Graphic Designer - US Sports

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer - US Sports

Company: Absolute Sports Pvt. Ltd.

Location: Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Job Type: Contract

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Sports & Recreation

Date Posted: April 15, 2026

Experience Level: 0-2 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is a hands-on Graphic Designer position focused on creating original artwork for Sportskeeda's extensive sports content.

• Responsibilities include close collaboration with internal sports teams to conceptualize and produce graphics for social media and company Intellectual Properties (IPs).

• The position requires providing comprehensive graphic design support, effectively communicating conceptual ideas, and adhering to brand and company guidelines.

• Candidates will be expected to present and defend their design work to colleagues, various teams, and management.

• Proficiency in industry-standard design tools such as the Adobe Creative Suite and Canva is essential for success in this role.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Graphic Designer," the emphasis on "US Sports" and the company's description as a "global sports content platform" indicate a need for a designer with a strong understanding of sports aesthetics and potentially US-centric sports culture. The role's contract nature and specific working hours suggest a project-based or specialized support function.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and create original, high-impact graphic artwork for Sportskeeda's diverse portfolio of sports content, covering major US sports and global events.

• Collaborate closely with content creators, editors, and marketing teams across various sports verticals to conceptualize and develop visually compelling graphics for social media, website features, and internal company initiatives.

• Translate written and verbal briefs into effective design solutions that align with brand identity, style guides, and project objectives.

• Ensure all created assets meet quality standards and are optimized for their intended platforms, maintaining a keen eye for detail and aesthetics.

• Present design concepts and final artwork to stakeholders, articulating the rationale behind design choices and incorporating feedback effectively.

• Support ongoing graphic design needs for digital campaigns, promotional materials, and branded content across all Absolute Sports properties.

• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, effectively prioritizing tasks to meet tight turnaround times and hard deadlines within a fast-paced media environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer who can not only execute designs but also contribute to the conceptualization phase, requiring strong communication and presentation skills to effectively collaborate with non-design teams. The mention of "company IPs" suggests involvement in developing and maintaining visual assets for unique brand initiatives.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a degree or equivalent professional training in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, Digital Media, or a related field is highly beneficial.

Experience: 1-2 years of professional experience in graphic design, with a strong portfolio showcasing work in digital media, social media graphics, or sports-related design.

Required Skills:

• Adobe Creative Suite Proficiency: Expert-level knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Premiere Pro is mandatory for creating and editing complex graphics and motion elements.

• Visual Aesthetics & Detail Orientation: A strong eye for design aesthetics, color theory, typography, and meticulous attention to detail is crucial for producing polished, professional artwork.

• Conceptualization & Brief Interpretation: Ability to understand and translate written and verbal directions, brand guidelines, and strategic objectives into creative design concepts.

• Time Management & Deadline Adherence: Proven ability to work under pressure, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and consistently meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective collaboration with internal teams and stakeholders, as well as for presenting design rationale.

• Sports Knowledge & Passion: A demonstrable love for and broad knowledge of sports, particularly US sports, and a genuine passion for working within the sports media industry.

Preferred Skills:

• Canva Expertise: Prior experience and familiarity with Canva for rapid design creation and collaborative workflows.

• Social Media Design: Experience in designing graphics specifically for various social media platforms (e.g., Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, X) and understanding their unique visual requirements.

• Motion Graphics/Video Editing: Basic understanding or experience with motion graphics or video editing principles, potentially leveraging Adobe Premiere Pro for animated elements or short video clips.

• Digital Media Design: Experience creating assets for web banners, digital ads, infographics, and other online content formats.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "broad sports knowledge" and "passion for sports" suggests that candidates with a genuine interest in the sports industry will be strongly preferred, as they will likely be more attuned to the nuances of sports-related design and audience engagement. The split shift requirement is a unique aspect that candidates must be flexible with.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Visual Excellence: Showcase a diverse range of high-quality graphic design work, demonstrating proficiency in typography, color theory, composition, and visual hierarchy.

• Sports-Themed Projects: Include specific examples of sports-related graphics, such as social media posts, event promotions, team branding, or sports news illustrations, highlighting an understanding of sports aesthetics.

• Platform Optimization: Present examples of designs optimized for different digital platforms, particularly social media, illustrating an understanding of aspect ratios, file formats, and engagement-driving visuals.

• Process & Problem-Solving: For at least one project, briefly outline the design process, including how you interpreted the brief, conceptualized ideas, and overcame any design challenges to achieve the desired outcome.

• Brand Guideline Adherence: Demonstrate the ability to follow and apply brand guidelines consistently across multiple design assets.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates are expected to articulate their design process, from initial brief interpretation and conceptualization to final asset delivery and revision.

• Be prepared to discuss how you approach research for new sports topics or design trends to ensure relevance and accuracy in your work.

• The ability to explain how you incorporate feedback and iterate on designs to meet stakeholder expectations will be assessed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role, serving as the primary evaluation tool. It should not only showcase technical skill but also a creative flair for sports-related content and an understanding of the digital media landscape. Demonstrating an ability to work efficiently and adapt to feedback is as important as the final visual output.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the provided information of 1-2 years of experience, a contract role in Bangalore, India, for a Graphic Designer in the sports media industry, the estimated monthly salary range is likely between ₹25,000 to ₹45,000 INR. This estimate is derived from market research for junior graphic designer roles in India with specific skills and the contract employment type, considering the company's stated ambition and industry.

Benefits:

• "Great Place to Work" Certification: Access to a work environment recognized for its positive culture and employee satisfaction.

• Contractual Engagement: Opportunity for project-based work with potential for extension or future opportunities within Absolute Sports.

• Industry Exposure: Gain valuable experience in the dynamic sports media industry, working with a global content platform.

• Skill Development: Opportunity to hone graphic design skills, particularly in sports-related visual communication and digital media.

• Flexible Work Schedule: While specific hours are defined, the role may offer some flexibility in managing tasks within the provided split shift framework.

Working Hours: The role requires a 9-hour shift, 6 days a week. This includes a split shift schedule for India: 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 7:30 PM to 12:30 AM. This totals 40 working hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on industry benchmarks for junior contract roles in India. Actual compensation will be determined by the company based on the candidate's specific skills, experience, and portfolio. The split shift is a significant factor for work-life balance and should be carefully considered by applicants.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Sports Media & Entertainment. Absolute Sports operates at the intersection of sports, digital content, and media, catering to a massive global audience. This means a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment focused on engaging sports fans.

Company Size: Part of Nazara Technologies, a publicly listed Indian gaming/diversified media company. Absolute Sports itself is a significant global content platform, employing contributors worldwide and holding market leadership in multiple sports. This suggests a large, distributed team with a strong operational backbone.

Founded: Absolute Sports was established in 2009, providing a decade-plus of experience in the digital sports content space. This longevity indicates a stable company with established processes and a deep understanding of its market.

Team Structure:

• Global & Distributed: Employees and contributors are located globally, necessitating strong remote collaboration tools and communication protocols.

• Content-Centric: The core of the organization revolves around content creation and distribution, meaning design teams work closely with writers, editors, and social media managers.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Graphic designers will collaborate with various internal teams across different sports, requiring adaptability and the ability to understand diverse content needs.

• Hierarchical Structure: As a subsidiary of a listed company, there will likely be clear reporting lines and management structures, with designers reporting to design leads or content managers.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Content: Sportskeeda's market leadership suggests a data-informed approach to content creation and audience engagement, implying that design decisions may also be influenced by performance metrics.

• Agile Content Production: The need to produce hundreds of content pieces daily indicates an agile and efficient workflow for content creation, including design.

• Quality & Accuracy Focus: With a "hardcore sports fan" target audience, there's an implicit emphasis on well-researched content and high-quality visual presentation.

• Brand Consistency: Maintaining brand and company guidelines across multiple platforms and content types is likely a key operational methodology.

Company Website: https://www.sportskeeda.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's "Great Place to Work" certification suggests a positive and supportive work environment, despite the demanding nature of the sports media industry. The global reach and focus on US sports indicate an international perspective and a need for cultural sensitivity in design.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at an entry-level to junior professional level (0-2 years of experience). It's an opportunity for individuals to gain foundational experience in a specialized design niche within the fast-paced sports media industry. The "contract" nature suggests it may serve as a stepping stone to full-time roles or a way to gain diverse project experience.

Reporting Structure: The graphic designer will likely report to a Senior Graphic Designer, a Design Lead, or a Content Manager overseeing specific sports verticals. They will work collaboratively with various content teams, including writers and editors, to fulfill design requests.

Operations Impact: Graphic designers play a critical role in translating raw sports data and narratives into engaging visual content that captures audience attention, drives social media engagement, and reinforces brand identity. Their work directly impacts the perceived quality and professionalism of Sportskeeda's content, influencing user experience and brand perception. Effective design can increase readership, shareability, and overall audience engagement metrics.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Develop deep expertise in sports-specific design, understanding the visual language and fan engagement strategies for different sports.

• Skill Expansion: Progress from static graphics to motion graphics, video editing, or even UI/UX design within sports media.

• Full-Time Conversion: For exceptional performance in a contract role, there may be opportunities for full-time employment and career advancement within Absolute Sports or Nazara Technologies.

• Portfolio Building: The role offers a significant opportunity to build a robust portfolio with high-visibility projects for a leading global sports content platform.

• Leadership Potential: With experience, individuals can move into Senior Designer roles, team lead positions, or art director capacities, guiding design strategy and mentoring junior designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a contract role, growth is often measured by the breadth of experience gained and the potential for future opportunities. This position offers a clear path to becoming a specialized sports graphic designer, with the possibility of transitioning into more senior or permanent roles within the organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is listed as "On-site" in Bangalore, India. This implies working from a physical office location, fostering in-person collaboration and access to office resources.

Office Location(s): The primary office is located in Bangalore, India (Postal Code: 560008). This is a major tech and business hub in India, suggesting a professional working environment.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment likely facilitates direct interaction with content teams, editors, and other designers, fostering a dynamic and collaborative atmosphere essential for rapid content production.

• Creative Resources: Access to company-provided hardware, software licenses (Adobe Creative Suite), and potentially other creative tools and resources needed for design work.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and informal discussions that can spark creativity and improve design output.

• Sports Media Culture: The workspace will likely reflect the energetic and passionate nature of the sports media industry, with a focus on current sports events and fan engagement.

Work Schedule: The work schedule is structured as a 9-hour shift, 6 days a week, totaling 40 hours. It includes a specific split shift in India: 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 7:30 PM to 12:30 AM. This arrangement requires significant flexibility and commitment from the candidate.

📝 Enhancement Note: The split shift is a defining characteristic of this role's work environment, requiring careful consideration by applicants regarding personal scheduling and work-life balance. It suggests a need for designers who can adapt to non-traditional working hours to cover global sports events and audiences.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Screening: Initial review of resumes and portfolios to assess basic qualifications and design experience, with a strong emphasis on sports-related work.

• Portfolio Review & Initial Interview: A more in-depth discussion of the candidate's portfolio, focusing on design process, creative problem-solving, and understanding of sports aesthetics. This stage will likely include questions about their experience with Adobe Suite and Canva.

• Skills Assessment/Design Challenge: Candidates may be given a practical design task (e.g., creating graphics for a specific sports event or social media campaign) to evaluate their skills under timed conditions, mirroring the job's requirements.

• Team/Manager Interview: Further discussion about cultural fit, communication skills, ability to work with deadlines, and passion for sports. This interview will also delve into the candidate's understanding of the company's content and brand.

• Final Offer: Based on the overall assessment of skills, portfolio, cultural fit, and performance in any design challenges.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase your strongest, most relevant work, especially pieces related to sports, digital media, and social media.

• Highlight Process: For key projects, briefly explain your design thinking – the brief, your approach, challenges, and solutions. This demonstrates problem-solving skills.

• Quantify Impact (If Possible): If any designs led to measurable results (e.g., increased engagement), mention it.

• Mobile/Web Friendly: Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible and viewable on various devices, as reviewers might access it on different platforms.

• Professional Presentation: Organize your portfolio logically and ensure all links are functional.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: Carefully read and dissect any design challenge brief. Identify the target audience, key message, and desired outcome.

• Research: If the challenge involves a specific sport or event, quickly research recent news, key players, and visual trends.

• Focus on Brand: Always consider the company's brand guidelines and overall aesthetic.

• Time Management: Allocate your time effectively to sketching, designing, and refining. Prioritize core elements.

• Articulate Your Choices: Be ready to explain your design decisions and how they address the brief.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "quick turnaround time and hard deadlines" means that candidates should be prepared for timed design challenges and be able to articulate their ability to deliver quality work efficiently. The split shift requirement might also be discussed to ensure alignment.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Adobe Illustrator: Essential for creating vector graphics, logos, illustrations, and scalable artwork.
  • Adobe Photoshop: Critical for image editing, photo manipulation, creating digital composites, and designing raster-based graphics for web and social media.
  • Adobe Premiere Pro: Useful for basic video editing, creating animated graphics, and producing short video content for social platforms or IPs.

• Canva: A frequently used platform for rapid design creation, template-based graphics, and collaborative work. Familiarity is highly beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this design role, but understanding how content is published and managed within a CMS (Content Management System) or DAM (Digital Asset Management) system might be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. Experience with Canva is a strong preference, indicating the company's likely use of this tool for efficiency and broader team accessibility to design. Basic video editing skills are also a plus given the digital media landscape.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Passion for Sports: A deep-seated enthusiasm for sports is fundamental, driving creativity and ensuring authentic visual communication.

• Creativity & Innovation: Encouraging original ideas and fresh visual approaches to content creation.

• Quality & Precision: Maintaining high standards in design execution, with meticulous attention to detail.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively with diverse teams across different sports verticals to achieve common content goals.

• Efficiency & Adaptability: Ability to work quickly, manage deadlines, and adapt to evolving project needs and trends in a fast-paced media environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers work closely with content creators, editors, and social media managers, requiring clear communication and the ability to translate various team needs into visual assets.

• Feedback-Oriented: A culture that values constructive feedback to refine designs and ensure alignment with project objectives and brand guidelines.

• Proactive Support: Providing design support proactively to content teams to help them achieve their publishing and engagement goals.

• Shared Vision: Contributing to a collective effort to enhance the visual appeal and impact of Sportskeeda's content for its global audience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's "Great Place to Work" certification suggests a positive and employee-focused culture. The emphasis on passion for sports and collaboration indicates a team that is both highly motivated by their subject matter and works cohesively to produce content.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Fast-Paced Environment: The sports media industry is highly dynamic, requiring designers to adapt quickly to breaking news, trending topics, and tight deadlines.

• Diverse Sports Coverage: Creating compelling visuals for a wide range of sports, each with its own visual identity and fan base, demands versatility.

• Balancing Creative Vision with Brand Guidelines: Ensuring originality while strictly adhering to company and brand standards can be a delicate balance.

• Managing Split Shifts: The specific working hours require significant personal adjustment and discipline to maintain productivity and work-life balance.

• High Volume of Requests: Producing a large quantity of graphics daily necessitates efficient workflows and strong time management skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Sports Design: Deepen expertise in designing for specific sports, understanding fan culture and visual trends unique to each discipline.

• Digital Media Trends: Stay abreast of evolving design trends, new social media features, and digital content formats.

• Tool Proficiency: Advanced training or self-study in Adobe Creative Suite features or exploring new design software.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Gain insights into content strategy, social media marketing, and editorial processes within the sports media landscape.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Accumulate a substantial portfolio of high-impact work for major sports properties, boosting future career prospects in sports or media design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The split shift is a significant challenge that requires proactive management. However, it also presents an opportunity for individuals who can thrive in flexible, non-traditional schedules and gain experience in covering global sports events across different time zones.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for creating a social media graphic for a major sports event, from brief to final asset." (Focus on your workflow, tool usage, and how you ensure alignment with brand and audience.)

• "How do you balance creative originality with strict brand guidelines when designing for a large media company like Sportskeeda?" (Highlight your understanding of brand integrity and creative problem-solving.)

• "Tell us about a time you had to work under a tight deadline to deliver a design. How did you manage your time and ensure quality?" (Demonstrate your time management, prioritization, and resilience.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What is your favorite sport, and why? How do you think your passion for sports influences your design work?" (Connect your personal passion to professional output.)

• "How do you stay updated on the latest design trends and sports news?" (Indicate your commitment to continuous learning and industry relevance.)

• "Given our split shift requirement, how do you plan to manage your work schedule effectively?" (Address your flexibility and approach to non-traditional hours.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• "Tell me about this project": Be prepared to walk through 1-3 key pieces in your portfolio, explaining the brief, your creative process, the tools used, challenges faced, and the final outcome.

• Highlight Sports Work: Emphasize any sports-related projects, explaining your understanding of the sport and its audience.

• Showcase Versatility: If you have experience across different sports or design types (e.g., static, animated), highlight this.

• Be Ready for Live Design: Some companies may present a quick design task during the interview. Practice thinking aloud and designing efficiently.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, mention any metrics or positive feedback received for your designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be ready to discuss your experience with the Adobe Suite and Canva in detail. Your ability to articulate your design process, manage deadlines, and demonstrate a genuine passion for sports will be key to impressing the interviewers. The split shift is a critical factor, so be prepared to discuss your comfort and strategy for managing it.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer - US Sports position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Zoho Recruit portal.

• Tailor your Resume: Highlight your 1-2 years of graphic design experience, specifically mentioning skills in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and Canva. Emphasize any experience with sports media, digital content, or social media graphics. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio showcases your best work, with a strong emphasis on sports-related designs and social media graphics. Include a brief description of your process for at least one project. Make sure it's easily accessible and professional.

• Prepare for the Split Shift: Understand the implications of the 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM and 7:30 PM - 12:30 AM Indian split shift. Be ready to discuss your ability to manage this schedule effectively during the interview.

• Research Absolute Sports: Familiarize yourself with Sportskeeda.com and its coverage of US sports. Understand their brand aesthetic and content style to better tailor your application and interview responses.

⚠️ 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.