Graphic Designer | YouTube Podcast Thumbnails at Lower Street Media Ltd

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer | YouTube Podcast Thumbnails Company: Lower Street Media Ltd Location: Belgrade, Central Serbia, Serbia (Remote OK) Job Type: CONTRACTOR Category: Creative Operations / Marketing Operations Date Posted: 2025-08-19 Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years) Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Role Summary

This role focuses on creative operations within the podcasting industry, specifically supporting video and audio podcast clients with visual content strategy.
The core function involves designing high-performing YouTube thumbnails to drive engagement and clicks, requiring a blend of artistic skill and strategic thinking.
Responsibilities extend to developing template systems and creating multiple thumbnail variations, demonstrating a need for efficient workflow design and repeatable processes.
The position requires close collaboration with producers and executive producers, highlighting the importance of cross-functional communication and project management skills within an operations framework.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role title is "Graphic Designer," the emphasis on "high-performing thumbnails," "driving clicks," "template systems," "strategy," and "iteration based on feedback" strongly aligns it with operations-focused creative roles. The need to adapt to various brand styles and contribute to thumbnail strategies indicates a focus on measurable outcomes and process improvement, which are core to operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

Design branded thumbnail templates using Photoshop specifically for video podcasts on YouTube, ensuring brand consistency and visual appeal.
Generate three distinct thumbnail variations per episode, translating producer briefs into compelling visual assets that optimize for click-through rates (CTR).
Develop Canva templates for audio-only shows, leveraging provided podcast artwork and brand guidelines to create a cohesive visual identity across platforms.
Interpret project briefs, proactively contributing creative ideas and strategic insights to enhance thumbnail effectiveness and audience engagement.
Collaborate closely with producers and internal/client teams to iterate on designs, incorporating feedback to achieve optimal visual performance and client satisfaction.
Adapt graphic design style and approach to accommodate a diverse range of brand aesthetics, including professional, corporate, and niche podcasting styles.
Contribute conceptual thinking and iterative design strategies to continuously improve thumbnail performance metrics and audience acquisition on YouTube.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a results-driven approach to design, focusing on metrics like click-through rates and audience engagement, which are key performance indicators in operations. The creation of template systems and variations points to a need for structured design processes and efficient asset management.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Formal education in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, Marketing, or a related field is beneficial but not strictly required.
Demonstrated understanding of design principles relevant to digital media and audience engagement.

Experience:

Proven experience in graphic design, with a specific focus on creating high-performance digital assets.
Experience in interpreting creative briefs and translating them into visual concepts.
Familiarity with project management tools and workflows.

Required Skills:

Photoshop Proficiency: Advanced skills in Adobe Photoshop for creating complex graphic designs and manipulating images.
Canva Expertise: Demonstrated ability to design and create templates within Canva, adhering to brand guidelines and functional requirements.
YouTube Thumbnail Design: Proven experience specifically designing thumbnails for the YouTube platform, with an understanding of what drives viewer engagement.
Visual Hierarchy & Composition: Strong understanding of visual principles, including layout, typography, color theory, and composition to create impactful designs.
Brand Guideline Adherence: Ability to consistently follow and adapt to diverse brand guidelines, maintaining visual integrity across different client projects.

Preferred Skills:

CRO/Conversion Design Principles: Understanding of Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) principles as applied to visual design elements like thumbnails.
A/B Testing Experience: Experience in designing variations for A/B testing to optimize thumbnail performance.
Video Editing Software Familiarity: Basic familiarity with video editing software could be advantageous for understanding the context of podcast video production.
Trend Analysis: Ability to research and incorporate current YouTube design trends and best practices into thumbnail strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills heavily emphasize practical application and performance outcomes (e.g., "designing thumbnails that perform," "design for conversion"), aligning with an operations mindset focused on achieving measurable results through creative execution.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

A curated portfolio showcasing a range of YouTube thumbnail designs, demonstrating versatility across different styles and brands.
Case studies or examples that highlight specific thumbnails and explain the strategic thinking, design choices, and performance outcomes (e.g., increased CTR).
Examples of template systems designed for repeatable use, showcasing efficiency and brand standardization.
Demonstration of ability to adapt designs based on feedback and iteration, illustrating a collaborative design process.

Process Documentation:

Ability to document design processes, including workflow for creating thumbnail variations and managing feedback loops.
Experience in creating and utilizing design templates to streamline production and ensure brand consistency.
Understanding of how to measure and report on the effectiveness of design elements, linking them to key performance indicators (KPIs) like views and engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio that demonstrates "performance outcomes" and "strategic thinking" rather than just aesthetic appeal indicates an operations focus on measurable impact and efficient creative processes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

As a contractor role, compensation will likely be project-based or hourly. Based on industry standards for experienced freelance graphic designers specializing in digital media and YouTube content in remote or near-remote European markets, an estimated range could be €25 - €45 per hour, depending on experience and portfolio strength. For a 40-hour work week, this translates to approximately €4,000 - €7,200 per month.

Benefits:

Flexible working hours and remote work arrangement.
Opportunity to work with a diverse roster of podcasting clients across various industries.
Exposure to the growing podcasting and media production industry.
Potential for ongoing contract work and deeper collaboration on projects.
Access to asset libraries and brand guidelines provided by the company.

Working Hours:

The role is described as 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time equivalent contractor. However, given the contractor nature and remote flexibility, the hours may be managed with a focus on project delivery and responsiveness rather than strict adherence to a 9-to-5 schedule.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on common freelance rates for specialized graphic design roles in the European market, considering the remote aspect and the specific skill set required. The benefits listed are typical for contractor roles, emphasizing flexibility and project diversity.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Podcasting, Media Production, Digital Content Creation. Lower Street Media Ltd operates within a dynamic sector focused on high-quality audio and video content production for businesses and agencies. Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the mention of a "growing roster of video and audio podcast clients" and the need for dedicated roles suggests a growing, likely medium-sized organization with a structured approach to client service and production. Founded: Not specified, but the company's focus on modern podcasting indicates a contemporary operational model.

Team Structure:

The role operates within a client-facing production team, collaborating directly with Producers and Executive Producers.
This suggests a project-based team structure where designers are embedded within client project teams.
Cross-functional collaboration is key, involving communication with content creators, editors, and potentially client stakeholders for feedback and approval.

Methodology:

Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on designing "high-performing thumbnails" and contributing "thumbnail strategies that improve performance over time" indicates a data-informed approach to creative output.
Iterative Process: The role involves "iterating based on feedback," suggesting a cyclical design process focused on continuous improvement and client satisfaction.
Template Standardization: Building "template systems" points to a methodology focused on efficiency, scalability, and brand consistency across multiple client projects.

Company Website: https://lowerstreet.co/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on "making the best podcasts we possibly can" and "continually learning and improving" suggests a culture that values quality, expertise, and ongoing development, which is beneficial for operations professionals seeking a growth-oriented environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a mid-level within a specialized creative operations function. It requires demonstrated proficiency in specific design tools and a strategic understanding of digital media performance. Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report to a Producer or Executive Producer who manages client projects. This provides direct exposure to project management and client-facing operations. Operations Impact: The designer's work directly impacts client channel growth, audience acquisition, and brand perception on platforms like YouTube. Success in this role contributes to the overall operational efficiency and effectiveness of Lower Street Media's client service delivery.

Growth Opportunities:

Specialization: Deepen expertise in YouTube growth strategies and visual performance optimization for digital content.
Client Management: Develop skills in direct client communication and understanding client business objectives, leading to more strategic design contributions.
Process Improvement: Contribute to the development and refinement of creative operations workflows for thumbnail production, potentially leading to more senior or lead design roles within the company.
Expanded Creative Services: Opportunity to work on other visual assets or branding elements for podcast clients as the company's service offerings grow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth potential lies in becoming a specialist in performance-driven design within the media operations space, with opportunities to influence creative processes and contribute to client success metrics.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: While the company operates in media production, this specific role is advertised as "Remote OK" and the derived location suggests a remote-first or remote-friendly approach. Office Location(s): The derived location is Belgrade, Serbia, but the "Remote OK" status means candidates from other locations may be considered, especially if they align with the company's operational needs and time zone compatibility.

Workspace Context:

The work environment is digital and remote, requiring self-discipline and effective communication tools.
Collaboration will occur through digital platforms, likely involving project management software, communication apps (e.g., Slack), and cloud-based file sharing.
The team culture emphasizes continuous learning and improvement, suggesting a supportive environment for skill development and process refinement.

Work Schedule:

The role is associated with 40 working hours per week. As a contractor, there's likely flexibility in how these hours are structured, provided project deadlines and collaboration needs are met. This flexibility is conducive to operations professionals who may need to balance deep work periods with responsive communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature of the role necessitates strong self-management skills and proficiency in digital collaboration tools, which are critical for modern operations professionals.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

Application Submission: Submit application, ensuring the keyword "celery" is included as per instructions.
Portfolio Review: Initial screening will likely involve a review of the candidate's portfolio, focusing on the quality, relevance, and performance-oriented nature of their YouTube thumbnail designs.
Skills Assessment: Potential for a brief skills test or design challenge to evaluate proficiency in Photoshop/Canva and understanding of visual hierarchy and conversion principles.
Interview(s): Interviews will likely assess creativity, strategic thinking, collaborative abilities, adaptability, and understanding of the YouTube platform. Discussions may also cover experience with project management tools and feedback incorporation.
Final Evaluation: Assessment of cultural fit and alignment with the company's values of quality and continuous improvement.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Highlight Performance: Showcase thumbnails that demonstrably led to increased views, watch time, or CTR. Quantify results where possible.
Showcase Strategy: For each featured thumbnail, briefly explain the strategic thinking behind the design choices (e.g., target audience, key message, visual hooks).
Demonstrate Versatility: Include examples that show adaptability to different brand styles, tones, and client needs.
Template Examples: If possible, include examples of template systems you've created for efficiency and consistency.
Feedback Integration: If you have examples of iterated designs, briefly explain how feedback was incorporated and the impact of those changes.

Challenge Preparation:

Be prepared for a potential short design challenge focused on creating a thumbnail based on a provided brief, possibly under a time constraint.
Practice articulating your design process and rationale clearly and concisely.
Familiarize yourself with current successful YouTube thumbnail design trends and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The instruction to include "celery" is a common screening method to ensure candidates read the job description thoroughly, a key trait for detail-oriented operations roles. Portfolio emphasis on performance metrics is crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

Adobe Photoshop: Essential for creating high-fidelity, layered graphic designs and image manipulation. Proficiency in advanced features is expected.
Canva: Required for building template systems and creating assets for audio-only shows, indicating a need for versatility in design platforms.

Analytics & Reporting:

While not explicitly listed, the role's focus on "performance" implies familiarity with YouTube Analytics or a strong understanding of how design impacts metrics viewable in such tools.

CRM & Automation:

Project Management Tools: Comfort working with project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello, Monday.com) is mentioned, indicating a need for workflow organization and task tracking.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Photoshop and Canva are non-negotiable technical requirements. Familiarity with project management tools highlights the operational aspect of managing creative workflows and client deliverables.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

Quality: A commitment to producing "the best podcasts we possibly can" translates to high standards in all creative outputs, including thumbnails.
Continuous Improvement: The drive to "continually learning and improving" applies to design skills, understanding of platform trends, and operational processes.
Client Focus: Supporting a "growing roster of video and audio podcast clients" means a strong emphasis on client satisfaction and delivering value.
Collaboration: Working closely with producers and incorporating feedback underscores the importance of teamwork and effective communication.
Strategic Creativity: A blend of artistic talent with a performance-driven mindset, where creativity is channeled towards achieving specific business objectives (e.g., clicks, views).

Collaboration Style:

Proactive Communication: Designers are expected to interpret briefs, offer ideas, and collaborate with producers to iterate on designs.
Feedback Integration: Openness to receiving and acting upon feedback from internal teams and clients is crucial.
Cross-functional Partnership: Working alongside content creators and project managers to ensure visual assets align with overall podcast strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values suggest an environment where creative input is welcomed, but it's grounded in measurable outcomes and collaborative problem-solving, characteristic of effective operations teams.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

Adapting to Diverse Brands: Consistently delivering high-quality designs that meet the unique brand guidelines and tones of various clients.
Performance Optimization: Continuously understanding and applying principles that drive higher click-through rates and engagement on YouTube, which can be a moving target.
Balancing Creativity and Deadlines: Managing multiple client projects with varying requirements and delivery timelines while maintaining creative quality.
Remote Collaboration: Effectively communicating and collaborating with a remote team, ensuring seamless workflow and feedback integration.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

YouTube Growth Strategies: Gaining in-depth knowledge of YouTube algorithms, audience behavior, and successful visual marketing tactics.
Performance Analytics: Developing a stronger understanding of how design impacts key metrics and learning to analyze performance data to inform future designs.
Client Engagement: Enhancing client-facing communication and strategic consultation skills.
Tool Proficiency: Potentially exploring other design or project management tools used by the company or industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for creative operations roles that bridge artistic output with business objectives. The growth opportunities are focused on specialization within a high-demand digital media niche.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

"How do you approach designing a YouTube thumbnail that is both visually appealing and optimized for clicks?" - Prepare to discuss your process, including research, understanding the target audience, and applying design principles for conversion.
"Describe a time you received critical feedback on a design and how you incorporated it. What was the outcome?" - Prepare a specific example that demonstrates your ability to be receptive to feedback and iterate effectively.
"How do you stay updated on YouTube design trends and best practices?" - Share your methods for continuous learning, whether it's following industry blogs, analyzing successful channels, or experimenting with new techniques.
"How would you create a template system for thumbnails to ensure efficiency and brand consistency for multiple clients?" - Discuss your approach to modular design, asset organization, and scalability.

Company & Culture Questions:

"What interests you about Lower Street Media and our work with podcasts?" - Research the company's clients and recent projects to show genuine interest.
"How do you see your design skills contributing to the operational success of our podcast clients?" - Connect your creative abilities to tangible business outcomes like audience growth and engagement.
"How do you approach collaboration with producers and other team members in a remote setting?" - Emphasize clear communication, responsiveness, and proactive engagement.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Tell a Story: For each portfolio piece, explain the "why" behind the design – the client's goal, the target audience, the specific design choices made, and the results achieved.
Focus on Impact: Highlight thumbnails that led to measurable improvements in views or engagement. Quantify your success whenever possible.
Showcase Process: Briefly walk through the steps you took, from brief interpretation to final iteration, demonstrating your workflow and problem-solving skills.
Be Concise: Present your strongest, most relevant work efficiently.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just creative talent, but also a strategic, process-oriented, and collaborative mindset that is essential for operations roles.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

Submit your application through the provided BambooHR link.
Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features YouTube thumbnail designs that showcase performance and strategic thinking. Tailor your portfolio to highlight versatility and your ability to adapt to different brand styles.
Resume Optimization: Craft your resume to emphasize relevant skills such as graphic design, Photoshop/Canva proficiency, understanding of visual hierarchy, and experience with performance-driven design. Use keywords from the job description naturally.
Include the Keyword: Discreetly incorporate the word "celery" within your application (e.g., cover letter, resume summary) to demonstrate you have read the job description carefully.
Research the Company: Familiarize yourself with Lower Street Media's work, their client base, and their stated values of quality and improvement to better tailor your application and prepare for potential interview questions.

⚠️ 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.

Graphic Designer | YouTube Podcast Thumbnails