Junior Associate Visual Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Junior Associate Visual Designer

Company: Marketwake

Location: Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Visual Design

Date Posted: 2025-06-09T13:59:47

Experience Level: Junior (0-2 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🎨 Role Summary

• Contribute to shaping compelling, on-brand visual designs for digital marketing campaigns, paid media, and social content.
• Work hands-on in a fast-paced agency environment, gaining exposure to diverse client projects and industry best practices in visual communication.
• Collaborate with mid- and senior-level designers and cross-functional teams to develop creative concepts rooted in strategy and brand identity.
• Play a key role in maintaining brand consistency across all visual assets and client touchpoints.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end visual design process, from initial concept and mood board creation through to final deliverable execution for digital campaigns.
• Design and iterate on a wide variety of visual assets, including but not limited to digital ads, social media graphics, website elements, and email graphics.
• Ensure all visual outputs are high-quality, engaging, and strictly adhere to client brand guidelines and digital marketing objectives.
• Partner with designers and cross-functional teams (Account Management, Paid Media, Social, Content) to brainstorm, refine, and align creative concepts with broader strategic goals.
• Present design concepts internally and externally, effectively articulating the creative rationale, strategic intent, and technical execution details behind the work to stakeholders.
• Integrate feedback constructively into design iterations to continuously improve the quality and effectiveness of visual assets.
• Stay informed on current and emerging visual design trends, tools, and techniques relevant to digital marketing and social media.
• Apply working knowledge of design tools like Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, XD, Premiere) and Figma effectively across projects.
• Provide light support for content creation tasks, such as basic copywriting, formatting, or layout adjustments, to enhance overall creative output.
• Occasionally assist with analyzing creative performance data to inform and optimize future design strategies.
• Proactively pursue professional development opportunities to continuously enhance design skills and knowledge.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A degree or relevant experience in graphic design, visual communication, digital media, or a related creative field is required. A strong foundation in design principles is essential.

Experience: This role is part of a Junior Associate program, targeting recent graduates and early-career professionals typically with 0-2 years of relevant experience. A strong portfolio demonstrating design fundamentals and digital-first thinking is a critical requirement, showcasing practical application of skills.

Required Skills:

• Strong foundation in graphic design fundamentals including layout, typography, color theory, and visual hierarchy.
• Proficiency in key Adobe Creative Suite applications like Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for creating static visual assets.
• Experience and working knowledge of Figma for digital design and prototyping.
• Excellent visual storytelling and concept development skills, with the ability to translate strategic briefs into compelling visuals.
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects and assets effectively.
• Proactive, solution-oriented mindset with the ability to take initiative and manage the end-to-end design process.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, particularly in articulating creative ideas and rationale to both internal teams and clients.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, collaborative team environment and openness to receiving and applying feedback constructively.
• Interest in digital marketing creative trends, including social media and paid media design best practices.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with motion design and video editing tools such as Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro.
• Experience or interest in providing light content support, including basic copywriting or formatting.
• Understanding of how design performance data can inform and optimize creative strategies.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Your portfolio should clearly demonstrate a strong grasp of fundamental design principles: layout, typography, color theory, and composition.
• Include case studies that illustrate your design process from concept to execution, specifically for digital marketing assets (e.g., social media campaigns, banner ads, email graphics).
• Showcase examples of work that align with brand guidelines and demonstrate your ability to maintain visual consistency across different touchpoints.
• Highlight projects where you have applied digital-first thinking, considering the unique constraints and opportunities of various digital platforms.

Process Documentation:

• For each relevant project, briefly describe the initial brief or challenge, your approach to concept development, and the tools you utilized.
• Include examples of early sketches, mood boards, or wireframes if they effectively communicate your design process and iterations.
• Explain the rationale behind your design decisions, particularly how they address the client's marketing goals and target audience.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $40,000 - $55,000 USD per year.

This range is an estimate based on typical entry-level Visual Designer salaries in the Atlanta, Georgia area for roles within digital marketing agencies, considering the "Junior Associate" title and the program's focus on development. Actual compensation may vary based on specific experience, portfolio strength, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Specific benefits are not detailed in the provided description, but typical benefits for full-time employees at digital marketing agencies in the US may include health insurance (medical, dental, vision), paid time off (vacation, sick leave, holidays), and potentially a 401(k) retirement plan.
• As part of a Junior Associate program, additional benefits likely include structured mentorship, professional development opportunities, and hands-on training specific to agency workflows and client management.

Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week. As an agency, there may be occasional demands for working outside standard hours to meet project deadlines, though this is less common for junior roles. The program structure suggests a regular, structured schedule focused on learning and contribution.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Digital Marketing Agency. Marketwake specializes in providing digital marketing services to clients, which means the design team works across a variety of industries and client needs, requiring adaptability and diverse visual styles.

Company Size: Not explicitly stated, but typically digital marketing agencies with Junior Associate programs are small to medium-sized (25-200 employees), fostering a collaborative and potentially fast-paced environment.

Founded: Not explicitly stated. A founding date would provide context on the company's history and maturity, influencing its culture and processes.

Team Structure:

• The Visual Design team likely includes Junior Associates, mid-level designers, and senior designers, potentially reporting to a Design Lead or Creative Director.
• This role emphasizes close collaboration with cross-functional teams such as Account Management, Paid Media, Social Media, and Content, suggesting an integrated project workflow.
• The structure is designed to provide mentorship and learning opportunities within the design team and across departments.

Methodology:

• Given the agency context, the design methodology is likely iterative and client-focused, involving concept development, client reviews, and revisions.
• Emphasis on strategic alignment suggests a data-informed or performance-oriented approach to design, particularly for paid media and social content.
• The workflow likely involves project management tools and processes to handle multiple client projects concurrently.

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

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: Junior. This role is specifically designed as an entry point into the visual design field within a digital marketing agency, providing foundational experience and structured learning.

Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a mid-level or senior designer, or potentially a Design Lead or Creative Director, as part of the mentorship structure within the Junior Associate program.

Design Impact: As a Junior Associate, your design work will directly contribute to client digital marketing campaigns, influencing visual brand perception and potentially campaign performance metrics. Your ability to execute high-quality, on-brand visuals will be key to client success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Progression within the Junior Associate program to gain more responsibility and autonomy on projects.
• Potential for conversion to a full-time Visual Designer role upon successful completion of the program, with a clear path to mid-level and senior designer positions.
• Opportunities to expand skills in specific areas like motion design, video editing, or performance-driven creative.
• Mentorship from experienced designers provides a direct path for skill enhancement and career guidance.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: Office. The role is listed as on-site in Atlanta, Georgia, indicating a traditional office-based work environment.

Office Location(s): Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Specific address details would typically be provided during the interview process.

Design Workspace Context:

• The office environment likely includes dedicated desk space, access to necessary design software and hardware, and meeting rooms for collaboration.
• Being on-site facilitates direct, real-time collaboration with the design team and cross-functional colleagues, which is beneficial for learning and feedback in a junior role.
• The creative environment is likely influenced by the agency's overall culture, potentially featuring spaces conducive to brainstorming and creative work.

Work Schedule: Full-time, standard business hours, likely Monday to Friday. The on-site nature implies a structured daily presence in the office.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

• Initial screening call with HR or a recruiter to discuss your background and interest in the Junior Associate program and the Visual Designer role. Prepare to articulate why you are a good fit for both the program and the specific design role.
• Portfolio review and interview with members of the design team. Be prepared to walk through selected case studies from your portfolio, explaining your process, rationale, and the impact of your work. Focus on demonstrating your understanding of design fundamentals and digital application.
• Potential design exercise or challenge to assess your practical skills and ability to work within constraints or specific briefs. Practice quick concepting and execution.
• Interviews with cross-functional team members or leadership to assess cultural fit, collaboration skills, and understanding of the agency environment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate your portfolio to highlight projects most relevant to digital marketing, paid media, and social content.
• For each project, clearly outline the problem or goal, your role, your design process (research, ideation, iteration), and the final outcome or impact.
• Emphasize your understanding of brand consistency and how you applied brand guidelines in your work.
• Be prepared to discuss the technical aspects of your work, including the tools you used and any specific challenges you overcame.

Challenge Preparation:

• Review common digital marketing design briefs (e.g., designing a social media ad campaign, creating graphics for a landing page).
• Practice quick concept development and execution within a limited timeframe, focusing on delivering a clear, strategic, and visually appealing solution.
• Be ready to explain your design decisions and process during the presentation of your challenge solution.

ATS Keywords: Graphic Design, Visual Design, Digital Design, Visual Communication, Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, Premiere Pro, Figma, Visual Storytelling, Concept Development, Brand Identity, Brand Guidelines, Digital Marketing, Paid Media, Social Media Design, Digital Campaigns, Mood Boards, Storyboards, Typography, Layout, Color Theory, Attention to Detail, Collaboration, Communication Skills, Portfolio, Case Studies, Iteration, Feedback, Digital Media, Creative Rationale, Cross-Functional Teams, Junior Designer, Entry-Level Design, Design Fundamentals, Digital-First Design, Marketing Agency, Atlanta Design, On-site Design Role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Adobe Photoshop: Used for image manipulation, photo editing, and creating raster-based graphics for digital assets. Proficiency in retouching, compositing, and preparing images for web and social media is expected.
• Adobe Illustrator: Utilized for creating vector graphics, illustrations, logos, and scalable assets for various digital platforms. Skill in creating precise, scalable artwork is important.
• Adobe InDesign: May be used for creating multi-page layouts or combining text and graphics for digital publications or presentations, although less central than Photoshop and Illustrator for core digital ad/social content.
• Adobe After Effects (Preferred): Used for motion graphics and animation for social media and video content. Familiarity or willingness to learn is a plus.
• Adobe Premiere Pro (Preferred): Utilized for video editing, potentially for social media clips or short promotional videos. Familiarity is a plus.
• Adobe XD: Mentioned, suggesting potential use for prototyping or designing user interfaces, although the role's focus is visual design for marketing, not necessarily full UI/UX.
• Figma: Essential tool for digital design collaboration, prototyping, and creating UI elements or marketing assets. Proficiency in using Figma for collaborative workflows is required.

Collaboration & Handoff:

• Figma likely serves as a central collaboration tool for design files and feedback within the design team and with stakeholders.
• Communication tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams) are likely used for daily communication and project updates with cross-functional teams.
• Project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello, Monday.com) may be used to track tasks, deadlines, and project progress.

Research & Testing:

• While not explicitly listed as tools, the mention of "Analytical Support" and "creative performance reviews" implies the use of platforms for tracking digital campaign performance (e.g., Google Analytics, social media analytics platforms) to inform design decisions.
• Understanding how to interpret performance data to optimize creative assets is a valuable skill.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

• A strong emphasis on producing high-quality, engaging visual outputs that are strategically aligned with client goals and brand identity.
• Value placed on proactive initiative, taking ownership of the design process from concept to execution.
• Importance of collaboration, both within the design team and with cross-functional stakeholders, to refine creative concepts.
• Commitment to continuous learning and staying informed on emerging design trends and technologies relevant to digital marketing.

Collaboration Style:

• Collaborative and feedback-rich environment, where designers work closely together and with other teams.
• Openness to receiving and constructively applying feedback to improve design work.
• Emphasis on clearly articulating creative rationale and strategic intent during presentations and discussions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

• Balancing creative innovation with strict adherence to diverse client brand guidelines across multiple projects simultaneously.
• Working in a fast-paced agency environment that requires quick turnaround times and adaptability to changing client needs and feedback.
• Effectively articulating creative rationale and strategic intent to both design and non-design stakeholders.
• Staying current with the rapidly evolving landscape of digital marketing creative trends, platform specifications, and best practices.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Structured mentorship and guidance as part of the Junior Associate Program, providing direct learning from experienced designers.
• Hands-on experience working on real client projects across various industries and digital platforms.
• Opportunities to develop skills in performance-driven creative and understand the impact of design on marketing metrics.
• Exposure to cross-functional digital marketing disciplines (paid media, social media, content) and their integration with visual design.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

• "Walk me through your design process for a typical digital ad campaign, from receiving the brief to final delivery." Prepare a specific case study from your portfolio to illustrate.
• "Describe a time you received constructive criticism on your design work and how you incorporated it." Focus on your growth mindset and ability to iterate effectively.
• "How do you ensure your designs align with brand guidelines while still being creative and engaging?" Provide examples from your portfolio.

Company Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working in a digital marketing agency environment?" Research Marketwake's clients or recent work to show genuine interest.
• "Describe your experience collaborating with non-designers on a project." Highlight communication and teamwork skills.
• "How do you stay updated on the latest design trends in digital marketing and social media?" Discuss specific resources you follow (blogs, designers, platforms).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select 3-5 strong case studies that best demonstrate your skills in digital marketing visual design and your process.
• For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your solution, your design process, the tools used, and the outcome or impact.
• Be prepared to discuss the strategic thinking behind your design decisions and how they address the client's goals.
• Practice presenting your portfolio concisely and confidently, focusing on visual storytelling and clear communication of your rationale.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Refine your visual design portfolio, ensuring it prominently features digital marketing assets and includes detailed case studies illustrating your design process and rationale. Tailor the selection to showcase your strongest work relevant to the agency's focus.
• Update your resume to highlight relevant design skills, software proficiency (especially Adobe Suite and Figma), and any experience or coursework related to digital marketing or visual communication. Use relevant ATS keywords throughout.
• Prepare thoroughly for the interview process by practicing walking through your portfolio case studies, anticipating questions about your design process and collaboration style, and researching Marketwake's website and work to understand their clients and approach.
• Consider how to articulate your interest in the Junior Associate program specifically, highlighting your eagerness to learn, receive mentorship, and grow within a structured environment.