Brand Designer
π Job Overview
Job Title: Brand Designer
Company: Lyka
Location: Alexandria, Council of the City of Sydney, Australia
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Marketing / Creative & Media / Art & Design
Date Posted: 2025-10-16
Experience Level: 4+ Years
Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid potentially, with a focus on Alexandria HQ)
π Role Summary
- Drive the visual narrative of a rapidly scaling, purpose-driven pet wellness brand.
- Develop and execute high-impact creative assets across diverse channels including digital, print, web, packaging, and social media.
- Collaborate within a dynamic, in-house marketing team to ensure brand consistency and elevate brand perception.
- Translate creative briefs into compelling, on-brand designs that resonate with target audiences and support business objectives.
- Contribute to the evolution of Lykaβs visual identity and the maintenance of robust design systems and brand guidelines.
π Enhancement Note: While listed as "TELECOMMUTE" with a "Remote: true" status, the description strongly emphasizes the need for an in-house role at Lyka HQ in Alexandria, suggesting a hybrid model or primarily on-site presence. The "TELECOMMUTE" designation might reflect flexibility or a broader Australian remote policy rather than a fully remote role for this specific position. The role requires significant collaboration and hands-on work at the Sydney HQ.
π Primary Responsibilities
- Conceptualize and design bold, high-quality creative assets for digital campaigns, social media, web, print collateral, and packaging.
- Play a pivotal role in evolving Lykaβs visual identity and ensuring unwavering brand consistency across all customer touchpoints.
- Translate marketing briefs and project requirements into compelling, on-brand designs that engage, inspire, and drive desired actions.
- Collaborate closely with marketing, product, and people teams to understand project goals and deliver impactful design solutions.
- Assist in refining and maintaining Lykaβs brand guidelines and design systems to uphold creative standards and facilitate efficient design workflows.
- Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, from initial concept through to polished delivery, while adhering to deadlines and clear communication protocols.
- Contribute actively to brainstorming sessions, offering creative ideas and solutions to push the brand's visual storytelling forward.
- Ensure all design outputs align with Lyka's mission of enhancing pet health and promoting wellness.
π Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities are inferred from the "What You'll Be Doing" section, focusing on the creation of assets, brand evolution, cross-functional collaboration, and design system maintenance, all critical for a Brand Designer in a high-growth consumer company.
π Skills & Qualifications
Education:
- Qualification in Design, Visual Communication, Graphic Design, or a closely related field.
Experience:
- Approximately four or more years of professional design experience, with a strong preference for experience within FMCG, lifestyle, retail, or a creative agency environment.
- Proven track record of taking design concepts from initial ideation through to final execution.
Required Skills:
- Brand Design & Visual Identity: Expertise in developing and evolving brand identities, ensuring visual consistency across all platforms.
- Adobe Creative Suite: Advanced proficiency in essential design software (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).
- Figma: Fluency in Figma for design, prototyping, and collaborative workflows.
- Creativity & Concept Development: Ability to generate innovative design ideas and translate them into visually compelling assets.
- Attention to Detail: Meticulous focus on craft, pixel perfection, and overall design quality.
- Storytelling: Skill in using design to communicate brand narratives and emotional connections.
- Project Management: Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines effectively.
- Digital Design: Experience creating assets for web, social media, and digital advertising.
- Print Design: Competency in designing for print collateral, packaging, and other physical applications.
- Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively within a team, provide and receive constructive feedback.
Preferred Skills:
- Art Direction: Experience guiding visual creative direction for campaigns or projects.
- Design Systems: Experience in building, maintaining, or working within established design systems.
- Brand Guidelines: Understanding of and ability to adhere to and contribute to brand guidelines.
- Packaging Design: Specific experience in designing for consumer product packaging.
- Cultural Relevance: A keen eye for current trends and cultural nuances that can inform design.
π Enhancement Note: The experience level (4+ years) and specific tool proficiencies (Figma, Adobe Creative Suite) are directly extracted. Preferred skills are inferred from the responsibilities and the emphasis on brand evolution and comprehensive asset creation. The mention of FMCG/lifestyle/retail experience is a strong indicator of desired background.
π Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
- Brand Identity Evolution: Demonstrate how you have built or significantly evolved brand identities and brought them to life across multiple touchpoints.
- Cross-Channel Application: Showcase work that spans digital (web, social), print, and packaging, illustrating versatility.
- Systemic Thinking: Present examples of working within established brand systems or design guidelines, while also demonstrating how you pushed boundaries to keep creative fresh.
- Intentional Craft: Highlight designs that are not only visually appealing but also demonstrate thoughtful execution and strategic intent.
- Process Documentation: Include case studies or explanations that outline your design process, from brief interpretation to final delivery, emphasizing problem-solving and creative decision-making.
Process Documentation:
- Brief to Execution: Explain your approach to understanding creative briefs, ideating concepts, and executing designs across different mediums.
- Brand Consistency: Detail how you ensure brand guidelines are met and how you maintain consistency across a variety of assets and campaigns.
- System Maintenance: Be prepared to discuss your experience with refining and maintaining design systems and brand guidelines.
- Collaboration Workflow: Illustrate how you collaborate with marketing, product, and other stakeholders throughout the design process.
π Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are heavily derived from the "Your Portfolio" section of the job description, emphasizing the need to showcase brand evolution, cross-channel application, and intentional craft. The "Process Documentation" section is an inferred expectation for a designer at this level, preparing them to articulate their workflow and problem-solving approach during interviews.
π΅ Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range:
- Based on industry benchmarks for a Brand Designer with 4+ years of experience in Sydney, Australia, a competitive salary range would typically fall between AUD $85,000 - $115,000 per annum. This estimate accounts for the cost of living in Sydney, the company's growth trajectory, and the specialized nature of brand design within a fast-paced consumer goods environment.
Benefits:
- Paid Parental Leave Top-Up: Up to 18 weeks of paid parental leave.
- Wellbeing Assistance: Access to tools and support for mental and physical wellbeing.
- Pupper Parent Support: Flexible arrangements for new pets, pet-friendly offices, discounts, and financial allowances for dog training and care.
- Learning and Development Budget: An annual budget allocated for professional development and skill enhancement.
- Sustainability Focus: Opportunity to work for a company committed to environmental responsibility (carbon-negative, plastic-negative).
- Growth Opportunities: Experience hyper-growth firsthand with potential for increased responsibilities and career advancement.
Working Hours:
- Approximately 40 hours per week, with potential for hybrid flexibility though the role is primarily based at HQ.
π Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on typical market rates for a Brand Designer with the specified experience in Sydney, Australia. Information on benefits and working hours is directly extracted from the provided text. The "TELECOMMUTE" and "Remote: true" flags are acknowledged but downplayed due to the strong emphasis on HQ presence in the description.
π― Team & Company Context
π’ Company Culture
Industry: Pet Wellness / Food & Beverage (Consumer Goods) Company Size: Growing rapidly, with operations in Sydney (HQ) and Melbourne, and multiple production facilities. The company is described as one of Australiaβs fastest-growing consumer companies.
Founded: 2018 by Anna Podolsky, Gabriel Guedes, and Dr. Matthew Muir.
Team Structure:
- In-house Marketing Team: The Brand Designer will join an existing marketing team and work closely with senior designers and the wider creative crew.
- Cross-functional Collaboration: Close collaboration is expected with marketing, product, and people teams.
- Creative Crew: A tight-knit, collaborative team environment where brainstorming and idea contribution are encouraged.
Methodology:
- Data-Driven Growth: The company has a track record of rapid growth and is described as "tech-enabled," suggesting a data-informed approach to business and marketing.
- Customer-Centric: Driven by a mission to improve pet health based on founder experience and customer feedback.
- Innovation: Pioneering a new standard in pet wellness with a focus on real food ingredients and a subscription model.
- Sustainability: A core value, aiming for carbon-negative and plastic-negative operations.
Company Website: lyka.com
π Enhancement Note: Company context is synthesized from the "About Lyka" and "The Role" sections. The emphasis on rapid growth, sustainability, and customer focus provides insight into the operational environment. The team structure highlights the collaborative nature of the role.
π Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: Mid-Level Designer. This role is positioned for an individual with several years of experience who can independently contribute creative assets and collaborate effectively, but will still work under senior designers and within established brand frameworks.
Reporting Structure: The Brand Designer will report into a Senior Designer or potentially the Head of Marketing/Creative Lead. They will work closely with various departments but their direct reporting line is likely within the creative/marketing function.
Operations Impact: The Brand Designer's work directly influences Lyka's brand perception, customer engagement, and ultimately, its ability to attract and retain customers. By crafting compelling visuals, they support marketing campaigns, product launches, and the overall brand narrative, contributing to the company's hyper-growth.
Growth Opportunities:
- Increased Responsibility: As Lyka continues its rapid expansion, there will be opportunities to take on more complex projects, lead design initiatives, and potentially grow into more senior or specialized roles within the design team.
- Skill Diversification: Exposure to a wide range of design applications (digital, print, packaging, web) and involvement in a fast-moving startup environment will allow for broad skill development.
- Professional Development: The company provides an annual L&D budget, enabling continuous learning, acquisition of new skills, and attendance at relevant industry events or courses.
- Leadership Potential: Demonstrating strong creative leadership, strategic thinking, and project ownership could pave the way for future team lead or art director positions.
π Enhancement Note: This analysis is based on the "The Role" and "Growth and Development" sections, inferring the career stage and potential growth paths within a fast-scaling startup environment. The "Operations Impact" focuses on how a creative role contributes to business operations and growth.
π Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid, with a focus on working from the Lyka HQ in Alexandria. The mention of "pet-friendly offices" indicates a unique and welcoming workspace environment.
Office Location(s): Lyka HQ is located in Alexandria, Sydney. The company also has offices in Melbourne.
Workspace Context:
- Collaborative Hub: The Alexandria HQ is the central point for creative collaboration, brainstorming, and team interaction.
- Creative Environment: Expected to be a dynamic and fast-paced office that fosters creativity and innovation.
- Purpose-Driven Atmosphere: Working alongside a team passionate about pet wellness and sustainability.
- Pet-Friendly: Encourages a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere, likely with opportunities for interaction with pets.
Work Schedule: The role is full-time, likely around 40 hours per week. While the primary work setting is on-site in Alexandria, the "TELECOMMUTE" and "Remote: true" flags suggest potential for some degree of flexibility, possibly for specific tasks or days, but the core collaborative functions are best served from the office.
π Enhancement Note: This section syntheses information about location and work environment from various parts of the job description, highlighting the hybrid nature, the specific office location, and the unique pet-friendly aspect.
π Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
- Initial Application & Portfolio Review: Submit your resume and a compelling portfolio that showcases your relevant design experience and creative thinking.
- Screening Call: A brief discussion to assess your background, experience, and alignment with the role and company culture.
- Design Challenge/Task: You may be asked to complete a design task or case study to evaluate your creative problem-solving skills, design process, and ability to work within brand parameters.
- Team Interviews: Interviews with Senior Designers, Marketing Leads, and potentially other cross-functional team members to assess collaboration skills, cultural fit, and strategic thinking.
- Final Interview: Likely with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Marketing, CEO) to discuss overall fit and potential.
Portfolio Review Tips:
- Showcase Brand Evolution: Clearly demonstrate how youβve built or evolved brand identities and applied them consistently across various mediums.
- Highlight Intentionality: Use your portfolio to explain the rationale behind your design decisions, showcasing strategic thinking and problem-solving.
- Demonstrate Cross-Channel Versatility: Feature a range of work including digital, social, print, and packaging to prove your adaptability.
- Emphasize Collaboration: Where possible, illustrate how youβve collaborated with teams or stakeholders to achieve project goals.
- Keep it Concise and Polished: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and visually represents your best work.
Challenge Preparation:
- Understand Lyka's Brand: Thoroughly research Lyka's mission, values, current branding, and target audience.
- Analyze Competitors: Be aware of the competitive landscape in the pet wellness industry.
- Prepare to Articulate Your Process: Be ready to walk through your design process for any project presented, detailing your ideation, execution, and rationale.
- Focus on Impact: Think about how design contributes to business objectives, such as brand recognition, customer engagement, and sales.
- Practice Communication: Be prepared to articulate your ideas clearly, concisely, and enthusiastically.
π Enhancement Note: This section anticipates the typical interview process for a design role in a startup, with specific emphasis on portfolio presentation and preparation, drawing from the "Your Portfolio" section's requirements and general industry best practices.
π Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Design Tools:
- Figma: Essential for UI/UX design, prototyping, and collaborative design workflows.
- Adobe Creative Suite:
- Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.
- Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, illustrations, and complex layouts.
- InDesign: For layout design of print materials, brochures, and packaging.
Asset Management & Workflow:
- [Potential DAM or Cloud Storage]: While not explicitly mentioned, large organizations typically use Digital Asset Management systems or cloud storage solutions (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox) for organizing and sharing design assets.
- Project Management Tools: Lyka likely uses tools like Asana, Trello, or Monday.com for managing creative projects and tracking tasks.
Collaboration & Communication:
- Slack: For real-time team communication and quick queries.
- Google Workspace: For document sharing, collaboration, and general productivity.
π Enhancement Note: The primary tools (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma) are explicitly mentioned. Other tools are inferred based on the company's description as a "tech-enabled" and "fast-growing consumer company" that values collaboration and efficient workflows.
π₯ Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
- Purpose-Driven: A strong emphasis on improving pet health and quality of life, with a mission that permeates company culture.
- Sustainability: Commitment to being carbon-negative and plastic-negative, influencing operational decisions and brand messaging.
- Growth Mindset: Encouraging continuous learning, taking on new challenges, and adapting to rapid growth.
- Collaboration: A culture of teamwork, idea-sharing, and mutual support across departments.
- Customer Love: Dedication to creating products and experiences that resonate deeply with pet owners.
- Wellness: Promoting wellbeing for pets and employees alike.
Collaboration Style:
- Cross-functional Integration: The role requires close partnership with marketing, product, and people teams, indicating a highly integrated approach.
- Brainstorming & Idea Exchange: The creative team fosters an environment where ideas are shared freely and collaboratively.
- Feedback-Oriented: A willingness to give and receive constructive feedback is essential for refining creative output and maintaining quality.
- Agile & Fast-Paced: Expect a dynamic environment where quick iterations and responsive design are valued.
π Enhancement Note: This section is built by synthesizing the "About Lyka," "The Role," and "We are committed to building inclusive and diverse teams" sections, focusing on the core tenets of Lyka's culture and how they apply to a creative role.
β‘ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
- Balancing Brand & Performance: Creating visually appealing designs that also drive measurable marketing performance (e.g., conversions, engagement) can be a key challenge.
- Maintaining Brand Consistency at Scale: As Lyka grows rapidly, ensuring brand consistency across an ever-increasing volume of assets and touchpoints requires meticulous attention and robust systems.
- Rapid Iteration & Deadlines: The fast-paced startup environment means projects often have tight turnaround times, requiring efficient workflow and quick decision-making.
- Adapting to Evolving Brand: Contributing to the evolution of a visual identity while respecting established guidelines requires creative problem-solving and strategic thinking.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
- Broad Design Application: Gaining experience across digital, print, web, and packaging design within a single role.
- Startup Growth Dynamics: Understanding the operational and creative challenges of scaling a consumer brand.
- Brand System Development: Contributing to and refining design systems and brand guidelines.
- Industry Exposure: Working in the thriving pet wellness industry and engaging with sustainability-focused practices.
- Formal L&D: Access to an annual Learning & Development budget for courses, workshops, or conferences.
π Enhancement Note: Challenges are inferred from the demands of a Brand Designer role in a high-growth startup, particularly within the FMCG/consumer goods sector. Growth opportunities are drawn from the "Growth and Development" section and the general context of a scaling company.
π‘ Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
- Brand Evolution: "Describe a time you were instrumental in evolving a brand's visual identity. What was your process, and what were the key outcomes?" (Focus on your portfolio examples of brand identity work).
- Design Process: "Walk me through your process for taking a creative brief from concept to final delivery for a campaign like [mention a Lyka campaign type, e.g., social media ad, packaging redesign]." (Be ready to detail your steps, tools, and decision-making).
- Balancing Creativity & Performance: "How do you ensure your creative designs not only look great but also meet specific marketing objectives or performance metrics?" (Connect your design choices to business goals).
Company & Culture Questions:
- Mission Alignment: "What about Lyka's mission to improve pet health resonates with you, and how do you see your design work contributing to that mission?" (Show genuine interest and understanding of Lyka's purpose).
- Team Collaboration: "Describe your ideal collaborative environment. How do you approach giving and receiving feedback within a creative team?" (Highlight your teamwork and communication skills).
- Startup Environment: "What excites you most about working in a fast-growing startup like Lyka, and how do you handle the pace and potential ambiguity?" (Demonstrate adaptability and enthusiasm for growth).
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
- Tell a Story: For each portfolio piece, explain the context, the challenge, your solution, and the impact. Don't just show the final design.
- Highlight Your Role: Clearly articulate your specific contributions, especially in collaborative projects.
- Showcase Process: Be prepared to discuss the "why" behind your design decisions and your iterative process.
- Connect to Lyka: Where possible, draw parallels between your past work and Lyka's brand, mission, or potential needs.
- Focus on Craft and Intent: Emphasize your attention to detail and how your designs are intentional and purposeful.
π Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice for interview preparation, including sample questions tailored to a Brand Designer role in a startup, and specific strategies for presenting a portfolio effectively, drawing from the job description's emphasis on brand evolution and craft.
π Application Steps
To apply for this Brand Designer position:
- Submit your application through the Workable platform link provided.
- Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your ability to evolve brand identities, create cross-channel assets (digital, print, packaging), and showcase intentional design craft. Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible online (e.g., personal website, Behance, Adobe Portfolio).
- Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your experience in FMCG, lifestyle, or agency environments, and emphasize your proficiency with Figma and Adobe Creative Suite. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "contributed to a campaign that increased engagement by X%").
- Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your design process, your understanding of brand building, and your passion for Lyka's mission during interviews. Practice presenting your portfolio with clear storytelling.
- Research Lyka Thoroughly: Understand their brand values, target audience, current marketing efforts, and sustainability commitments. This will allow you to tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.
β οΈ 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.
Application Requirements
You should have around four or more years of design experience, ideally in FMCG or a creative agency environment, along with a qualification in design or visual communication. Strong skills in design and art direction, as well as proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, are essential.