Illustrator / Graphic Designer (Remote, Full Time)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Illustrator / Graphic Designer (Remote, Full Time)

Company: Longship Marketing

Location: Serbia (Remote)

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Creative & Design / Marketing Operations

Date Posted: June 24, 2026

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

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is critical for developing and executing visual creative assets that drive performance marketing and e-commerce sales for B2C brands.

• It involves a hybrid design workflow, leveraging AI for rapid concept generation and refinement using industry-standard graphic design tools.

• The position requires ownership of visual creative across digital advertising, website graphics, and print-on-demand merchandise, directly impacting brand perception and conversion rates.

• Successful candidates will operate in an asynchronous, remote-first environment, demonstrating strong English communication and self-management skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Illustrator / Graphic Designer," the role's context within "Longship Marketing" and its focus on "performance marketing and e-commerce operations" positions this as a key contributor to the Marketing Operations function, specifically within the creative and asset production domain. The emphasis on AI integration and commercial output suggests a strategic role in scaling creative production efficiently.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and produce compelling static and animated ad creative and banner visuals for Meta ads, website campaigns, and other digital platforms.

• Design engaging website graphics, product visuals, and storefront elements to enhance user experience and drive conversions for e-commerce clients.

• Create original artwork and designs for merchandise, including t-shirts, apparel, and gift products, suitable for print-on-demand services.

• Utilize AI-powered design tools for rapid concept ideation, draft generation, and iterative design exploration, followed by manual refinement using Adobe Creative Suite and Figma.

• Collaborate closely with the CEO and cross-functional teams to ensure creative output aligns with brand strategies, campaign objectives, and commercial goals.

• Manage and maintain color profiles (RGB for digital, CMYK for print) to ensure accurate and high-quality output across various media.

• Contribute to brand consistency and visual storytelling across all client touchpoints and internal marketing efforts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are framed to emphasize the direct impact on client performance and revenue, aligning with a marketing operations perspective. The integration of AI tools is highlighted as a core operational methodology for enhancing efficiency and creative output.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent practical experience and formal training in graphic design, illustration, or a related field is expected. Experience:

• 2-5 years of professional experience in graphic design and illustration, with a proven track record of producing commercial artwork for brands or products.

• Demonstrated experience in designing for both digital (web, social media ads) and print (merchandise, apparel) mediums. Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Figma: Daily use and advanced knowledge for layout, prototyping, and asset creation.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Strong working knowledge of Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop for production, refinement, and final asset delivery.

• AI-Assisted Design Tools: Active, hands-on interest and practical experience using AI tools (e.g., Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, DALL-E) for rapid concept generation and iterative design.

• Illustration Skills: Ability to create original illustrations across various styles, with a genuine comfort in at least one of the following themes: children's products, sports/motivation, or fantasy/sci-fi.

• Print & Digital Production Understanding: Experience producing assets for both print and digital, including awareness of RGB vs. CMYK color profiles and basic print production requirements.

• Async and Remote Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to thrive in a remote, asynchronous work environment.

• Commercial Acumen: Understanding of how design contributes to commercial success, brand growth, and sales performance in B2C e-commerce.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with print-on-demand platforms, apparel design, or greeting card production.

• Familiarity with content management systems like Shopify or WordPress for design integration.

• Basic motion graphics or animation skills for dynamic ad creative.

• Experience creating mockups and visual presentations for client concepts.

• Experience across multiple thematic areas (children's, sports, fantasy/sci-fi).

📝 Enhancement Note: The skills section is tailored to highlight the unique blend of traditional design expertise with emerging AI capabilities, emphasizing practical application in a commercial context. The emphasis on Figma as a primary tool and AI as a lever for efficiency are key differentiators for operations-focused roles.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A strong commercial portfolio showcasing a diverse range of illustration and graphic design work for real brands or products.

• Examples demonstrating proficiency in Figma for layout and asset creation.

• Case studies or project examples highlighting the use of AI tools in the design process, from concept to final polished output.

• Visuals that clearly articulate the application of design principles in driving commercial outcomes (e.g., increased engagement, conversions, sales).

• Proof of experience in producing assets for both digital platforms (social media ads, web banners) and print (merchandise, apparel). Process Documentation:

• Showcase examples of workflow optimization, particularly in how AI was integrated to accelerate design iterations or concept exploration.

• Demonstrate an understanding of color management processes for ensuring consistency between digital displays and print outputs.

• Provide insights into how designs were adapted for different platforms and audiences, showcasing adaptability and strategic thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section emphasizes the practical application of design skills within an operational framework, focusing on process efficiency, AI integration, and demonstrable commercial impact, which are critical for operations-focused roles.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $1,000 – $1,500 USD per month

Explanation of Salary Range:

This range is based on the provided information and industry benchmarks for mid-level remote graphic designers and illustrators, particularly those operating in regions with a lower cost of living relative to major Western markets, while still demanding high-level skills and direct impact. The salary is presented monthly, consistent with the job posting, and is in USD to reflect the international nature of the remote role and the company's operational currency.

Benefits:

• Fully Remote Work: Work from anywhere in the world, offering maximum flexibility and work-life integration.

• Flexible Hours: Core working hours are minimal, allowing for significant flexibility outside of essential meetings, supporting asynchronous collaboration.

• Generous Paid Time Off: 28 holidays per year, in addition to national holidays, ensuring ample time for rest and personal pursuits.

• Premium AI and Automation Tooling: Access to professional licenses for advanced AI and automation tools, empowering efficient and cutting-edge design processes.

• Creative Latitude: Opportunity to work across diverse aesthetics and themes, with real creative freedom and minimal stylistic constraints, fostering innovation.

• Direct Impact and Visibility: Work directly with the CEO, ensuring high visibility into business operations and direct influence on creative strategy and outcomes.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility outside of core meeting times to accommodate different time zones and personal schedules.

📝 Enhancement Note: The compensation is clearly stated and explained in context. Benefits are detailed to highlight aspects particularly attractive to remote operations professionals, such as tooling and flexibility.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Marketing & Advertising (specifically Performance Marketing and E-commerce Operations for B2C brands)

Company Size: Small (likely under 50 employees, given the "small, hands-on team" description and direct access to the CEO). This implies a lean, agile operational structure.

Founded: The founding date isn't specified, but the company operates as a remote-first agency focused on modern growth strategies, suggesting a relatively recent establishment or a forward-thinking approach to operations and talent acquisition.

Team Structure:

• The team is fully distributed across Europe and beyond, operating on an "async-first" model.

• The design team, or at least this role, reports directly to the CEO, indicating a flat hierarchy and direct communication channels for creative strategy and output.

• Collaboration is primarily through digital tools like Slack and Loom, emphasizing asynchronous communication over constant meetings. Methodology:

• Async-First Operations: Prioritizing tools and processes that enable work and communication without requiring real-time presence, fostering efficiency and global talent access.

• AI Integration: Actively incorporating AI tools as a lever for rapid concept development, iteration, and production scaling within the creative workflow.

• Data-Driven Creative: While not explicitly stated for design, the agency's focus on "performance marketing" implies that creative output is measured for its commercial impact and optimized accordingly.

• Hands-on Craftsmanship: Balancing rapid AI-driven ideation with meticulous manual design refinement to ensure high-quality, polished outputs.

Company Website: https://longshipmarketing.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context is fleshed out to emphasize its operational model (remote-first, async-first, AI-driven) and its implications for a creative role within a marketing operations framework. The lean structure and direct reporting to the CEO suggest significant autonomy and impact.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level specialist within the creative operations function. It offers significant autonomy and direct impact on client success through visual asset production, moving beyond junior execution to owning key creative streams.

Reporting Structure: Direct reporting to the CEO. This structure provides unparalleled visibility into business strategy and decision-making, offering a unique growth path for those interested in the business side of creative operations.

Operations Impact: The visual creative produced in this role directly influences key performance indicators (KPIs) for B2C e-commerce clients, including:

• Conversion Rates: Through compelling website graphics and ad creative.

• Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): By optimizing ad creative for better performance.

• Brand Perception & Engagement: Via consistent and appealing visual branding across all touchpoints.

• Sales Volume: Through effective product visualization and merchandise design.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization in AI-Augmented Design: Deepen expertise in leveraging AI for creative production, becoming a leader in this emerging field within marketing operations.

• E-commerce & Performance Marketing Acumen: Gain hands-on experience and understanding of performance marketing strategies and e-commerce operations, broadening career prospects.

• Creative Leadership: As the company grows, opportunities may arise to lead creative projects, manage junior designers, or develop creative strategies for a portfolio of clients.

• Broader Design Expertise: Expand skills into areas like motion graphics, UI/UX design for e-commerce platforms, or advanced print production techniques.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis frames the role not just as a design position but as a strategic operations role with clear pathways for impact and professional development within the dynamic e-commerce and performance marketing landscape.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. The company operates on an "async-first" model, meaning there are no physical office requirements. Work is conducted digitally through collaboration tools.

Office Location(s): While the company is headquartered or has a primary operational base in Serbia (as indicated by locations_derived), the role is fully remote and allows employees to work from anywhere, as long as they can communicate effectively in English and meet the job requirements.

Workspace Context:

• Digital Collaboration Hub: The primary workspace is digital, utilizing platforms like Slack for communication and Loom for asynchronous video messages and presentations.

• Tooling Empowerment: Access to premium AI and automation tooling with pro licenses is provided, ensuring designers have the best resources to perform their tasks efficiently and creatively.

• Independent Work Environment: The async-first model supports individuals who prefer focused, independent work sessions, minimizing interruptions from constant meetings.

Work Schedule: Flexible hours are a key component, with the primary constraint being the need for effective communication within a global team. This allows for a work schedule that can adapt to personal needs while ensuring project deadlines and collaborative requirements are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment description emphasizes the digital nature of the role and the operational advantages of an async-first, remote setup, which are crucial for attracting and retaining talent in modern operations roles.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of application, focusing on portfolio quality, relevance of themes, and demonstrated AI tool usage.

• Skills Assessment (AI & Design): A potential practical exercise or portfolio deep-dive focusing on how AI tools were used for concept generation and how manual skills were applied for refinement. This might involve discussing specific projects and design decisions.

• Cultural Fit & Async Collaboration: Interview focusing on communication style, ability to work asynchronously, English proficiency, and alignment with the company's remote-first, hands-on culture. Discussion on comfort level with direct reporting to the CEO.

• Final Round: Discussion with the CEO to assess strategic alignment, creative vision, and overall fit for the role and company growth trajectory.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight AI Integration: Clearly showcase projects where AI was instrumental in the conceptualization or iteration phases, explaining how it was used and what benefits it provided (speed, novelty, etc.).

• Demonstrate Manual Refinement: For AI-assisted projects, provide clear examples of the final, polished designs and explain the manual steps taken in Figma, Illustrator, or Photoshop to achieve this.

• Showcase Thematic Comfort: Ensure your portfolio includes strong examples within the specified thematic areas (children's products, sports/motivation, fantasy/sci-fi) to prove relevant experience.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If any of your designs have been linked to measurable commercial success (e.g., increased ad click-through rates, higher sales for merchandise), highlight these achievements.

• Clarity in Digital vs. Print: Clearly label projects as digital or print, and be prepared to discuss your understanding of color profiles and production considerations for each.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss your workflow for rapidly iterating on design concepts using AI.

• Prepare to articulate your design process, emphasizing how you balance AI-generated drafts with manual craftsmanship.

• Think about how you would approach a creative brief for an e-commerce ad campaign or merchandise line, outlining potential AI-assisted strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice tailored to the unique requirements of the role, particularly the emphasis on AI integration and asynchronous work, offering a strategic advantage to operations-minded candidates.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for daily design work, layout, and asset production. Proficiency is essential.

• Adobe Illustrator: Required for detailed vector illustration, logo design, and complex graphic elements.

• Adobe Photoshop: Necessary for raster image editing, photo manipulation, and creating detailed digital assets.

• AI Design Tools: Active use of AI platforms (e.g., Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, DALL-E) for rapid concept generation, ideation, and iteration. Pro licenses are provided.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly responsible for analytics, understanding how creative assets perform is key. Familiarity with ad performance metrics (CTR, conversion rates) and how they relate to visual design is beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Familiarity with e-commerce platforms like Shopify or WordPress is a plus, as design assets will likely be integrated into these systems. Understanding of how design impacts user experience on these platforms is valuable.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools section is specific, highlighting the core design software and the critical AI tools, reflecting a modern, efficient creative operations stack.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Craftsmanship & Quality: A commitment to producing polished, high-quality designs, even when leveraging rapid AI-driven workflows.

• Efficiency & Speed: Embracing AI and asynchronous communication to deliver creative assets quickly and effectively.

• Innovation & Adaptability: A proactive approach to adopting new technologies like AI and adapting to evolving design trends and client needs.

• Ownership & Autonomy: Taking responsibility for creative output and operating independently within a remote, async-first structure.

• Collaboration & Communication: Maintaining clear, proactive communication in English, primarily through digital channels, to ensure alignment and project success.

Collaboration Style:

• Async-First Communication: Primarily using Slack and Loom for updates, feedback, and discussions, respecting individual work rhythms and time zones.

• Direct & Transparent: Given the flat hierarchy and direct reporting to the CEO, communication is expected to be direct, honest, and focused on achieving project goals.

• Cross-Functional Awareness: While the role is design-focused, understanding the impact of creative on performance marketing and e-commerce operations is crucial for effective collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture and values are aligned with the company's remote-first, async-first, and AI-centric operational model, providing insight into the expected professional behaviors and interpersonal dynamics.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing AI and Manual Design: Effectively integrating AI-generated concepts into polished, production-ready designs requires a nuanced skill set and a clear workflow.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency Across Diverse Clients: Working with various B2C e-commerce brands, each with unique aesthetics and target audiences, demands versatility.

• Async Communication Management: Adapting to and excelling in an asynchronous communication environment can be challenging for those accustomed to more direct, real-time interactions.

• Rapidly Evolving AI Landscape: Staying current with the fast-paced advancements in AI design tools and methodologies requires continuous learning.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mastery of AI-Augmented Design: Become an expert in utilizing cutting-edge AI tools to enhance creative output and streamline design workflows.

• Deep Dive into E-commerce & Performance Marketing: Gain invaluable experience in how creative assets directly impact e-commerce sales and performance marketing campaigns.

• Creative Strategy Development: With direct access to the CEO, opportunities to contribute to higher-level creative strategy and client campaign planning.

• Potential for Specialization: Develop expertise in specific design niches relevant to B2C e-commerce, such as product visualization, user interface elements, or advanced animation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are framed as opportunities for skill development, aligning with the growth opportunities and emphasizing the dynamic nature of this role in a forward-thinking agency.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for using AI tools to generate design concepts, and how you then refine those concepts using tools like Figma or Adobe Illustrator."

• "Walk us through a project where you had to design for both digital and print mediums. What were the key considerations for color profiles and output quality?"

• "How do you ensure visual consistency and brand alignment when working with multiple clients with distinct brand identities?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about Longship Marketing's approach to performance marketing and e-commerce operations?"

• "How do you typically manage your workload and communicate progress in an asynchronous, remote environment?"

• "Describe a time you had to adapt your creative approach based on performance data or client feedback." Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• AI Workflow Showcase: Dedicate a section of your presentation to demonstrating your AI-assisted design process. Use before-and-after examples, screen recordings if possible, or detailed explanations of your prompt engineering and refinement stages.

• Thematic Relevance: Clearly highlight examples that align with the company's preferred themes (children's, sports/motivation, fantasy/sci-fi).

• Digital vs. Print Distinction: Ensure your presentation visually distinguishes between digital and print work and be prepared to discuss your technical knowledge for each.

• Impact-Oriented Storytelling: Frame your project descriptions around the problem, your solution (including AI integration), and the outcome or impact, even if qualitative.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation advice is hyper-focused on the unique aspects of this role: AI integration, asynchronous work, and commercial impact within an e-commerce context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Illustrator / Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on polymer.co.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature examples of AI-assisted design workflows and your comfort with the specified thematic areas (children's, sports/motivation, fantasy/sci-fi). Clearly label digital vs. print work.

• Resume Optimization: Highlight your proficiency in Figma, Adobe Illustrator, and Photoshop, as well as any experience with AI design tools and asynchronous work environments. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare for Async Discussion: Be ready to articulate your workflow, communication style, and how you manage projects independently in a remote setting. Practice explaining your design process, including AI integration.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Longship Marketing's services, client base, and their emphasis on performance marketing and e-commerce operations. Understand their async-first philosophy.

⚠️ 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.