Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: White Cube

Location: Bermondsey, London, United Kingdom

Job Type: Permanent (full-time)

Category: Creative & Design / Marketing Operations

Date Posted: September 15, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days onsite, 1 day work from home)

🚀 Role Summary

• Support the Head of Design in creating and maintaining a consistent visual identity across all company outputs, crucial for brand integrity in the art and gallery sector.

• Interpret and translate internal briefs into effective design solutions for diverse departments, including Curatorial, Communications, Digital, Bookshop, and Events, requiring strong conceptual and execution skills.

• Produce a wide array of print and digital assets, from exhibition PDFs and wall vinyl to digital invitations and banner ads, demanding versatility in design software and application.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure all design deliverables meet high standards of quality, brand compliance, and deadline adherence, emphasizing effective communication and project management.

• Contribute creative input during brainstorming sessions and advocate for design best practices, playing a key role in shaping the visual narrative of a globally recognized art institution.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is titled "Graphic Designer," its scope involves significant "Marketing Operations" responsibilities by supporting various departments with branded collateral and ensuring brand consistency across all communication channels. This requires a blend of creative design skills and an understanding of operational workflows for content deployment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Execute day-to-day artworking tasks under the guidance of the Head of Design, ensuring efficient production of design assets.

• Creatively interpret internal briefs to develop design solutions for departments such as Curatorial, Comms, Digital, Bookshop, and Events, aligning visual output with strategic objectives.

• Produce Exhibition and Art Fair PDFs, critically supporting the curatorial and sales teams by providing clear and compelling visual information.

• Artwork lists of works and exhibition copy, ensuring accuracy, readability, and aesthetic appeal for internal and external stakeholders.

• Design and produce wall vinyl for gallery spaces across White Cube's worldwide locations, maintaining brand consistency globally.

• Create bespoke visual outputs for the Exhibitions Team to enhance visitor experience and engagement with art installations.

• Develop digital invitations for gallery events, ensuring they are engaging, informative, and reflect the gallery's brand.

• Support the creation of bespoke assets for Out-of-Home (OOH) events, adapting designs for various media and locations.

• Artwork print stationery, including business cards, comp slips, and packaging materials, maintaining a professional and cohesive brand image.

• Design branded Microsoft Word and PowerPoint templates to standardize internal and external document presentations.

• Artwork digital banner ad campaigns across various formats, optimizing for online engagement and brand visibility.

• Create print advertisements for magazines, ensuring designs are impactful and adhere to publication specifications.

• Develop OOH adverts for global locations, considering regional nuances while maintaining brand integrity.

• Support the Bookshop Team with signage for the gallery shop and create bespoke solutions for special releases and campaigns, driving sales and brand recognition.

• Undertake typesetting for print publications, ensuring high standards of readability and aesthetic quality.

• Manage knowledge of print profiles and packaging artwork for press, ensuring smooth production processes.

• Understand repro and pre-press workflows to ensure seamless transition from design to print, minimizing errors and delays.

• Collaboratively develop presentation decks to illustrate design concepts for internal stakeholder meetings.

• Work closely with the Head of Design to ensure all documents are delivered to standard and meet deadlines, managing project timelines effectively.

• Offer creative input during brainstorming sessions, contributing fresh ideas and perspectives to design challenges.

• Advocate for design best practices and act as a guardian of house style, promoting design excellence within the organization.

• Build strong connections with other departments to ensure compliance with brand guidelines and foster effective cross-functional collaboration.

• Maintain a strong and consistent visual identity across all White Cube outputs, reinforcing brand recognition and reputation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The extensive list of responsibilities highlights the need for a candidate with strong project management skills and the ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously. The emphasis on supporting various departments like Curatorial and Sales indicates a need for understanding their specific needs and translating them into effective visual communication, a core aspect of GTM operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree (BA) in Graphic Design or an equivalent qualification.

Experience: Minimum of 3 years of professional design experience in a design studio, agency, or in-house setting, with a proven track record of delivering high-quality design work.

Required Skills:

• Fluent in Adobe Creative Cloud suite, specifically InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop, for creating and manipulating digital and print assets.

• Proficient in Figma for collaborative design workflows and prototyping, particularly for digital assets.

• Strong understanding and practical application of micro and macro typography principles, essential for impactful layout and readability.

• Impeccable typesetting skills, demonstrating precision and aesthetic judgment in text arrangement.

• Confident in layout, hierarchy, and composition across a diverse range of formats, from print advertisements to digital banners.

• Proven ability in both digital and print artworking, ensuring designs are optimized for their intended medium.

• Solid knowledge of print production processes and creative artwork workflows, including understanding of repro and pre-press stages.

• Ability to accurately interpret design guidelines and deliver well-executed designs to the highest professional standards.

• Highly organized, methodical approach to work, with excellent multitasking capabilities and time management skills.

• Ability to manage own deadlines effectively, ensuring timely delivery of all design tasks.

• Proactive, adaptable, and capable of problem-solving independently, addressing design challenges effectively.

• Effective communication skills, with the ability to report progress and identify blockers to ensure timely delivery of projects.

• Team player with a positive attitude, capable of collaborating effectively within the design team and across different departments. Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within an established visual identity, demonstrating an ability to maintain brand consistency.

• Familiarity with motion graphics software (e.g., After Effects) for creating dynamic visual content, though not essential.

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint) for creating templates and internal documents.

• An interest in contemporary art and experience working with artists, providing context and inspiration for design work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "experience working within an established visual identity" and advocating for "house style" are critical for operations roles focused on brand consistency. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they've managed brand guidelines in previous roles.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated selection of recent work showcasing versatility across digital and print mediums, demonstrating proficiency in the required Adobe CC and Figma tools.

• Case studies that highlight your process for interpreting briefs, developing design concepts, and executing final artwork, with a focus on problem-solving and creative solutions.

• Examples of work that demonstrate an understanding of brand guidelines and how you maintained consistency across different projects or campaigns.

• Pieces that illustrate strong typographic and layout skills, showcasing your ability to create visually appealing and hierarchy-driven compositions.

• Include examples of print production artwork, demonstrating an understanding of pre-press requirements and effective artworking for print. Process Documentation:

• Showcase how you approach interpreting and translating internal briefs into actionable design requirements, detailing your workflow from initial concept to final output.

• Provide examples of how you manage multiple projects and deadlines, illustrating your organizational and time management strategies for efficient workflow.

• Demonstrate your understanding of brand consistency by showing how you ensure all design outputs align with established visual identities and guidelines.

• Include examples of collaboration with cross-functional teams, detailing your communication methods and how you incorporate feedback to refine designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a design role supporting operations, the portfolio should emphasize not just aesthetic quality but also the process of design creation, brand adherence, and collaboration. This demonstrates an understanding of how design integrates into broader organizational workflows and GTM strategies.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £33,000+ per annum.

• 📝 Enhancement Note: The stated salary of "£33,000+" is a base figure. Based on industry benchmarks for Graphic Designers with 3+ years of experience in London, particularly within the arts/culture sector, a typical range could be between £33,000 and £42,000. This estimate considers the cost of living in London, the company's prestige, and the specific responsibilities outlined, which include significant artworking and brand guardianship. A more precise figure would depend on the candidate's specific experience and portfolio strength.

Benefits:

• Private Healthcare: Comprehensive medical coverage for employees.

• Pension Scheme: Contribution towards retirement savings.

• Bonus Scheme: Potential for additional compensation based on company and individual performance.

Working Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. This amounts to a standard 40-hour work week, with a hybrid arrangement allowing for a dedicated work-from-home day.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model, with a specific number of onsite days, is a key benefit for work-life balance, allowing operations professionals to manage their schedules effectively while ensuring necessary in-person collaboration.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Art Galleries & Museums. White Cube is a globally renowned contemporary art gallery, representing a prestigious roster of artists and hosting significant exhibitions. This context implies a dynamic, fast-paced environment with high expectations for quality and creativity.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, White Cube operates multiple gallery spaces internationally and has a significant presence in the art world, suggesting a medium to large organization with specialized departments (Curatorial, Comms, Digital, Bookshop, etc.). This means operations roles often involve navigating complex stakeholder needs and established processes.

Founded: White Cube was founded in 1993. This history provides a foundation of established practices and a strong brand identity that new hires will be expected to uphold and contribute to.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of an in-house Design Team, reporting directly to the Head of Design.

• This team likely collaborates closely with various departments including Curatorial, Communications, Digital, Bookshop, and Events, requiring strong cross-functional communication skills.

• The structure emphasizes a collaborative approach to design, where individual contributions support broader departmental and organizational goals. Methodology:

• Design Brief Interpretation: A core methodology involves taking internal briefs from diverse departments and translating them into creative design solutions that align with brand guidelines and project objectives.

• Brand Consistency: A fundamental operational principle is maintaining a strong and consistent visual identity across all White Cube outputs, from print collateral to digital platforms.

• Collaborative Development: Design concepts are often developed collaboratively, with input from the Head of Design and other departments, ensuring designs meet stakeholder needs and are suitable for their intended application.

Company Website: https://whitecube.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Operating within a prestigious art gallery means the company culture likely values creativity, precision, and a deep appreciation for aesthetics. For operations roles, this translates to a need for meticulous attention to detail and an understanding of how visual communication supports the gallery's mission and commercial activities.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Graphic Designer, requiring 3+ years of experience. It involves supporting senior design leadership (Head of Design) and executing a wide range of tasks across different departments, indicating a hands-on operational role with significant responsibility for brand execution.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports directly to the Head of Design. This structure provides clear guidance and oversight, crucial for maintaining brand standards and developing design skills within the organization's framework.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts brand perception, communication effectiveness, and visitor/customer experience. By creating high-quality, consistent visual assets for exhibitions, events, digital campaigns, and publications, the role plays a vital part in the gallery's operational success and its ability to engage its audience and drive sales through the bookshop and art fairs.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like exhibition design, digital campaign artworking, or print publication typesetting, becoming a subject matter expert within the team.

• Skill Development: Potential to develop motion graphics skills (as a preferred but not essential skill) and gain deeper knowledge of print production, repro, and pre-press workflows through practical application.

• Leadership Potential: With proven performance and dedication to design best practices, there may be opportunities to take on more complex projects, mentor junior designers, or contribute more significantly to design strategy under the Head of Design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "operations impact" section is crucial for candidates to understand how their design work contributes to the larger business objectives of White Cube, such as driving sales, enhancing brand reputation, and facilitating the curatorial and exhibition processes.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Bermondsey, London, with a hybrid work arrangement (4 days onsite, 1 day work from home). This suggests a professional office environment within a gallery setting, likely featuring studios or designated workspaces for the design team.

Office Location(s): The primary office is in Bermondsey, London. While the role involves creating assets for "worldwide locations," the day-to-day work and team collaboration will primarily occur at the London site.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model necessitates effective collaboration tools and practices for the 4 days spent onsite, fostering interaction with the Head of Design and other departments.

• Tools & Technology: Access to necessary design software (Adobe CC, Figma) and potentially specialized print production resources will be available within the office environment.

• Team Interaction: The onsite days provide opportunities for direct communication, brainstorming sessions, and receiving immediate feedback, which is vital for design development and operational efficiency.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are Monday to Friday, 10 am to 6 pm. The hybrid nature allows for flexibility on the designated work-from-home day, enabling operations professionals to balance personal commitments with professional responsibilities while ensuring core operational hours are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work arrangement is a significant factor for work-life balance. The 4 days onsite in Bermondsey indicate a need for candidates who can commute effectively and are comfortable with in-person collaboration within a creative, gallery-specific setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application Review: CV, cover letter, and portfolio will be assessed for relevant experience, skills, and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, discussing their design process, creative rationale, and how they've handled brand guidelines and project challenges. This is where demonstrating operational thinking behind design choices is key.

• Skills Assessment/Technical Test: A practical exercise or test may be administered to evaluate proficiency in Adobe CC, Figma, typesetting, and artworking for specific formats (e.g., creating a sample exhibition PDF or digital banner).

• Interview with Head of Design: Discussion focused on design philosophy, approach to briefs, understanding of contemporary art, and how you would contribute to the team and uphold brand standards.

• Cross-departmental Interview (Potential): An interview with a representative from a department you'd be supporting (e.g., Communications or Curatorial) to assess communication and collaboration skills.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Process: Beyond polished final pieces, demonstrate your design journey – initial sketches, mood boards, iterations, and how you arrived at the final solution. This highlights your problem-solving and operational thinking.

• Highlight Brand Adherence: Include examples where you successfully worked within or maintained strict brand guidelines. Explain your approach to ensuring consistency across various outputs.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): While difficult for pure design, if any of your work contributed to measurable outcomes (e.g., increased engagement on digital ads, successful event attendance due to invitations), mention it.

• Tailor to White Cube: Research White Cube's current exhibitions, campaigns, and visual style. If possible, subtly tailor your presentation to show how your skills align with their aesthetic and operational needs.

• Clarity and Conciseness: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and that you can clearly articulate your role and contributions for each project.

Challenge Preparation:

• Brief Interpretation: Be ready to receive a mock design brief and outline your approach to fulfilling it, considering brand, audience, and medium.

• Technical Proficiency: Practice executing common tasks quickly and accurately within Adobe CC and Figma.

• Typographic and Layout Exercise: Expect a task that tests your ability to create effective layouts and use typography precisely.

• Brand Guardianship: Be prepared to discuss how you would act as a guardian of the house style and ensure brand consistency across a broad range of materials.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review and potential technical tests are critical for a design role supporting operations. Candidates should prepare to discuss not just the "what" but the "how" and "why" behind their design choices, emphasizing efficiency, brand compliance, and stakeholder communication.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop): Essential for creating and manipulating a wide range of digital and print design assets. Proficiency is expected for core responsibilities.

• Figma: Required for collaborative design workflows, prototyping, and potentially for managing digital assets. Knowledge of its team features and version control is beneficial.

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint): Necessary for creating branded templates, internal documents, and potentially for collaborative presentations.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a direct analytics role, understanding how digital assets perform (e.g., banner ads) is a plus. Familiarity with basic digital analytics platforms could be advantageous for optimizing ad designs. CRM & Automation:

• No specific CRM or automation tools are listed as primary requirements for this design role, but an understanding of how design assets integrate into marketing automation platforms or CRM-driven communications would be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Adobe CC and Figma highlights the core technical requirements. For operations, understanding how these tools integrate with broader marketing or communication workflows is key. Candidates who can speak to efficient asset production and version control within these systems will stand out.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: While upholding brand standards, there's an expectation to bring fresh ideas and creative solutions to design challenges.

• Precision & Quality: A commitment to high standards in execution, detail, and artworking, reflecting the prestige of the gallery.

• Collaboration & Communication: A strong emphasis on working effectively with the Head of Design and across multiple departments, ensuring smooth workflow and timely delivery.

• Brand Stewardship: Acting as a guardian of the White Cube visual identity, ensuring consistency and integrity across all outputs.

• Adaptability & Proactivity: Being able to respond to changing project needs, manage multiple tasks, and proactively solve design-related issues.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Working closely with departments like Curatorial, Communications, and Digital to understand their needs and translate them into effective visual assets.

• Feedback Incorporation: A willingness to receive and integrate feedback from the Head of Design and other stakeholders to refine designs and ensure project success.

• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to a team environment where design knowledge, best practices, and creative inspiration are shared.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize a blend of creative excellence and operational discipline. For operations professionals, understanding how to balance creative output with adherence to brand guidelines and project deadlines is paramount in this type of role.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Maintaining Brand Consistency Across Diverse Needs: Balancing the strict visual identity of White Cube with the varied requirements of different departments (e.g., curatorial vs. bookshop) can be challenging.

• High Volume of Artworking: The extensive list of responsibilities indicates a potentially high volume of artworking tasks, requiring efficient time management and prioritization skills.

• Adapting to Fast-Paced Environment: The art world is dynamic; the designer must adapt quickly to new exhibitions, events, and campaign needs, often with tight deadlines.

• Balancing Digital and Print Demands: Juggling the distinct requirements and workflows for both digital assets (web banners, social media) and print materials (publications, signage) requires versatile skill sets.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software Skills: Opportunity to deepen expertise in Adobe CC and potentially explore more advanced features or plugins.

• Print Production Expertise: Gaining in-depth knowledge of print processes, including reprographics, pre-press, and material specifications, through hands-on experience.

• Industry Exposure: Working within a leading contemporary art gallery provides exposure to high-profile artists, exhibitions, and international art fairs, fostering a unique understanding of art world visual communication.

• Cross-Departmental Understanding: Developing a broader comprehension of how design supports various operational functions within a cultural institution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges listed highlight the need for strong operational skills in time management, prioritization, and adaptability, in addition to core design competencies. The growth opportunities are rooted in practical, on-the-job learning within a specialized industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to interpret a complex design brief from a non-design department. How did you ensure you met their needs while adhering to brand guidelines?" (Focus on communication, problem-solving, and brand stewardship).

• "How do you approach maintaining brand consistency across a wide range of outputs, from digital ads to print stationery? Can you provide an example from your portfolio?" (Focus on operational process and attention to detail).

• "Imagine you have multiple urgent requests from different departments with conflicting deadlines. How would you prioritize and manage these tasks?" (Focus on time management, prioritization, and communication strategies). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working in the contemporary art world, and specifically for White Cube?" (Demonstrate research into the gallery's artists, exhibitions, and brand).

• "How do you see your role contributing to the operational success of White Cube beyond just creating visuals?" (Focus on brand consistency, stakeholder support, and efficiency).

• "Describe your experience working with established brand guidelines. How do you ensure compliance while still bringing creative solutions?" (Focus on the balance between operational adherence and creative contribution). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or by demonstrating your process. Clearly label your role in each project.

• Narrative: For each key piece, tell a story: what was the brief, what was your process, what challenges did you face, what was the outcome, and what did you learn?

• Highlight Key Skills: Explicitly point out examples that showcase your proficiency in InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Figma, typography, layout, and print production.

• Brand Guardianship Examples: Showcase instances where you successfully managed and applied brand guidelines.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your most impactful work efficiently, respecting the interviewer's time.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only design talent but also operational acumen. Candidates need to articulate how their design process supports organizational goals, ensures brand integrity, and facilitates smooth workflow across departments.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your CV, a cover letter, and a portfolio showcasing a selection of recent work (PDF or website link) through the provided application link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight experience with established visual identities, print production, and digital asset creation relevant to a gallery or arts organization. Ensure it demonstrates your process for interpreting briefs and maintaining brand consistency.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your years of experience, proficiency in Adobe CC and Figma, and any experience in the arts or luxury sectors. Quantify achievements where possible and use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, your approach to brand guardianship, and your time management strategies. Prepare specific examples of how you've collaborated with diverse teams and met tight deadlines.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research White Cube's current exhibitions, artists, and recent campaigns. Understand their brand aesthetic and how design supports their operational and commercial objectives.

⚠️ 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.

---