Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Aston Carter

Location: Fresno, California, United States

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: 2026-01-16

Experience Level: Entry Level (2-5 years preferred)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is a temporary, 8-week contract position focused on graphic design and marketing collateral creation.

• Requires proficiency in industry-standard design software and systems, including Adobe Creative Suite, MS Office, and Canva, on a Mac base.

• The position emphasizes a Continuous Improvement (CI) mindset and adherence to company core values.

• Responsibilities include developing art direction, creating compelling designs for various marketing channels, and preparing final files for print or publication.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically identified as a temporary, 8-week contract, which significantly impacts the scope and typical candidate expectations. While "Entry Level" is stated, the preference for 2-5 years of experience suggests they are looking for someone with practical application rather than purely academic knowledge. The emphasis on "systems experience" and specific software points to a need for immediate productivity.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop art direction and conceptualize designs for various projects with minimal oversight.

• Produce compelling design and layout concepts for multiple marketing channels, including email, digital, and social media, to attract and retain target audiences.

• Illustrate concepts by designing rough layouts, considering arrangement, size, typography, and aesthetic principles.

• Prepare finished copy and art files accurately for print or digital publication.

• Design a wide range of collateral, including logos, vehicle wraps, signage, print materials, storyboards, and web graphics.

• Optimize marketing content for different audience segments, considering email subject lines, keywords, and SEO best practices.

• Stay current with the latest design trends, technologies, and social media best practices.

• Collaborate effectively with senior brand managers and other stakeholders to ensure project alignment.

• Address and resolve design and copy challenges with creative solutions.

• Maintain a focus on Continuous Improvement (CI) in all design processes and outputs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a broad range of design tasks, from initial concept development to final file preparation. The inclusion of "email subject lines, keywords and SEO tactics" suggests a need for a designer who understands how design integrates with digital marketing performance, not just aesthetic appeal. This is a key differentiator for operations-minded candidates who can connect design to business outcomes.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum: 2+ years of experience in graphic design or advertising agency experience.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency with graphic design software, including Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Experience with MS Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook) for document creation and presentations.

• Familiarity and proficiency with Canva for quick design tasks and broader team collaboration.

• Strong understanding of design principles, including layout, typography, color theory, and visual hierarchy.

• Ability to develop compelling design concepts and illustrative visuals.

• Experience preparing print-ready files and understanding of print production processes.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate design choices and gather feedback effectively.

• Strong organizational, prioritization, and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• High attention to detail and accuracy in all work produced.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team dynamic.

• Self-motivated with a proactive approach to problem-solving.

Preferred Skills:

• Copywriting skills and the ability to connect with a broad range of audiences through messaging.

• Experience with 3D rendering programs.

• Product and customer demographic awareness, particularly within the food industry.

• Storytelling skills to convey messages effectively through visual design.

• Understanding of digital marketing best practices, including SEO and social media optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Minimum" and "Preferred" sections are crucial. While the role is "Entry Level," the 2-5 years preferred experience and the specific software requirements (Adobe Creative Suite, MS Office, Canva, Mac base) indicate they need someone ready to contribute immediately. The preference for food product/packaging experience is a significant specialization. Candidates should highlight portfolio pieces relevant to these areas.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A well-rounded portfolio showcasing innovative design, illustration, and typography work.

• Demonstrations of experience across various marketing channels (email, digital, social media).

• Examples of collateral design, including logos, signage, print materials, and potentially web graphics.

• Evidence of ability to translate project briefs into visually compelling concepts.

Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly stated as a formal requirement for this temporary role, candidates should be prepared to discuss their design process, from initial brief interpretation to final file delivery.

• Be ready to explain how you manage design projects, prioritize tasks, and incorporate feedback.

• Highlight experience with version control or file management for design assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a graphic design role, the portfolio is paramount. The "process documentation" aspect is less about formal documents and more about being able to articulate the design process during an interview. Candidates should be ready to walk through 1-2 key projects from their portfolio, explaining the problem, their approach, the tools used, and the outcome.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $28.00 - $30.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Medical, dental & vision insurance

• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital insurance coverage

• 401(k) Retirement Plan (with pre-tax and Roth post-tax contribution options)

• Voluntary Life Insurance & Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) for employee and dependents

• Short and long-term disability insurance

• Health Spending Account (HSA)

• Transportation benefits

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time, on-site position.

• Standard working hours are assumed to be 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time contract role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for an entry-level to mid-level graphic designer in the Fresno, CA area, especially for a contract role. The benefits package listed is comprehensive for a temporary position, indicating Aston Carter aims to provide good support to their contractors. Candidates should confirm the eligibility and specifics of these benefits for a contract role of this duration.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Staffing and Talent Solutions (Aston Carter's core business). The specific role is within a client company that is likely in the Food & Beverage industry, given the preferred experience.

Company Size: Aston Carter is a large global organization. The hiring company's size is not specified but the role requires interaction with a "Senior Brand Manager," suggesting a structured marketing department.

Founded: Aston Carter was founded in 1997. The client company's founding date is not provided.

Team Structure:

• The role reports to a Senior Brand Manager.

• The designer will work within a marketing team, likely collaborating with marketing specialists, copywriters, and potentially other creatives.

Methodology:

• Design work emphasizes creating compelling content for various marketing channels, with an eye toward audience engagement and conversion (implied by SEO/keyword mentions).

• A "Continuous Improvement (CI) mindset" indicates a focus on iterative design and process refinement.

• Collaboration is key, with the need to communicate effectively with management and team members.

Company Website: https://careers.astoncarter.com/us/en

📝 Enhancement Note: It's important to distinguish between Aston Carter (the staffing agency) and the client company where the Graphic Designer will actually work. The "Industry" and "Company Size" for Aston Carter are provided, but the role's direct environment will be within the client's industry (likely Food & Beverage). The CI mindset is a valuable clue about the client's operational philosophy.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an "Entry Level" contract role with a preferred 2-5 years of experience. It's a hands-on design position focused on execution rather than strategic development.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report directly to a Senior Brand Manager. This indicates a clear line of command and project direction.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's impact is directly tied to the effectiveness of marketing collateral. High-quality, on-brand designs can enhance brand perception, improve campaign performance, and contribute to audience engagement and potentially sales, especially in the food product and packaging sector. The mention of SEO and keywords suggests an awareness of how design contributes to digital performance metrics.

Growth Opportunities:

• For this specific 8-week contract, growth is primarily in gaining practical experience and portfolio enhancement.

• Successful completion could lead to opportunities for longer-term contracts or full-time roles, either with the client company or through Aston Carter.

• Development of specific skills within food product/packaging design if that is the client's focus.

• Opportunity to demonstrate CI mindset and potentially influence design processes within the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "growth" in this context is less about traditional career ladder progression and more about immediate skill application, portfolio building, and proving oneself for future opportunities. Candidates should view this as a valuable stepping stone.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully On-site in Fresno, CA.

Office Location(s): Fresno, California, 93650.

Workspace Context:

• The role is on-site, implying a traditional office environment.

• Collaboration will be in-person, with direct interaction with the Senior Brand Manager and marketing team.

• Access to necessary design software and hardware (Mac base, Adobe Creative Suite) is expected.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time, 8-week contract.

• Assumed standard business hours (e.g., Monday-Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM), but candidates should confirm flexibility requirements if any.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "fully onsite" nature is a key detail. Candidates must be willing and able to commute to Fresno, CA for the duration of the contract. This also implies a more traditional office workflow and direct collaboration opportunities.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely conducted by Aston Carter to assess basic qualifications, systems experience, and fit for contract work.

• Hiring Manager Interview: With the Senior Brand Manager to discuss design skills, experience, portfolio, and alignment with the team's needs. This will be the primary evaluation of design capabilities.

• Portfolio Review: A critical component where candidates will present their work, discuss their design process, and explain how their skills align with the role's requirements (especially regarding marketing channels and potential food industry focus).

• Skills Assessment (Potential): A short design challenge or technical assessment may be administered to gauge proficiency with specific software or problem-solving abilities.

• Onboarding: If successful, a process through Aston Carter for contract onboarding.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 4-6 of your strongest projects that best represent the skills and experience required. Prioritize work relevant to marketing collateral, digital/social media, and if possible, food products/packaging.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief/problem, your role and approach, the tools you used, key design decisions, and the outcome or impact.

• Showcase Process: Include "behind-the-scenes" elements like sketches, mood boards, or early concepts to demonstrate your thought process.

• Highlight Versatility: Include a mix of design types (logos, print, digital, etc.) to showcase your range.

• Technical Readiness: Be prepared to discuss your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, MS Office, and Canva. Ensure your files are well-organized and easily accessible (e.g., a professional website or PDF).

• Address CI: If possible, subtly weave in how you approach design with an eye for improvement or efficiency.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready for questions about your design process, how you handle feedback, and how you prioritize tasks under pressure.

• If a design challenge is given, focus on understanding the brief, sketching out ideas quickly, and producing a clean, well-reasoned design within the time limit. Prioritize clarity and meeting the core requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is the most crucial part of this application process. Candidates need to be able to visually demonstrate their capabilities and verbally articulate their design thinking and process. Emphasizing the "CI mindset" in how they approach projects can be a differentiator.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Mac Base: The operating system environment.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential. Expect proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Experience with After Effects or Premiere Pro could be a plus for motion graphics/video elements, though not explicitly mentioned.

• Canva: Required for broader accessibility and quick design tasks.

• MS Office Suite: Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook for general office tasks, presentations, and document creation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus for a graphic designer, understanding how designs perform in digital channels (e.g., email open rates, click-through rates, social media engagement) is beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the core design tasks, but understanding how marketing collateral integrates with CRM or marketing automation platforms could be a bonus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "Mac Base" and "Adobe Creative" along with "Canva" and "MS Office" clearly defines the technical requirements. Candidates must be comfortable working across these platforms.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Continuous Improvement (CI): A core value that suggests a culture valuing efficiency, process optimization, and iterative progress. Designers should demonstrate an ability to learn and adapt.

• Core Values & Purpose: Candidates must align with the client company's (likely Food & Beverage) stated values, which are not detailed but typically center around quality, customer satisfaction, innovation, and teamwork.

• Collaboration: The role requires working with a Senior Brand Manager and potentially other marketing team members, emphasizing teamwork and effective communication.

• Results-Oriented: While a creative role, the mention of marketing channels, SEO, and audience attraction implies a focus on achieving marketing objectives through design.

Collaboration Style:

• Likely a blend of in-person teamwork and independent work.

• Open communication and a willingness to receive and incorporate feedback are crucial.

• The ability to work effectively within a structured marketing team hierarchy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "Continuous Improvement (CI) mindset" is a key cultural indicator. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they apply this to their design work, whether it's refining processes, improving asset efficiency, or learning new techniques.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Short Contract Duration: The 8-week timeframe requires rapid integration, quick understanding of brand guidelines, and efficient delivery of high-quality work.

• Balancing Creative Freedom with Brand Guidelines: Developing innovative designs while strictly adhering to established brand standards and marketing objectives.

• Meeting Diverse Project Demands: Designing for a range of collateral types and marketing channels within tight deadlines.

• Adapting to a New Environment: Quickly learning new internal processes, team dynamics, and client-specific requirements.

• Potential for High Volume Work: Given the temporary nature, the client might have a backlog of projects requiring immediate attention.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Portfolio Enhancement: Gaining new project examples, especially in food product/packaging design, which can be valuable for future roles.

• Software Proficiency: Further honing skills in Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and potentially 3D rendering.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining insight into the Food & Beverage industry's marketing strategies and design needs.

• Networking: Building professional connections within the client company and potentially Aston Carter.

• Demonstrating CI: Opportunity to showcase a proactive approach to process improvement within the design function.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary "growth" opportunity is practical experience and portfolio building within a specific industry context. Candidates should frame the challenges as opportunities to showcase adaptability and efficiency.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your design process from receiving a brief to delivering final assets." (Focus on structure, tools, and collaboration).

• "How do you ensure your designs align with brand guidelines while still being innovative?" (Highlight balance and understanding of brand purpose).

• "Can you walk us through a project in your portfolio that you're particularly proud of, explaining the challenges and your solutions?" (Use the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result).

• "How do you incorporate feedback on your designs?" (Emphasize professionalism, understanding, and iterative refinement).

• "How do you stay current with design trends and new software?" (Showcase continuous learning and passion for design).

• "What is your experience with preparing files for print vs. digital publication?" (Demonstrate technical understanding).

• "How does your understanding of SEO or digital marketing influence your design choices?" (Connect design to business outcomes).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about our company and our industry?" (Research the client company if possible, or at least the Food & Beverage sector).

• "How do you approach a Continuous Improvement (CI) mindset in your work?" (Provide specific examples of how you've optimized processes or improved outcomes).

• "How do you handle working on a short-term contract?" (Express enthusiasm for the opportunity and ability to ramp up quickly).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Key Pieces: Choose 4-6 diverse projects that showcase your range and relevance to the job description.

• Structure: For each project, present:

  • The Client/Context
  • The Challenge/Objective
  • Your Role/Contribution
  • Your Design Process/Solution
  • The Outcome/Impact (if known)

• Technical Details: Be ready to discuss the software used, file formats, and any specific technical considerations (e.g., print bleed, color profiles, web optimization).

• Storytelling: Weave a narrative that highlights your problem-solving skills and creative thinking.

• Conciseness: Keep presentations focused and within the allotted time.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to discuss the "Continuous Improvement" aspect not just as a value, but as a practical approach to their design workflow. This is a strong indicator of operational thinking.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the Aston Carter careers portal via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features work relevant to marketing collateral, digital/social media campaigns, and if possible, food product/packaging design. Prepare to articulate your design process for 1-2 key projects.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight experience with Adobe Creative Suite, MS Office, Canva, Mac OS, and any relevant marketing/design achievements. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Designed social media graphics that contributed to a 15% increase in engagement").

• Interview Preparation: Practice answering common graphic design interview questions, focusing on your process, problem-solving skills, and ability to work under pressure. Be ready to discuss your understanding of CI.

• Company Research: If possible, research the client company indirectly (e.g., through Aston Carter's placements or industry news) to understand their market, brand, and potential product lines.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with Aston Carter or the hiring organization before making application decisions.