Brand Designer (Contract)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Brand Designer (Contract)
Company: Metalab
Location: Remote
Job Type: Contract
Category: Creative & Design / Marketing Operations
Date Posted: October 02, 2025
Experience Level: Mid-Senior (5-10 years)
Remote Status: Remote Solely

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive end-to-end brand design initiatives, from initial concept to final product-ready assets, ensuring a cohesive and compelling brand identity.
• Collaborate intimately with Product Designers, Product Managers, and Client Partners to elevate product offerings through exceptional brand storytelling and visual execution.
• Translate complex brand strategies and creative visions into tangible, actionable design assets and comprehensive documentation that serve as a reliable source of truth for internal and external teams.
• Masterfully guide clients through a structured yet agile branding process, fostering transparency and ensuring a clear understanding of project milestones and deliverables.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is explicitly a contract position, requiring a high degree of autonomy and self-management in a remote setting. The emphasis on "product-ready brands" and collaboration with product teams highlights a need for candidates who understand the full product development lifecycle, not just standalone brand identity work. The "operations" aspect comes from the meticulous documentation, process adherence, and stakeholder management required to deliver consistently and efficiently.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and own the entire brand design process, from discovery and strategy to final asset delivery, ensuring alignment with project goals and client vision.
• Develop and execute compelling visual identities that resonate with target audiences and strengthen the overall product experience.
• Partner closely with cross-functional teams, including product design, project management, and client-facing roles, to integrate brand strategy seamlessly into product development.
• Create detailed brand guidelines, style guides, and asset libraries that empower internal teams and clients to maintain brand consistency across all touchpoints.
• Facilitate client workshops, design sprints, and review sessions, effectively communicating design rationale, gathering feedback, and driving consensus.
• Manage project timelines, deliverables, and creative output with a high degree of accountability, ensuring successful project completion under the guidance of Brand leadership.
• Educate and inform stakeholders on brand design best practices, advocating for the strategic importance of branding in product success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities emphasize a blend of creative leadership and rigorous process management. The expectation to "translate your design output into sound, actionable assets and documentation" signifies a strong need for operations-minded individuals who can operationalize creative strategy.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent experience and expertise in brand design and visual identity is paramount. Experience: 5+ years of professional experience designing impactful brands and digital products that are implemented and visible in the market.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in visual identity design, including logo development, typography, color theory, and brand system creation.
• Advanced proficiency in industry-standard design software such as Figma, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Photoshop.
• Exceptional storytelling capabilities, with the ability to articulate design concepts and strategic rationale clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, essential for direct stakeholder engagement and effective collaboration within iterative, fast-paced teams.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and facilitate client workshops, design reviews, and sprint sessions.
• Experience in developing comprehensive brand guidelines and asset documentation for consistent application.
• Adaptability and a proactive approach to evolving workflows and processes to maximize sprint productivity.
• A strong understanding of product design principles and how brand integrates with user experience.

Preferred Skills:

• Proficiency in writing and editing strategic and creative copy for brand narratives and guidelines.
• Experience with motion graphics design or 3D design software.
• Familiarity with product design systems, best practices, and agile methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 5+ years of experience designing "products and brands that can be seen in the wild" indicates a need for candidates who can deliver tangible, market-ready results, not just conceptual work. The emphasis on "product-literate people" and understanding "what it takes to get a digital product out the door" is crucial for this role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 5 years of professional brand design experience, with a strong emphasis on digital products and launched brands.
• Detailed case studies demonstrating the end-to-end brand design process, from initial client brief and discovery to final asset delivery and implementation.
• Examples of how brand strategy was translated into tangible design assets, including logos, visual systems, and brand guidelines.
• Evidence of successful collaboration with product design teams and the integration of brand elements into digital products.
• Documentation of how design decisions were communicated and defended to stakeholders, including clients and internal teams.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase examples of well-documented brand guidelines, style guides, or design systems that have been used as a source of truth.
• Demonstrate experience in creating actionable design assets and documentation that can be readily utilized by internal teams and clients.
• Include examples of how client workshops and feedback sessions were structured and documented to ensure alignment and progress.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "product-ready brands" and "sound, actionable assets and documentation" implies that the portfolio should not only display creative output but also the operational rigor behind it. This includes clear process documentation and evidence of how designs were made usable and scalable.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a contract position, compensation will be commensurate with experience and the scope of work. Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Contract Brand Designers with 5+ years of experience in remote, agency settings, a typical hourly rate would range from $60 to $100 USD. For a standard 40-hour work week, this translates to an approximate annual equivalent of $124,800 - $208,000 USD.

Benefits: As a contract role, standard employee benefits may not apply. However, typical benefits for contractors in this field may include:

• Flexible work schedule and location independence.
• Opportunity to work on high-impact projects with leading startups and enterprises.
• Potential for ongoing contract extensions or future project opportunities with Metalab.
• Exposure to a collaborative and innovative agency environment.

Working Hours: This is expected to be a full-time contract, approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility to manage work hours to meet project deadlines and client needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on general market data for senior-level contract designers in remote agency environments. Specific compensation would be negotiated based on the project's duration, complexity, and the candidate's specific skillset and experience.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Product Design Agency / Technology Consulting. Metalab operates at the intersection of design, technology, and business strategy, helping clients build and launch innovative products. Company Size: Metalab is a well-established agency known for its high-caliber work, likely employing a team of experienced designers, strategists, and project managers. While exact numbers fluctuate with project needs, it's understood to be a mid-sized agency capable of handling enterprise-level projects. Founded: Metalab was founded in 2006, bringing over 15 years of experience in product design and development to its clients.

Team Structure:

• The Brand Design function likely operates as a specialized unit within the broader product design practice.
• Contract Designers will collaborate closely with dedicated Product Designers, Project Managers, and Client Partners on a project-by-project basis.
• Reporting lines will typically be to Brand leadership or the overall Project Lead for the duration of the contract.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a core tenet, requiring seamless integration with product development teams.

Methodology:

• Metalab emphasizes a rigorous, iterative design process, deeply integrated with product development.
• Data and user insights inform creative strategy and design execution, ensuring brands are not only aesthetically pleasing but also strategically sound and market-relevant.
• A strong focus on storytelling and clear communication underpins all client engagements and internal collaborations.
• Agile methodologies are likely employed to manage workflows, facilitate feedback, and ensure efficient delivery.

Company Website: https://metalab.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Metalab's reputation as a design agency that builds "some of the world’s most beloved products" suggests a culture that values excellence, innovation, and a deep understanding of product lifecycle. The "product-literate" requirement is a direct reflection of this culture.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This contract role is positioned at a senior level, requiring significant autonomy and the ability to lead brand design initiatives independently. It demands a blend of creative expertise and operational proficiency in managing processes, deliverables, and stakeholder relationships. Reporting Structure: Contract Brand Designers will report to a Project Lead or Brand Director, working collaboratively within project-specific teams composed of Product Designers, Product Managers, and Client Partners. Operations Impact: The Brand Designer directly impacts the success of products by creating compelling brand identities that enhance user perception, drive adoption, and contribute to market differentiation. This role is critical in ensuring a product's visual and narrative coherence, which is a key operational component of successful product launches.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of brand design, such as brand strategy, identity systems, or digital brand applications.
• Project Leadership: Gain experience leading brand initiatives for a diverse range of clients and industries, developing project management and client relationship skills.
• Cross-functional Proficiency: Enhance understanding of product design, UX/UI, and development processes through close collaboration, broadening overall product development knowledge.
• Portfolio Expansion: Build a robust portfolio with high-profile, launched products that can lead to future high-value contract opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a contract role, the emphasis on "owning all aspects of brand design" and "accountable for timelines, deliverables, and output" indicates significant responsibility and potential for growth in project leadership and strategic influence within the context of contract engagements.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote contract position, offering significant flexibility in terms of work location. Office Location(s): Remote. Candidates are expected to manage their work environment to ensure productivity and seamless communication.

Workspace Context:

• The remote nature requires strong self-discipline and a dedicated workspace conducive to focused design work and virtual collaboration.
• Access to reliable internet and appropriate technology for design software and video conferencing is essential.
• The environment fosters independent work while demanding active participation in virtual team meetings and collaborative sessions.
• Opportunities for asynchronous communication and collaboration are key, alongside scheduled real-time interactions.

Work Schedule: The role requires approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility to adapt working hours to accommodate client needs, project deadlines, and cross-time-zone collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "remote-friendly methods" and "comfortable managing the brand process using remote-friendly methods" highlight the operational necessity for effective remote work practices, including asynchronous communication, clear documentation, and proactive engagement.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess relevant experience and skill alignment.
• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A deep dive into your portfolio, where you will present case studies, discuss your process, and articulate your design rationale and strategic thinking. Expect questions on how you manage timelines, collaborate with product teams, and handle client feedback.
• Skills & Collaboration Assessment: Interviews may include practical exercises or discussions focused on your proficiency with design tools (Figma, Illustrator, Photoshop) and your ability to work effectively in iterative, collaborative teams.
• Final Interview: Potentially with leadership to discuss cultural fit, long-term engagement potential, and final terms of the contract.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Product Integration: Showcase how your brand designs have been integrated into actual digital products and the impact they've had.
• Detail Your Process: Clearly articulate your step-by-step approach, from discovery and strategy to execution and documentation. Emphasize problem-solving and decision-making.
• Demonstrate Collaboration: Include examples of how you've worked with product designers, developers, and clients, highlighting your communication and feedback integration skills.
• Showcase Documentation: Present examples of your brand guidelines, style guides, or asset documentation, emphasizing their clarity and usability.
• Quantify Impact (if possible): Where data is available, present metrics or outcomes demonstrating the success of your brand work (e.g., user engagement, brand recognition, successful product launch).

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your approach to common brand design challenges, such as balancing client expectations with creative vision, working with tight deadlines, or evolving brand strategies over time.
• Practice articulating your design philosophy and how it aligns with creating "exceptional experiences."
• Prepare to discuss your experience with remote collaboration tools and methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "product-ready brands" and "selling, revising, and presenting ideas directly to large stakeholder groups" means interviewers will be looking for not just creative talent, but also the operational discipline, communication skills, and business acumen to successfully deliver and implement brand strategies.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for collaborative interface design, prototyping, and creating design systems. Proficiency in Figma is critical for integrating brand elements within product design workflows.
• Adobe Illustrator: Standard for vector graphics, logo design, and creating scalable brand assets.
• Adobe Photoshop: Used for image editing, compositing, and creating high-fidelity mockups.

Analytics & Reporting: While not a primary focus for a Brand Designer, understanding how brand performance is measured (e.g., through user engagement metrics, brand recall studies) can be beneficial. CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to this role, but awareness of how brand assets are managed and deployed within client systems might be useful. Other Potential Tools:

• Prototyping Tools: (e.g., InVision, Principle) for demonstrating motion or interactive brand elements.
• Project Management Software: (e.g., Asana, Jira, Trello) for tracking tasks and deliverables, as collaboration will be heavily managed through such platforms.
• Communication Platforms: (e.g., Slack, Zoom) for daily interaction and virtual meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma, Illustrator, and Photoshop highlights the core technical requirements. The emphasis on collaboration and product integration suggests that familiarity with tools that facilitate seamless handover to product design and development teams (like Figma) is particularly valuable.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Execution: A commitment to delivering high-quality, polished, and "product-ready" brand assets that meet rigorous standards.
• Collaboration and Partnership: A strong emphasis on working harmoniously with product designers, product managers, and clients to achieve shared goals.
• Strategic Storytelling: The belief that compelling brands are built on strong narratives and strategic insight, effectively communicated to all stakeholders.
• Continuous Improvement: An openness to feedback, iteration, and evolving workflows to enhance efficiency and creative output.
• Product Literacy: A core value of understanding and contributing to the broader product development lifecycle, recognizing brand's integral role.

Collaboration Style:

• Iterative and Agile: Embracing a highly iterative process with frequent sharing of work and incorporation of feedback.
• Direct Communication: Encouraging open, honest, and direct communication with internal teams and clients.
• Cross-functional Integration: Working seamlessly with product designers and other project team members to ensure brand and product alignment.
• Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in feedback sessions and contributing to the design literacy of both internal teams and clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: Metalab's culture appears to value a blend of creative passion and disciplined execution. The emphasis on "product-literate people" and understanding "what it takes to get a digital product out the door" points to a culture where design is seen as a functional, integrated part of business success, not just an aesthetic layer.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Product Constraints: Ensuring brand designs are innovative and compelling while adhering to the technical and functional requirements of digital products.
• Managing Stakeholder Expectations: Effectively guiding clients and internal teams through the brand design process, ensuring alignment and buy-in.
• Delivering High-Quality Assets Remotely: Maintaining rigorous design quality and seamless collaboration in a fully remote contract environment.
• Translating Brand Strategy into Actionable Assets: Ensuring that strategic brand concepts are effectively operationalized into usable design elements for product teams.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Exposure to Diverse Projects: Working with a variety of clients and industries provides broad experience and portfolio diversification.
• Advanced Collaboration Skills: Developing expertise in remote collaboration, asynchronous communication, and virtual workshop facilitation.
• Deepening Product Integration Knowledge: Gaining a more profound understanding of how brand strategy directly influences product success and user experience.
• Potential for Future Engagements: Successful contract performance can lead to repeat business and long-term relationships with Metalab.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for a candidate who is not only creatively skilled but also possesses strong project management, communication, and problem-solving abilities, essential for a contract role focused on delivering tangible outcomes.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a brand identity for a new digital product from scratch. How do you ensure it's 'product-ready'?" (Focus on your structured approach, research, and integration with product teams.)
• "Walk us through a brand design project where you had to collaborate closely with product designers. What were the key challenges, and how did you overcome them to ensure brand and product cohesion?" (Highlight your collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills.)
• "How do you approach translating complex strategic concepts into visually compelling and actionable brand assets? Provide an example." (Showcase your ability to bridge strategy and execution, and your documentation skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Metalab's approach to product design and branding, particularly our emphasis on building beloved products?" (Research Metalab's work and articulate your alignment with their philosophy.)
• "How do you stay updated on design trends and best practices, and how do you incorporate them into your work while maintaining brand integrity?" (Demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and strategic application.)
• "Describe a time you had to educate a client or internal team about brand design best practices. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Highlight your communication and advocacy skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Case Studies: For each project, clearly outline the objective, your role, the process, key decisions, challenges, solutions, and the final outcome.
• Emphasize Process and Collaboration: Detail how you worked with others, how feedback was integrated, and how your design process ensured a "product-ready" outcome.
• Showcase Deliverables: Clearly present the final brand assets, guidelines, and documentation, highlighting their usability and strategic intent.
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design choices, tool usage, and how you managed project timelines and client relationships.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not just creative talent, but also the operational discipline, strategic thinking, and collaborative spirit required to thrive as a senior contract designer in a product-focused agency environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided Greenhouse link, ensuring your resume and portfolio are up-to-date and readily accessible.
• Curate Your Portfolio for Product Relevance: Select case studies that specifically highlight your experience in designing brands for digital products and demonstrate your ability to create "product-ready" assets and documentation. Emphasize projects where your brand work directly supported or enhanced a product's success.
• Tailor Your Resume to Highlight Operations & Collaboration: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your experience in managing design processes, working within iterative teams, collaborating with product designers, and delivering actionable documentation. Use keywords like "brand strategy," "visual identity," "Figma," "stakeholder management," and "process documentation."
• Prepare Your Presentation Narrative: Rehearse walking through your portfolio, focusing on your process, problem-solving skills, and the impact of your brand designs on product outcomes. Be ready to discuss how you ensure brand consistency and usability for development teams.
• Research Metalab's Portfolio: Familiarize yourself with Metalab's past projects and client work. Understand their design philosophy and identify how your skills and experience can best complement their offerings and client needs.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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