Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Skift

Location: Mexico

Job Type: Contractor

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: April 28, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Remote Solely

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is crucial for Skift's visually-driven content strategy, focusing on creating impactful graphics for news, research, and global events.

• The Graphic Designer will be responsible for translating complex data and briefs into compelling visual narratives and brand assets, ensuring brand consistency across all platforms.

• A key aspect of this role involves high-velocity output, requiring the ability to quickly iterate on designs under tight deadlines while maintaining exceptional quality.

• The position emphasizes strong collaboration with editorial and marketing teams to solve communication challenges through strategic visual design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is explicitly seeking candidates based in LATAM, indicating a need for cultural understanding and potentially timezone alignment with regional operations. The 'Contractor' employment type suggests flexibility in project scope and engagement.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the visual design and execution of a wide range of creative projects, including digital advertising, social media assets, editorial graphics, and event branding.

• Rapidly iterate on designs based on real-time feedback, managing projects from initial concept through to final delivery with a high degree of autonomy.

• Transform complex travel industry data and insights into clear, compelling visual narratives, infographics, and data visualizations.

• Maintain and evolve Skift's visual identity system across all digital and physical touchpoints, ensuring strict brand consistency while exploring creative boundaries.

• Partner directly with the Editorial and Marketing teams to address communication challenges and enhance the impact of Skift's content and initiatives through strategic visuals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "high-velocity output" and "rapid iteration" suggests a dynamic work environment where adaptability and efficiency are paramount. The responsibility to "transform complex travel industry data" highlights the need for strong analytical and data interpretation skills alongside design capabilities.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a strong foundation in graphic design principles is implied through experience and portfolio requirements.

Experience: 3–5 years of professional graphic design experience, ideally within a fast-paced media, agency, or tech environment.

Required Skills:

• Expert-level proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Expert-level proficiency in Figma for collaborative design and prototyping.

• Demonstrated ability to translate complex information and data into clear, compelling visual narratives and infographics.

• Proven experience in maintaining and evolving brand visual identity systems across various platforms.

• Strong understanding of layout design principles and typography.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with motion graphics, specifically using Adobe After Effects.

• Experience with advanced data visualization techniques and tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "expert-level proficiency" in both Adobe Creative Suite and Figma indicates a critical need for candidates who can seamlessly switch between industry-standard design tools and modern collaborative platforms. The preference for motion graphics and data visualization suggests a forward-looking approach to content creation.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A strong portfolio is mandatory, showcasing not only aesthetic design but also strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities through visuals.

• The portfolio should demonstrate the ability to handle diverse project types, including digital advertising, social media, editorial graphics, and event branding.

• Include case studies that illustrate the process of transforming complex data or briefs into effective visual solutions.

• Showcase examples of maintaining brand consistency while pushing creative boundaries.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their design process, from brief interpretation and concept development to execution and feedback incorporation.

• Ability to articulate how they approach data visualization and infographic creation, detailing the steps from data analysis to final design.

• Demonstrate how they ensure brand consistency and evolve visual identity systems within their workflow.

• Be ready to explain how they collaborate with stakeholders and incorporate feedback effectively within a remote and fast-paced setting.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirement is heavily weighted towards demonstrating strategic thinking and problem-solving, not just technical design skills. This implies that candidates should curate their portfolio to tell a story about their process and impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the provided AI estimates of $25,000 - $30,000 USD per year for a contractor role in Mexico, this range aligns with entry-to-mid-level graphic design positions in the region, particularly for remote work. The exact compensation will depend on the specific scope of work and the candidate's demonstrated experience and skills.

• Methodology: The estimated range is derived from AI analysis of similar roles in Mexico, considering the specified experience level (2-5 years) and the contractor employment type. This range is benchmarked against typical freelance rates for graphic designers in LATAM, factoring in the demand for specialized skills like data visualization and Figma proficiency.

Benefits:

• Opportunity to grow within a respected and innovative media company.

• Exposure to the intersection of media, events, and travel intelligence.

• Collaborative, supportive, and remote-friendly work environment.

Working Hours: While not explicitly stated, a standard 40-hour work week is assumed for a full-time contractor role. Flexibility may be offered, but prompt responsiveness and adherence to project timelines will be critical given the emphasis on high-velocity output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range appears to be on the lower end for a professional graphic designer with 3-5 years of experience, even for a contractor role in Mexico. It's crucial for candidates to research current market rates for freelance graphic designers with similar skill sets in LATAM to ensure fair compensation. The benefits listed are more aligned with company culture and exposure rather than traditional employee benefits.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Skift operates in the travel industry, serving as a leading business intelligence and media company. Their focus is on delivering news, research, and global events that inform senior leaders and innovators. This context means the Graphic Designer will be working with content relevant to a dynamic and global market.

Company Size: Skift is described as having a "diverse, very cohesive" culture with people who "love what they do." While the exact size isn't stated, the mention of a "Senior Manager of the Creative Team" and "Editorial and Marketing teams" suggests a moderately sized, organized structure within a remote-first framework.

Founded: Skift was founded with the mission to provide clarity, insight, and connection in the fast-moving global travel market. This founding principle likely influences a culture that values innovation, expertise, and impactful communication.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will report to the Senior Manager of the Creative Team, indicating a clear reporting line.

• Collaboration will be essential with the Editorial and Marketing teams, suggesting a matrixed or project-based working structure across departments.

Methodology:

• Skift's "editorially-led creative operation" suggests a data-informed and insight-driven approach to content creation.

• The emphasis on "visual storytelling" and transforming "data and briefs into high-quality publications and brand assets" points to a methodology that prioritizes clear communication and impact.

• The need for "high-velocity output" and "rapid iteration" indicates a lean, agile approach to creative production.

Company Website: skift.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as remote but highly connected and caring. This suggests that while physical proximity is not a factor, strong communication, proactivity, and a team-oriented mindset are highly valued. The "editorially-led" nature of the creative operation means that design decisions will be grounded in journalistic integrity and market relevance.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Graphic Designer, requiring 3-5 years of experience. It offers a significant opportunity to contribute to a well-respected media brand and gain exposure to various facets of creative production within the travel industry.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report directly to the Senior Manager of the Creative Team. This provides a clear path for mentorship and guidance, as well as opportunities to learn from experienced leadership.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is directly tied to Skift's ability to communicate complex information and insights effectively. High-quality visuals enhance the brand's reputation, engage its audience, and support sales and event initiatives, making the designer a critical contributor to the company's overall success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunity to deepen expertise in data visualization, motion graphics, and potentially new design tools as Skift evolves its content strategy.

• Industry Exposure: Gain deep insights into the travel industry, media, and business intelligence, which can open doors to future opportunities within these sectors.

• Portfolio Development: Build a robust portfolio with high-profile projects for a leading industry publication, enhancing professional marketability.

• Creative Leadership: With proven success and capability in handling complex projects, there may be opportunities to take on more leadership on specific design initiatives or mentor junior designers in the future.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is a contractor position, the emphasis on growth within "a respected and innovative media company" suggests that successful contractors may have opportunities for extended engagement or future roles. The growth is framed around skill development and industry exposure rather than a traditional corporate ladder.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position, allowing the Graphic Designer to work from their chosen location within Mexico or LATAM.

Office Location(s): Primarily remote within Mexico and LATAM. While there isn't a physical office requirement, timezone alignment with key team members or event schedules might be beneficial for seamless collaboration.

Workspace Context:

• The work environment is described as collaborative and supportive, despite being remote. This means active participation in virtual meetings, clear communication, and a willingness to engage with team members.

• Access to necessary design software and technology is implicitly expected for remote work.

• Opportunities for interaction will primarily be through digital channels: Slack, email, video conferencing, and project management tools.

Work Schedule: The role is for a contractor, implying a focus on project delivery and output rather than strict hours. However, a 40-hour work week is a common expectation for full-time contractors. The fast-paced nature of the work and the need for rapid iteration suggest that flexibility might be required to meet deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature of the work emphasizes the need for self-discipline, strong time management skills, and proactive communication. Candidates should be comfortable working independently while remaining an active and engaged member of a virtual team.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application: Submit resume, cover letter, and portfolio. The cover letter should articulate interest and align design experience with Skift's mission.

• Portfolio Review: The hiring team will review submitted portfolios to assess design quality, strategic thinking, and problem-solving abilities.

• Interview(s): If selected, a Skift team member will reach out to schedule next steps, likely involving interviews to discuss experience, design process, and cultural fit. This may include discussions about specific portfolio pieces.

• Potential Challenge: Given the emphasis on "high-velocity output" and "transforming data," a short design challenge or a case study presentation related to data visualization or rapid design iteration may be part of the process.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Strategic Storytelling: Curate your portfolio to tell a compelling story about your design process, challenges, and solutions. Highlight how your designs achieved specific objectives.

• Data Visualization Focus: Include strong examples of infographics and data visualizations that effectively communicate complex information. Clearly explain your approach to interpreting and presenting data.

• Brand Consistency Examples: Showcase projects where you successfully maintained or evolved a brand's visual identity.

• Process Explanation: Be prepared to discuss your thought process for each project, especially how you handled briefs, iterations, and stakeholder feedback.

• Figma and Adobe Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio demonstrates expertise in both Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite.

Challenge Preparation:

• Rapid Design: Be ready to tackle a design task under a tight deadline, simulating the "high-velocity output" requirement. Focus on delivering a polished concept quickly.

• Data Interpretation: If a data visualization challenge is presented, focus on clarity, accuracy, and effective visual communication of insights.

• Brand Alignment: If asked to design for Skift, ensure your approach aligns with their existing brand guidelines and editorial tone.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application explicitly requests a cover letter, which is a crucial opportunity to demonstrate an understanding of Skift's mission and how personal design philosophy aligns with their "editorially-led" approach. Highlighting specific examples of rapid design iteration and data-to-visual translation in the portfolio will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for all core graphic design tasks. Proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is non-negotiable.

• Figma: Required for collaborative design, prototyping, and potentially UI/UX elements for digital assets. Expertise in Figma is a key differentiator.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this design role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of both Adobe Creative Suite and Figma indicates that candidates must be proficient in both established industry standards and modern collaborative design platforms. This dual proficiency is critical for efficient workflow and team integration.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Visual Storytelling: A core value is the ability to communicate effectively through compelling visuals, making complex information accessible and engaging.

• Brand Consistency & Evolution: Maintaining a strong, recognizable brand identity while being open to creative evolution is paramount.

• Data-Driven Insights: Designs should be informed by data and insights, aiming to clarify and amplify the message.

• Agility & Speed: A culture that values rapid execution, quick iteration, and adaptability to changing priorities.

• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on working closely with editorial and marketing teams, fostering a supportive and communicative environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The designer will work closely with Editorial and Marketing teams, requiring clear communication and understanding of their needs and objectives.

• Feedback-driven: The role involves "rapid iteration on designs based on real-time feedback," highlighting a culture that embraces constructive criticism and collaborative refinement.

• Remote Connectivity: Despite being remote, the culture is "very cohesive" and "caring," suggesting that proactive communication, empathy, and team-building efforts are encouraged through digital channels.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize a blend of creative excellence, strategic thinking, and operational efficiency. Candidates who can demonstrate these values through their work and communication style will be a strong fit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• High-Velocity Output: Consistently delivering high-quality design assets under tight deadlines requires excellent time management, prioritization, and efficient workflow.

• Data Translation Complexity: Effectively translating complex travel industry data into clear, compelling visual narratives can be challenging and requires strong analytical and design interpretation skills.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Balancing brand guidelines with creative innovation across diverse project types demands a nuanced understanding of brand strategy.

• Remote Collaboration: Navigating a fully remote work environment effectively, ensuring clear communication and seamless integration with a global team.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skills: Opportunity to hone skills in motion graphics and data visualization, potentially through project work or company-supported learning.

• Industry Expertise: Deepen knowledge of the travel industry, media trends, and business intelligence through exposure to Skift's content and events.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Develop a strong portfolio of work for a leading industry publication, showcasing high-impact projects.

• Agile Workflow Mastery: Gain experience in a fast-paced, iterative creative process, refining project management and rapid execution capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge is balancing speed and quality, which is a common theme in modern media and design roles. The growth opportunities are deeply tied to the specific demands of the role and the industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate complex data into a visually compelling infographic. What was your process, and what were the results?" (Focus on data interpretation, design choices, and impact.)

• "How do you approach maintaining brand consistency while also pushing creative boundaries for a client or publication?" (Highlight understanding of brand strategy and creative problem-solving.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Skift and the travel industry? How do you see your design skills contributing to our mission?" (Show research into Skift and genuine interest in the industry.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with editorial or marketing teams, especially in a remote setting?" (Emphasize communication, teamwork, and understanding cross-functional needs.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio to tell a story for each project, starting with the brief/problem, your strategic approach, the design solution, and the outcome/impact.

• Highlight Data & Strategy: For relevant projects, clearly articulate how you interpreted data and how your design strategy addressed specific communication goals.

• Showcase Speed & Iteration: If possible, include examples that demonstrate your ability to iterate quickly or present work that was developed under tight time constraints.

• Figma & Adobe Mastery: Be prepared to discuss your technical proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, perhaps even demonstrating a specific technique if asked.

• Conciseness: Focus on your strongest, most relevant work. Be prepared to discuss any piece in detail but avoid overwhelming the interviewer with too many examples.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to discuss specific examples from their portfolio that directly address the core responsibilities and requirements of the role, particularly those involving data visualization, rapid design, and brand consistency.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on skift.bamboohr.com/careers.

• Craft a compelling cover letter: Clearly articulate your interest in Skift, your design philosophy, and how your 3-5 years of experience and specific skills (especially in Adobe Creative Suite and Figma) align with the requirements for high-velocity output and visual storytelling in the travel industry.

• Curate your portfolio: Ensure it prominently features examples of impactful infographics, data visualizations, digital advertising, social media assets, and event branding. Highlight projects that demonstrate strategic thinking, brand consistency, and rapid iteration. Be prepared to discuss your process for each piece.

• Optimize your resume: Tailor it to highlight keywords from the job description, such as "Adobe Creative Suite," "Figma," "layout design," "branding," "visual storytelling," "data visualization," and "remote work." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare for interview questions: Practice articulating your design process, strategic rationale, and experience with fast-paced environments and remote collaboration, using specific examples from your portfolio.

⚠️ 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.