Brand Designer, Events

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Brand Designer, Events
Company: OpenAI
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing
Date Posted: December 22, 2025
Experience Level: 4+ Years
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and execute comprehensive visual experiences for major events, product launches, and live streams, ensuring a cohesive and impactful brand presence across all touchpoints.
• Develop and maintain dynamic visual motion systems for digital platforms, including streaming overlays and titles, to enhance the audience's digital engagement.
• Collaborate closely with a diverse range of cross-functional teams, including marketing, events, production, and motion design, to translate brand identity into immersive real-world and digital experiences.
• Manage and evolve established brand systems, ensuring consistency while adapting them for new initiatives and documenting best practices for scalability.
• Own and coordinate project timelines for event design initiatives, ensuring efficient execution and alignment with strategic goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a highly innovative and forward-thinking organization, OpenAI. The "Brand Designer, Events" title implies a significant focus on creating tangible, immersive experiences that translate complex technological concepts into understandable and engaging visual narratives for diverse audiences. The responsibilities highlight a need for both strategic brand guardianship and hands-on creative execution within a fast-paced, high-stakes environment, typical of major tech product unveilings and industry events.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and produce a wide array of on-site event graphics, including signage, large-format wall vinyls, wayfinding systems, branded apparel, stickers, and other environmental graphics to establish event atmosphere and communicate key messages.
• Develop and implement consistent visual branding elements such as logos, fonts, and textures across all event materials to ensure a unified and cohesive brand experience.
• Design and build robust visual motion systems for live streaming platforms, creating dynamic overlays, lower-thirds, titles, and other graphic elements that define the digital look and feel of all online programming.
• Forge strong partnerships with cross-functional teams, including motion designers, video producers, artists, event planners, marketing specialists, and product managers, to seamlessly integrate brand identity into all aspects of event and digital experiences.
• Actively maintain and contribute to the evolution of OpenAI's brand systems, working within existing guidelines while identifying opportunities for refinement and expansion for new applications, and meticulously documenting these systems to ensure consistency across the entire organizational ecosystem.
• Proactively create and manage detailed design timelines for event-related projects, taking ownership of project schedules, ensuring critical milestones are met, and keeping all involved teams aligned throughout the complete lifecycle of event design.
• Support the scaling of global events by contributing to the development and leadership of a network of external design partners, fostering an environment that attracts, nurtures, and retains top-tier creative talent.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "Scaling Global Events" and "leading a bench of exceptional designers" suggests this role may involve some level of team leadership or mentorship, particularly for external agencies or contractors. The responsibility to "Maintain and evolve brand systems" indicates a strategic component beyond pure execution, requiring an understanding of brand architecture and its application across diverse physical and digital touchpoints within a rapidly growing organization.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Fine Arts, or a related field is generally expected for roles of this nature, though equivalent practical experience will be strongly considered.

Experience:

• Minimum of 4+ years of dedicated experience in designing for events, encompassing a broad spectrum of deliverables such as signage, staging, wayfinding, digital graphics, live-stream motion design, and environmental branding.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in event design, with a strong portfolio showcasing proficiency across multiple touchpoints including signage, staging, apparel, stickers, and digital graphics.
• Proven ability to create and manage cohesive brand systems across both physical and digital environments, ensuring consistency in logos, typography, color palettes, and motion graphics.
• Strong collaborative skills, with a track record of successfully partnering with producers, event planners, motion designers, marketers, and other creative professionals.
• Proficiency in translating brand identity and strategic objectives into immersive, impactful real-world and digital experiences.
• Excellent project management capabilities, with the ability to manage multiple high-visibility, time-sensitive projects concurrently from concept through final production.
• A keen eye for detail and a commitment to ensuring every design touchpoint is intentional, cohesive, and aligned with the overall brand narrative.
• Experience developing visual motion systems for live streaming and digital content, including overlays, lower-thirds, and titles.
• Ability to work effectively in fast-paced, often ambiguous environments, demonstrating adaptability as event plans evolve.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience mentoring or leading design teams or external design partners, fostering a culture of design excellence.
• Familiarity with design systems documentation and best practices for scaling design efforts.
• Experience with environmental branding and spatial design principles.
• Understanding of the unique impact of live experiences in shaping public perception of technology and mission.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving and a passion for pushing creative boundaries within established brand frameworks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "4+ years of experience designing for events" and a portfolio demonstrating "strength across event design touchpoints" specifically calls for a candidate with practical, hands-on experience in the live events space. The mention of "scaling global events" and "leading a bench of exceptional designers" suggests that while formal management experience might not be mandatory, the ability to guide, mentor, or coordinate the work of others is highly valued.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating a strong track record in event design, showcasing a breadth of work across various touchpoints including signage, staging, apparel, stickers, and digital graphics.
• Evidence of creating and implementing cohesive brand systems across diverse physical and digital environments, highlighting consistency in core brand elements.
• Case studies or project examples that illustrate the development of visual motion systems for live streaming and digital programming.
• Demonstrations of successful collaboration with cross-functional teams (e.g., marketing, events, motion design) to bring brand visions to life.
• Examples of designs that are not only visually compelling but also scalable, production-ready, and strategically aligned with event objectives.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase an understanding of the end-to-end design process for events, from initial concept development and brief interpretation to final production and on-site execution.
• Examples of how you have managed and evolved design systems, including documentation of brand guidelines and their application across different platforms.
• Insights into how you manage project timelines and coordinate with various stakeholders to ensure timely delivery of design assets.
• Evidence of adapting designs and processes to meet the evolving needs of fast-paced projects and dynamic event environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on events and visual experiences, the portfolio is paramount. It should clearly articulate the candidate's ability to translate abstract concepts into tangible, impactful designs that resonate with an audience. The emphasis on "cohesive brand systems" and "scaling global events" implies that the portfolio should also demonstrate strategic thinking and an understanding of how individual design elements contribute to a larger brand narrative and operational efficiency.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The provided salary range for this position is $190,000 - $240,000 USD per year. This range reflects the senior level of the role, the high cost of living in San Francisco, and the specialized nature of event and brand design within a leading technology company like OpenAI.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Retirement Savings Plan: 401(k) with company matching.
• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Parental Leave: Supportive policies for new parents.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for learning, training, and attending industry conferences.
• Wellness Programs: Initiatives focused on employee well-being.
• Stock Options/Equity: Potential for equity participation, aligned with company growth.
• Relocation Assistance: Support for candidates relocating to the San Francisco Bay Area.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week. However, given the nature of event design and project deadlines, flexibility and occasional extended hours or weekend work may be required during critical project phases, particularly leading up to and during events.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range of $190,000 - $240,000 USD for a Brand Designer, Events role in San Francisco aligns with industry benchmarks for senior-level design positions in high-cost-of-living areas, especially within top-tier technology companies. The inclusion of benefits like stock options, relocation assistance, and robust professional development opportunities are standard for such roles and indicate OpenAI's commitment to attracting and retaining high-caliber talent.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Artificial Intelligence Research & Deployment. OpenAI operates at the forefront of AI development, pushing the boundaries of machine learning and artificial general intelligence (AGI). This industry context means a culture of rapid innovation, intellectual curiosity, and a focus on solving complex, large-scale problems. Company Size: OpenAI has grown significantly and is considered a large, rapidly expanding technology company. This size implies a dynamic environment with both established processes and the agility to adapt quickly to new challenges and opportunities. For operations professionals, this means opportunities to shape and optimize processes as the company scales. Founded: OpenAI was founded in 2015. Its origin as a non-profit research organization and subsequent transition to a "capped-profit" model has shaped its unique culture, balancing ambitious technological goals with a mission to benefit humanity.

Team Structure:

• The "Creative Team" is described as being responsible for shaping how OpenAI's work is understood as it leaves the lab and meets the world, utilizing campaigns, launches, films, and brand systems.
• This specific role is within a team focused on events, live streams, and global product announcements, requiring close collaboration with brand, marketing, events, motion, and production teams.
• The reporting structure likely places this role within a broader Creative or Brand Marketing function, with direct reporting to a Design Lead or Creative Director.

Methodology:

• The team's approach is described as staying close to the "frontier of intelligence," embracing uncertainty, and shaping narratives in a grounded and human way. This suggests a methodology that balances rigorous research and development with creative storytelling and accessible communication.
• For event design, this translates to creating visual narratives that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also strategically designed to communicate complex ideas and the company's mission effectively.
• A strong emphasis is placed on maintaining and evolving brand systems, indicating a methodical approach to brand consistency and scalability across all touchpoints.

Company Website: https://openai.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: OpenAI's mission-driven culture, combined with its cutting-edge AI focus, creates a unique environment. For a designer, this means working on projects that have significant real-world implications and contributing to how a groundbreaking technology is perceived and adopted globally. The culture values innovation, collaboration, and a human-centric approach to complex technical subjects.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Brand Designer with a specialization in Events, requiring 4+ years of experience. This signifies a mid-to-senior level position within the design function. The responsibilities, including owning design timelines, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and potentially mentoring designers, indicate a level of autonomy and influence beyond junior roles. It's a position where hands-on craft is still critical, but strategic contribution and project ownership are also expected.

Reporting Structure: The role reports into a "Creative Team" and will collaborate closely with Brand, Marketing, Events, Motion, and Production teams. This suggests a matrixed or highly collaborative structure where the Brand Designer acts as a key creative partner, likely reporting to a Design Lead or Creative Director who oversees event and brand initiatives. The ability to navigate and contribute effectively within this cross-functional ecosystem is crucial.

Operations Impact: The Brand Designer's impact is directly tied to shaping the perception and understanding of OpenAI's advanced AI technologies and products. Through compelling visual experiences at events, live streams, and product announcements, this role influences how key stakeholders, the public, and the tech community engage with OpenAI's mission and innovations. Effective event design can amplify messaging, foster trust, and drive adoption, directly contributing to the company's GTM strategy and overall success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization Advancement: Deepen expertise in event design, environmental branding, and large-scale visual system implementation, becoming a go-to expert for major company initiatives.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Progress to a Senior Brand Designer role, taking on more complex projects, leading design strategy for key events, and formally or informally mentoring junior designers or external partners.
• Cross-Functional Expansion: Develop a broader understanding of marketing, product strategy, and production, potentially transitioning into roles with more strategic oversight or leadership within the creative department.
• Brand System Stewardship: Grow into a role focused on the strategic development and governance of OpenAI's overarching brand identity and design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Events" specialization within Brand Design at a company like OpenAI suggests a high-impact role. The growth opportunities lean towards deepening expertise in a niche area or expanding into broader brand strategy and leadership, aligning with the company's rapid growth and focus on communicating complex innovations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as "On-site" in San Francisco, indicating a traditional office-based work environment. This fosters in-person collaboration, spontaneous ideation, and a strong sense of team presence, which is often beneficial for creative and event-focused roles.

Office Location(s): San Francisco, California, United States. This location places the designer within a major hub for technology and innovation, offering access to a vibrant professional community and industry events.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The emphasis on cross-functional collaboration suggests an open and interactive workspace designed to facilitate teamwork between designers, marketers, event planners, and producers.
• Tooling: Access to industry-standard design software and hardware, likely including high-performance workstations, large displays, and potentially specialized software for motion graphics and 3D rendering, will be available to support the creation of sophisticated visual assets.
• Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities for direct interaction with colleagues across various departments will be integral to understanding project requirements, receiving feedback, and ensuring alignment on design strategies for events and product launches.

Work Schedule: While generally adhering to a standard full-time schedule, the nature of event planning and critical project deadlines means the role may require flexibility, including occasional extended hours or weekend work to ensure successful execution of high-visibility events and product announcements.

📝 Enhancement Note: An on-site role in San Francisco for a company like OpenAI suggests a dynamic, fast-paced work environment with a strong emphasis on in-person collaboration. The workspace is likely designed to foster creativity and efficiency, supporting the complex visual demands of global events and product launches.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio by a recruiter or hiring manager to assess qualifications and fit.
• Portfolio Review & Discussion: A dedicated session where you will present your portfolio, discussing specific projects, your design process, and how you've handled event-specific design challenges. Expect questions about your approach to brand consistency, collaboration, and producing impactful visual experiences.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from marketing, events, and potentially product teams to evaluate your collaboration skills, understanding of event objectives, and ability to integrate with diverse teams.
• Design Challenge (Potential): You might be asked to complete a small design exercise or case study related to event branding or visual systems, demonstrating your creative problem-solving abilities and design craft under specific constraints.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A final discussion with the hiring manager to delve deeper into your experience, leadership potential, and alignment with OpenAI's culture and mission.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your event design experience, focusing on those that demonstrate cohesive brand systems, visual motion, and impact.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, your design process, the challenges faced, your solutions, and the measurable outcomes or impact.
• Highlight Event Specifics: Emphasize your work on signage, environmental graphics, large-format displays, motion graphics for live streams, and any experience with spatial design or merchandise.
• Showcase Collaboration: Illustrate how you partnered with other teams (marketing, production, motion) and how your designs supported broader event goals.
• Demonstrate Brand Stewardship: Include examples of how you maintained brand consistency or evolved brand guidelines within an event context.
• Prepare for Technical Questions: Be ready to discuss your software proficiency and technical considerations for event production.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: If given a design challenge, thoroughly read and understand the objectives, target audience, and any constraints.
• Focus on Process: Clearly outline your thought process, even if you can't complete everything. Show how you would approach the problem.
• Brand Alignment: Ensure any proposed solutions are aligned with OpenAI's brand identity and mission.
• Scalability and Production: Consider how your design would be implemented at scale and its feasibility for production.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a role at OpenAI, especially in a creative capacity, will likely be rigorous. Emphasis will be placed not only on design skill but also on strategic thinking, collaboration, and the ability to articulate the impact of design decisions. A well-prepared portfolio that tells a compelling story about your event design expertise is critical.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is essential for graphic design, illustration, and layout.
• After Effects: Critical for developing visual motion systems for live streams, presentations, and dynamic event graphics.
• Figma/Sketch: Increasingly important for UI/UX aspects of digital event interfaces, asset organization, and collaborative design workflows.
• Motion Graphics Software: Expertise in tools beyond After Effects may be beneficial, depending on the complexity of visual systems.
• 3D Design Software (e.g., Cinema 4D, Blender): Potentially useful for environmental design, asset creation for large-format displays, or conceptualizing spatial elements.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus for this design role, an understanding of how design impacts engagement metrics (e.g., viewership, attendance, brand recall) is valuable. Familiarity with analytics platforms used by marketing or events teams might be helpful.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the core design tasks, but understanding how marketing and events teams utilize CRM systems (like Salesforce) and automation platforms can provide context for campaign and event planning.

Project Management & Collaboration:

• Asana/Jira/Trello: Experience with project management tools for tracking tasks, deadlines, and team progress.
• Slack/Microsoft Teams: Essential for day-to-day communication and collaboration within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack for this role heavily emphasizes design and motion graphics tools. Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite and After Effects is non-negotiable. Familiarity with collaborative design platforms like Figma and project management tools is also expected, reflecting the need for efficient teamwork and workflow management within a fast-paced tech environment.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A deep commitment to OpenAI's mission of ensuring AI benefits all of humanity, driving a purpose-oriented approach to creative work.
• Pioneering & Innovative: A culture that encourages pushing boundaries, exploring new ideas, and embracing the uncertainty inherent in cutting-edge AI research and deployment.
• Collaborative & Cross-Functional: Strong emphasis on teamwork, open communication, and partnering effectively across diverse disciplines to achieve shared goals.
• Human-Centric: A focus on grounding complex technology in human needs and experiences, ensuring that communication and design are relatable and accessible.
• Excellence & Craftsmanship: A commitment to high standards of quality, detail, and execution in all aspects of work, from initial concept to final delivery.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-Oriented: Designers work closely with marketing, events, product, and production teams as integral partners, contributing creative expertise to strategic discussions.
• Feedback-Rich: An environment that encourages constructive feedback and iterative design processes to refine concepts and ensure alignment.
• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that values sharing learnings, best practices, and insights to foster continuous improvement and maintain consistency across the organization's creative output.

📝 Enhancement Note: OpenAI's culture values individuals who are not only technically skilled but also aligned with its ambitious mission. For a Brand Designer, this means understanding how their creative contributions support the broader goals of making AI beneficial and accessible, fostering a collaborative spirit that transcends departmental silos.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complexity: The primary challenge is to visually represent and communicate highly complex AI research and technology in an understandable, engaging, and human-centric manner for diverse audiences at events.
• Maintaining Brand Integrity at Scale: Ensuring consistent and impactful brand application across numerous, large-scale global events and diverse event types while evolving the brand system requires meticulous attention to detail and strategic oversight.
• Navigating Ambiguity and Rapid Change: Adapting quickly to evolving event plans, product roadmaps, and the fast-paced nature of AI development requires flexibility and resilience.
• Balancing Creative Vision with Production Realities: Delivering innovative designs that are also feasible, scalable, and producible within event timelines and budgets.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into AI & Tech Communication: Gain unparalleled insight into the AI industry and develop expertise in communicating complex technological concepts visually.
• Mastering Large-Scale Event Branding: Hone skills in comprehensive event design strategy, from environmental graphics and spatial design to integrated digital experiences.
• Brand System Evolution: Contribute to shaping and expanding the brand guidelines for a leading AI organization, influencing its global visual identity.
• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Enhance skills in working with diverse teams, including product marketing, event production, and motion design, broadening professional network and understanding.
• Potential Leadership Exposure: Opportunities to mentor junior designers or lead design efforts for significant events, providing a pathway to greater project ownership and leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents a unique opportunity to tackle the challenge of visualizing the future of AI. Growth is focused on becoming an expert in communicating complex technology through design and excelling in the demanding, high-visibility world of major event production for a pioneering company.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate a highly technical or abstract concept into a visually understandable and compelling design for an event. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, problem-solving, and impact.)
• "How do you ensure brand consistency across multiple physical and digital touchpoints for a large-scale event, especially when working with external vendors or partners?" (Highlight your approach to brand systems, documentation, and collaboration.)
• "Walk us through a challenging event design project. What were the key obstacles, how did you overcome them, and what did you learn?" (Emphasize resilience, problem-solving, and lessons learned.)
• "How do you collaborate with marketing, product, and event production teams to ensure design aligns with overall event objectives and business goals?" (Showcase your cross-functional communication and partnership skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about OpenAI's mission, and how do you see your role as a Brand Designer contributing to it?" (Connect your passion for design with the company's purpose.)
• "Describe your experience working in a fast-paced, potentially ambiguous environment. How do you adapt when plans change rapidly?" (Demonstrate flexibility and a proactive mindset.)
• "How do you foster a culture of design excellence, whether working independently or with a team?" (Discuss your commitment to quality and mentorship.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly state the objective, your specific role, the challenges, your creative process, the solutions you implemented, and the results or impact.
• Highlight Key Deliverables: Showcase your work on signage, environmental graphics, motion graphics for live streams, apparel, and any other relevant event collateral.
• Demonstrate Brand System Application: Show how you applied and potentially evolved brand guidelines to create a cohesive experience.
• Emphasize Collaboration: Briefly mention how you worked with other teams or stakeholders.
• Be Prepared for Detail: Have high-resolution images and be ready to discuss technical aspects, production considerations, and your rationale behind design decisions.
• Focus on Impact: Quantify results where possible (e.g., increased engagement, positive feedback, successful execution of complex visuals).

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing for an interview at OpenAI requires a deep understanding of their mission and a demonstrated ability to connect creative work to strategic objectives. Your portfolio should be a testament to your expertise in event design, brand consistency at scale, and your collaborative spirit, all communicated through a clear, impact-driven narrative.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on OpenAI's careers page.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature your most relevant event design projects. Ensure it clearly showcases your experience with signage, environmental graphics, motion systems for live streams, and cohesive brand system implementation. Highlight projects that demonstrate your ability to scale designs for global events.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to align with the job description's keywords and responsibilities. Quantify your achievements whenever possible, especially those related to project management, cross-functional collaboration, and the impact of your design work on events or brand perception.
• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly review your portfolio and prepare to articulate your design process, challenges faced, and solutions for each project. Practice answering strategy and behavioral questions, focusing on your experience with event design, brand systems, and working in dynamic environments.
• Company Research: Deepen your understanding of OpenAI's mission, recent product launches, and their approach to events and public communication. Familiarize yourself with their brand guidelines and overall aesthetic to better tailor your responses and demonstrate cultural fit.

⚠️ 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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