaboration, security, and direct team interaction are prioritized.

Office Location(s): 410 Monon Blvd, Carmel, IN 46032. This location is in a well-established business area, likely offering accessibility and proximity to local amenities.

Workspace Context:

• The Graphic Designer will work within the Marketing department, likely in an open-plan or shared office space designed to foster collaboration and communication among team members.

• Access to standard office technology, including computers, software, and potentially specialized design hardware, will be provided.

• Opportunities for regular interaction with colleagues within the marketing team and other departments to discuss projects, share feedback, and build professional relationships.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week, typically aligning with business hours (e.g., 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM or 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM, with a one-hour lunch break). While the role is on-site, occasional flexibility for critical project deadlines may be accommodated, subject to management discretion.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is a crucial factor for candidates, emphasizing the importance of in-person collaboration and integration into the company's daily operations and culture.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and a preliminary call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and interest in the role.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session to present and discuss your design portfolio. Be prepared to walk through specific projects, explaining your design process, creative choices, and the impact of your work.

• Skills Assessment/Case Study: You may be asked to complete a design exercise or a short case study to evaluate your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and how you approach specific design challenges relevant to financial services.

• Team/Hiring Manager Interview: A more in-depth discussion about your experience, work style, and cultural fit with the Marketing team and the broader organization. Behavioral questions will likely be used to assess your collaboration and problem-solving skills.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 4-6 of your strongest and most relevant projects that showcase a range of skills and experiences applicable to this role (print, digital, corporate communications).

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem or objective, your role, the creative process, the tools used, and the outcome or impact. Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., increased engagement, improved brand consistency).

• Highlight Brand Adherence: Emphasize your ability to work within brand guidelines and adapt designs to specific company needs, especially relevant for a regulated industry like banking.

• Be Ready for Technical Questions: Prepare to discuss your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and any other relevant software.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Industry: Research Merchants Bank of Indiana, its services, target audience, and recent marketing efforts. Familiarize yourself with the financial services industry's design considerations (e.g., trust, security, professionalism).

• Practice Design Principles: Refresh your knowledge of core design principles and be ready to apply them in a hypothetical scenario.

• Prepare for Behavioral Questions: Think of examples that demonstrate your ability to manage deadlines, collaborate with stakeholders, handle feedback, and solve design problems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily rely on the candidate's portfolio as tangible proof of their skills. Candidates should prepare to articulate their design decisions and demonstrate how their work aligns with business objectives and brand integrity.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Adobe Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, and complex illustrations.
  • Adobe Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and raster graphics.
  • Adobe InDesign: For page layout and publication design (brochures, direct mail, reports).
  • Adobe Acrobat: For PDF creation, editing, and pre-press checks.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Particularly PowerPoint for presentation design and Word for content integration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary tool for the designer, an understanding of how design impacts analytics (e.g., website traffic, social media engagement) is beneficial. Familiarity with basic web analytics concepts may be helpful. CRM & Automation:

• Experience integrating design assets into CRM or marketing automation platforms (e.g., for email campaigns, social media scheduling) is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with the Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. The ability to work efficiently within these tools and produce high-quality output is central to the role's success.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Integrity & Professionalism: As a financial institution, Merchants Bank likely places a high value on ethical conduct, accuracy, and maintaining a professional image in all communications.

• Customer Focus: Design work should aim to resonate with the bank's customer base, conveying trustworthiness and clear value propositions.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: The company's recognition as a Top Workplace suggests a culture that fosters cooperation and mutual support among team members.

• Quality & Excellence: A commitment to delivering high-quality work that reflects the bank's reputation and standards.

• Innovation & Adaptability: Encouraging designers to stay current with trends and adopt new tools to enhance creative output.

Collaboration Style:

• Expect a collaborative environment where designers work closely with marketing strategists, content creators, and other stakeholders to achieve shared goals.

• Open communication and constructive feedback are likely encouraged to ensure designs meet objectives and align with brand standards.

• The ability to translate business needs into visual solutions through effective collaboration will be key.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of the values important in a financial services organization and how design contributes to building trust and maintaining a professional brand image.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity with Compliance: Designing within the strict regulatory guidelines of the financial services industry while still producing engaging and creative work.

• Managing Stakeholder Expectations: Effectively gathering requirements and managing feedback from diverse internal stakeholders with varying creative visions.

• Keeping Pace with Digital Trends: Continuously adapting design skills and outputs to meet the evolving landscape of digital marketing and social media.

• Project Prioritization: Juggling multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry-Specific Design: Gaining specialized knowledge in designing for financial products and services, understanding audience sensitivities and regulatory constraints.

• Advanced Software Training: Opportunities to master new features or modules within the Adobe Creative Suite or explore complementary design software.

• Marketing Strategy Exposure: Learning how design integrates into broader marketing campaigns and contributes to business objectives.

• Professional Development: Leveraging the company's tuition assistance and potential for internal training programs to advance career skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges inherent in this role, particularly regarding regulatory compliance in financial services, present significant learning opportunities for a designer looking to specialize in a robust and stable industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to adapt a design to meet strict brand guidelines or regulatory requirements. What was your approach?" (Focus on balancing creativity with constraints).

• "How do you approach conceptualizing a new design project when given minimal direction?" (Assess initiative and creative process).

• "Walk us through your process for managing feedback and revisions from multiple stakeholders on a single design project." (Evaluate collaboration and communication skills). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Merchants Bank of Indiana and its mission?" (Demonstrate research and interest).

• "How do you see your design skills contributing to the trust and professionalism required in the financial services industry?" (Connect skills to industry context).

• "Describe your ideal team environment and how you contribute to a collaborative culture." (Assess cultural fit). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or by showcasing your strongest work first.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, highlight the results of your designs. Did a brochure increase leads? Did social media graphics boost engagement?

• Explain Your "Why": For each project, articulate the problem, your thought process, and why you made specific design choices. This demonstrates strategic thinking beyond just aesthetics.

• Be Ready for Live Critiques/Exercises: Some interviews may include a brief design exercise or a critique of a sample piece. Be prepared to offer constructive thoughts and demonstrate your design thinking on the spot.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to articulate not only their design capabilities but also their understanding of the financial services industry and how their work supports business objectives and brand integrity.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the recruiting platform.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your submitted portfolio is tailored to showcase relevant work, such as print collateral, digital marketing assets, and corporate communications, ideally with examples that reflect professionalism and brand adherence.

• Resume Optimization: Highlight your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat), your years of experience, and any relevant achievements in creating marketing materials or corporate communications.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, explaining your portfolio projects, and preparing thoughtful answers to behavioral and situational questions. Be ready to discuss how you would approach design challenges specific to the financial services industry.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Merchants Bank of Indiana, its services, brand identity, and recent marketing efforts to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding of their business context.

⚠️ 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.

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