Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Urban Barn Ltd.

Location: Burnaby, BC, CA

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Operations

Date Posted: April 24, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is central to the visual communication strategy of a leading Canadian home décor retailer, focusing on creating engaging brand assets.

• The Graphic Designer will translate marketing and business objectives into compelling visual designs across digital and print channels, supporting GTM campaigns.

• Collaboration with cross-functional teams, including Marketing, eCommerce, and Art Direction, is key to ensuring brand consistency and impact.

• The position requires proficiency in design software and an understanding of current design trends, with an emphasis on lifestyle branding and customer engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the raw job title is "Graphic Designer," the responsibilities and company context (retail, home décor, marketing collaboration) suggest a role that bridges creative execution with marketing operations and GTM support. The emphasis on digital ads, social media templates, and in-store collateral points to a need for operational efficiency in content creation. The mention of AI-powered design tools indicates a forward-thinking approach to creative workflows.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and produce a wide range of visual assets, including digital ads, social media graphics (Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook), short-form videos with animations, and print materials for in-store collateral, ensuring alignment with Urban Barn's brand identity.

• Collaborate closely with the Art Director, Marketing, and eCommerce teams to conceptualize and execute creative projects that support go-to-market strategies and promotional campaigns.

• Design and maintain social media templates to ensure brand consistency and streamline content creation for various platforms.

• Support internal communication needs by creating visually appealing documents, presentations, and other materials.

• Participate actively in lifestyle and studio creative shoots, contributing design input and ensuring visual assets meet brand standards.

• Contribute to the ongoing evolution of the Urban Barn brand through innovative and impactful design solutions.

• Stay abreast of the latest design trends, software updates, and best practices, incorporating them into daily work to enhance creative output and efficiency.

• Leverage AI-powered design platforms to explore new creative possibilities, optimize workflows, and improve the efficiency of design production.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are expanded to highlight the operational aspects of design production, including templating, cross-functional collaboration for GTM, and the strategic application of design to support business objectives. The inclusion of AI tools emphasizes a modern approach to creative operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

Required Skills:

• Design Software Proficiency: Expert-level skills in Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects.

• Motion Graphics & Video: Proficiency in producing motion graphics and editing video content.

• Design Fundamentals: Strong understanding of core design principles such as hierarchy, composition, typography, contrast, balance, and alignment.

• Digital Marketing Acumen: Understanding of digital marketing strategies, social media platforms (Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook), and customer engagement tactics.

• Brand Consistency: Ability to consistently apply brand guidelines across all creative outputs.

• Project Management: Demonstrated organizational and project management skills to handle multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.

• Communication: Excellent interpersonal, written, and listening communication skills for effective collaboration.

• Adaptability: Dynamic and adaptable nature, thriving in a fast-paced retail environment.

• Teamwork: Proven ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.

Preferred Skills:

• AI Design Tools: Some experience using AI-powered digital design platforms (e.g., generative design tools, AI image editors, content automation tools) to enhance creativity and workflow efficiency.

• Lifestyle Branding: Passion for storytelling, creating engaging content for lifestyle brands, and an affinity for home décor.

• Retail & Omni-channel: Understanding of omni-channel business strategy, retail environments, and customer engagement.

• Marketing & Sales Funnel: Awareness of the marketing and sales funnel and how content contributes to lead generation and conversion.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for internal communications and documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The skills section is structured to clearly differentiate between essential and preferred qualifications. Keywords related to design software, marketing, and specific platforms are integrated. The preference for AI design tools is highlighted as a forward-looking skill.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A strong, well-curated portfolio is mandatory to demonstrate skills and experience.

• Showcase a diverse range of work, including digital ads, social media campaigns, motion graphics, video edits, and print collateral.

• Include case studies or examples that highlight your design process, problem-solving approach, and the impact of your designs.

• Ensure the portfolio clearly reflects your understanding of brand consistency, typography, and visual hierarchy.

Process Documentation:

• The portfolio should implicitly demonstrate an understanding of design workflows, from concept development to final asset delivery.

• Examples of how you've streamlined design processes or adapted to new tools (like AI) can be beneficial.

• Ability to articulate your creative process and decision-making during portfolio reviews.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section emphasizes the critical role of a portfolio for a graphic designer, framing it as a demonstration of process and operational capability within a creative context. It connects portfolio content to the role's responsibilities, such as brand consistency and GTM support.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $55,000 - $60,000 CAD per year.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary.

• Hybrid work environment, offering flexibility between home and office.

• Comprehensive Group Benefits package, including health, dental, and vision coverage.

• Group RSP program to support long-term financial planning.

• A generous 40% discount on all Urban Barn products.

• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement within the company.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, approximately 40 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary information is directly extracted. Benefits are detailed to emphasize their value to potential candidates. The "Hybrid work environment" is noted as per the input, aligning with the "Work Environment" section.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Retail (Furniture & Home Décor)

Company Size: Urban Barn operates over 50 retail stores across Canada, indicating a significant national presence and a medium-to-large enterprise structure within the retail sector. This size suggests established corporate functions and a need for consistent brand execution across all touchpoints.

Founded: Information on the founding date is not explicitly provided, but the company's established retail footprint suggests a history of growth and market presence.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will report directly to the Art Director, indicating a clear reporting line within a creative or marketing department.

• Close collaboration is expected with the Marketing and eCommerce teams, highlighting a cross-functional operational structure where creative assets directly support GTM initiatives.

Methodology:

• Brand Evolution: The role is positioned to "play a key role in our brand evolution," suggesting a focus on continuous improvement and adaptation of the brand's visual identity.

• Data-Informed Creativity: While not explicitly stated, the collaboration with eCommerce and Marketing teams implies that design decisions may be influenced by performance data and customer engagement metrics.

• Efficiency Focus: The emphasis on creating templates for social media and the mention of AI-powered design tools point towards a methodology that values efficient content production and scalable creative solutions.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Contextual information about Urban Barn's industry, size, and potential operational structure is inferred to provide a richer understanding of the work environment for a creative professional. The "Methodology" section interprets stated responsibilities into operational approaches.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This Graphic Designer role is positioned as an intermediate-level position, requiring 2+ years of experience. It offers a blend of hands-on creative execution and contribution to broader brand strategy, bridging the gap between junior execution and senior creative leadership.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to the Art Director, suggesting a structured creative department where design output is guided by senior creative vision and brand strategy. Collaboration with Marketing and eCommerce indicates integration into GTM planning.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts customer engagement, brand perception, and the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. By creating compelling visuals for digital ads, social media, and in-store collateral, the role supports lead generation, conversion rates, and overall brand awareness within the competitive home décor retail market. The efficient production of assets also supports the operational cadence of marketing campaigns.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific design areas such as motion graphics, video editing, or AI-driven design tools.

• Brand Strategy Contribution: Potential to influence brand evolution and contribute to higher-level creative strategy as experience grows.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gaining experience in marketing, eCommerce, and retail operations can open doors to roles in integrated marketing or brand management.

• Leadership Potential: With strong performance and experience, potential advancement to Senior Graphic Designer or Art Director roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section analyzes the role's place within a typical career path for graphic designers, particularly within a corporate retail setting, focusing on the operational impact and avenues for professional development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at the Home Office in Burnaby, BC, indicating a central hub for corporate functions. The mention of a "Hybrid work environment" suggests a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work flexibility.

Office Location(s): Burnaby, BC, Canada (V5J 5E2). This location offers access to a major metropolitan area with amenities and transportation links.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The Home Office environment likely fosters collaboration, particularly with the Art Director, Marketing, and eCommerce teams, facilitating real-time feedback and brainstorming.

• Creative Resources: Access to necessary design software, technology, and potentially studio resources for creative shoots.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities to engage with a passionate team that "loves to talk design," fostering a supportive and inspiring creative atmosphere.

Work Schedule:

• The role is full-time, with approximately 40 working hours per week. The hybrid arrangement allows for flexibility in managing work location, while maintaining a consistent schedule for team collaboration and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Details about the work environment are inferred from the "Hybrid work environment" and "Home Office" mentions, contextualizing the physical and collaborative aspects of the role.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of applications, focusing on resume and portfolio quality, with particular attention to relevant experience and technical skills.

• Portfolio Review & Interview: Candidates will likely present their portfolio to the Art Director and potentially Marketing leads. This stage assesses design skills, creative thinking, process, and cultural fit. Expect questions about specific projects, design rationale, and problem-solving approaches.

• Skills Assessment: A potential practical exercise or challenge focused on creating a design asset within a given brief, simulating real-world tasks. This could involve digital ad creation, social media template design, or a short animation task.

• Final Interview: May involve meeting with additional stakeholders to discuss fit with the team and company culture, and to clarify role expectations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your skills in digital advertising, social media content, motion graphics, and print design. Prioritize work relevant to the retail and home décor industry.

• Highlight Process: For key projects, briefly explain your thought process, research, concept development, and how you addressed client needs or brand objectives.

• Demonstrate Technical Proficiency: Ensure examples clearly show your mastery of Adobe Creative Suite tools, especially After Effects for motion graphics.

• Showcase Brand Understanding: Include work that demonstrates an ability to adhere to brand guidelines and contribute to brand evolution. If possible, include examples of how you've adapted designs for different channels (omni-channel).

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If any of your designs contributed to measurable results (e.g., increased engagement, click-through rates), be prepared to discuss these.

• Include AI Work: If you have examples of using AI tools to enhance your workflow or creative output, be ready to discuss them.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a design challenge that might involve creating a social media graphic, adapting an existing asset for a new platform, or developing a concept for a small campaign.

• Focus on demonstrating your understanding of the brief, your design process, and your ability to deliver within a specified timeframe.

• Practice articulating your creative decisions concisely and clearly.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice tailored to a Graphic Designer role, focusing on portfolio presentation, interview strategies, and potential design challenges, all framed within the context of Urban Barn's needs.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Expert proficiency required in InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects. These are the core tools for creating a wide range of digital and print assets, including motion graphics.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Proficiency in Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for communication, documentation, and presentations.

Content Creation & Management:

• Social Media Platforms: Familiarity with Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for content design and template creation.

• Video Editing Software: Beyond After Effects, other video editing tools may be utilized for short-form video production.

• AI-Powered Design Platforms: Experience with or willingness to learn generative design tools, AI image editors, and content automation tools is preferred.

Collaboration & Project Management:

• Tools for collaboration with Art Director, Marketing, and eCommerce teams (e.g., project management software, shared drives, communication platforms).

📝 Enhancement Note: This section explicitly lists the expected software and tools, directly referencing requirements from the job description and industry standards for graphic design roles. The inclusion of AI tools is noted as a specific requirement.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: A drive to create visually compelling and innovative designs that align with and evolve the brand.

• Customer-Centricity: Designing with the end customer in mind, aiming to create engaging content that resonates with home décor enthusiasts.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A strong emphasis on working effectively with cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals.

• Quality & Detail: Commitment to producing high-quality work with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring brand consistency and professionalism.

• Adaptability & Growth: Embracing a dynamic work environment and continuously learning new design trends and technologies.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Approach: Working closely with Art Director, Marketing, and eCommerce teams to ensure creative output is strategically aligned with business objectives and GTM plans.

• Feedback-Driven: Openness to receiving and giving constructive feedback to refine designs and improve project outcomes.

• Proactive Communication: Maintaining clear and consistent communication to manage expectations, share progress, and resolve challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section infers company values and collaboration styles based on the provided description, focusing on how these manifest in a creative operations role within a retail environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Innovation: Creating fresh, engaging designs while strictly adhering to established brand guidelines and evolving brand identity.

• Meeting Diverse Project Demands: Juggling multiple projects across different platforms (digital, print, video) with varying deadlines and stakeholder requirements.

• Adapting to Rapid Trend Cycles: Keeping pace with fast-moving design trends, social media platform changes, and emerging technologies like AI in design.

• Translating Marketing Objectives into Visuals: Effectively interpreting marketing strategies and customer engagement goals into compelling visual narratives.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to master new software features, explore advanced animation techniques, or delve deeper into video production.

• AI Integration: Learning to effectively leverage AI tools to enhance creativity, efficiency, and explore new design possibilities.

• Brand Strategy Exposure: Gaining deeper insights into marketing and GTM strategies, understanding how design contributes to broader business success.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Developing a broader understanding of retail operations, eCommerce, and marketing functions.

• Mentorship: Learning from experienced Art Directors and Marketing professionals.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section anticipates potential challenges inherent in the role and highlights specific avenues for professional growth, linking them to the skills and responsibilities outlined.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How do you approach designing visuals for a lifestyle brand like Urban Barn, keeping in mind our target audience and brand aesthetic?" (Focus on demonstrating understanding of lifestyle branding, audience, and aesthetic alignment).

• "Describe a time you had to balance multiple design projects with competing deadlines. How did you prioritize and manage your workload?" (Prepare a specific example showcasing project management and prioritization skills).

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across various digital and print channels?" (Discuss your process for adhering to brand guidelines and maintaining visual integrity).

• "Can you walk us through your process for creating social media content templates? What elements are crucial for effectiveness?" (Detail your approach to templating for efficiency and engagement).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Urban Barn, and what excites you about potentially working here?" (Research the company's mission, products, and recent marketing efforts. Express genuine interest in home décor and lifestyle brands).

• "How do you collaborate with Art Directors and Marketing teams to achieve project goals?" (Provide examples of your collaborative process and communication style).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Don't just show images; tell the story behind each project. Explain the objective, your role, your process, and the outcome.

• Relevance: Prioritize projects that align with Urban Barn's needs: digital ads, social media, retail collateral, and motion graphics.

• Technical Showcase: Clearly demonstrate your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, especially After Effects.

• Brand Awareness: Highlight any work that shows an understanding of brand guidelines and lifestyle marketing.

• AI Integration: If applicable, showcase projects where AI tools were used and explain the benefits.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your portfolio efficiently, focusing on the most impactful pieces.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides targeted interview preparation advice, including example questions and portfolio presentation strategies, tailored to a Graphic Designer role in a retail environment, with an emphasis on operational aspects like brand consistency and efficiency.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your resume and a link to your online portfolio through the ADP application portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume highlights experience with Adobe Creative Suite, motion graphics, video editing, digital marketing assets, and any experience with AI design tools. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Designed social media templates that increased engagement by X%").

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest, most relevant design samples. Organize them logically and ensure they clearly demonstrate your skills in digital, print, and motion graphics relevant to a lifestyle retail brand. Include a section or highlight projects where AI tools were utilized.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your design process, your understanding of brand strategy and customer engagement, and how you can contribute to Urban Barn's brand evolution. Practice presenting your portfolio concisely.

• Research Urban Barn: Familiarize yourself with their current marketing campaigns, social media presence, and product offerings to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding of their brand.

⚠️ 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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