Graphic Designer - Contract

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer - Contract

Company: Noise Labs

Location: New York City, New York, United States

Job Type: Contract (Full-Time)

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: February 24, 2026

Experience Level: 0-2 Years

Remote Status: Remote (with potential for hybrid in New York City)

🚀 Role Summary

• This contract role focuses on creating dynamic brand graphics that visually interpret real-time shifts in cultural relevance, trends, and ideas.

• The position requires end-to-end ownership of visual assets, from initial concept and composition through to final production.

• A key aspect will be developing and maintaining a cohesive graphic language that evolves with cultural dynamics without becoming trend-chasing.

• Successful candidates will deliver a mix of motion and static visual assets for both product and marketing applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is listed as "Contract" and "Full-Time," the description also mentions "Hourly or project-based, open to discussion," indicating flexibility in engagement terms. The "Open to remote" statement, coupled with the "New York City" location, suggests a hybrid or remote-first approach is acceptable, but proximity to NYC might be beneficial for occasional in-person collaboration. The emphasis on "culture, not just craft" and "documentation of culture through design" highlights a unique focus for the role.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and produce brand graphics that visually represent evolving trends, brands, and ideas in real-time cultural contexts.

• Manage the entire lifecycle of visual assets, from initial ideation and concept development to final composition and production-ready delivery.

• Establish and maintain a consistent, yet adaptable, graphic language that reflects the company's brand identity and resonates with dynamic cultural shifts.

• Create and deliver a variety of assets, including animated/motion graphics and static visual elements, for deployment across product interfaces and marketing channels.

• Collaborate closely with the internal team to ensure all visual output aligns with strategic objectives and contributes meaningfully to the brand's narrative and market presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a proactive and iterative approach to design, requiring the candidate to not only execute but also to interpret and translate cultural shifts into compelling visual narratives. The "end-to-end ownership" suggests a need for strong project management and self-direction.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating visual communication skills and cultural understanding is paramount. Backgrounds shaped by creative technology, music, film, or fashion are highly valued.

Experience: 0-2 years of experience in graphic design, with a demonstrated ability to translate abstract concepts into tangible visual assets. Experience in a contract or project-based role is beneficial.

Required Skills:

• Proven ability to create brand graphics that visually represent and react to cultural trends and evolving relevance.

• Proficiency in end-to-end visual asset ownership, including concept development, composition, and production.

• Skill in building and maintaining a consistent graphic language that feels dynamic and culturally aware.

• Experience delivering both motion graphics and static visual assets across various platforms (product, marketing).

• Strong design fundamentals including typography, layout, color theory, and composition.

• Demonstrated understanding of culture and its intersection with design, as evidenced by a portfolio.

• Ability to work efficiently, take constructive feedback without ego, and discern when a project is complete.

Preferred Skills:

• Background in music, film, fashion, or creative technology that has influenced design perspective.

• Experience in documenting culture through design.

• Familiarity with project-based or contract work structures.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "culture, not just craft" in the portfolio requirement suggests that candidates who can articulate the cultural context and inspiration behind their designs will be highly regarded. The comfort with ambiguity is a critical soft skill for this fast-paced, trend-driven role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a strong understanding of cultural trends and their visual translation, beyond just technical design execution.

• Demonstration of end-to-end ownership of visual assets, from initial concept sketches and mood boards to final polished deliverables.

• Examples of how you have built or contributed to a consistent graphic language across different projects or platforms.

• Inclusion of both motion graphics and static design examples to showcase versatility.

Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly stated, candidates should be prepared to discuss their design process, including how they approach concept development, research (cultural and trend-based), and iteration.

• Ability to articulate how they manage feedback and incorporate it into their workflow efficiently.

• Demonstration of how they ensure quality and completion of assets under project-based or contract timelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is the primary tool for evaluation. It needs to clearly articulate the candidate's relationship with culture and their ability to translate that into design. The "works fast, takes feedback without ego" implies a streamlined, iterative design process that candidates should be ready to describe.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a contract role with open discussion on hourly or project-based terms, a specific range is not provided. However, for a Graphic Designer with 0-2 years of experience in New York City, typical contract rates can range from $25 - $50+ per hour, depending on the scope of work, specific skills, and the company's budget. Project-based compensation would be negotiated based on the defined deliverables and timeline.

Benefits:

• Flexible work arrangements (remote-first with potential hybrid options).

• Opportunity to work on innovative projects at the forefront of attention measurement.

• Exposure to a fast-paced startup environment with a small, dedicated team.

• Potential for ongoing contract engagements based on performance and project needs.

Working Hours: The role is designated as Full-Time, implying approximately 40 hours per week. However, as a contract position, specific daily hours may offer flexibility, provided project deadlines and team collaboration needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The compensation structure is highly negotiable. Candidates should prepare to articulate their desired rate based on their experience, portfolio strength, and understanding of the project's scope. Researching current contract graphic designer rates in NYC is highly recommended.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (Attention Measurement, Data Markets)

Company Size: Small team (approx. 10 employees), indicating a highly collaborative and hands-on environment.

Founded: Information not directly provided, but the company operates as a startup based in SoHo, New York.

Team Structure:

• A lean, agile team of approximately 10 individuals, suggesting close-knit collaboration and cross-functional support.

• The design function appears to be integrated directly into the core team, working closely with founders or product leads.

Methodology:

• Focus on creating a market for attention, valuing real-time data and cultural relevance.

• Emphasis on design that "documents culture" and "measures relevance."

• Iterative design approach, comfortable with ambiguity and rapid adaptation.

• Data-driven insights are core to the company's mission, implying design should complement and communicate these insights.

Company Website: https://www.noise.xyz/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission to "measure and trade attention" is unique. The culture likely values innovation, adaptability, and a deep understanding of cultural dynamics. The small team size means every member plays a critical role, and designers are expected to be strategic contributors.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an entry to mid-level contract Graphic Designer, focusing on execution and concept development within a specific niche.

Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report to a founder, Head of Product, or a senior team member responsible for brand and marketing. Direct collaboration with the entire team is expected.

Operations Impact: The visual assets created will directly influence how the company's unique value proposition (measuring attention) is perceived and communicated to users, partners, and the market. Strong design can enhance brand recognition, user engagement, and the perceived legitimacy of their innovative platform.

Growth Opportunities:

• For contract roles, growth typically involves being considered for extended engagements or future projects based on performance and project needs.

• Opportunity to build a unique portfolio with work in a novel industry (attention markets) and a focus on dynamic cultural interpretation.

• Develop skills in working with ambiguity and translating complex concepts into accessible visuals within a fast-paced startup environment.

• Potential to expand responsibilities if performance is exceptional and business needs evolve.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a contract role, formal career progression within Noise Labs might be limited compared to a full-time position. However, the experience gained, particularly in a niche and innovative field, can significantly boost a designer's marketability and portfolio for future opportunities.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company is based in SoHo, New York City, but explicitly states "Open to remote." The "location_type": "TELECOMMUTE" further confirms remote work is the primary mode. The team of 10 suggests a collaborative office environment for those who choose to be in NYC.

Office Location(s): SoHo, New York City, New York, United States.

Workspace Context:

• A remote-first or hybrid work environment, offering flexibility for designers to work from their preferred location.

• Close-knit team dynamics imply frequent virtual communication and collaboration.

• Access to design tools and technology will be standard, but candidates should be prepared to use their own equipment if working remotely.

• Opportunity to contribute to a culture that values design and cultural insight.

Work Schedule: Full-time (approx. 40 hours/week) with potential flexibility in daily scheduling, common in contract roles, as long as deliverables and collaboration needs are met. Emphasis on timely delivery for real