Graphic Designer

TEKsystems
Full-timeโ€ข$18-35/hour (USD)โ€ขAtlanta, United States

๐Ÿ“ Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: TEKsystems

Location: Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design

Date Posted: April 22, 2026

Experience Level: Intermediate Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days on-site, 2 days remote)

๐Ÿš€ Role Summary

  • This role focuses on translating brand identity into compelling visual content for social media platforms, requiring strong skills in graphic design and animation.

  • The position involves close collaboration with Art Directors and Social Media teams to create engaging content for channels like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

  • Candidates will be responsible for developing original content, designing various digital assets, and repurposing existing artwork across different formats.

  • A strong understanding of social media platform nuances and audience engagement strategies is crucial for success in this role.

๐Ÿ“ Enhancement Note: While the role is titled "Graphic Designer," the emphasis on animation, social media platforms, and visual storytelling indicates a specialized focus within digital content creation, aligning closely with GTM (Go-To-Market) support functions that require strong visual communication.

๐Ÿ“ˆ Primary Responsibilities

  • Develop and present creative concepts for graphics and animated content that align with the channel's brand identity and target audience.

  • Create original, IP-based content optimized for social media platforms, ensuring adherence to platform-specific best practices and specifications.

  • Execute graphic design tasks including digital banners, icons, typography, and logo lockups, maintaining brand consistency.

  • Design essential visual elements for video content, such as title cards, lower thirds, and other graphic overlays for platforms like YouTube.

  • Repurpose existing artwork and assets efficiently across various formats and digital channels to maximize content reach and impact.

  • Utilize performance analytics and audience insights to inform creative decisions and optimize content for engagement.

  • Collaborate closely with the social media team, adhering to established workflows, brand guidelines, and project management protocols.

๐Ÿ“ Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "Use performance analytics and insights to inform creative decisions" is a critical aspect for any GTM or marketing-related design role. It highlights the need for designers to think strategically about how their work contributes to broader campaign objectives and engagement metrics, not just aesthetic appeal.

๐ŸŽ“ Skills & Qualifications

Education: Not specified, but a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Digital Media, or a related field is often preferred for intermediate-level roles.

Experience: 3+ years of professional graphic design experience, with a strong emphasis on digital content creation and social media applications.

Required Skills:

  • Graphic Design Fundamentals: 3+ years of experience with a strong command of typography, layout, color theory, and visual hierarchy.

  • Adobe Creative Suite Proficiency: 3+ years of hands-on experience with:

    • After Effects: For motion graphics and animation.
    • Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.
    • Illustrator: For vector graphics, icons, and logo design.
  • Social Media Fluency: 3+ years of experience creating content specifically for platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, X (Twitter), Facebook/Meta, Reddit, Discord, and YouTube.

  • Portfolio: A strong portfolio showcasing a diverse range of styles and projects, demonstrating proficiency in graphic design and animation for digital media.

Preferred Skills:

  • Adobe Premiere: Experience with video editing software is a plus.

  • Illustration Skills: Ability to create original illustrations for content.

  • Compositing/Rotoscoping: Experience with advanced visual effects techniques.

  • 3D Skills: Familiarity with 3D software like Blender.

  • Project Management Tools: Experience with ClickUp or similar platforms.

  • Adult Animation/Content Familiarity: Knowledge and appreciation of adult animation content, specific shows (e.g., Adult Swim), and related fan culture.

  • Online Culture Expertise: Familiarity with online communities, gaming, animation, and anime trends.

๐Ÿ“ Enhancement Note: The requirement for 3+ years of experience in specific Adobe Creative Suite tools, coupled with social media platform fluency, positions this as a mid-level role demanding specialized digital content creation skills. The preference for illustration, 3D, and familiarity with adult animation content suggests a niche within the creative field, likely supporting a specific brand or campaign with a distinct aesthetic.

๐Ÿ“Š Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Showcase 8-10 examples of relevant work, demonstrating proficiency in graphic design and animation for social media.

  • Include projects that highlight visual storytelling capabilities and the ability to translate brand identity into compelling digital content.

  • Present a variety of styles and project types, such as animated social posts, digital banners, icons, typography treatments, and video graphics.

Process Documentation:

  • Demonstrate understanding of collaborative workflows, including how you receive feedback and incorporate revisions from stakeholders.

  • Provide examples of projects where you followed established brand guidelines and style guides.

  • Illustrate your process for optimizing content for different social media platforms, considering aspect ratios, formats, and best practices.

๐Ÿ“ Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for a portfolio with 8-10 examples and the mention of "social media account with 8โ€“10 examples of relevant work" underscores the practical, output-driven nature of this role. For operations-adjacent roles like this, the portfolio acts as a tangible representation of process execution and output quality, crucial for GTM success.

๐Ÿ’ต Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $18.00 - $35.00 per hour.

Benefits:

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

  • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Insurance

  • 401(k) Retirement Plan (with pre-tax and Roth post-tax contribution options)

  • Voluntary Life Insurance (for employee and dependents)

  • Short-term and Long-term Disability Insurance

  • Health Spending Account (HSA)

  • Transportation Benefits

  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

  • Paid Time Off (PTO), Vacation, or Sick Leave

Working Hours: 40 hours per week. The hybrid schedule allows for 3 days on-site in Atlanta, GA, and 2 days remote.

๐Ÿ“ Enhancement Note: The salary range is typical for contract graphic design roles in a major metropolitan area like Atlanta. The provided benefits are comprehensive for a contract position, indicating TEKsystems' commitment to supporting their contingent workforce. The hybrid arrangement is a common model for creative roles, balancing in-person collaboration with remote flexibility.

๐ŸŽฏ Team & Company Context

๐Ÿข Company Culture

Industry: Technology Staffing and Services. TEKsystems is a major player in the IT staffing and services sector, connecting organizations with technology talent and providing solutions.

Company Size: TEKsystems is part of Allegis Group, a large global organization with 80,000 employees. TEKsystems itself operates with a significant footprint, serving over 6,000 clients.

Founded: TEKsystems was founded in 1983. This long history suggests stability and extensive experience in the industry.

Team Structure:

  • The Graphic Designer will likely be part of a larger marketing or creative services team within TEKsystems or a client organization they are staffing for.

  • Reporting structure will be to an Art Director and will involve close collaboration with the Social Media team.

Methodology:

  • Data-Driven Creative: The role emphasizes using performance analytics to inform design decisions, suggesting a data-informed approach to creative development.

  • Workflow Adherence: Collaboration within established workflows and brand guidelines is key, pointing to a structured, process-oriented environment.

  • Agile Content Creation: The need for fast turnarounds and adaptability indicates a dynamic, agile approach to content production, common in social media marketing.

Company Website: https://careers.teksystems.com/us/en

๐Ÿ“ Enhancement Note: TEKsystems' role as a staffing and services provider means this Graphic Designer position is likely for one of their clients, not directly for TEKsystems' internal marketing. The "About TEKsystems" section provides general company information, but the actual team and culture context would depend heavily on the client organization this role supports. The mention of Adult Swim and online culture suggests the client might be in the entertainment or media sector.

๐Ÿ“ˆ Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at an "Intermediate Level" (2-5 years of experience). It requires specialized technical skills in design software and a solid understanding of social media dynamics, but likely does not involve high-level strategic planning or team management.

Reporting Structure: The designer reports to an Art Director and collaborates closely with the Social Media team. This indicates a clear chain of command for creative direction and project execution.

Operations Impact: In a GTM context, the graphic designer's impact is significant through visual communication. High-quality, on-brand graphics and animations directly influence audience engagement, brand perception, and the effectiveness of social media campaigns, ultimately contributing to broader marketing and business objectives.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in animation (After Effects), 3D design, or illustration, becoming a specialist in a sought-after area.

  • Platform Expertise: Gain extensive experience with the nuances of various social media platforms and their creative requirements.

  • Industry Exposure: Depending on the client, there's potential to gain experience in specific industries (e.g., entertainment, media, technology).

  • Portfolio Enhancement: The contract duration (1 year) offers a substantial opportunity to build a robust portfolio with diverse projects, enhancing future career prospects.

๐Ÿ“ Enhancement Note: For a contract role, "growth" is often measured by portfolio expansion and skill acquisition rather than direct promotion within the hiring company. The emphasis on specialized skills and client-specific projects means candidates should view this as an opportunity to hone their craft and broaden their professional experience base.

๐ŸŒ Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid position in Atlanta, GA, requiring 3 days on-site and allowing 2 days remote work.

Office Location(s): Atlanta, Georgia, United States (specific address not provided).

Workspace Context:

  • The hybrid model suggests a dynamic work environment that balances structured in-office collaboration with the flexibility of remote work.

  • On-site days are likely for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, direct collaboration with the Art Director and Social Media team, and access to specific office resources.

  • Remote days offer focused work time for design execution and content creation.

  • The environment likely involves standard office technology and creative software access.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week, with a hybrid arrangement. The nature of social media content creation may sometimes require flexibility for timely posts or trend responses, but core hours are expected.

๐Ÿ“ Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of this role is a key factor for candidates balancing work-life integration. The "3 days on-site" requirement in Atlanta means candidates must be local or willing to commute to the specified area.

๐Ÿ“„ Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: Likely a review of resume and portfolio by TEKsystems recruiters or the client's HR department.

  • Portfolio Review & Skills Assessment: A critical stage where the Art Director and/or Social Media team will thoroughly review the candidate's portfolio to assess design quality, animation skills, and social media content relevance. This may involve a creative challenge or assignment.

  • Technical Interview: Discussion focusing on proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator) and understanding of social media platforms and their technical requirements.

  • Cultural Fit/Team Interview: Meeting with key team members (Art Director, Social Media Manager) to assess collaboration style, understanding of trends, and ability to work within established workflows and brand guidelines.

  • Final Interview: Potentially with a hiring manager or senior stakeholder to confirm fit and discuss contract details.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Strategically: Select 8-10 of your strongest, most relevant pieces. Prioritize work that showcases animation, social media content, and strong typography.

  • Highlight Process: For each piece, briefly explain the objective, your role, the process you followed (including software used), and the outcome or impact.

  • Showcase Versatility: Include examples that demonstrate your ability to adapt to different styles and brand requirements.

  • Video/Animation Emphasis: If animation is a key requirement, ensure your video/animation samples are easily accessible and clearly demonstrate your After Effects skills.

  • Social Media Context: For social media examples, show how the design is optimized for the specific platform (e.g., aspect ratio, text placement).

Challenge Preparation:

  • Be prepared for a design or animation challenge, possibly a short turnaround task to create a social media graphic or short animation based on a prompt.

  • Practice articulating your creative process and design decisions clearly and concisely.

  • Research the client's brand and social media presence (if known) to understand their aesthetic and current content strategy.

๐Ÿ“ Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role. Candidates should dedicate significant time to curating and presenting their work, ensuring it directly addresses the job requirements for graphic design, animation, and social media content creation. The "visual storytelling" aspect implies a need for candidates to narrate their process and intent behind their designs.

๐Ÿ›  Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Adobe Creative Suite:

    • After Effects: Essential for motion graphics and animation.
    • Photoshop: For image editing, digital painting, and asset creation.
    • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, icons, and typography.
    • Premiere (Plus): For video editing and assembly.
  • Project Management: ClickUp (preferred skill). Understanding of project management tools is valuable for workflow adherence.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

  • Not directly specified, but an understanding of how creative assets integrate into marketing automation platforms or social media management tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Sprout Social) could be beneficial.

๐Ÿ“ Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement is deep proficiency in Adobe After Effects, Photoshop, and Illustrator. Candidates should be ready to demonstrate their skills in these applications, particularly After Effects for animation, which is a key differentiator for this role.

๐Ÿ‘ฅ Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Creativity & Innovation: A drive to create compelling and visually engaging content that stands out.

  • Brand Adherence: Commitment to maintaining brand consistency and following established guidelines.

  • Collaboration: Ability to work effectively within a team, share ideas, and incorporate feedback.

  • Adaptability: Flexibility to respond to trends, feedback, and tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

  • Data-Informed: Using analytics to guide creative choices and improve content performance.

Collaboration Style:

  • The role requires close collaboration with an Art Director for guidance and with the Social Media team for content strategy and execution.

  • Open communication and the ability to receive and act on constructive feedback are essential for success.

  • Cross-functional teamwork with other marketing or content specialists is expected.

๐Ÿ“ Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "soft skills that matter" โ€“ awareness of culture, clear presentation, comfort with feedback, distinguishing art direction vs. interpretation, self-starting, and time management โ€“ highlights the importance of interpersonal skills and professional maturity in this creative role.

โšก Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing Brand Guidelines with Creative Freedom: Navigating the line between strictly adhering to brand guidelines and injecting creative interpretation to produce unique content.

  • Keeping Pace with Trends: The fast-paced nature of social media requires constant awareness of emerging trends, platform updates, and audience preferences.

  • Meeting Tight Turnarounds: Delivering high-quality creative assets under pressure and within short deadlines.

  • Adapting to Client Needs: Potentially working with a client whose brand aesthetic or industry is unfamiliar, requiring quick learning and adaptation.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Advanced Animation Techniques: Deepen expertise in After Effects, potentially exploring advanced compositing or motion graphics.

  • 3D Design Exploration: Opportunity to learn or enhance skills in 3D software like Blender if the client's needs evolve.

  • Social Media Strategy: Gain practical experience in how creative content drives engagement and achieves marketing objectives on specific platforms.

  • Portfolio Building: The 1-year contract provides a significant opportunity to add diverse, high-impact projects to your professional portfolio.

๐Ÿ“ Enhancement Note: The "Challenges" section highlights the dynamic and demanding nature of social media content creation. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate resilience, adaptability, and a proactive approach to learning and problem-solving.

๐Ÿ’ก Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a time you had to balance strict brand guidelines with your own creative vision. How did you approach it?" (Assesses ability to follow direction while being creative.)

  • "Walk us through a social media campaign you designed. What was the objective, your process, and the results?" (Evaluates understanding of campaign goals and impact.)

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What interests you about this role and the client's brand/content?" (Assesses research and genuine interest.)

  • "How do you handle feedback from multiple stakeholders, especially if it's conflicting?" (Gauges collaboration and conflict resolution skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Narrate Your Process: For each portfolio piece, clearly articulate the problem, your solution, the tools you used, and the outcome.

  • Emphasize Animation Skills: If animation is key, ensure your After Effects work is prominently featured and you can discuss your animation techniques.

  • Showcase Social Media Relevance: Highlight how your designs are optimized for specific platforms and designed to engage target audiences.

  • Be Ready for a Challenge: Prepare to tackle a hypothetical design or animation task, demonstrating your problem-solving and creative execution skills under pressure.

๐Ÿ“ Enhancement Note: The interview will heavily rely on the candidate's portfolio. Candidates should be prepared to discuss every piece in detail, articulating their creative rationale, technical process, and the impact of their work, particularly concerning social media engagement and brand alignment.

๐Ÿ“Œ Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

  • Submit your application through the TEKsystems careers portal.

  • Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and prominently features 8-10 of your strongest graphic design and animation projects, with a clear emphasis on social media content creation. Tailor your selection to highlight experience with platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

  • Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly list your experience with Adobe Creative Suite (After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator), social media platform fluency, and any relevant illustration or 3D skills. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Increased engagement by X% through animated social posts").

  • Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your creative process, discussing your portfolio pieces in detail, and preparing answers to common interview questions related to design, collaboration, and adapting to trends. Be ready to discuss your experience with hybrid work environments.

  • Company Research (Client Focused): If the client is identifiable, research their brand, current social media presence, and target audience to demonstrate a genuine interest and understanding of their aesthetic and marketing goals.

โš ๏ธ Important Notice: This enhanced job description provides detailed insights based on industry standards and the provided information. Specific client details, team dynamics, and exact project scope may vary. Candidates should confirm all details directly with TEKsystems during the application and interview process.

Application Requirements

Requires 3+ years of graphic design experience and proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically After Effects, Photoshop, and Illustrator. Candidates must possess a strong portfolio demonstrating diverse design styles and fluency in current social media platforms.