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: 2025-09-04
Experience Level: 2-5 Years
Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in evolving the smartmicro brand through compelling visual storytelling and high-impact design assets.
• You will be responsible for creating dynamic graphics, engaging video content, and cohesive layouts across all brand touchpoints, from trade shows to digital platforms.
• A key aspect of this position involves the strategic development and consistent application of the corporate design to ensure a unified and potent brand presence.
• This role requires a keen ability to translate complex technical information into visually digestible and aesthetically pleasing communications for diverse audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title and description clearly point to a creative design role, the emphasis on translating "technical content into visually convincing communication" and working for a "developer of high-tech radar sensors" suggests a need for an operations-minded designer who can understand and articulate technical value propositions through design. This implies a level of analytical thinking and strategic communication beyond typical graphic design.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and produce compelling graphics, layouts, and visual assets for trade fair appearances, online channels (website, LinkedIn, etc.), and marketing materials.
• Create, edit, and animate video content to enhance product visualization and communication, bringing technical features to life.
• Drive the evolution and consistent application of the corporate design across all company touchpoints, ensuring brand integrity and impact.
• Collaborate closely with internal departments (e.g., engineering, marketing, sales) to understand technical content and translate it into visually persuasive communication strategies.
• Implement new design guidelines and elements, actively shaping and elevating the overall brand identity and market perception.
• Develop innovative and creative content that makes the smartmicro brand tangible and memorable for target audiences.
• Ensure adherence to brand guidelines while exploring new creative avenues to maintain a fresh and impactful visual presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities indicate a need for a designer who can manage multiple projects simultaneously and effectively communicate with technical teams, requiring strong organizational and interpersonal skills alongside creative talent.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Completed university 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 design, motion graphics, video production, and digital content creation, with a portfolio showcasing successful projects.

Required Skills:

• Adobe Creative Suite Proficiency: Expert-level knowledge of Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and After Effects is essential for all design and video production tasks.
• Video Editing & Motion Design: Proven ability to edit videos, create motion graphics, and implement animations to enhance visual narratives.
• Layout Design & Visuals: Strong skills in creating impactful layouts, graphics, and visual assets for diverse media and platforms.
• Project Management: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple parallel projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines effectively, especially in a fast-paced environment.
• Visual Communication: Excellent understanding of modern visual communication principles and the ability to convey complex messages clearly and engagingly.
• Technical Comprehension: A good technical understanding and the ability to translate complex technical information into easily understandable and appealing visual content.
• Language Proficiency: Very good English and good German language skills are required for effective collaboration in a multinational environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with 3D rendering software.
• Familiarity with UX/UI design principles for web and digital interfaces.
• Knowledge of brand strategy and its application in visual communication.
• Experience working within a B2B or technology-focused company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "good technical understanding" and the ability to translate "complex technical content visually" suggests that candidates with a background in technical illustration or a strong aptitude for learning technical concepts will be highly valued. This goes beyond standard graphic design skills.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrated Visual Storytelling: Showcase projects that effectively communicate a brand's message or a product's value through compelling graphics and motion.
• Technical Content Translation: Include examples where complex or technical information has been successfully simplified and visualized for a broader audience.
• Cross-Channel Application: Present a range of work demonstrating adaptability across different media, including print (trade shows, brochures), digital (web, social media), and video.
• Brand Consistency: Provide examples that highlight your understanding and application of corporate design guidelines, showing how you maintain brand integrity across various assets.
• Motion Graphics & Video Production: Feature specific projects that showcase your skills in video editing, animation, and motion design, illustrating your ability to create dynamic visual content.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates are expected to articulate their design process, from initial concept and brief interpretation to final execution and delivery.
• Be prepared to discuss how you approach translating technical briefs into creative visual solutions, detailing your workflow and problem-solving methods.
• Demonstrate how you manage feedback and revisions from stakeholders, ensuring alignment with project goals and brand standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, the portfolio should not only highlight aesthetic quality but also demonstrate the candidate's ability to understand and visually communicate technical concepts. Case studies that explain the "why" behind design choices, especially in relation to technical subject matter, will be particularly impactful.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for Creative Designers with 2-5 years of experience in Germany, particularly in the technology sector in Lower Saxony, the estimated annual gross salary range is €45,000 - €60,000. This range considers the required Adobe Suite expertise, motion graphics skills, and technical communication capabilities.

Benefits:

• Innovation: Access to the latest technologies, a modern office building, and complimentary charging for electric and hybrid vehicles.
• Pleasant Work Environment: A "Du" (informal address) culture, motivated teams, short communication channels, and ample opportunity for active contribution and shaping of work processes.
• Future-Oriented Workplace: Permanent employment contract with individual professional development and training opportunities.
• Attractive Location: Conveniently located directly on the highway with a nearby bus stop, ample parking for cars and bicycles.
• Flexible Working: Hybrid work model (4 days in office, with remote work option after a 3-month onboarding period) and flexible working hours (Gleitzeit).
• Activities & Well-being: Team events, subsidized gym membership, and access to nearby forest trails for walking and jogging.
• Additional Benefits: A selection of beverages, fresh fruit, and regular quarterly get-togethers with cake buffets.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are approximately 40 hours per week. The company offers flexible working hours (Gleitzeit), allowing for some autonomy in managing your workday within operational needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on data from German job boards and salary comparison websites for similar roles in the technology sector in regions comparable to Braunschweig. The hybrid work policy with 4 days in the office is a common setup for roles requiring team collaboration and access to specific equipment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (High-tech Radar Sensors for Automotive and Traffic Infrastructure). smartmicro operates in a highly innovative and competitive field, focusing on safety, autonomous driving, and traffic flow optimization. This industry demands precision, cutting-edge technology, and a forward-thinking approach. Company Size: Likely medium to large, given the structured benefits and hybrid work policy, suggesting established HR processes and a significant operational footprint. (Based on typical company structures offering such benefits). Founded: The founding date is not specified, but the continuous development of "latest technology" implies a company with a history of innovation and a commitment to R&D.

Team Structure:

• The design role will likely be part of a Marketing or Communications department, collaborating closely with Engineering, Product Management, and Sales.
• Reporting structure is expected to be to a Marketing Manager or Head of Communications, with direct collaboration across departments rather than deep within engineering.
• Cross-functional collaboration is highly emphasized, requiring the designer to work with technical experts to translate complex information into accessible visuals.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design Influence: While primarily a creative role, the emphasis on "translating technical content" suggests an approach that values data and technical accuracy in visual communication.
• Process Optimization: The need for project management and efficient workflow implies a structured approach to design execution, aiming for timely and high-quality output.
• Innovation in Communication: The company’s core business is innovation, which is expected to be reflected in its marketing and design efforts, encouraging creative problem-solving and novel visual approaches.

Company Website: http://smartmicro.de

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on high-tech radar sensors for safety and autonomous driving means that visual communication needs to convey reliability, precision, and innovation. The culture likely values technical excellence and practical application of technology.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position is for an individual contributor with 2-5 years of experience, focusing on specialized creative output within a broader marketing or communications function. It's a mid-level design role that offers significant opportunity to impact brand perception. Reporting Structure: The role likely reports to a Marketing Manager or Head of Communications, with day-to-day interactions across various departments, including engineering and product development. This provides exposure to different facets of the business. Operations Impact: The designer's work directly influences how smartmicro is perceived in the market. High-quality visuals and clear communication of technical capabilities are crucial for lead generation, brand building, and market positioning in the competitive automotive and technology sectors. Effective design can simplify complex value propositions, making them more accessible to potential clients and partners.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in motion graphics, video production, or specific areas of technical visualization relevant to the radar sensor industry.
• Brand Development: Take on more strategic roles in shaping the company's visual identity and brand guidelines as experience grows.
• Cross-functional Leadership: Lead design aspects of major marketing campaigns or product launches, collaborating more closely with product and sales teams.
• Skill Expansion: Opportunities for advanced training in new design software, animation techniques, or even aspects of UI/UX design for digital platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "operations impact" aspect for a designer relates to how their work contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of marketing and sales efforts by making complex technical products understandable and desirable. Growth here involves not just artistic skill but also strategic thinking about how design supports business objectives.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The description mentions a "modern building" and a "pleasant work environment" with a "Du-Kultur" (informal address culture), suggesting a contemporary and collaborative office setting. The hybrid model also points to a modern workplace that balances in-office collaboration with remote flexibility. Office Location(s): Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, Germany. The location is noted as being "directly on the Autobahn and Bushaltestelle," indicating good accessibility via public transport and car, with available parking.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The "Du-Kultur" and emphasis on motivated teams and short communication paths suggest an open and interactive workspace conducive to idea sharing and cross-functional collaboration.
• Tools and Technology: Access to the latest technologies is implied, with a strong emphasis on the Adobe Creative Suite and video/motion graphics tools. The company's core business in high-tech sensors also suggests an environment that values technological advancement.
• Team Interaction: The hybrid model with 4 days in the office ensures regular face-to-face interaction with colleagues, facilitating teamwork, brainstorming, and mentorship opportunities.

Work Schedule:

• The role offers flexible working hours (Gleitzeit) alongside the hybrid work arrangement. This allows individuals to manage their schedules effectively, balancing deep work and collaborative tasks, which is beneficial for creative processes that often require focused periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role, combined with flexible hours, indicates a company that trusts its employees and focuses on results rather than strict time-tracking, a common trait in modern tech-oriented companies.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess creative skills, technical proficiency (Adobe Suite, motion graphics), and relevant experience.
• Technical/Creative Assessment: Likely includes a practical design task or a deep dive into your portfolio to evaluate your problem-solving approach, design thinking, and ability to translate technical concepts. This might involve a case study presentation.
• Team/Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion about your experience, work style, collaboration skills, and cultural fit with the team. Expect questions about how you handle feedback and work with technical stakeholders.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader, focusing on your long-term career aspirations and how you align with smartmicro's vision and values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Relevant Projects: Prioritize work that showcases your graphic design, motion graphics, and video editing skills, especially any projects involving technical subject matter or complex information.
• Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio logically. For each project, briefly explain the brief, your role, the challenges, your design process, and the quantifiable impact or outcome.
• Showcase Technical Translation: Include specific examples where you've translated technical data, concepts, or processes into clear, engaging visuals. Explain your approach to understanding and presenting technical information.
• Demonstrate Brand Consistency: If possible, show how you've applied brand guidelines or developed visual systems that maintain consistency across different applications.
• Motion Graphics Reel: A dedicated reel showcasing your animation and video editing capabilities is crucial.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a practical design challenge that might involve creating a graphic, a short animation, or a concept for visualizing a given technical product or feature.
• Practice articulating your design decisions and process verbally. Be ready to explain why you made certain choices and how they align with the brief and brand identity.
• Understand smartmicro's products and market. Research their current visual communication and identify areas where your skills can add value.

📝 Enhancement Note: Applicants should be ready to discuss their design process in detail, particularly how they approach understanding and simplifying complex technical information. A proactive approach to demonstrating how their design skills can directly benefit a technology company like smartmicro will be advantageous.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency in Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator for graphic design and layout.
• Adobe Premiere Pro: For video editing and basic post-production.
• Adobe After Effects: For motion graphics, animation, and visual effects.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus for this role, understanding how design impacts engagement metrics (e.g., website traffic, social media interaction, conversion rates) is beneficial. Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics) for website-based assets is a plus.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design tasks, but understanding how design assets are used within marketing automation platforms or CRM visual fields could be advantageous for integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role heavily relies on the Adobe Creative Suite. Proficiency in all listed Adobe applications, especially Premiere Pro and After Effects, is non-negotiable. Any experience with project management tools (like Asana, Trello, Jira) used for design workflow management would also be beneficial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: A core value evident in the company's products and expected in its creative output. Expect to contribute fresh ideas and be encouraged to explore new visual approaches.
• Quality & Precision: Reflecting the high-tech nature of radar sensors, there's likely a strong emphasis on accuracy, attention to detail, and producing polished, professional work.
• Collaboration: The "Du-Kultur" and emphasis on motivated teams suggest a workplace where teamwork and open communication are highly valued. Expect to work closely with various departments.
• Efficiency: The mention of "short communication paths" and project management skills implies a drive for efficiency in processes and execution, ensuring timely delivery of creative assets.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Teamwork: Expect to be an integrated part of the marketing/communications team, working closely with colleagues on campaign development and brand strategy.
• Cross-Functional Partnerships: A key aspect will be collaborating with technical departments (engineering, product) to gather information and ensure technical accuracy in visuals. This requires strong communication and a willingness to learn.
• Feedback-Oriented: The "Du-Kultur" and emphasis on active contribution suggest an environment where constructive feedback is exchanged openly to improve work quality and processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely blends a passion for cutting-edge technology with a pragmatic approach to execution. Designers who can balance creative vision with technical accuracy and collaborative problem-solving will thrive here.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Technical Complexity: The primary challenge will be to consistently translate highly technical radar sensor technology into visually appealing and easily understandable content for diverse audiences.
• Balancing Brand Consistency and Innovation: Maintaining a strong, unified brand identity while also pushing creative boundaries and introducing fresh visual concepts can be demanding.
• Managing Multiple Stakeholder Needs: Effectively gathering requirements and incorporating feedback from various departments (engineering, marketing, sales) requires strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Keeping Pace with Technology Trends: As a tech company, staying updated on both design trends and advancements in radar sensor technology is crucial for creating relevant and impactful visuals.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Software Training: Opportunities to deepen skills in After Effects, Premiere Pro, or explore new design and animation software.
• Industry Exposure: Gaining insights into the automotive and traffic infrastructure technology sectors, understanding their technical nuances and market needs.
• Brand Strategy Involvement: Potential to contribute more significantly to brand guideline development and overall visual strategy.
• Cross-Departmental Learning: Opportunities to learn about product development, engineering processes, and marketing strategies through close collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges inherent in this role present significant opportunities for professional growth, particularly for designers who are intellectually curious and eager to learn about technical subjects.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process for Technical Content: "Describe your process for taking a highly technical product or concept and transforming it into a visually engaging graphic or video. How do you ensure accuracy while maintaining creative appeal?” (Prepare a case study from your portfolio).
• Brand Evolution: "How would you approach evolving a corporate design to reflect innovation in a high-tech industry? What are the key considerations for maintaining brand integrity while introducing new elements?"
• Collaboration with Technical Teams: "Describe a time you collaborated with engineers or technical experts. How did you ensure clear communication and mutual understanding to achieve the project goals?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• Motivation for smartmicro: "Why are you interested in working for a company focused on radar sensor technology, and what excites you about our mission?" (Research smartmicro's specific products and market impact).
• Work Style & Environment: "How do you thrive in a hybrid work environment with flexible hours? How do you ensure effective collaboration and communication with your team?"
• Design Impact: "How do you measure the success of your design work, especially when communicating complex technical information?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each selected project, narrate the journey: the initial brief, your creative problem-solving, the tools and techniques used, and the final outcome. Focus on the why behind your design choices.
• Technical Translation Examples: Dedicate a portion of your presentation to showcasing how you've simplified complex information. Clearly articulate the technical challenge and your visual solution.
• Motion Graphics Reel Integration: Weave short clips from your motion graphics reel into relevant project presentations or have it available as a standalone showcase of your animation skills.
• Conciseness and Clarity: Be articulate and to the point. Ensure your presentation is visually clean, mirroring the quality expected in your design work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview will likely assess not only creative talent but also your ability to understand and communicate technical value, your project management skills, and your fit within a collaborative, innovative tech environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Creative Designer position:

• Submit your complete application documents via email or through the application form on the smartmicro careers page.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight your strengths in graphic design, motion graphics, and video editing, with a specific emphasis on projects that demonstrate your ability to visualize technical content.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your proficiency with the Adobe Creative Suite, your experience in motion design and video production, and any instances where you've successfully translated technical information into visual communications. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on your design process, problem-solving skills, and how you approach technical communication. Be ready to discuss your experience with collaborative projects.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research smartmicro, its products (radar sensors, ITS solutions), its market position, and its current visual communication strategy. Understand their mission to make roads safer and enable autonomous driving.

⚠️ 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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