Junior Graphic Designer
π Job Overview
Job Title: Junior Graphic Designer Company: Act Second Location: Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain (Remote) Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Creative Operations / Marketing Operations Date Posted: 2025-08-20 Experience Level: Junior (0-2 years) Remote Status: Fully Remote (Europe-based or CET time zone alignment)
π Role Summary
- Support creative teams in developing a wide range of brand assets and marketing visuals for both agency clients and in-house ventures.
- Execute design production for diverse digital and print channels, ensuring adherence to brand identity guidelines and strategic objectives.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with designers, content creators, and strategists to translate concepts into compelling visual content.
- Manage design files and asset libraries using industry-standard tools within a fast-paced, remote-first environment.
π Enhancement Note: While the title is "Junior Graphic Designer," the responsibilities suggest a role with significant exposure to various aspects of creative operations and brand management, particularly within a multi-brand environment. The emphasis on "design as a business tool" indicates a need for candidates who understand how design drives tangible results, a key tenet in operations-focused roles.
π Primary Responsibilities
- Design Production & Asset Creation: Produce and adapt visual assets for multiple platforms including social media (posts, ads), email newsletters, paid advertising campaigns, pitch decks, packaging, and website content.
- Brand Identity Enforcement: Diligently apply established visual identity guidelines, ensuring all design outputs consistently reflect each brandβs unique tone, style, and strategic positioning.
- Creative Concept Development: Actively participate in brainstorming sessions, collaborating with senior designers and strategists to conceptualize and develop creative ideas into high-quality visual executions.
- Multi-Brand Execution: Manage and deliver design work across Act Secondβs diverse portfolio, encompassing both internal venture projects and external client engagements in various industries.
- Trend Research & Inspiration: Proactively research and stay informed about current design trends, industry best practices, and emerging visual styles to inform creative output and contribute fresh perspectives.
- File Management & Organization: Maintain organized and accessible design files, templates, and asset libraries using Figma and Adobe Creative Cloud, ensuring efficient workflow and asset retrieval.
π Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities highlight a need for meticulous execution and adaptability across different brand identities and project types. This requires strong organizational skills and an understanding of how design assets contribute to broader marketing and business objectives, aligning with operations principles of efficiency and consistency.
π Skills & Qualifications
Education:
- A degree or equivalent practical experience in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related creative field is beneficial, though not strictly mandatory if a strong portfolio demonstrates equivalent skill.
Experience:
- 1-2 years of professional experience in graphic design, with a preference for agency, studio, or in-house creative team environments. Internships and significant freelance experience are highly valued.
Required Skills:
- Design Software Proficiency: Expert-level command of Figma, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign is essential for all design production tasks.
- Foundational Design Principles: Solid understanding of typography, color theory, layout composition, hierarchy, and responsive design principles to create aesthetically pleasing and effective visuals.
- Digital & Social Media Design: Proven ability to design for various digital platforms, including social media graphics, email marketing visuals, and web content, with an understanding of platform-specific best practices.
- Brand Application: Demonstrated skill in applying and maintaining visual identity systems across different applications to ensure brand consistency and integrity.
- Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to design execution, ensuring accuracy in file preparation, color, typography, and adherence to project specifications.
- Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written English communication skills are mandatory for collaboration within a remote, international team.
- Remote Work Acumen: Comfort and proven ability to work effectively in a remote, fast-paced, and asynchronous-friendly work environment.
- Time Zone Alignment: Ability to work effectively aligned with the Central European Time (CET) zone.
Preferred Skills:
- E-commerce/DTC Experience: Prior experience designing for e-commerce platforms or Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) brands, understanding their unique visual and user experience needs.
- Motion Graphics/Video Editing: Familiarity with basic motion design tools such as Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro, or similar, for creating animated assets or short video content.
- Canva Proficiency: Experience using Canva for quick asset creation or template-based design, particularly for social media or internal presentations.
- Email/Ad Creative Design: Specific experience in designing effective email marketing campaigns or performance-oriented ad creatives.
- Portfolio Diversity: A portfolio showcasing a strong mix of branding projects, social media campaigns, and digital marketing visuals.
π Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize technical proficiency in design software and foundational principles, critical for efficient and effective creative operations. The preferred skills indicate areas where additional expertise can enhance productivity and broaden the scope of support, such as motion graphics or e-commerce specific design.
π Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
- Visual Asset Showcase: A curated collection of design projects that clearly demonstrate proficiency in creating digital and print assets, including social media graphics, web banners, presentations, and potentially packaging or ad creatives.
- Brand System Application: Examples that illustrate the successful application of brand guidelines, showcasing consistency in typography, color palettes, and logo usage across multiple touchpoints.
- Figma/Adobe Suite Usage: Projects that implicitly or explicitly highlight the use of Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) in the design process.
- Creative Problem-Solving: Portfolio pieces that solve a specific design challenge or achieve a measurable objective, such as improving engagement on social media or enhancing brand perception.
Process Documentation:
- While not explicitly requested as separate documentation, the portfolio should implicitly reflect an organized design process, from concept to final asset delivery, demonstrating an understanding of workflow efficiency.
π Enhancement Note: For a Junior Graphic Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It serves as the primary evidence of design execution capabilities and adherence to process. Candidates should select work that best represents their ability to deliver high-quality, on-brand assets efficiently, as this mirrors the operational requirements of managing diverse creative outputs.
π΅ Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range:
- Based on industry standards for a Junior Graphic Designer with 1-2 years of experience in Spain, and considering the remote nature of the role, the estimated annual salary range would be β¬20,000 - β¬28,000 gross. This range is derived from average junior designer salaries in major European cities like Barcelona, adjusted for experience level and the competitive landscape for remote talent in Europe.
Benefits:
- Competitive Compensation: A salary package commensurate with experience and contributions.
- Career Growth Opportunities: Clear pathways for professional development and advancement within the creative and operations teams.
- Diverse Project Exposure: Opportunity to work across a wide array of industries (beauty, wellness, tech, lifestyle) and visual styles, fostering broad skill development.
- Collaborative International Team: Be part of a dynamic, creative, and globally diverse team with a strong emphasis on collaboration and knowledge sharing.
- Remote Flexibility: Enjoy the benefits of a fully remote work environment with async-friendly processes, promoting work-life balance.
- Venture Building Exposure: Gain insights and experience in both client-facing agency work and the development of in-house venture startups.
Working Hours:
- The role is full-time, typically aligning with a standard 40-hour work week. While remote and async-friendly, maintaining consistent availability and communication during core CET business hours for team collaboration is expected.
π Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on publicly available data for junior graphic designer roles in Spain and the broader European remote job market. The benefits listed focus on growth, learning, and flexibility, which are key attractors for junior talent in creative operations.
π― Team & Company Context
π’ Company Culture
Industry: Consulting and Creative Studio Company Size: Act Second operates as a consulting and creative studio that supports both established clients and its own in-house ventures. The "company size" is not explicitly stated but implies a dynamic, potentially lean structure with cross-functional teams working on diverse projects. Founded: The founding date is not specified, but the description suggests a modern, forward-thinking approach to brand building, integrating creativity, marketing, digital, and strategy.
Team Structure:
- Project-Based Teams: The Junior Graphic Designer will likely work within project-specific teams, collaborating with a mix of designers, content creators, strategists, and potentially venture leads.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Close interaction is expected with individuals from marketing, digital, and strategy functions, requiring strong communication and integration skills.
- Reporting: The Junior Graphic Designer will likely report to a Senior Designer, Creative Director, or a Project Manager overseeing creative deliverables.
Methodology:
- Design as a Business Tool: A core philosophy emphasizing that design is instrumental in clear communication, brand elevation, and driving business results across various platforms.
- Agile & Iterative: Given the multi-brand and venture-building context, a flexible and iterative approach to creative development and execution is likely employed.
- Data-Informed Creativity: While creativity is central, the emphasis on driving results suggests an approach where design decisions are informed by marketing objectives and performance metrics.
Company Website: https://jobs.workable.com/company/jR4F453tiiFkMTcBgzgWDS/jobs-at-act-second
π Enhancement Note: Act Second's model of supporting both agency clients and in-house ventures creates a unique operational environment. The Junior Graphic Designer will need to adapt quickly to different brand voices, strategic goals, and project workflows, requiring a high degree of operational flexibility and a proactive approach to learning.
π Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at the Junior level within the creative operations spectrum. It serves as an entry point for individuals looking to build a career in visual design execution, brand asset management, and cross-functional creative collaboration. The focus is on mastering design tools and applying creative direction effectively.
Reporting Structure: The Junior Graphic Designer will likely report to a Senior Designer or Creative Director, receiving guidance on projects, feedback on work, and direction on creative strategy. Collaboration will extend to content creators and strategists, forming a matrixed project team structure.
Operations Impact: The role directly impacts the visual output and brand consistency across Act Second's diverse portfolio. By producing high-quality assets, the designer contributes to brand perception, marketing effectiveness, and the overall success of both client projects and internal ventures. Efficient asset creation and adherence to brand standards are key operational contributions.
Growth Opportunities:
- Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific design areas such as branding, digital marketing visuals, social media content, or potentially motion graphics and e-commerce design.
- Creative Direction Exposure: Learn from senior creative professionals, gaining insights into creative strategy, client management, and the business application of design.
- Portfolio Expansion: Build a robust portfolio with diverse projects across multiple industries and visual styles, enhancing marketability for future roles.
- Venture Involvement: Gain exposure to the entrepreneurial side of business by contributing to the visual development of new ventures.
π Enhancement Note: This role offers a strong foundation in creative execution within a business context. Growth will likely involve taking on more complex design tasks, managing smaller projects independently, and developing a strategic understanding of how design supports business objectives, which is a common progression in operations-adjacent creative roles.
π Work Environment
Office Type: Act Second operates with a fully remote model. There is no mention of physical office locations for this specific role, emphasizing a distributed, asynchronous-friendly work culture.
Office Location(s): While the role is based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, the work is performed remotely. The company supports a global team, with the primary requirement being alignment with the CET time zone.
Workspace Context:
- Digital Collaboration Hub: The primary workspace is digital, relying heavily on communication and collaboration tools like Slack, email, and project management software.
- Flexible Work Setup: Team members are expected to have their own reliable remote work setup, enabling them to perform their duties effectively.
- Cross-Functional Interaction: Opportunities for interaction will be primarily through scheduled meetings, project-specific channels, and collaborative design sessions within digital platforms.
Work Schedule:
- The role is full-time (40 hours/week). While flexibility is inherent in a remote, async-friendly environment, maintaining consistent communication and availability during core CET business hours is necessary for effective team collaboration and project coordination.
π Enhancement Note: The fully remote, async-friendly environment is a key operational characteristic. This requires individuals to be self-motivated, highly organized, and adept at communicating effectively through digital channels, ensuring that project workflows remain smooth despite geographical separation.
π Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
- Initial Screening: A review of applications and portfolios by the hiring team to assess qualifications and creative fit.
- Portfolio Review & Discussion: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, discussing specific projects, design choices, and their understanding of brand application and creative strategy.
- Skills Assessment/Challenge: Potentially a small design task or case study to evaluate practical design skills, problem-solving abilities, and adherence to brand guidelines under timed conditions.
- Team/Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focused on cultural fit, collaboration style, understanding of the role, and motivation for joining Act Second.
Portfolio Review Tips:
- Showcase Diversity: Select 3-5 strong projects that highlight your range in branding, digital, and social media design. Include examples of how you applied brand guidelines.
- Highlight Process: For key projects, briefly explain your design process, the problem you were solving, your creative approach, and the tools used (e.g., Figma, Adobe Suite).
- Quantify Impact (if possible): If any portfolio pieces were tied to measurable results (e.g., increased engagement, improved brand perception), mention these.
- Clarity and Conciseness: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and visually appealing. PDFs or dedicated portfolio websites are ideal.
- Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects that align with Act Second's focus on brand building, digital marketing, and multi-brand environments.
Challenge Preparation:
- Understand the Brand: Familiarize yourself with Act Second's own brand identity and the types of clients or ventures they support.
- Practice Design Tasks: Be prepared for tasks that might involve creating social media assets, adapting existing designs, or developing a simple brand element.
- Focus on Efficiency: Demonstrate an ability to work efficiently and deliver clean, on-brand results within a given timeframe.
- Communicate Your Thinking: Be ready to articulate your design decisions and rationale clearly and concisely.
π Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh the portfolio. Candidates should prepare to not just show their work but also explain the "why" behind their design choices and how they align with business objectives, reflecting an operations-minded approach to creative work.
π Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
- Figma: Essential for collaborative design, prototyping, and asset creation in a modern digital workflow.
- Adobe Photoshop: Used for image editing, manipulation, and creating complex raster-based graphics.
- Adobe Illustrator: Crucial for vector graphics, logo design, and scalable illustrations.
- Adobe InDesign: Necessary for layout design in presentations, pitch decks, and potentially print collateral.
Analytics & Reporting:
- While not directly responsible for analytics, understanding how design impacts performance metrics (e.g., click-through rates on ads, engagement on social media) is beneficial. Familiarity with basic analytics dashboards or reporting tools could be a plus.
CRM & Automation:
- No specific CRM or automation tools are highlighted as primary requirements for this role, but experience with project management or asset management tools would be advantageous.
π Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable for this role. These tools are central to efficient creative operations and the consistent delivery of high-quality visual assets.
π₯ Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
- Creativity & Innovation: A strong emphasis on creative thinking and bringing fresh visual ideas to projects.
- Business Acumen: Understanding that design serves business objectives, aiming to drive clear communication and tangible results.
- Collaboration: A commitment to working effectively with diverse teams, sharing ideas, and supporting colleagues.
- Efficiency & Organization: Valuing organized workflows, meticulous file management, and timely delivery of assets.
- Continuous Learning: Encouraging team members to stay updated with design trends and expand their skill sets.
Collaboration Style:
- Cross-Functional Integration: Actively engaging with strategists, content creators, and other designers to ensure cohesive project outcomes.
- Feedback-Driven: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback to improve design quality and team processes.
- Async-Friendly Communication: Utilizing digital tools for communication and collaboration, respecting different working hours and locations.
π Enhancement Note: The culture appears to blend creative passion with a results-oriented, operational mindset. Candidates who can demonstrate both creative flair and a structured, collaborative approach will likely thrive here.
β‘ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
- Multi-Brand Management: Adapting quickly to and maintaining consistency across a diverse portfolio of brands with distinct visual identities and strategic goals.
- Remote Collaboration Dynamics: Navigating communication and collaboration effectively within a fully remote, asynchronous team environment.
- Fast-Paced Environment: Delivering high-quality design assets under potential deadlines across multiple projects simultaneously.
- Balancing Creativity and Business Needs: Ensuring creative output aligns with strategic objectives and drives measurable business results.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
- Skill Expansion: Opportunities to learn new design software, techniques (e.g., motion graphics, email design), and specialize in areas relevant to Act Second's client base or ventures.
- Industry Exposure: Working with clients and ventures across various industries provides broad exposure to different market dynamics and visual styles.
- Mentorship: Learning directly from senior designers and creative leads, gaining insights into creative direction and client management.
π Enhancement Note: The primary challenge will be managing the operational complexity of multiple brands and projects in a remote setting. The growth opportunities are significant for a junior professional seeking to build a well-rounded creative and operational skillset.
π‘ Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
- "How do you approach maintaining brand consistency across multiple, distinct brands?" (Focus on process, style guides, and attention to detail.)
- "Describe a time you had to adapt your design style to meet a specific brand's requirements. What was your process?" (Highlight adaptability, research, and execution.)
- "How do you prioritize and manage design tasks when working on several projects simultaneously?" (Emphasize organizational skills, time management, and communication.)
- "What tools do you use for collaborative design, and how do you ensure smooth collaboration in a remote setting?" (Discuss Figma, communication platforms, and workflow strategies.)
Company & Culture Questions:
- "What interests you about Act Second's model of supporting both agency clients and in-house ventures?" (Show understanding of the dual nature and your appeal to it.)
- "How do you stay updated on current design trends, and how do you incorporate them into your work while respecting brand guidelines?" (Demonstrate proactive learning and balance.)
- "Describe your ideal remote work environment and how you maintain productivity and collaboration." (Highlight self-discipline, communication, and team integration.)
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
- Narrative Arc: For each portfolio piece, tell a story: the challenge, your solution, your process, and the outcome.
- Tool Showcase: Naturally integrate mentions of the tools you used (Figma, Adobe CC) and why you chose them.
- Brand Focus: Explicitly discuss how you applied brand guidelines and ensured visual consistency.
- Concise Delivery: Be prepared to present your portfolio efficiently, focusing on the most relevant examples.
π Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to articulate their design process and rationale with a business-oriented perspective, demonstrating an understanding of how their creative output contributes to the client's or venture's success.
π Application Steps
To apply for this operations-adjacent creative position:
- Submit your application via the provided link on Workable.
- Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your strongest design projects that best showcase your skills in branding, digital assets, and social media design. Ensure it highlights your proficiency with Figma and Adobe Creative Suite.
- Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume to emphasize your 1-2 years of experience, key design skills (Figma, Adobe CC, typography, layout), and any relevant internship or freelance work. Use keywords from the job description.
- Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design process, your approach to brand consistency, and how you manage multiple projects, ready for portfolio discussions.
- Research Act Second: Understand their business model (consulting + ventures) and their philosophy on design as a business tool to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural fit.
β οΈ 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.
Application Requirements
Candidates should have 1-2 years of experience and strong proficiency in design tools like Figma and Adobe Creative Suite. A basic understanding of design principles and excellent communication skills are essential.