Creative Designer - Graphics & Motion (m/w/d)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Creative Designer - Graphics & Motion (m/w/d)
Company: smartmicro
Location: Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, Germany
Job Type: Full-time
Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Technology
Date Posted: September 04, 2025
Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)
Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive brand evolution through compelling graphic design, impactful visuals, and engaging motion graphics across all company channels.
• Lead the production and editing of video content, incorporating animation to elevate product representation and technical communication.
• Champion the consistent application and strategic development of the corporate design to ensure a unified and strong brand presence.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration to translate complex technical information into visually persuasive and easily understandable content.
• Implement and influence new design guidelines and elements, actively shaping the company's overall brand narrative and visual identity.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a mid-level Creative Designer, emphasizing hands-on execution of design tasks while also contributing to strategic brand development. The hybrid work model and focus on translating technical content into visual communication are key differentiators for operations-adjacent roles that require strong stakeholder engagement.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute high-impact graphics, layouts, and visuals for trade show appearances, company website, and social media platforms (e.g., LinkedIn).
• Produce and edit video content, integrating motion design and animation to enhance product demonstrations and marketing materials.
• Oversee and evolve the corporate design system, ensuring brand consistency across all internal and external communications.
• Collaborate closely with technical and marketing teams to distill complex product features into clear, compelling visual narratives.
• Design innovative and engaging content that brings the smartmicro brand to life and resonates with target audiences.
• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, adhering to deadlines and quality standards.
• Contribute to the conceptualization of creative campaigns and visual strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility for "weiterentwicklung unseres Corporate Designs" (further development of our corporate design) indicates a strategic component beyond just execution, suggesting an opportunity for the candidate to influence brand direction. This aligns with GTM operations roles that require strategic thinking and brand stewardship.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A completed degree or vocational training in Graphic Design, Communication Design, Media Design, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• 2-5 years of professional experience in graphic and motion design, with a proven track record of creating impactful visual content.
• Experience in translating technical concepts into accessible visual designs.

Required Skills:

• Adobe Creative Suite Mastery: Expert proficiency in Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and After Effects.
• Motion Design & Animation: Strong command of video editing, motion graphics, and animation principles and software.
• Visual Communication: Exceptional ability to create compelling graphics, layouts, and visuals that effectively convey messages.
• Project Management: Demonstrated capability to manage multiple projects concurrently, prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines.
• Creativity & Innovation: A strong portfolio showcasing original ideas, modern aesthetics, and a passion for visual storytelling.
• Technical Aptitude: Good technical understanding and the ability to grasp complex technical information for visual representation.
• Language Proficiency: Excellent English and good German language skills (written and spoken).

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in a B2B technology or automotive industry.
• Familiarity with digital marketing best practices for online channels.
• Basic understanding of UI/UX principles for web visuals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "gutes technisches Verständnis" (good technical understanding) and the ability to "übersetzt technische Inhalte in visuell überzeugende Kommunikation" (translate technical content into visually convincing communication) are critical for this role. This skill is highly valued in GTM operations, where the ability to bridge the gap between product and market through clear communication is essential.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Visual Design Excellence: A curated selection of graphic design projects showcasing strong layout, typography, and branding principles across various mediums (print, digital).
• Motion Graphics & Video: A dedicated section demonstrating expertise in video editing, motion design, and animation, highlighting skill in Premiere Pro and After Effects. This should include examples of how motion was used to explain concepts or enhance products.
• Brand Consistency: Examples that illustrate the ability to maintain and evolve a consistent corporate identity across different platforms and campaigns.
• Technical Translation Cases: Specific projects where complex technical information (e.g., product features, engineering concepts) was successfully translated into clear, engaging visual content.
• Project Scope & Impact: For each portfolio piece, clearly articulate the project's objective, your specific role, the tools used, and the achieved outcome or impact.

Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly a "process documentation" role in the traditional operations sense, the candidate should be prepared to discuss their workflow for:
  • Design Brief Interpretation: How they approach and deconstruct design briefs from internal stakeholders.
  • Creative Development Cycle: Their iterative process from concept ideation to final asset delivery, including feedback loops.
  • Tool Integration: How they leverage the Adobe Creative Suite and other relevant tools for efficient workflow management.
  • Brand Guideline Adherence: Their method for ensuring all created assets align with established design standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Creative Designer role, the "portfolio" is the primary "process and systems" demonstration. The emphasis here is on showcasing not just the final output but the thought process, tool utilization, and ability to translate complex requirements into tangible visual assets, mirroring the problem-solving approach expected in operations.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for a Mid-Level Creative Designer with 2-5 years of experience in Germany, particularly in Lower Saxony, the estimated annual gross salary range is €45,000 - €60,000. This estimation considers the required skills in Adobe Creative Suite, motion design, and project management, as well as the company's focus on high-tech products.

Benefits:

• Innovation Focus: Access to cutting-edge technologies, a modern office environment, and complimentary charging for electric and hybrid vehicles.
• Supportive Work Environment: A welcoming "Duz-Kultur" (first-name basis), motivated teams, streamlined communication channels, and ample opportunity for active contribution and shaping initiatives.
• Career Security: Permanent employment contract and personalized professional development opportunities.
• Convenient Location: Easily accessible location directly on the highway with nearby bus stops and ample parking for cars and bicycles.
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid work model (4 days in office per week) with the option for remote work after a 3-month onboarding period, plus flexible working hours (Gleitzeit).
• Wellness & Activities: Subsidized gym membership, team events, and opportunities for outdoor recreation in the nearby forest.
• Daily Perks: A variety of complimentary beverages, fresh fruit, and regular quarterly get-togethers with cake buffets.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time position, likely around 40 hours per week, with flexible working time arrangements (Gleitzeit) to accommodate personal needs and project workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on aggregated data for similar roles in Germany, factoring in the specific skills (Adobe Suite, Motion Design) and the company's technological focus. The benefits package highlights a strong emphasis on employee well-being, professional growth, and modern work-life balance, which are increasingly important considerations for attracting talent in competitive fields like design and operations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: High-Tech Sensors (Radar & Hybrid Systems) for Automotive and Traffic Infrastructure. smartmicro is a leader in developing advanced radar sensor technology aimed at improving road safety, enabling all-weather autonomous driving, and optimizing traffic flow through intelligent infrastructure. Company Size: The provided data does not specify company size, but typical "high-tech" developers often range from 50 to 500 employees, allowing for both focused teams and a degree of operational agility. Founded: The founding date (not provided) would offer insight into the company's maturity and innovation cycle. However, the emphasis on "neueste Technologie" and "Innovation" suggests a forward-thinking and dynamic organizational culture.

Team Structure:

• Creative Team: Likely a dedicated design team responsible for all visual communications, reporting into Marketing or a broader Communications department.
• Reporting: The designer will likely report to a Head of Marketing, Communications Manager, or a Creative Lead.
• Collaboration: Close interaction with product management, engineering, sales, and marketing teams to understand technical details and business objectives.

Methodology:

• Data-Informed Design: While creative, the design process is expected to be informed by technical requirements and communication goals.
• Agile Development Principles: The mention of "kurze Kommunikationswege" and "Raum zur aktiven Mitgestaltung" suggests an agile approach to projects and internal processes.
• Quality & Innovation: A strong emphasis on delivering high-quality, innovative solutions that align with smartmicro's technological leadership.

Company Website: http://smartmicro.de

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding smartmicro's position as a high-tech leader in radar sensors is crucial. This implies a need for designs that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also convey technical sophistication and reliability. The "Duz-Kultur" and "kurze Kommunikationswege" suggest a less hierarchical and more collaborative environment, which can be attractive to professionals seeking direct impact.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a Mid-Level Creative Designer. It involves taking ownership of design tasks, contributing to brand strategy, and potentially mentoring junior designers in the future. The emphasis on evolving corporate design suggests a path towards more strategic design leadership. Reporting Structure: The designer will report to a manager within the marketing or communications department, working closely with cross-functional teams. This structure allows for clear direction and collaboration. Operations Impact: While not a direct "operations" role, the graphic and motion designer plays a critical role in the Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy by creating compelling visuals that support sales enablement, marketing campaigns, and brand perception. High-quality visuals directly impact lead generation, brand credibility, and customer engagement, thus influencing revenue.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like advanced motion graphics, 3D rendering, or interactive design for digital platforms.
• Brand Strategy Influence: Grow into a senior or lead designer role, influencing the overall brand direction and visual identity.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Develop skills in managing design projects from conception to execution, including stakeholder management and team coordination.
• Industry Expertise: Gain in-depth knowledge of radar technology and automotive/traffic infrastructure, becoming a subject matter expert in visual communication for these sectors.
• Further Training: Opportunities for advanced training in new design software, animation techniques, or emerging visual communication trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth potential here lies in deepening specialized design skills and taking on more strategic brand responsibilities. The ability to translate complex technical information visually is a transferable skill that can benefit GTM operations by improving collateral effectiveness and market understanding.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The description mentions a "modernes Gebäude" (modern building) and a "attraktiver Standort" (attractive location) directly on the highway with parking. This suggests a professional, well-equipped office space. Office Location(s): Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, Germany. The location is described as easily accessible via highway and public transport, with ample parking. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: A hybrid work model (4 days in office) fosters a collaborative environment where designers can brainstorm, receive immediate feedback, and engage in spontaneous discussions with colleagues.
• Technological Resources: Access to the latest design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and hardware necessary for high-quality graphic and motion design production.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities to interact with diverse internal teams (engineering, product, marketing, sales), enriching understanding of the business and informing design decisions.

Work Schedule: Full-time with flexible working hours (Gleitzeit) and a hybrid arrangement. This provides a good balance between structured work and personal flexibility, crucial for creative roles that often benefit from varied working patterns.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model with 4 days in the office is a significant aspect. This indicates a company that values in-person collaboration and team synergy while still offering some flexibility. For operations roles, this balance is often sought after to ensure both team cohesion and individual productivity.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application & Screening: Submission of CV, cover letter, and portfolio.
• Portfolio Review & Discussion: A dedicated session to present and discuss your portfolio, focusing on specific projects, your creative process, and how you translated technical requirements into visuals. Be prepared to articulate the "why" behind your design choices.
• Technical Skills Assessment: Potential for a practical design challenge or a detailed discussion of your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, motion graphics, and video editing tools.
• Stakeholder Interview: Meeting with potential team members and managers to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and understanding of smartmicro's mission.
• Final Interview: Discussions on role expectations, career growth, and alignment with company values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your skills in graphic design, motion graphics, video editing, and technical communication.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly outline the brief, your role, the challenges, your process, the tools used, and the results or impact. Use visuals to support your narrative.
• Highlight Technical Translation: Specifically showcase projects where you successfully simplified complex technical information. This is a key requirement for smartmicro.
• Demonstrate Brand Thinking: Include examples that show your understanding of brand consistency and how you've applied or evolved corporate design.
• Be Ready for "Why": Prepare to explain the rationale behind every design decision you made.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: If a practical challenge is given, focus on understanding the brief thoroughly, managing your time effectively, and delivering a well-reasoned solution that meets the specified requirements.
• Motion Graphics Task: If the challenge involves motion, prepare to demonstrate your ability to create clear, engaging animations that convey information efficiently.
• Presentation Skills: Practice articulating your design process and rationale clearly and concisely, as you will likely need to present your work and ideas.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on translating technical content into visuals is a recurrent theme. Candidates should prepare portfolio pieces and interview responses that explicitly address this capability. This demonstrates an understanding of the company's core business and its communication needs, a valuable trait in any GTM-focused role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:
  • Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and graphic creation.
  • InDesign: For layout design of brochures, presentations, trade show materials, and other print/digital collateral.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, icons, and illustrations.
  • Premiere Pro: For professional video editing, sequencing, and basic color correction.
  • After Effects: The cornerstone for motion graphics, animation, visual effects, and complex video compositing.
• Video Editing Software: Proficiency in Premiere Pro is essential, with After Effects being critical for advanced motion design.
• Animation Software: Primarily After Effects for motion graphics and animations.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly using analytics tools for design, the designer should understand how visuals perform on different platforms (e.g., engagement metrics on LinkedIn, website bounce rates based on visuals). Knowledge of how to create visuals that are optimized for digital performance is beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• Familiarity with how design assets are used within CRM and marketing automation platforms (e.g., email marketing templates, landing page visuals) is a plus, though not a primary requirement for this role. Understanding how designs integrate into broader marketing funnels can enhance their strategic value.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of specific Adobe Creative Suite applications is critical. A candidate's proficiency here directly impacts their ability to perform the core responsibilities. For operations roles, understanding the technology stack is about efficiency and integration; for design roles, it's about creative execution and technical capability.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: A core value driven by the company's mission to develop cutting-edge radar sensor technology. Designers are expected to bring fresh, innovative visual ideas.
• Quality & Precision: Reflecting the high-tech nature of smartmicro's products, there's an expectation of meticulous attention to detail and high-quality outputs in all design work.
• Collaboration: The "Duz-Kultur" and emphasis on cross-functional work highlight a value placed on teamwork, open communication, and mutual respect.
• Efficiency & Impact: The need to translate technical content into visually compelling communication underscores a value for designs that are not only beautiful but also effective and impactful in achieving business goals.
• Continuous Improvement: The mention of "individuelle Weiterbildungsmöglichkeiten" (individual further training opportunities) points to a culture that encourages learning and skill development.

Collaboration Style:

• Open Communication: The "Duz-Kultur" and short communication paths encourage direct and honest dialogue.
• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to work closely with technical and marketing teams, acting as bridges for communication.
• Feedback-Driven: A collaborative environment likely involves regular feedback sessions, both giving and receiving, to refine designs and ensure alignment with project objectives.
• Proactive Contribution: The phrase "Raum zur aktiven Mitgestaltung" (room for active co-design/shaping) suggests that employees are encouraged to be proactive and contribute ideas beyond their immediate tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The value of "Innovation" and "Quality & Precision" are directly aligned with a high-tech company. For a designer, this means not just creative flair but also technical accuracy and a commitment to delivering polished, sophisticated visuals that represent the company's technological leadership.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Technical Complexity: A primary challenge will be consistently translating intricate radar technology and engineering concepts into easily understandable and visually appealing graphics and animations for diverse audiences.
• Brand Evolution: Navigating the evolution of a corporate brand while maintaining consistency and ensuring new designs resonate with both technical and broader market segments.
• Balancing Creativity with Technical Constraints: Finding the sweet spot between ambitious creative ideas and the practical requirements and limitations of technical communication.
• Managing Multiple Stakeholders: Effectively gathering requirements, managing feedback, and aligning expectations across various departments (e.g., engineering, marketing, sales).
• Staying Ahead of Design Trends: Keeping abreast of the latest design software, techniques, and visual communication trends, especially in the context of technology marketing.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Motion Graphics & Animation: Deep dive into advanced techniques within After Effects or explore 3D animation software.
• Technical Acumen Development: Gaining a deeper understanding of radar technology and its applications to inform design decisions more effectively.
• Brand Strategy Workshops: Participating in or leading sessions focused on brand development and visual identity strategy.
• Cross-Functional Project Leadership: Opportunities to lead design aspects of larger projects, enhancing project management and stakeholder communication skills.
• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Potential for attending industry-specific design or technology marketing events.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenge of translating technical complexity is a recurring theme. This is a significant opportunity for a designer to develop a unique specialization in technical visualization, a highly sought-after skill in B2B technology sectors.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process & Technical Translation: "Describe your process for taking a complex technical product feature and translating it into a compelling visual asset (graphic or animation). Can you walk us through a specific example from your portfolio?"
• Brand Evolution: "How would you approach evolving a corporate design for a high-tech company like smartmicro? What factors would you consider, and how would you ensure consistency?"
• Collaboration & Feedback: "How do you manage feedback from multiple stakeholders, especially when there are conflicting opinions or technical constraints? Describe a time you had to navigate a challenging feedback situation."

Company & Culture Questions:

• Understanding smartmicro: "What do you know about smartmicro and our technology? What excites you about working in the high-tech sensor industry?"
• Teamwork: "Our company culture emphasizes collaboration and a 'Duz-Kultur'. How do you typically collaborate with colleagues from technical or marketing backgrounds?"
• Impact: "How do you measure the success of your design work? What impact do you aim for with your visuals?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Project Selection: Choose projects that clearly demonstrate your skills in graphic design, motion graphics, video editing, and your ability to simplify technical information.
• Narrative Flow: Structure your presentation logically, starting with the challenge, detailing your process and creative solutions, and concluding with the outcome or impact.
• Visual Storytelling: Let your work speak for itself, but be prepared to articulate the "why" behind your design choices and demonstrate your technical proficiency.
• Tool Demonstration: Be ready to discuss the specific tools and techniques you used within the Adobe Creative Suite (especially After Effects and Premiere Pro).
• Company Alignment: Briefly explain how your skills and creative vision align with smartmicro's mission and brand.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing specific examples that showcase the ability to translate technical content into visuals will be crucial. This is a key differentiator and directly addresses a core requirement of the role. Demonstrating an understanding of the company's technology and its market will also impress interviewers.

---

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Creative Designer position:

• Submit your Application: Complete the application form on the smartmicro careers page or send your complete application documents via email as instructed.
• Tailor your CV: Highlight your proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, motion design, video editing, project management, and your experience with technical communication through visuals. Use keywords from the job description.
• Curate your Portfolio: Select your strongest design projects, ensuring they showcase graphic design, motion graphics, video editing, and especially your ability to translate complex technical information into compelling visuals. Organize it logically with clear project descriptions.
• Prepare for Interview Questions: Practice articulating your design process, your approach to technical translation, and your collaboration style. Be ready to discuss your portfolio in detail and explain the rationale behind your creative decisions.
• Research smartmicro: Understand their products, technology, market position, and company culture. This will help you tailor your application and interview responses effectively.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. While every effort has been made to provide comprehensive and relevant information, all details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.