Graphic Designer (Contract)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer (Contract)

Company: Soluna

Location: Remote (United States)

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: Marketing & Creative Operations

Date Posted: 2026-05-21

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years implied)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• This contract role focuses on executing day-to-day creative design needs for Soluna Holdings, supporting marketing, communications, investor relations, and social media initiatives.

• The position requires a detail-oriented designer adept at working within an established brand system to produce polished, professional materials from rough concepts or existing assets.

• Responsibilities include enhancing presentations, designing collateral like PDFs and one-pagers, and creating visual assets for digital and social media channels.

• The role emphasizes maintaining brand consistency, updating existing materials, and providing design support for key company events and reporting cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job title "Graphic Designer (Contract)" and the description of responsibilities, particularly "cleaning up and polishing presentations and pitch decks" and "updating existing branded materials," strongly indicate a need for a designer focused on execution within established brand guidelines rather than brand creation. The AI-derived experience level of "2-5 years" suggests a mid-level role where practical execution skills are prioritized.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Presentation Enhancement: Clean up, polish, and refine presentations and pitch decks to ensure a professional and consistent visual appeal, aligning with Soluna's brand standards.

• Collateral Design: Design and develop various marketing collateral, including PDFs, one-pagers, case studies, and other promotional materials that effectively communicate Soluna's message.

• Digital & Social Media Assets: Create visually engaging graphics and assets for social media platforms, press releases, and other digital communications to enhance brand visibility and engagement.

• Brand System Execution: Diligently apply and maintain consistency across all visual elements, adhering to established brand guidelines, templates, and design systems.

• Content Updates & Maintenance: Update and refresh existing branded materials to ensure they remain current, relevant, and aligned with evolving brand messaging.

• Reporting & Milestone Support: Provide essential design support for quarterly reports, partnership announcements, company milestones, and event-specific design needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The raw description extensively lists specific design tasks. These have been organized into broader responsibility categories to provide a structured overview. The emphasis on "cleaning up and polishing" and "updating existing branded materials" highlights the execution-focused nature of this role, differentiating it from a brand strategy or pure creative development role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is typically expected for professional design roles. Equivalent practical experience will likely be considered.

Experience: Approximately 2-5 years of professional graphic design experience, with a proven track record of executing design projects within established brand guidelines.

Required Skills:

• Portfolio: A strong graphic design portfolio showcasing a range of work across presentations, digital assets, and marketing collateral is essential.

• Brand System Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to work effectively within established brand systems and adhere to strict visual identity guidelines.

• Execution & Speed: Comfort and efficiency in taking direction and executing design tasks quickly while maintaining high quality.

• Visual Acumen: A keen eye for typography, layout, color theory, and overall visual consistency.

• Organizational Skills: Excellent organizational and time management abilities, with a capacity to manage shifting priorities and deadlines.

• Responsiveness and Communication: Ability to communicate effectively and respond promptly to feedback and requests.

Preferred Skills:

• Industry Experience: Prior design experience within the tech, infrastructure, energy, AI, or B2B sectors.

• Presentation Software: Advanced proficiency in Google Slides and PowerPoint for creating and refining presentations.

• Collaborative Tools: Familiarity with collaborative design platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The AI-derived experience level of "2-5 years" is used here to define "Mid-Level." The required skills are directly extracted or inferred from the "Who You Bring" and "What You'll Do" sections. Preferred skills are based on the "Experience designing for tech, infrastructure, energy, AI, or B2B brands is a plus" statement.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Presentation Design Samples: Showcase examples of cleaned-up, polished, and visually consistent presentations and pitch decks. Highlight how you've improved existing decks.

• Marketing Collateral: Include examples of PDFs, one-pagers, and case studies that demonstrate your ability to translate information into clear, compelling visual narratives.

• Digital Assets: Provide examples of social media graphics, digital ads, or other web-based visual content that adhere to brand guidelines.

• Brand System Application: Demonstrate your ability to consistently apply a given brand system across various collateral types, showing an understanding of style guides and visual identity.

Process Documentation:

• While formal process documentation isn't a primary output for this contract role, candidates should be prepared to discuss their personal workflow for receiving briefs, managing feedback, and iterating on designs to meet project goals efficiently.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a contract graphic design role focused on execution, the portfolio is paramount. This section focuses on what type of work within the portfolio will best demonstrate the candidate's suitability based on the job description's emphasis on polishing and executing within an existing brand system.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a contract role with an estimated 8-10 hours per week, compensation is likely to be on an hourly basis. Based on industry standards for contract graphic designers with 2-5 years of experience in the US, an estimated range would be $30 - $50 per hour.

• Methodology: This estimate is derived from averaging contract graphic designer rates across various US-based job boards and freelance platforms for mid-level professionals. Rates can vary significantly based on specific skill sets, portfolio strength, and the intensity of work periods.

Benefits: As a contract role, standard employee benefits (health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans) are typically not provided. Candidates should expect payment for services rendered.

• Potential Benefits (if applicable):
  • Flexible work schedule and remote work arrangement.
  • Opportunity to contribute to impactful projects in the renewable energy and technology sectors.

Working Hours:

• Average: Approximately 8–10 hours per week.

• Fluctuation: Some periods, particularly around quarterly reporting cycles, major announcements, or company milestones, will require increased support and potentially more hours.

• Flexibility: The role offers a flexible remote work arrangement, allowing for self-management of time within project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on typical contract rates for this role and experience level in the US market. Benefits are noted as typically not provided for contract roles, with a focus on the inherent flexibility and project-based nature of the work.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Energy Infrastructure, Renewable Energy, AI. Soluna is positioned at the intersection of these rapidly evolving sectors, aiming to build a greener future through innovative solutions.

Company Size: Soluna Holdings is part of a larger organization, implying a dynamic and potentially growing environment. The contract nature of this role suggests a need for external specialized support rather than full-time internal hiring for all creative needs.

Founded: Soluna was founded with a mission to drive global change through entrepreneurship, energy expertise, and engineering innovation. The company emphasizes its "diverse, driven team of entrepreneurs, energy experts, private equity leaders, storytellers and engineers."

Team Structure:

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The graphic designer will likely collaborate with various departments including Marketing, Communications, Investor Relations, and potentially product or engineering teams for visual asset creation.

• Reporting: The designer will likely report to a Marketing Manager, Communications Lead, or a senior member of the creative/marketing team responsible for brand assets.

• External Support Model: This role operates as a contract engagement, indicating Soluna utilizes external talent for specific, focused creative tasks, complementing an internal core team.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Storytelling: Soluna's focus on energy and technology suggests a need for clear, data-backed visual communication. Designs should effectively translate complex information into understandable narratives.

• Brand Consistency: A strong emphasis is placed on maintaining a consistent brand identity across all communications, indicating a structured approach to brand management.

• Agile Execution: The fast-paced environment and contract nature imply a need for agile design processes, quick turnarounds, and adaptability to changing priorities.

Company Website: https://solunaapp.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Information about Soluna's industry, mission, and team composition is drawn directly from the provided description. The company size is inferred from the nature of the role (contract) and the description of a "diverse, driven team," suggesting a well-established entity that leverages specialized external resources.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a contract, part-time role, best categorized as Specialized Execution. It's ideal for a designer who excels at delivering high-quality creative assets within defined parameters, rather than a role focused on strategic brand building or team leadership.

Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report to a manager or lead within the marketing, communications, or investor relations functions, receiving project briefs and feedback.

Operations Impact: The designer's work directly impacts Soluna's external perception and internal communication clarity. High-quality collateral, presentations, and social media graphics are crucial for investor relations, marketing campaigns, and overall brand building in the competitive energy and tech sectors.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in presentation design, digital asset creation, and specific industry branding (energy, tech).

• Portfolio Expansion: Build a robust portfolio with tangible examples of high-impact visual materials for a mission-driven company.

• Client Relationship: Develop a strong working relationship with Soluna, potentially leading to longer-term contract engagements or future opportunities.

• Industry Exposure: Gain valuable experience working within the renewable energy and technology infrastructure sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis focuses on the career implications of a contract role, emphasizing skill development and portfolio building rather than traditional internal career progression paths. The "operations impact" is framed in terms of how design contributes to business functions like investor relations and marketing.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. This contract role offers complete flexibility in terms of physical location within the United States.

Office Location(s): While the company may have physical offices, this specific position is remote, meaning candidates can work from their own home office.

Workspace Context:

• Autonomy: The remote nature provides significant autonomy in managing one's workspace and daily schedule, within the constraints of project deadlines and collaboration needs.

• Tools & Technology: Access to standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Canva, presentation tools) is expected from the candidate. Soluna will likely provide project briefs and existing brand assets digitally.

• Collaboration: Communication and collaboration will primarily occur through digital channels like email, video conferencing, and potentially project management tools.

Work Schedule:

• Flexibility: The role offers a flexible remote work arrangement.

• Volume: Approximately 8-10 hours per week on average, with potential for increased hours during peak periods (e.g., quarterly reporting). The candidate must be able to adapt to these fluctuations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is defined by its remote nature and the inherent flexibility and autonomy that comes with it, balanced by the need for responsiveness and adherence to project timelines.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and aesthetic alignment.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session (likely video call) to walk through your portfolio, discuss specific projects, and understand your design process and decision-making. Be prepared to elaborate on how you've worked within brand systems and executed on client briefs.

• Skills Assessment (Potential): You may be asked to complete a small design exercise or test project to evaluate your ability to work with existing brand guidelines and deliver a specific asset.

• Fit/Logistics Discussion: A conversation to confirm availability, understanding of contract terms, and alignment with Soluna's working style.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 strong projects that best demonstrate your ability to execute within established brand systems, polish presentations, and create effective marketing collateral.

• Highlight Brand Adherence: For each relevant project, clearly explain how you interpreted and applied the client's brand guidelines.

• Showcase Process: Briefly explain your thought process for each piece, especially for presentation refinement or collateral design, emphasizing how you met the project objectives.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If you have data on the success of a piece (e.g., increased engagement on social media graphics), be ready to share it.

• Format for Clarity: Ensure your digital portfolio is easy to navigate and visually appealing.

Challenge Preparation:

• Brand System Exercise: If a test project is assigned, focus on meticulously following the provided brand guidelines. Pay close attention to typography, color usage, logo placement, and overall tone.

• Presentation Polish: Practice refining a rough presentation deck. Focus on improving layout, visual hierarchy, readability, and overall aesthetic appeal while staying true to a given brand.

• Time Management: Be prepared to work efficiently and deliver within a specified timeframe for any assessment tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice tailored to a contract graphic design role, emphasizing the portfolio's critical importance and the need to demonstrate execution within brand guidelines.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for professional graphic design tasks, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

• Figma: Increasingly popular for collaborative design, UI/UX, and prototyping; proficiency is a strong plus.

• Canva: Useful for quick creation of social media graphics and simpler collateral, especially in a fast-paced environment.

• Presentation Software:

  • Google Slides: Preferred for collaborative presentation development.
  • PowerPoint: Widely used for professional presentations; familiarity is key.

Analytics & Reporting: Not directly applicable for this role, as the designer's focus is on creation rather than performance analysis. However, understanding how visuals contribute to engagement metrics is beneficial.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools listed are directly from the job description's "Tools" section. This section highlights the core software required for graphic design execution in a professional setting.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Execution: A strong emphasis on delivering high-quality, polished creative assets reliably and efficiently.

• Brand Stewardship: Commitment to maintaining visual consistency and upholding the integrity of Soluna's brand identity.

• Adaptability & Responsiveness: Willingness to adapt to shifting priorities, embrace feedback, and respond promptly to design requests.

• Collaboration & Communication: Openness to clear communication and collaborative work with various internal teams.

• Mission-Driven: A passion for Soluna's mission of building a greener future through technology and innovation.

Collaboration Style:

• Designer-Client Relationship: The relationship will be that of a service provider to a client, requiring clear communication, adherence to briefs, and professional responsiveness.

• Feedback Integration: Designers should be comfortable receiving and implementing feedback from stakeholders to refine creative outputs.

• Digital First: Collaboration will primarily occur through digital channels, emphasizing clear written and verbal communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operations Values" are inferred from the company's mission and the role's requirements (e.g., "reliable, detail-oriented," "work within an existing brand system," "turning rough ideas or existing assets into polished, professional materials").

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Fluctuating Workload: The intermittent nature of the work, with periods of high demand around reporting cycles, requires strong time management and prioritization skills.

• Adhering to Strict Brand Guidelines: Consistently executing within an established brand system without creative stagnation can be challenging but is key to success in this role.

• Remote Collaboration: Effectively collaborating and receiving clear feedback without in-person interaction requires strong communication skills.

• Balancing Speed and Quality: Delivering polished, professional work quickly to meet deadlines demands efficiency and a streamlined design process.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Insight: Gain exposure to the renewable energy and technology infrastructure sectors, understanding their visual communication needs.

• Brand System Mastery: Enhance skills in working with and applying complex brand guidelines across diverse materials.

• Efficiency Optimization: Develop advanced techniques for quick and effective design execution in a fast-paced client environment.

• Portfolio Building: Contribute to a company with a significant mission, adding impactful projects to your professional portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are identified based on the contract nature, remote aspect, and the specific requirements of executing within a pre-defined brand system. Growth opportunities focus on skill enhancement and industry exposure relevant to the role.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Portfolio Walkthrough: Be prepared to guide the interviewer through your portfolio, highlighting projects that demonstrate your ability to execute within brand systems, polish presentations, and create effective collateral. Explain your role and process for each.

• Brand System Application: "How do you approach working within an established brand system? Can you provide an example of a time you successfully applied strict brand guidelines to a project?"

• Problem-Solving: "Describe a time you received rough ideas or existing assets and transformed them into a polished, professional final product. What was your process?"

• Efficiency & Prioritization: "This role requires flexibility with workload. How do you manage your time and prioritize tasks when faced with multiple urgent requests or fluctuating demand?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Soluna's mission in renewable energy and technology?"

• "Based on the job description, what do you understand to be the primary focus of this role?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Relevance: Prioritize portfolio pieces that directly address the requirements: presentation polishing, collateral design, and brand system execution.

• Tell the Story: For each selected piece, explain the objective, your approach, the challenges, and the outcome. Emphasize how you met the client's needs.

• Demonstrate Process: Briefly walk through the steps you took, especially if you started with rough assets or had to adhere to specific constraints.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your digital portfolio is easy to navigate, visually appealing, and loads quickly.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions are crafted to probe for the specific skills and experience highlighted in the job description, particularly around execution, brand adherence, and remote collaboration.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this contract Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Rippling ATS.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your submitted portfolio prominently features examples of presentation design, marketing collateral, and work executed within established brand systems. Tailor your selection to Soluna's industry if possible.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly highlight your experience with Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Canva, and presentation software. Quantify your experience with years of relevant work and any specific achievements in visual design for marketing or communications.

• Prepare for Portfolio Review: Be ready to discuss your portfolio in detail, articulate your design process, and demonstrate how you can efficiently execute within existing brand guidelines. Practice explaining your approach to polishing existing materials.

• Research Soluna: Familiarize yourself with Soluna's mission, industry (renewable energy, tech infrastructure), and current marketing efforts to understand their brand context and communicate your genuine interest.

⚠️ 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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