Graphic Designer (all genders) - Zalando Fashion Studios

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer (all genders) - Zalando Fashion Studios Company: Zalando Location: Berlin, Germany Job Type: Full-time Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing Operations Date Posted: November 20, 2025 Experience Level: Mid-Level (3+ years) Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is centered on conceptualizing, designing, and executing creative campaigns that blend compelling storytelling with visual innovation, ensuring high-quality creative materials across various platforms.
• The Graphic Designer will be instrumental in maintaining campaign design consistency across all channels, leveraging cutting-edge technology and user empathy to craft visuals that enhance product discovery.
• A key aspect of this position involves collaborating with Art Directors to design and adapt banners and visual content for diverse digital and print experiences, including web banners, social media, newsletters, and email marketing, while also leading post-production and providing valuable format advice.
• The role demands an elevation of design quality and potential through the introduction of diverse creative ideas and the definition of clear adaptation principles via Corporate Identity documentation, contributing to brand cohesion and impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the original description focuses on a creative role, its emphasis on campaign consistency, digital and print adaptation, collaboration with marketing channels (newsletters, email), and potential workflow streamlining suggests a strong connection to Marketing Operations, particularly in managing creative assets and ensuring brand adherence across GTM initiatives. The role requires a blend of creative execution and operational adherence to brand guidelines.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Concept, design, and post-produce creative campaigns that effectively blend storytelling and visual innovation to deliver high-quality creative materials.
• Ensure consistent campaign design across all channels, utilizing advanced technology and empathetic design principles to create visuals that drive product discovery.
• Collaborate closely with Art Directors to design and adapt a wide range of visual content, including web banners, social media assets, newsletters, and email marketing materials for all digital and print experiences.
• Lead post-production processes for creative assets and provide expert advice on optimal formats and specifications for various applications.
• Elevate the overall design quality and creative potential by introducing novel creative ideas and establishing clear adaptation principles through comprehensive Corporate Identity documentation.
• Contribute to team knowledge sharing by disseminating best practices and actively working to enhance campaign performance through data-informed design adjustments.
• Drive efficiency by collaborating on workflow streamlining initiatives, including the maintenance of master files, the implementation of standardized naming conventions, and adherence to Corporate Identity (CI) guidelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for strong project management in creative execution, emphasizing adherence to brand guidelines and collaboration for campaign success, which aligns with operational excellence in marketing asset management.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Graphic Design, Communication Design, Visual Design, Media Design, or a closely related creative field.

Experience:

• A minimum of 3 years of hands-on professional experience as a Graphic Designer, preferably within a design studio, agency, or an in-house design department with a focus on fashion or e-commerce.
• Demonstrated experience in concept development, brand identity creation, and designing for a variety of formats, including digital, print, and event collateral.

Required Skills:

• Adobe Creative Suite Proficiency: Expert-level command of Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Acrobat for comprehensive design and production workflows.
• Figma Expertise: Strong proficiency in Figma for collaborative design, prototyping, and asset management, essential for modern digital design workflows.
• Creative Campaign Design: Proven ability to conceptualize and design engaging creative campaigns that align with brand messaging and business objectives.
• Brand Identity Development: Solid understanding and practical experience in developing and applying brand identity guidelines across various touchpoints.
• Digital & Print Design: Versatility in designing for both digital platforms (web, social media, email) and print materials, ensuring visual consistency and impact.
• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with Art Directors, cross-functional teams, and external partners.
• Problem-Solving: A proactive, hands-on approach to problem-solving, capable of independently managing multiple projects and translating business objectives into compelling visual solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• Motion Design & 2D Animation: General knowledge of Motion Design principles and the capability to deliver high-quality 2D animations.
• Adobe Premiere & After Effects: Familiarity with Premiere Pro and After Effects for video editing and motion graphics, enhancing the scope of creative output.
• AI Tools for Design Optimization: Experience utilizing Artificial Intelligence tools to enhance design workflows and optimize creative output.
• Fashion Industry Interest: A strong, demonstrable interest in fashion, design, and an up-to-date awareness of current fashion, social media, and contemporary cultural trends.
• German Language Proficiency: Basic to fluent German language skills would be a significant advantage for internal communication and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on specific software (Adobe Suite, Figma), coupled with the need for campaign consistency and format advice, points towards a role that requires meticulous asset management and adherence to operational standards within the creative process, crucial for scalable marketing efforts.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive Design Case Studies: Showcase 3-5 distinct design projects that demonstrate your end-to-end design process, from initial concept and research to final execution and delivery. Each case study should clearly articulate the problem, your approach, the tools used, and the final outcome.
• Brand Consistency Examples: Include examples of how you have maintained brand consistency across multiple channels or campaigns, highlighting your understanding of brand guidelines and their application in diverse media (digital, print, social).
• Digital Asset Management: Present examples of how you have organized, managed, and delivered digital assets, demonstrating an understanding of file naming conventions, version control, and format optimization for various platforms.
• Collaborative Project Showcase: If possible, include a project where you collaborated with other designers, Art Directors, or marketing teams, illustrating your ability to integrate feedback and work effectively within a team structure.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Be prepared to discuss your personal design workflow and how you approach streamlining processes to improve efficiency and meet deadlines, especially under pressure.
• Adaptation Principles: Demonstrate your ability to define and document clear adaptation principles for creative assets, ensuring scalability and consistency when designs need to be modified for different formats or markets.
• Performance Impact: While not strictly a process document, be ready to discuss how your design work has contributed to campaign performance or business objectives, using quantifiable metrics where possible.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role involving creative campaign execution and brand consistency, a portfolio demonstrating process and efficiency is vital. Applicants should be ready to articulate how they manage their workflow, adhere to brand systems, and deliver assets in a structured, scalable manner, aligning with operational best practices.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated Range: €45,000 - €65,000 annually.
• Justification: This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for mid-level Graphic Designers with 3+ years of experience in Berlin, Germany. Factors considered include the cost of living in Berlin, the company's industry (e-commerce/fashion), and the specified hybrid work model. The range accounts for variations in specific skills, portfolio strength, and interview performance.

Benefits:

• Employee Shares Program: Opportunity to participate in the company's success through stock options or employee share plans.
• Generous Discounts: Significant discounts on fashion and beauty products sold by Zalando (40%), Zalando Lounge (30%), and from external partner brands, offering substantial personal savings.
• Paid Volunteering Days: Two paid days per year dedicated to volunteering activities, supporting community engagement and personal contribution.
• Hybrid Working Model: A flexible hybrid model allowing for remote work up to 60% of the week, promoting work-life balance and autonomy.
• Work from Abroad: The flexibility to work remotely from abroad for up to 30 working days per year, offering international work experience and personal flexibility.
• Vacation Entitlement: 27 days of paid vacation per year, providing ample time for rest and personal pursuits.
• Relocation Assistance: Support services available for candidates relocating to Berlin, subject to prior agreement, easing the transition.
• Family Services: Access to family support services, including counseling and assistance, to aid employees with family-related needs.
• Health & Wellbeing: Comprehensive health and wellbeing options, including access to Gympass, promoting a healthy lifestyle.
• Mental Health Support: Dedicated mental health support and coaching services are available to help employees manage stress and maintain overall wellbeing.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are estimated at 40 hours per week, with a flexible hybrid arrangement allowing for a significant portion of work to be performed remotely.

📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits package is robust, with a strong emphasis on work-life balance, personal well-being, and financial incentives, reflecting a modern employer brand attractive to creative professionals. The hybrid model and remote work options are key differentiators.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce, Fashion Retail, Technology. Zalando operates at the intersection of fashion retail and technology, aiming to be the leading fashion platform in Europe. This industry requires constant adaptation to trends, rapid product cycles, and a strong digital presence.

Company Size: Zalando is a large enterprise, employing thousands of individuals across various departments and international locations. This scale means opportunities for specialization, structured career paths, and access to extensive resources, but also requires efficient internal processes and clear communication to maintain agility.

Founded: Zalando was founded in 2008. Its rapid growth from a startup to a major European player has shaped a culture that values innovation, ambition, and a data-driven approach, while also building robust operational frameworks to support its expansion.

Team Structure:

• Operations Team Aspect 1: The "Zalando Fashion Studios" likely comprises a dedicated team of creative professionals, including Art Directors, Graphic Designers, Copywriters, and potentially content strategists, focused on producing high-quality visual and written content for marketing and branding purposes.
• Operations Team Aspect 2: This Graphic Designer will report to an Art Director or Creative Lead within the Fashion Studios, with a strong collaborative relationship with marketing, brand, and digital teams across Zalando.
• Operations Team Aspect 3: Cross-functional collaboration is essential, working closely with marketing campaign managers, digital product teams, and external agencies/freelancers to ensure brand consistency and effective execution of creative strategies.

Methodology:

• Operations Process 1: Data analysis is likely integrated, with creative performance metrics (e.g., click-through rates, engagement) informing design decisions and future campaign strategies.
• Operations Process 2: Workflow planning and optimization are crucial for managing a high volume of creative requests, ensuring timely delivery while maintaining quality standards. This includes establishing clear briefs, feedback loops, and production timelines.
• Operations Process 3: While the role is creative, there's an operational component in standardizing creative assets, managing master files, and ensuring adherence to Corporate Identity guidelines for efficiency and brand integrity.

Company Website: https://jobs.zalando.com/en/

📝 Enhancement Note: Zalando's strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion ("Inclusive by Design") is a core cultural pillar that permeates its operations and hiring practices, signaling a commitment to an equitable and open work environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Graphic Designer, requiring 3+ years of experience. It signifies a level of autonomy and responsibility beyond junior roles, where designers are expected to contribute creatively and operationally to campaign execution and brand consistency.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will likely report to an Art Director or a Creative Lead within the Zalando Fashion Studios. This structure provides mentorship and creative direction while allowing the designer to manage their own project load and contribute to team goals.

Operations Impact: While primarily a creative role, the Graphic Designer's work has a direct operational impact on Zalando's Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy by ensuring visual assets are consistent, on-brand, and optimized for various channels. This directly supports marketing objectives, enhances brand perception, and influences customer engagement and conversion rates.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization in Motion Design/Animation: With preferred skills in Premiere and After Effects, there's a clear pathway to specialize further in motion graphics and 2D animation, a highly sought-after skill in digital marketing.
• Senior Designer/Art Director Track: Consistent high performance, strong conceptual abilities, and leadership potential could lead to progression into Senior Graphic Designer or Art Director roles, with increased creative ownership and team leadership responsibilities.
• Cross-Departmental Skill Development: Opportunities to collaborate with various marketing and product teams can broaden understanding of different GTM strategies, digital product design, and data analytics, offering diverse career development paths within Zalando's extensive ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a blend of creative development and operational execution within a large, dynamic e-commerce environment, providing multiple avenues for career advancement and skill diversification in areas like motion design and brand management.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Zalando operates with a hybrid work model. This means the Berlin office likely serves as a hub for collaboration, team meetings, creative brainstorming sessions, and hands-on work that benefits from in-person interaction. The office environment is expected to be modern, collaborative, and equipped with the necessary tools and technology for creative work.

Office Location(s): The primary office location for this role is Berlin, Germany. Specific details about the office building or campus would be available upon inquiry or during later interview stages, but Berlin is a key hub for Zalando's operations.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model encourages intentional collaboration, with office days likely focused on team sprints, workshops, and strategic discussions where in-person interaction is most valuable for creative synergy.
• Operations Tools & Technology: Employees will have access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma) and potentially internal Zalando platforms for asset management, project tracking, and communication.
• Operations Team Interaction: Designated office days will provide opportunities for direct interaction with Art Directors, fellow designers, and potentially marketing stakeholders, fostering a strong sense of team cohesion and facilitating seamless creative problem-solving.

Work Schedule: The role follows a standard full-time schedule, with flexibility inherent in the hybrid model. While core working hours might be expected for team collaboration, the specific arrangement allows for a significant portion of the work week to be conducted remotely, accommodating personal schedules and optimizing productivity for focused design tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work environment at Zalando balances the need for in-person collaboration and creative synergy with the flexibility and autonomy valued by modern professionals, particularly in creative roles.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio by a Talent Acquisition Partner to assess suitability for the role and alignment with Zalando's creative and operational standards.
• Technical/Creative Interview: This stage will likely involve a discussion with the hiring manager (Art Director/Creative Lead) and potentially a senior designer. You'll be asked to walk through your portfolio, discuss your design process, and elaborate on specific projects, focusing on your problem-solving approach and understanding of brand consistency.
• Creative Task/Case Study: You may be given a short, timed design task or a case study to complete, simulating a real-world project. This assesses your ability to apply skills under pressure, interpret a brief, and deliver a relevant creative solution.
• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: An opportunity to meet with other team members and discuss how you approach collaboration, handle feedback, and align with Zalando's inclusive culture and operational values. This might also involve a broader discussion about your career aspirations and understanding of the fashion industry.
• Final Interview: Potentially a final conversation with a more senior leader to confirm your fit for the role and the company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best represent your skills relevant to this role: corporate branding, campaign design, digital and print adaptation, and collaborative work. Prioritize quality over quantity.
• Highlight Process & Rationale: For each project, clearly explain the brief, your thought process, design decisions, challenges faced, and how you overcame them. Use visuals to illustrate each stage of your workflow.
• Demonstrate Brand Adherence: Showcase examples where you've applied or developed brand guidelines effectively. Explain how you ensured consistency across different media.
• Showcase Versatility: Include a mix of digital and print work, and if applicable, mention experience with motion graphics or AI tools.
• Prepare a Concise Walkthrough: Be ready to present your portfolio (live or recorded) within a specified timeframe, hitting the key points of each project efficiently.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Zalando's Brand: Research Zalando’s current campaigns, visual identity, and target audience. Familiarize yourself with their tone of voice and aesthetic.
• Practice Design Brief Interpretation: Anticipate briefs that might involve adapting existing assets, creating new campaign elements, or responding to specific marketing objectives within the fashion context.
• Articulate Your Workflow: Be ready to explain how you manage your time, prioritize tasks, and integrate feedback, especially in a hybrid or fast-paced environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely assess not just creative talent but also your ability to work within established brand systems and operational workflows, which is critical for a large organization like Zalando.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for professional graphic design. Proficiency in Photoshop (image manipulation, digital assets), Illustrator (vector graphics, logos, illustrations), and InDesign (layout, print collateral, digital documents) is a must. Acrobat for PDF management.
• Figma: A critical tool for collaborative interface design, prototyping, and design system management, increasingly used for digital asset creation and adaptation across teams.
• Microsoft Office/Google Workspace: For general document creation, presentations, and collaboration (e.g., Word/Docs, PowerPoint/Slides, Excel/Sheets).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary function, an understanding of how design impacts analytics is beneficial. Familiarity with tools used for tracking digital campaign performance (e.g., Google Analytics, internal Zalando dashboards) can inform design choices.

CRM & Automation:

• No direct CRM or automation tool experience is explicitly required for this design role, but an understanding of how creative assets are deployed through marketing automation platforms or CRM-driven campaigns (e.g., email marketing systems) would be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in industry-standard design software like the Adobe Creative Suite and Figma is non-negotiable. Experience with AI tools for design optimization is a plus, signaling an awareness of emerging technologies that can enhance efficiency.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Inclusivity by Design: A fundamental value at Zalando, encouraging designers to create work that is accessible and resonates with a diverse audience, reflecting a commitment to equitable representation in all visual communications.
• Customer Centricity: Designing with the customer at the forefront, ensuring visuals effectively communicate value, drive engagement, and contribute to a positive user experience across all touchpoints.
• Data-Informed Creativity: While creativity is paramount, decisions are often informed by data. This means understanding how design choices impact performance metrics and being willing to iterate based on insights.
• Efficiency & Scalability: Operating within a large organization requires a focus on efficient workflows and scalable design solutions that can be adapted across numerous campaigns and channels without compromising quality.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to collaborate closely with marketing, brand management, and digital product teams, acting as key partners in translating business objectives into creative assets.
• Constructive Feedback Culture: A strong emphasis on providing and receiving constructive feedback is integral to the design process, fostering continuous improvement and ensuring the highest quality output.
• Knowledge Sharing: Team members are encouraged to share best practices, new techniques, and insights, contributing to a collective growth environment within the Fashion Studios.

📝 Enhancement Note: Zalando's strong emphasis on "Inclusive by Design" and a data-informed approach to creativity highlights a culture that balances artistic expression with strategic, operational considerations and a broad societal impact.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Maintaining Brand Consistency at Scale: Ensuring a unified brand message and visual identity across a vast array of digital and print touchpoints in a fast-paced e-commerce environment can be challenging.
• Balancing Creative Vision with Business Objectives: Effectively translating diverse business requirements and marketing goals into compelling creative solutions that also push creative boundaries.
• Adapting to Evolving Trends: Staying ahead of rapidly changing fashion, digital, and cultural trends while ensuring creative output remains relevant and innovative.
• Managing High Volume Workloads: Efficiently handling multiple projects simultaneously, often with tight deadlines, requires strong organizational and time-management skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software & Techniques: Opportunities to deepen expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and explore new tools, including AI-powered design applications.
• Motion Graphics & Animation Specialization: Pursuing further training and practical experience in motion design and 2D animation, a key growth area in digital marketing.
• Fashion Industry Insights: Gaining in-depth knowledge of the fashion e-commerce landscape, consumer behavior, and market trends through direct involvement in campaigns.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Developing skills in stakeholder management and understanding broader marketing and business strategies by working with diverse teams across Zalando.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents a dynamic environment with inherent challenges that foster skill development, particularly in large-scale brand management and fast-paced creative execution within the fashion industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for ensuring brand consistency across multiple digital and print channels for a large campaign." (Focus on your system for adaptation, file management, and communication.)
• "How do you balance creative innovation with the need to meet specific business objectives and deadlines?" (Illustrate with an example from your portfolio where you navigated this.)
• "Walk us through a project where you had to collaborate closely with an Art Director or marketing team. What was your role, and how did you ensure successful integration of feedback?" (Highlight communication and teamwork.)
• "How do you stay updated on current fashion, social media, and visual design trends, and how do you incorporate them into your work?" (Showcase your passion and proactive learning.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What appeals to you about Zalando's brand and its 'Inclusive by Design' philosophy?" (Research their D&I initiatives and demonstrate alignment.)
• "How do you approach receiving and incorporating constructive criticism on your designs?" (Emphasize adaptability and a growth mindset.)
• "Describe your ideal work environment within a hybrid model. How do you ensure productivity and collaboration when working remotely versus in the office?" (Show your self-management and collaboration strategies.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling is Key: For each project, frame it as a narrative: the challenge, your creative solution, the execution, and the outcome.
• Quantify Impact When Possible: If a design led to measurable results (e.g., increased click-through rates, higher engagement), highlight this. Even qualitative feedback on brand perception is valuable.
• Showcase Your Process: Be ready to explain your workflow, the tools you used, and why you made specific design choices. This demonstrates your strategic thinking.
• Be Ready for Live Design/Critique: If a design task is involved, focus on understanding the brief, asking clarifying questions, and demonstrating a clear, logical approach to problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not only creative talent but also operational thinking, such as process management, brand adherence, and collaborative problem-solving, which are crucial for success in a structured corporate environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the official Zalando careers portal via the provided link. Ensure your application is completed using the online form.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating corporate branding, campaign design, and digital/print asset adaptation. Clearly articulate your process and the rationale behind your design decisions for each piece.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly list your proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Figma, along with your years of experience in graphic design. Use keywords from the job description such as "corporate branding," "creative campaigns," and "brand identity."
• Interview Preparation: Practice walking through your portfolio, focusing on explaining your design process, problem-solving skills, and how you ensure brand consistency. Prepare examples that showcase your collaboration abilities and adaptability.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Zalando's brand, its "Inclusive by Design" philosophy, recent marketing campaigns, and its overall mission in the fashion e-commerce space. Understand their hybrid work model and company values.

⚠️ 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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