Brand Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Brand Designer Company: COMMON SENSE MEDIA Location: San Francisco, California, United States Job Type: Full Time Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Operations Date Posted: July 24, 2025 Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (4-6 years) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive brand evolution and visual identity expansion for a mission-driven organization focused on children and families in the digital age.
• Lead creative exploration and execution for diverse brand applications, from experiential activations to digital content and merchandise.
• Leverage strategic design thinking and cutting-edge technologies, including AI, to enhance brand reach and impact across new and existing channels.
• Develop and maintain design systems, ensuring brand consistency and enabling creative flexibility for rapid prototyping and stakeholder collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role title is "Brand Designer," the responsibilities heavily lean into aspects of creative operations and marketing operations, focusing on the strategic implementation and expansion of brand visual identity across various touchpoints. The emphasis on design systems, rapid prototyping, and cross-functional collaboration within tools like Figma positions this as a role that bridges creative execution with operational efficiency.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Partner with the Head of Design to conceptualize and evolve the organization's visual language, expanding the design toolkit for broader brand application.
• Lead the creative exploration and design execution for new brand touchpoints, including merchandise, environmental graphics, experiential activations, and emerging digital platforms.
• Design innovative and engaging social media content tailored to resonate with younger, diverse family audiences while upholding brand integrity and consistency.
• Establish and maintain comprehensive brand expression standards across all organizational channels and digital platforms, including the website and social media properties.
• Produce high-impact print materials such as annual reports, research publications, and marketing collateral, ensuring excellent production quality.
• Create compelling infographics and data visualizations that translate complex research findings into accessible and shareable visual narratives.
• Conceptualize and execute experiential design elements for events, convenings, and conferences, enhancing brand presence and audience engagement.
• Design appealing merchandise and branded materials that foster community connection and brand loyalty among families.
• Build and manage design systems that facilitate creative flexibility while ensuring brand consistency and scalability across all outputs.
• Lead creative brainstorms and contribute strategic design thinking to campaign development, aligning visual execution with organizational goals.
• Rapidly prototype and test design concepts, incorporating feedback from stakeholders and target audiences to iterate and optimize solutions.
• Experiment with emerging design trends and technologies, including AI-powered tools, to maintain brand relevance and explore new creative avenues.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration through design reviews conducted directly within collaborative tools like Figma, ensuring stakeholder alignment.
• Ensure all creative work adheres to accessibility standards and inclusive design practices, reflecting the organization's commitment to diversity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are framed to emphasize strategic impact and operational execution. Responsibilities like "Partner with the Head of Design to evolve our visual language" and "Set standards for how our brand is expressed" highlight a strategic operational component, while "Design innovative social media content" and "Create compelling infographics" focus on execution. The inclusion of "Rapidly prototyping and testing design concepts" and "Experimenting with emerging design trends and technologies" points to a role that requires agility and a forward-thinking operational approach.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience:

• 4 to 6 years of progressive experience in brand design, with a proven track record of creative innovation and high-quality production across diverse mediums.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically about brand positioning and its role in audience engagement, particularly with younger demographics.
• Experience in developing and implementing design systems that ensure brand consistency and enable creative flexibility.
• Proven ability to manage multiple design projects concurrently, balancing creative exploration with timely delivery.
• Experience in education, family-focused, or youth-oriented sectors is considered a plus.

Required Skills:

• Expert-level proficiency in Figma, including advanced skills in auto layout, variables, and design system architecture.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and Google Workspace.
• Strong portfolio showcasing a breadth of work across multiple design mediums: digital, print, environmental, and experiential design.
• Expertise in data visualization and infographic design, with a demonstrated ability to make complex information engaging and accessible.
• Knowledge of current design trends, particularly those resonating with younger audiences, and an understanding of platform-specific design best practices.
• Proven ability to facilitate cross-functional collaboration and conduct effective design reviews with stakeholders using collaborative tools.
• Strong conceptual thinking skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions clearly and a high degree of openness to feedback.
• Understanding of accessibility standards and inclusive design practices in all creative outputs.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with or demonstrated enthusiasm for AI-powered design tools (e.g., Gemini, Dall-E, Adobe Firefly) and a willingness to explore new technologies.
• Experience in leading creative brainstorms and contributing strategic thinking to campaign development.
• Comfort and experience in fast-paced, iterative environments, with a proficiency in rapid prototyping and testing design concepts.
• Passion for using design to create positive social impact and bring fresh, modern approaches to a nonprofit organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma, AI tools, and cross-functional collaboration within design platforms highlights a modern operational skillset. Specifying "4 to 6 years of experience" and "Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience" sets clear mid-level expectations. The inclusion of "Demonstrated ability to think strategically about design" and "Strong conceptual thinking skills" points to a need for strategic operational input beyond just execution.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 4-6 years of brand design experience, with a focus on creative innovation and production excellence.
• Demonstrate strategic thinking in brand development, illustrating how design solutions have addressed specific audience engagement goals or organizational objectives.
• Include examples of work across diverse mediums such as digital interfaces, print collateral, environmental graphics, and experiential activations.
• Highlight expertise in data visualization and infographic design, featuring case studies that explain the process of making complex information engaging and shareable.
• Showcase experience in building or contributing to design systems, with clear examples of how these systems ensure brand consistency and enable creative flexibility.
• Present examples of rapid prototyping and iterative design processes, demonstrating the ability to quickly test concepts and incorporate feedback.
• Include work that reflects an understanding and application of accessibility standards and inclusive design practices.
• Provide evidence of cross-functional collaboration, ideally showing how design solutions were developed and presented with input from various stakeholders.

Process Documentation:

• For each project within the portfolio, provide a brief overview of the design process followed, from initial concept and research through to final execution and deployment.
• Detail the methods used for stakeholder collaboration and feedback integration, particularly how feedback was incorporated during iterative design phases.
• Include documentation or case studies that illustrate the impact of the design work, ideally with quantifiable results or qualitative insights into audience reception and brand perception.
• Where applicable, document the creation or contribution to design systems, outlining the principles, components, and guidelines established.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are geared towards demonstrating not just creative output but also the operational methodology behind it. Emphasis on "strategic thinking," "design systems," "rapid prototyping," "cross-functional collaboration," and "process documentation" indicates a need for a candidate who can operate efficiently within a structured yet agile design environment, aligning with operational best practices.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• $85,600 - $101,650 per year.

Benefits:

• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement: Matching 401(k) plan to support long-term financial goals.
• Work-Life Balance: An organizational commitment to promoting work/life balance for its employees.
• Impactful Work: The opportunity to contribute to a mission that positively impacts the lives of children and families.
• Professional Environment: Opportunity to work with talented and passionate professionals in a collaborative setting.

Working Hours:

• Full-time, exempt position, typically requiring 40 hours per week. The organization emphasizes work/life balance, suggesting flexibility within a standard full-time framework.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific and falls within typical mid-to-senior level designer compensation for the San Francisco Bay Area. The benefits listed are standard but framed to highlight the organization's commitment to employee well-being and professional growth, which is a key factor for attracting talent in operations-focused roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Non-profit, Media, Education Technology, Advocacy. Common Sense Media operates at the intersection of media literacy, family well-being, and technology, providing critical resources and advocacy in an increasingly complex digital landscape. Company Size: The specific size is not provided, but the description implies a growing organization with established reach (150 million users worldwide) and a need to innovate and expand its brand presence, suggesting a moderately sized team with potential for growth. Founded: The organization is described as 20 years old, indicating a stable foundation with a long-standing mission, now seeking to refresh its approach and reach new generations.

Team Structure:

• The Brand Designer will be part of the Brand team, reporting directly to the Head of Design.
• This structure suggests a collaborative environment where the designer will work closely with leadership on strategic brand initiatives.
• The role will likely involve significant cross-functional collaboration with marketing, content, research, and technology teams to ensure the brand's visual identity is consistently applied and effectively communicates the organization's mission.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: The organization's mission to provide "trustworthy information" and its focus on research suggest a data-informed approach to strategy and design.
• Agile & Iterative: The emphasis on a "nimble, test-and-learn environment," "rapidly prototype ideas," and "iterate quickly" points to an agile methodology where experimentation and quick feedback loops are valued.
• Technology Integration: A stated commitment to "thoughtfully use new technologies" and "leveraging cutting-edge tools—including AI" indicates a forward-thinking, tech-savvy operational approach to design.
• Mission-Oriented: The core focus on improving the lives of kids and families drives all aspects of the organization's work, infusing a sense of purpose into design and communication efforts.

Company Website: http://commonsense.org

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission-driven nature and its position in the non-profit sector influence its culture. The emphasis on innovation, technology adoption (AI), and agile methodologies suggests a dynamic environment that values creative problem-solving and measurable impact, which are key traits for operations-focused roles.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Mid-Senior Level within the design and brand operations function. It requires 4-6 years of experience, indicating a level where an individual is expected to operate with a significant degree of autonomy, contribute strategically, and mentor or guide junior team members implicitly through best practices. The responsibilities include leading creative exploration and setting standards, which are indicative of a role with growing operational influence.

Reporting Structure:

• The Brand Designer reports directly to the Head of Design. This reporting line suggests a clear path for mentorship, strategic alignment, and feedback.
• The Head of Design is likely responsible for the overall brand strategy and creative direction, allowing the Brand Designer to focus on the execution, innovation, and operationalization of that vision.

Operations Impact:

• The Brand Designer's work has a direct impact on how the organization's mission is perceived and communicated. By creating fresh, innovative, and accessible visual content, the designer influences audience engagement, brand recognition, and ultimately, the organization's ability to reach and support more families and educators.
• The role's focus on expanding the brand into "new territories" and "unexplored channels" means the designer is instrumental in driving growth and broadening the organization's impact through strategic visual communication.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in areas like design systems, AI-assisted design, data visualization, and experiential design.
• Leadership Potential: As the organization grows and evolves, there may be opportunities to take on more project leadership, mentor junior designers, or contribute to the strategic direction of the brand team.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Working closely with various departments offers exposure to different facets of the organization, potentially leading to broader career paths within marketing, communications, or program development.
• Impactful Project Ownership: Leading creative exploration for new brand applications provides significant ownership and the chance to make a tangible impact on the organization's outreach and mission fulfillment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career growth analysis focuses on how a design role within this organization contributes to operational excellence and strategic brand management. The emphasis on "operational influence," "strategic alignment," and "impact on audience engagement" frames the designer's contributions in terms of business outcomes, which is critical for operations-minded candidates.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job is listed as "On-site" with the location specified as San Francisco. This suggests a traditional office environment where in-person collaboration and access to office resources are expected. Office Location(s): San Francisco, CA 94103. This location places the office in a vibrant urban center, potentially offering good access to public transportation and a dynamic professional community.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role requires close partnership with the Head of Design and implies significant collaboration with other teams. The workspace likely facilitates brainstorming, design reviews, and shared project work.
• Tools and Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma, Adobe Creative Suite) and potentially emerging technologies like AI design tools will be crucial. The organization's emphasis on innovation suggests a commitment to providing necessary technological resources.
• Team Interaction: The designer will be part of the Brand team, fostering opportunities for direct interaction, knowledge sharing, and creative synergy with fellow design professionals.

Work Schedule:

• The role is full-time and exempt, with a standard 40-hour work week. The company promotes work/life balance, suggesting a supportive environment that respects personal time while ensuring project delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of the work environment focuses on the operational aspects of the workspace – the tools, collaborative dynamics, and schedule. The emphasis on "in-person collaboration" and "access to office resources" highlights the on-site requirement, while the mention of "facilitating brainstorming" and "design reviews" points to an environment optimized for creative operations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of application materials, with a strong emphasis on the submitted portfolio.
• Portfolio Review & Discussion: Candidates will likely present their portfolio to the Head of Design and potentially other team members. This stage will focus on design strategy, execution process, and problem-solving approaches. Expect questions about specific projects, design decisions, and how your work aligns with Common Sense Media's mission.
• Skills Assessment/Creative Challenge: A practical design exercise or case study may be administered to evaluate design skills, strategic thinking, and proficiency with required tools (e.g., Figma, data visualization). This challenge will likely assess the ability to rapidly prototype and align with brand guidelines.
• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with cross-functional team members to assess collaboration skills, communication effectiveness, and cultural fit within the organization.
• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 4-6 high-quality projects that best showcase your experience in brand design, data visualization, social media content, and ideally, experiential or print design. Ensure variety and relevance to Common Sense Media's mission.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your strategic approach, the design process (including iterations and feedback), your specific role, and the outcome or impact. Use visuals effectively to guide the narrative.
• Highlight Process & Systems: Showcase your understanding of design systems, rapid prototyping, and collaborative workflows. If you have experience with AI design tools, include relevant examples.
• Demonstrate Impact: Quantify results where possible (e.g., increased engagement, improved clarity of data) or provide qualitative insights into how your designs achieved their objectives.
• Be Prepared to Discuss: Be ready to discuss your design decisions, your approach to feedback, and how your work aligns with the organization's mission and values.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Mission: Thoroughly research Common Sense Media's mission, target audience, and existing brand identity.
• Practice Design Systems: Familiarize yourself with building and working within design systems in Figma.
• Data Visualization Skills: Practice creating clear, compelling data visualizations.
• AI Tool Exploration: If not already familiar, explore basic functionalities of AI design tools to understand their potential applications.
• Communication: Be prepared to articulate your thought process and design rationale clearly and concisely.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice tailored to a design role, emphasizing the portfolio as a critical component. The emphasis on "strategic approach," "design process," "outcome or impact," and "design systems" aligns with an operations-centric view of design work. The inclusion of "creative challenge" preparation also highlights the practical, execution-focused aspects of the role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Expert-level proficiency is a core requirement, including advanced skills in auto layout, variables, and design system architecture. This tool will be central for collaborative design, system building, and prototyping.
• Adobe Creative Suite: Advanced proficiency is required, encompassing:
  • Photoshop: For image editing and manipulation.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, and illustrations.
  • InDesign: For print layout, publications, and marketing collateral.
• Google Workspace: Proficiency in tools like Docs, Sheets, and Slides for collaboration, documentation, and presentations.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as required tools for the designer, proficiency in understanding and translating data into visual reports (infographics, data visualizations) implies familiarity with how data is sourced and interpreted. The designer will likely work with data provided by research or analytics teams.

CRM & Automation:

• There is no direct mention of CRM or automation tools for this role. The focus is on design and brand execution rather than sales or marketing operations automation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma as an expert-level requirement, along with Adobe Creative Suite and Google Workspace, clearly defines the technical operational stack for this design role. The emphasis on design systems within Figma suggests a focus on scalable and efficient design operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven Impact: A strong commitment to using design skills to positively impact the lives of children and families, aligning creative work with a clear social purpose.
• Innovation & Exploration: A value placed on pushing visual boundaries, experimenting with new technologies (like AI), and exploring fresh approaches to brand communication.
• Strategic Thinking: The ability to connect design decisions to broader organizational goals, audience engagement, and strategic objectives.
• Collaboration & Feedback: An open culture where cross-functional collaboration is encouraged, and feedback is actively sought and incorporated to refine design solutions.
• Excellence & Quality: Maintaining high standards for both creative output and production quality across all design deliverables.
• Inclusivity & Accessibility: A commitment to creating design work that is accessible and representative of diverse communities.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role is designed to foster close collaboration with various departments, ensuring brand consistency and effective communication across all organizational touchpoints.
• Direct Design Reviews: A key aspect of collaboration involves conducting design reviews directly within tools like Figma, facilitating real-time feedback and alignment with stakeholders.
• Iterative Process: The team embraces an iterative approach, valuing continuous improvement through feedback loops and rapid prototyping.
• Knowledge Sharing: An environment that encourages sharing of design trends, new technologies, and best practices to foster collective growth and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values and collaboration style described emphasize a blend of creative passion and operational discipline. The focus on "mission-driven impact," "innovation," "strategic thinking," and "collaboration" highlights an organizational culture that values not just artistic talent but also effective teamwork and a results-oriented approach to design operations.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Consistency: A key challenge will be expanding the brand's visual identity into new territories while maintaining consistency and brand integrity for a 20-year-old organization. This requires strong design systems and strategic thinking.
• Reaching New Audiences: Designing content and experiences that resonate with younger, diverse family audiences requires staying ahead of trends and understanding evolving communication preferences.
• Leveraging New Technologies: Effectively integrating and experimenting with AI-powered design tools and other emerging technologies while ensuring quality and ethical use.
• Managing Multiple Projects: Juggling diverse design needs across various channels (digital, print, experiential, merchandise) while maintaining creative quality and meeting deadlines.
• Translating Complex Data: Making complex research and data accessible and engaging through effective data visualization requires a blend of analytical and creative skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Design Systems: Opportunity to significantly contribute to and refine the organization's design system, enhancing skills in scalability and brand governance.
• AI Design Tool Proficiency: Hands-on experience with AI tools in a professional, mission-driven context, fostering expertise in emerging design technologies.
• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Working with teams focused on research, education, and advocacy provides a broader understanding of the non-profit sector and the application of design in social impact initiatives.
• Brand Strategy Input: Direct involvement with the Head of Design on evolving the brand's visual language offers opportunities to develop strategic branding skills.
• Portfolio Expansion: The diverse range of projects provides a rich opportunity to build a robust and varied portfolio showcasing expertise across multiple design disciplines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Identifying challenges like "Balancing Innovation with Consistency" and "Leveraging New Technologies" highlights the operational complexities of the role. The growth opportunities, such as "Deep Dive into Design Systems" and "AI Design Tool Proficiency," are framed in terms of developing specialized operational skills within the design domain.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Brand Evolution: "How would you approach evolving the visual language of a 20-year-old organization to appeal to a new generation of families, while maintaining brand recognition?" (Prepare by discussing your process for brand audits, trend analysis, and iterative design strategy.)
• Design Systems: "Describe your experience building or contributing to design systems. How do you ensure a system remains flexible enough for creative exploration while maintaining brand consistency?" (Prepare by outlining your methodology for system architecture, component libraries, and governance.)
• Data Visualization: "Walk us through a project where you made complex data or research accessible and engaging through design. What was your process for translating insights into visuals?" (Prepare a specific case study highlighting your approach to data storytelling and visual communication.)
• AI in Design: "The organization is excited about leveraging AI in design. How do you see AI tools impacting the brand design process, and what are some potential applications you'd explore here?" (Prepare by researching current AI design tools and articulating their potential benefits and limitations.)
• Collaboration & Feedback: "How do you typically manage cross-functional collaboration and incorporate feedback from non-design stakeholders into your work? Can you provide an example of a challenging feedback situation and how you navigated it?" (Prepare by discussing your communication strategies and experience with collaborative design platforms.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Mission Alignment: "What about Common Sense Media's mission resonates with you, and how do you see your design skills contributing to our impact?" (Prepare by researching the organization's mission and identifying personal connections.)
• Work Style: "Describe your ideal work environment and how you thrive in a fast-paced, iterative setting. How do you balance creative exploration with production demands?" (Prepare by reflecting on your work habits and how they align with the company's described culture.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation logically, starting with an overview of your role and the project's objectives. Follow with the problem statement, your strategic approach, the design process (including iterations and key decisions), your specific contributions, and the final outcome/impact.
• Highlight Process & Tools: Explicitly discuss your use of Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and any AI tools. Demonstrate your understanding of design systems and rapid prototyping by referencing relevant projects.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics or clear qualitative feedback to demonstrate the success of your designs. Explain why a design choice was made and what it achieved.
• Storytelling: Weave a narrative around each project, making it engaging and memorable. Emphasize problem-solving and your ability to translate strategic goals into visual solutions.
• Conciseness: Be mindful of time; focus on the most impactful projects and key takeaways. Be prepared to answer questions and dive deeper into specific areas.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice is tailored to a design role with operational considerations. Questions focus on strategic thinking, process execution (design systems, prototyping), and tool proficiency (Figma, AI). The portfolio presentation strategy emphasizes demonstrating not just creative output but also the operational methodology and impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Brand Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on paycomonline.net.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating brand evolution, data visualization, social media content design, and any experience with design systems or AI design tools. Ensure it clearly showcases your 4-6 years of experience and strategic thinking in design.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your proficiency in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and your experience with rapid prototyping and cross-functional collaboration. Quantify achievements and responsibilities where possible, using keywords relevant to brand design and creative operations.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Common Sense Media's mission, target audience, and current brand presence. Understand their work in media literacy and family advocacy to better articulate your alignment and potential contributions during interviews.
• Prepare Portfolio Presentation: Practice walking through your selected portfolio pieces, focusing on explaining your design process, strategic rationale, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your experience with collaborative tools and evolving design trends.
• Anticipate Design Challenges: Be prepared to discuss your approach to potential design challenges related to brand consistency, audience engagement, and technology integration.

⚠️ 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.