Freelance Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Freelance Graphic Designer
Company: Headway Inc
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design
Date Posted: October 20, 2025
Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)
Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Design engaging visual content to enhance the Headway blog, directly impacting user engagement and content performance metrics.
• Leverage a data-driven approach to design, utilizing performance data to inform and iterate on visual strategies for maximum impact.
• Collaborate within a global Design Community, contributing to and benefiting from a collective of experienced design professionals.
• Manage a flexible workload and working hours, emphasizing autonomy and efficient project planning to meet content publication schedules.
• Contribute to the creation of digital products that support lifelong learning for over 150 million users worldwide in the EdTech sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "Freelance Graphic Designer" but the employment type is listed as "FULL_TIME" and the description emphasizes a "stable and predictable flow of tasks." This suggests a dedicated, long-term freelance engagement that functions similarly to a full-time role, offering consistent work without the typical client-chasing associated with traditional freelance. The focus on data-driven design and performance metrics is crucial for operations-minded creatives.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and create diverse graphic assets for the Headway blog, including vector illustrations, raster graphics, and data visualizations.
• Develop and adapt existing design templates to ensure brand consistency and efficient content production workflows.
• Generate new template designs to streamline the creation of recurring visual elements.
• Collaborate closely with the Design Team Lead and content creators to understand project requirements and translate them into compelling visual narratives.
• Synthesize and structure complex information into clear, digestible infographics and visual aids.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for both creative execution and process efficiency. The emphasis on adapting existing templates and creating new ones points to a requirement for systematic design thinking, aiming to optimize the content creation pipeline for the blog.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating foundational design principles is paramount. Experience: Minimum of 2 years of professional graphic design experience, with a proven track record in creating visual assets across raster and vector formats.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in industry-standard design software: Figma, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator.
• Demonstrated understanding of composition, color theory, and typography principles.
• Solid vector graphic creation and adaptation skills, including proficiency with basic shapes and illustration from scratch.
• Experience in creating effective data visualizations and infographics.
• English language proficiency at a B1+ level, enabling clear communication for task understanding and feedback.
• Excellent time-management skills and the ability to consistently meet project deadlines.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with AI image-generation tools (e.g., Midjourney, DALL-E) and AI assistants like ChatGPT for ideation and content refinement.
• Experience in designing for a blog or content platform.
• Ability to quickly synthesize and structure large volumes of information into visual formats.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for AI tool familiarity indicates a forward-thinking approach to design workflows, suggesting that candidates who can integrate these tools for efficiency and creativity will be highly valued. The B1+ English level is a critical requirement for seamless remote collaboration.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a diverse range of graphic designs, including examples of vector illustrations, raster graphics, and data visualizations.
• Include case studies demonstrating the process of creating visuals for blog content or similar digital platforms.
• Highlight examples of template design and adaptation, illustrating efficiency in workflow.
• Present visuals that effectively synthesize and communicate complex information.
• Demonstrate strong command of composition, color, and typography across all submitted pieces.

Process Documentation:

• For each portfolio piece, be prepared to articulate the design process from brief to final asset, including ideation, drafting, and refinement stages.
• Be ready to discuss how you approach template creation and reuse to optimize design workflows.
• Explain your methodology for translating data into clear and impactful visualizations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio that showcases process and efficiency is key for this role. Candidates should be prepared to not only display their creative output but also explain the systematic approach behind it, demonstrating how they manage tasks, leverage tools, and contribute to streamlined content production.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the Kyiv, Ukraine location, experience level (2-5 years), and the full-time nature of the engagement for a specialized skill like graphic design, a competitive hourly rate or monthly retainer would be expected. For a full-time equivalent workload, an estimated gross monthly salary range in Kyiv for a skilled freelance graphic designer could be between 30,000 UAH to 60,000 UAH, depending on the complexity of tasks and specific project demands. This translates to approximately $750 - $1500 USD per month, subject to market fluctuations and individual negotiation.

Benefits:

• Flexible Work Schedule: Ability to plan your time and projects to best suit your workflow and personal needs.
• Stable Task Flow: Consistent stream of design tasks, ensuring predictable work and income without the need for constant client acquisition.
• Data-Driven Impact: Opportunity to see the direct impact of your design decisions through performance metrics, providing valuable feedback for growth.
• Design Community Membership: Collaboration and knowledge sharing with experienced peers within Headway's Design Community.
• Global EdTech Leader: Contribution to a company recognized among the World's Top EdTech Companies, working on products used by millions.

Working Hours: While the role is full-time, it offers flexible working hours. This means the 40-hour work week can be structured according to the designer's preference, as long as tasks are completed and deadlines are met, facilitating asynchronous collaboration if needed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on typical freelance graphic designer rates in Kyiv for a mid-level professional with the specified software proficiencies and a full-time engagement. The benefits focus on the unique aspects of this "freelance-full-time" hybrid model, emphasizing autonomy and impact.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: EdTech (Educational Technology) and Digital Learning. Headway Inc is a global tech company focused on revolutionizing lifelong learning. Company Size: Headway Inc is a significant player in the EdTech space, indicated by its 150 million+ users and recognition as a top EdTech company. This suggests a well-established organization with robust processes and a large operational footprint. Founded: Headway Inc's founding date is not explicitly stated, but its current scale and recognition imply a history of growth and innovation in the digital learning sector.

Team Structure:

• Design Team: You will report to Vlada Dzhobolda, Design Team Lead for the Organic Growth Team. This indicates a structured design department with leadership and specialization.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Designers work closely with content creators, product teams, and potentially marketing or growth teams to ensure visual content aligns with strategic goals and enhances user experience. Collaboration within the "Design Community" suggests a network of designers who share knowledge and best practices.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: The company culture emphasizes data analysis and performance metrics, meaning design decisions are informed by user behavior and engagement data.

Methodology:

• Agile Development: Common in tech companies, Headway likely employs agile methodologies for product development and content creation, requiring adaptability and iterative design.
• User-Centric Design: With over 150 million users, the focus is on creating accessible, personalized, and impactful learning experiences, translating to a user-centric design approach.
• Performance Optimization: Design work is tied to measurable outcomes, such as blog engagement, user retention, and content performance, driving a culture of continuous improvement.

Company Website: https://careers.headway.inc

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's EdTech focus and large user base mean that design decisions have a tangible impact on global education. The emphasis on data-driven operations and a structured yet collaborative design team is crucial for candidates to understand.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role positions the graphic designer as a key contributor to the content and growth engine of the company. While not a traditional "operations" role in the sense of sales or revenue operations, it's critical for content operations and marketing operations by providing the visual assets that drive engagement and performance. The experience level is mid-career, requiring autonomy and proficiency. Reporting Structure: Direct reporting to the Design Team Lead (Organic Growth Team) provides a clear line of communication and feedback. Collaboration within the broader Design Community offers peer support and learning opportunities. Operations Impact: The graphic designer's work directly influences the effectiveness of the Headway blog. High-quality, engaging visuals can increase readership, time spent on page, social shares, and ultimately, user acquisition and retention for Headway's learning products. This role is integral to operationalizing content strategy and driving organic growth through visual appeal and clear communication.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like data visualization, vector illustration, or AI-assisted design.
• Process Improvement: Contribute to refining template systems and design workflows for greater efficiency within the Organic Growth Team.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain insights into content strategy, SEO best practices for blogs, and user engagement metrics from a data perspective.
• Portfolio Expansion: Build a robust portfolio with high-impact visuals for a globally recognized EdTech brand, enhancing future career prospects.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is crucial for the operational success of the Headway blog. Understanding how design directly impacts content performance and user engagement is key to framing your contributions in an operations-conscious manner.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. This role is designed for individuals who thrive in a remote work setting, requiring self-discipline and effective digital communication. Office Location(s): While the company has a presence and headquarters (likely Ukraine given the location), this specific role is telecommute-friendly, with the primary requirement being adherence to Ukraine's timezone for core collaboration needs.

Workspace Context:

• Digital Collaboration Tools: Expect extensive use of communication platforms like Slack or Teams, project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello), and cloud-based design collaboration software (Figma).
• Operations Focus: The remote setup requires a structured approach to task management, communication, and time tracking to ensure smooth operations and efficient delivery of design assets.
• Team Interaction: Although remote, participation in the "Design Community" and regular check-ins with the Design Team Lead foster a sense of connection and collaborative problem-solving.

Work Schedule: The role offers flexible working hours within a full-time capacity. This allows for personal scheduling preferences but necessitates clear communication regarding availability for meetings and timely delivery of tasks to maintain operational flow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature of the role demands strong self-management and proficiency with digital collaboration tools. Candidates should highlight their experience in remote work environments and their ability to maintain productivity and communication without direct physical oversight.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Application: Submit CV and Portfolio through the Headway careers portal.
2. Portfolio Review: The design team will assess your portfolio for relevant skills, style, and quality. Focus on pieces showcasing blog-style graphics, data visualization, and template work.
3. Screening Call: A brief call, likely with HR or the Design Team Lead, to discuss your experience, availability, and understanding of the role.
4. Technical Interview/Task: A practical design challenge or a deeper dive into your portfolio. This might involve adapting a piece, creating a new graphic based on a brief, or discussing your process for specific designs.
5. Final Interview: Potentially with Design Team Lead and other team members to assess cultural fit, communication skills, and alignment with Headway's data-driven approach.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 strong projects that best represent your ability to create engaging visuals for blogs and articles. Prioritize examples involving data visualization and template design.
• Showcase Process: For key projects, include a brief overview of your approach: understanding the brief, ideation, tool usage, iterations, and final output.
• Highlight Impact (if possible): If you have data on how your designs improved engagement or performance, include it. Even qualitative feedback is valuable.
• Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Ensure your work clearly reflects your mastery of Figma, Photoshop, and Illustrator.
• Adaptability: Include examples that show versatility in style and format.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: Carefully read and deconstruct any design challenge prompt. Ask clarifying questions if needed.
• Time Management: Allocate your time effectively. Draft, refine, and finalize within the given constraints.
• Communicate Your Rationale: Be prepared to explain why you made specific design choices, linking them to the brief, target audience, and potential performance impact.
• Focus on Efficiency: If the challenge involves templates or reusability, demonstrate how your solution promotes efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio review and potential design challenge means candidates must be prepared to demonstrate their practical skills and thought process. Highlighting efficiency and data-informed design in your portfolio and during interviews will be crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for collaborative design, prototyping, and creating vector-based assets. Expect to use it extensively for template creation and adaptation.
• Adobe Photoshop: Key for raster image editing, manipulation, and creating complex visual effects.
• Adobe Illustrator: Crucial for creating vector graphics, logos, icons, and detailed illustrations.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly a designer's tool, understanding how data from blog analytics (e.g., Google Analytics, internal dashboards) informs design choices is important. Familiarity with data visualization principles is key.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this role's core responsibilities, but awareness of how content marketing efforts contribute to the broader CRM and customer journey is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma, Photoshop, and Illustrator is non-negotiable. Familiarity with AI image generation tools and ChatGPT is a significant plus, indicating a readiness to adopt new technologies for enhanced productivity and creative output.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Data-Driven: Decisions are guided by performance metrics and user insights. Designs should aim to achieve measurable outcomes.
• User-Centric: The primary goal is to create accessible, personalized, and impactful learning experiences for millions of users.
• Efficiency & Scalability: Emphasis on creating reusable templates and streamlined processes to support a high volume of content production.
• Continuous Learning: As an EdTech company, a commitment to personal and professional growth is inherent. This applies to design practices and tool adoption.
• Collaboration: Working effectively within a global team and design community to share knowledge and achieve collective goals.

Collaboration Style:

• Remote & Asynchronous: Expect a communication style that accommodates different time zones, relying on clear written communication and digital collaboration tools.
• Feedback-Oriented: Openness to giving and receiving constructive feedback to improve designs and processes.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Working closely with content creators, team leads, and potentially other departments to ensure visual assets align with broader strategic objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values, particularly "Data-Driven" and "Efficiency & Scalability," are critical for this role. Candidates should frame their design approach through this lens, emphasizing how their work contributes to operational excellence and measurable results.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity with Data: Translating performance metrics and strategic goals into visually compelling designs without stifling creative expression.
• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring all visual assets align with Headway's brand guidelines while catering to diverse content needs.
• Adapting to New Tools: Continuously learning and integrating new design technologies, such as AI image generators, into the workflow.
• Remote Collaboration Dynamics: Effectively communicating and collaborating with a global, remote team to ensure project alignment and timely delivery.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Techniques: Access to resources or opportunities to deepen skills in areas like motion graphics, advanced data visualization, or UI/UX principles relevant to content display.
• Industry Trends: Staying abreast of the latest trends in graphic design, EdTech, and digital content creation.
• Cross-Departmental Learning: Gaining exposure to content strategy, SEO, and user engagement analytics from a performance marketing perspective.
• Networking: Building connections within a large, global Design Community.

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding these challenges allows candidates to prepare thoughtful responses during interviews. Highlighting how you approach these with proactive solutions and a growth mindset will be beneficial.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing visuals for a blog post that aims to explain complex scientific concepts to a general audience?" (Focus on simplifying information, using appropriate metaphors, and clear data visualization).
• "Describe your process for creating a reusable template for blog graphics. What factors would you consider to ensure its efficiency and adaptability?" (Discuss template structure, component-based design, and ease of modification).
• "How do you integrate performance data into your design process? Can you provide an example?" (Highlight experience with A/B testing visuals, analyzing engagement metrics, and iterating based on results).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Headway Inc and its mission in the EdTech space?" (Research the company's products, mission, and recent achievements like the TIME ranking).
• "How do you ensure effective communication and collaboration in a remote work environment?" (Discuss your preferred tools, communication strategies, and proactive engagement).
• "How do you stay updated with design trends and new tools, particularly in AI?" (Mention specific resources, blogs, courses, or experimentation with new software).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each project, share the "why" – the objective, the challenge, your creative process, and the outcome.
• Highlight Efficiency: Explicitly point out examples of template usage or efficient workflows.
• Data Visualization Clarity: Ensure your data visualization examples are easy to understand and visually appealing.
• Tool Proficiency: Be ready to briefly discuss the tools you used for specific pieces and why you chose them.
• Conciseness: Present your strongest work clearly and efficiently, respecting the interviewer's time.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing for these types of questions will demonstrate your understanding of the role's operational context, your technical skills, and your ability to contribute to Headway's data-driven, user-centric mission.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this graphic design position:

• Submit your CV and Portfolio through the Headway Inc careers portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects most relevant to blog content, data visualization, and template design. If you have examples of adapting existing styles or creating new visual systems, ensure they are prominent.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly states your years of experience, proficiency with Figma, Photoshop, and Illustrator, and any experience with AI design tools. Quantify achievements where possible, especially those related to efficiency or user engagement.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, focusing on how you translate briefs into visuals, iterate based on feedback, and leverage tools for efficiency. Prepare to discuss your understanding of data-driven design and its impact on content performance.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Headway's products, blog content, and overall mission. Understand their position in the EdTech market and their emphasis on lifelong learning and user growth.

⚠️ 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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