Graphic Designer - Contract

LIGHTFEATHER IO LLC
Full-timeAlexandria, United States

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer - Contract

Company: LIGHTFEATHER IO LLC

Location: Remote, United States

Job Type: 3-Month Contract (1099 Contractor)

Category: Creative & Media / Design Operations

Date Posted: April 8, 2026

Experience Level: 5+ Years Professional Experience

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

  • This role is crucial for enhancing LIGHTFEATHER IO LLC's visual communication strategy through the creation of high-impact digital and presentation-based design assets.

  • The Graphic Designer will be instrumental in supporting website development and ensuring all visual materials are brand-consistent and effectively communicate complex ideas.

  • This position requires a proactive designer capable of working independently in a remote setting, managing multiple projects, and meeting tight deadlines.

  • The role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a mission-focused environment and make a tangible impact on business and client-facing initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the raw job title is "Graphic Designer," the description emphasizes creating visuals for "presentations, infographics, process diagrams, digital graphics, and marketing materials" and translating "complex information into clear, engaging, and visually compelling deliverables." This strongly suggests a role leaning towards "Design Operations," focusing on the operational aspects of visual asset creation and management within a business context, rather than purely artistic graphic design. The emphasis on "brand-consistent visual assets for digital and presentation-based environments" and collaboration with internal stakeholders points to a need for structured design processes and effective communication, which are core to operations roles.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Design and produce high-quality visual assets, including presentations, infographics, process diagrams, digital graphics, and marketing materials, ensuring alignment with project objectives and brand guidelines.

  • Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders to translate complex business information and client needs into clear, engaging, and visually compelling design solutions.

  • Support the development and creative execution of LIGHTFEATHER IO LLC's new website by designing branded assets and contributing to page-level visual concepts.

  • Develop and maintain design templates, reusable assets, and presentation materials to ensure brand consistency and streamline future design workflows.

  • Optimize digital assets for various platforms and formats, considering user experience and accessibility best practices.

  • Manage a project pipeline, prioritizing tasks effectively to meet deadlines in a fast-paced, remote contract environment.

  • Actively participate in design reviews, incorporating feedback from stakeholders to refine and improve design outputs.

  • Maintain clear and consistent communication regarding project progress, availability, and potential roadblocks during standard business hours (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM EST).

  • Ensure all creative deliverables adhere to brand standards, maintaining visual consistency across all touchpoints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for structured design output and process adherence, common in operations roles. The focus on "translating complex information," "optimizing digital assets for various formats," and "managing a project pipeline" points to operational efficiency and strategic visual communication.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

  • 5+ years of professional graphic design experience, with a demonstrated ability to manage projects from concept to completion.

Required Skills:

  • Visual Design Proficiency: Expertise in creating polished, brand-consistent visual assets for digital and presentation-based environments.

  • Design Software Fluency: Strong proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and Figma.

  • Presentation Design: Proven ability to design high-quality presentations, pitch decks, and slide templates that effectively communicate complex information.

  • Information Design: Skill in translating complex data, processes, and ideas into clear, engaging infographics and diagrams.

  • Typography & Layout: Strong understanding and application of typography, layout, composition, and color theory principles.

  • Brand Consistency: Ability to maintain and enforce brand standards across all design deliverables.

  • Remote Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and communicate effectively in a remote setting.

  • U.S. Citizenship: Required for the role.

Preferred Skills:

  • PowerPoint/Pitch Deck Expertise: Experience with Microsoft PowerPoint or similar tools for pitch deck design.

  • Web Design Support: Familiarity with website visual design, branded asset creation, and page-level creative execution.

  • Low-Code/No-Code Platforms: Experience with tools like Framer for web design or prototyping.

  • Consulting/Professional Services Environment: Experience supporting client-facing deliverables in consulting, government, or professional services settings.

  • Human Centered Design: Strong understanding of Human Centered Design principles and their application in visual communication.

  • Accessibility & Responsive Design: Familiarity with accessibility standards and responsive design best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "translating complex information into clear, engaging, and visually compelling deliverables," combined with the requirement for proficiency in design tools and a strong portfolio, indicates a need for a designer who can operate with a degree of operational rigor. The "Nice-to-Have" section also points towards specific business applications of design skills, further aligning with operational needs.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Visual Communication Case Studies: Showcase a minimum of 3-5 projects demonstrating the ability to translate complex information into clear, engaging visual assets (e.g., infographics, process diagrams, presentations).

  • Brand Consistency Examples: Include examples that highlight adherence to brand guidelines and the creation of cohesive visual systems across different mediums.

  • Digital Asset Optimization: Provide examples of digital graphics optimized for various platforms, showcasing understanding of format requirements and best practices.

  • Template Design: Demonstrate experience in creating reusable design templates (e.g., presentation templates, social media templates) that streamline workflows.

  • Website Visuals (if applicable): Include any contributions to website design, branded assets, or page-level creative execution.

Process Documentation:

  • While not explicitly requested, candidates should be prepared to discuss their design process, including how they:
    • Approach project briefs and stakeholder consultations.

    • Incorporate feedback and iterate on designs.

    • Manage project timelines and deliverables.

    • Ensure quality control and brand consistency.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a contract role with a focus on delivering specific visual assets and supporting website development, a portfolio is paramount. The emphasis on "translating complex information" and "brand-consistent visual assets" means the portfolio should showcase not just aesthetic skill but also strategic thinking and process. Candidates should be ready to articulate their design process, demonstrating how they achieve efficient and effective visual outcomes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

  • Estimated Range: $40 - $60 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications.

  • Methodology: This estimate is based on current market rates for contract Graphic Designers with 5+ years of experience in the United States, considering the remote nature of the role and the required skill set (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, presentation design, infographics). Rates can vary significantly by location within the US and specific project demands.

Benefits:

  • Contractor Status: This is a 1099 independent contractor position.

  • Flexibility: Opportunity to work remotely from anywhere within the United States.

  • Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week, Monday through Friday, with core availability expected between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM EST.

  • Project Impact: Chance to contribute to meaningful work and make an immediate impact on a mission-focused team.

  • Portfolio Building: Opportunity to expand portfolio with diverse visual design projects for a growing company.

Working Hours:

  • 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday.

  • Availability required between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM EST.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a 1099 contractor, benefits like health insurance, paid time off, and retirement contributions are typically the responsibility of the contractor. The provided benefits focus on the work itself and the flexibility offered. The hourly rate is an estimate based on industry benchmarks for similar contract roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology / Professional Services / Consulting (Inferred from "supporting consulting, government, or professional services environments" and "mission-focused environment").

Company Size: Small to Medium-sized Business (SMB) - Inferred from "LIGHTFEATHER IO LLC" and the nature of a 3-month contract role. This size often implies a more agile and hands-on team environment.

Founded: Information not provided, but the company appears to be actively seeking talent for specific project needs.

Team Structure:

  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: The Graphic Designer will likely collaborate with various internal stakeholders, potentially including project managers, subject matter experts, marketing, and leadership teams.

  • Remote Team Dynamics: Expect a team that relies heavily on digital communication tools for collaboration, project management, and feedback.

  • Agile Environment: Given the contract nature and focus on delivering specific initiatives, the team likely operates with a degree of agility, requiring adaptability and responsiveness.

Methodology:

  • Human-Centered Design: The company explicitly values Human Centered Design principles, suggesting a focus on user needs and experiences in their approach to problem-solving and design.

  • Data-Driven Visuals: While not explicit, the need to "translate complex information" implies that design outputs will be based on data, research, or strategic insights.

  • Brand-Centric Operations: A strong emphasis on brand consistency suggests a structured approach to visual identity management.

Company Website: www.lightfeather.io (Inferred from domain_derived: lightfeather.io)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company operates in a space that requires clear communication of complex ideas, suggesting a culture that values clarity, precision, and visual storytelling. The "mission-focused environment" implies a purpose-driven approach to their work.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a mid-level to senior individual contributor position within the design function, operating with a significant degree of autonomy. It's a contract role, so traditional "career ladder" progression within LIGHTFEATHER IO LLC might not apply, but it offers substantial portfolio enhancement and potential for future contract extensions or recommendations.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will likely report to a Project Manager, Design Lead, or a designated stakeholder responsible for the visual design initiatives. Direct collaboration with various internal teams is expected.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the company's external perception, client engagement, and internal communication clarity. High-quality visuals are essential for conveying professionalism, understanding complex concepts, and supporting business development efforts, especially in consulting or professional services environments.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in presentation design, infographic creation, and digital asset optimization for specific industries (consulting, government).

  • Portfolio Expansion: Gain diverse project experience that can be leveraged for future freelance or contract opportunities.

  • Industry Exposure: Learn about the specific challenges and communication needs within the consulting or professional services sector.

  • Remote Work Acumen: Refine skills in asynchronous communication, remote project management, and self-directed work.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a contract role, growth is primarily measured by skill development, portfolio enhancement, and the successful execution of project deliverables. The "Human Centered Design" and "translating complex information" aspects suggest opportunities to grow in strategic visual communication.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. This implies a distributed workforce that relies on digital collaboration tools.

Office Location(s): United States. While remote, candidates must be based in the United States.

Workspace Context:

  • Digital Collaboration: The primary workspace will be digital, utilizing tools for communication, project management, and design collaboration.

  • Independent Workstation: Candidates are expected to have a suitable home office setup conducive to productive work and professional video conferencing.

  • Team Interaction: Opportunities for team interaction will be primarily through virtual meetings, shared digital workspaces, and communication platforms.

Work Schedule:

  • Full-Time Contract: 40 hours per week.

  • Core Hours: Must be available during the core business hours of 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM EST to facilitate real-time collaboration and meetings. This is crucial for a remote team operating across different time zones within the US.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote, contract nature of this role emphasizes the need for self-discipline, effective communication, and proficiency with remote work tools. Availability during specific core hours is a critical operational requirement for team cohesion and project execution.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and fit for the contract role.

  • Portfolio Review & Discussion: A dedicated session to walk through selected portfolio pieces, focusing on design process, problem-solving, and ability to meet project requirements. Expect questions about how you translated complex information and ensured brand consistency.

  • Skills Assessment (Potential): A small design exercise or a discussion about specific design challenges might be included to evaluate practical skills and approach.

  • Stakeholder Interview: Conversation with the hiring manager or key stakeholder to discuss project needs, collaboration style, and availability.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 projects that best showcase your ability to create presentations, infographics, and digital assets that translate complex information clearly and maintain brand consistency.

Prioritize examples relevant to consulting or professional services if possible.

  • Tell a Story: For each portfolio piece, be prepared to discuss:

    • The project objective and client needs.
    • Your design process and decision-making rationale.
    • How you addressed challenges and incorporated feedback.
    • The final outcome and impact (if measurable).
  • Highlight Process: Emphasize your workflow, from understanding requirements to final delivery, especially how you managed feedback and ensured brand alignment.

  • Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Be ready to speak to your experience with Adobe Creative Suite and Figma, and how you leverage these tools to achieve efficient and high-quality results.

  • Accessibility & Usability: If applicable, mention considerations for accessibility and responsive design in your work.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Be ready to discuss hypothetical design scenarios related to communicating complex business concepts visually.

  • Prepare to articulate your approach to working under tight deadlines and managing multiple projects simultaneously in a remote setting.

  • Think about how you would ensure brand consistency for a company you are not fully immersed in.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a contract design role, the portfolio is the primary evaluation tool. Candidates must be prepared to not only show their work but also articulate the strategic thinking and operational process behind it. The emphasis on "complex information" and "brand consistency" means interviewers will look for problem-solving skills and adherence to established visual standards.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

  • Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for professional graphic design, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency.

  • Figma: A critical tool for collaborative design, UI/UX, wireframing, and prototyping. Proficiency is a requirement.

Presentation Software:

  • Microsoft PowerPoint: Heavily favored (Nice-to-Have), indicating a need for strong pitch deck and presentation template creation skills.

  • Google Slides: Potentially used for collaborative presentations.

Website Design/Prototyping (Nice-to-Have):

  • Framer: Experience with this low-code/no-code platform for web design and prototyping is a plus.

Collaboration & Project Management Tools:

  • Communication Platforms: Expect tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or similar for daily communication.

  • Project Management Software: Tools like Asana, Trello, Jira, or Greenhouse (for application tracking) may be used. Candidates should be comfortable with digital project management.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and Figma is non-negotiable. The mention of PowerPoint as a "Nice-to-Have" strongly suggests that presentation design is a core component of this role, requiring candidates to be adept at creating professional and impactful slide decks.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Clarity & Precision: A core value likely drives the need for designers who can translate complex information into easily understandable visuals.

  • Brand Integrity: Maintaining brand consistency across all outputs is paramount, reflecting a value placed on professional and unified communication.

  • Efficiency & Timeliness: As a contract role with a fixed duration, a strong emphasis will be placed on delivering high-quality work efficiently and on schedule.

  • Collaboration & Responsiveness: The remote nature necessitates a culture of proactive communication and responsiveness to stakeholder feedback.

  • User-Centricity: The explicit mention of "Human Centered Design" indicates a value placed on understanding and designing for the end-user's needs.

Collaboration Style:

  • Remote-First Communication: Expect a culture that leverages digital tools for all forms of communication, from quick messages to formal reviews.

  • Feedback Integration: A collaborative process where feedback is actively sought, given, and incorporated into design iterations.

  • Proactive Engagement: Team members are expected to be proactive in seeking clarity, sharing updates, and identifying potential issues.

  • Cross-Functional Partnership: Working effectively with individuals from various departments to achieve shared project goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's emphasis on "Human Centered Design" and translating "complex information" suggests a culture that values thoughtful, user-focused design solutions that are executed with operational rigor and a strong sense of brand ownership.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Translating Complexity: The primary challenge will be distilling intricate business concepts, processes, or data into visually simple and compelling graphics.

  • Remote Collaboration Dynamics: Navigating communication and project management effectively within a fully remote team, ensuring all stakeholders are aligned.

  • Brand Integration: Quickly understanding and applying LIGHTFEATHER IO LLC's brand guidelines to new and diverse design projects.

  • Deadline Management: Juggling multiple design tasks with competing priorities within a tight 3-month contract timeframe.

  • Client/Stakeholder Alignment: Ensuring design outputs meet the diverse expectations and technical requirements of various internal stakeholders.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Industry-Specific Design: Gaining experience designing for the consulting, government, or professional services sectors.

  • Website Design Contribution: Developing skills in contributing visual elements to website development projects.

  • Framer Exposure: Opportunity to gain hands-on experience with low-code/no-code design tools if interested.

  • Remote Work Best Practices: Honing skills in asynchronous communication, self-management, and virtual collaboration.

  • Portfolio Enhancement: Adding high-impact projects that demonstrate versatility and strategic design thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to contract work and the specific demands of translating complex information visually. The growth opportunities are focused on practical skill acquisition and portfolio building within a professional services context.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a time you had to translate a highly complex idea or process into a visual format. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your problem-solving, design process, and ability to simplify.)

  • "How do you ensure brand consistency across multiple design deliverables, especially when working with a new brand?" (Highlight your understanding of brand guidelines and systematic approach.)

  • "Walk us through a presentation design project from your portfolio. What were the objectives, your design choices, and how did you incorporate feedback?" (Be ready to narrate your process and rationale.)

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What interests you most about this contract opportunity with LIGHTFEATHER IO LLC?" (Research the company's mission, industry, and potential projects.)

  • "How do you approach collaboration with stakeholders in a remote environment?" (Emphasize communication, proactivity, and responsiveness.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure Your Narrative: For each selected project, follow a clear story: Problem -> Your Solution (Process & Tools) -> Outcome.

  • Quantify Impact (If Possible): If you have metrics on engagement, clarity improvements, or efficiency gains resulting from your designs, present them.

  • Highlight Key Skills: Explicitly point out how your portfolio pieces demonstrate your proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, presentation design, and infographic creation.

  • Be Ready for Technical Questions: Anticipate questions about file formats, resolution, optimization, and accessibility.

  • Showcase Versatility: Demonstrate your ability to adapt your style and approach to different project needs and brand identities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design talent, but also operational efficiency, clear communication, and the ability to deliver results independently within a contract framework. The portfolio is your primary tool; be prepared to discuss it in detail.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

  • Submit your application through the provided Greenhouse link.

  • Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience with presentation design, infographic creation, digital asset creation, and proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Figma. Quantify achievements wherever possible.

  • Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 strong projects that best represent your ability to translate complex information into clear visual assets and maintain brand consistency. Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible (e.g., via a link to your website or a shared PDF).

  • Prepare Your Narrative: Practice walking through your portfolio pieces, focusing on your design process, problem-solving skills, and how you manage projects and stakeholder feedback in a remote setting.

  • Research LIGHTFEATHER IO LLC: Familiarize yourself with their website, industry, and any available information about their mission and values to tailor your responses and express genuine interest.

⚠️ 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. The provided salary range is an estimate.

Application Requirements

Candidates must have a bachelor's degree in a relevant field and at least 5 years of professional graphic design experience. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Figma, along with U.S. citizenship and the ability to work 40 hours per week, is required.