Junior Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Junior Graphic Designer

Company: Orchestra

Location: New York, N.Y.

Job Type: Temporary, Full-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Marketing / Art & Design

Date Posted: April 29, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in-office per week)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is critical for supporting the creative needs of political campaigns, focusing on the design and production of direct mail and other campaign collateral.

• The Junior Graphic Designer will be instrumental in translating campaign strategies and messaging into compelling visual assets under tight deadlines.

• This position offers a unique opportunity to gain experience in the fast-paced and demanding environment of political consulting and direct mail.

• The role requires a strong understanding of design principles, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, and the ability to adapt to evolving campaign needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a temporary position specifically for the 2026 election season, typically running from mid-May to late October. The hybrid work model requires consistent in-office presence for collaboration and project execution within the New York City office.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with Art Directors and account team members to conceptualize, design, and edit a high volume of direct mail pieces, canvassing literature, digital/social media ads, and other campaign collateral.

• Translate abstract campaign messages and strategic objectives into clear, impactful visual designs that resonate with target voter demographics.

• Proactively identify and implement design solutions that maintain strong layouts, consistent branding, and effective design hierarchy across all campaign materials.

• Actively participate in brainstorming sessions to develop innovative visual concepts for direct mail and other campaign assets.

• Meticulously organize and maintain project files, ensuring version control and easy accessibility for the creative and account teams.

• Consistently meet and manage tight deadlines for a diverse portfolio of candidates running for office, demonstrating exceptional time management and prioritization skills.

• Adapt quickly to feedback, iterating on designs to meet client expectations while upholding high creative standards.

• Support the broader Campaigns team by contributing to the visual identity and brand consistency of various political campaigns.

• Assist in the preparation of design files for print production, ensuring accuracy and adherence to printer specifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary focus is on print design, particularly direct mail, with a secondary emphasis on digital assets for political campaigns. The success of this role hinges on the ability to produce high-quality work under significant time pressure inherent in election cycles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, or a related field is typically expected for roles requiring 2+ years of agency experience. Equivalent professional experience will also be considered.

Experience: A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in print design and art direction, preferably within an agency setting or a comparable fast-paced creative environment. Experience in political campaign design is highly preferred.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically:

  • Adobe InDesign (essential for layout and print production)
  • Adobe Photoshop (for image manipulation and digital assets)
  • Adobe Illustrator (for vector graphics and branding elements)

• Proven experience in print design, with a strong portfolio showcasing direct mail, brochures, or similar collateral.

• Adept at art direction principles, understanding how to guide visual concepts and ensure cohesive design execution.

• Exceptional detail-orientation, ensuring accuracy in typography, layout, and color across all deliverables.

• Highly organized and productive, capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously in a dynamic environment.

• Strong time management skills, with a proven ability to prioritize tasks and meet demanding deadlines.

• Excellent collaborative skills, working effectively with Art Directors, copywriters, account managers, and other team members.

• Ability to adapt quickly to feedback and pivot priorities in response to last-minute changes or urgent campaign needs.

• Willingness to work extended hours, including nights and weekends, during peak campaign periods is a mandatory requirement.

Preferred Skills:

• Specific experience in editorial design, demonstrating an understanding of narrative flow and visual storytelling through layout.

• Direct experience designing for political campaigns, including an understanding of voter communication strategies and the political landscape.

• Familiarity with direct mail production processes and print vendor specifications.

• Basic understanding of digital design principles for social media ads and online campaign materials.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "2+ years of experience with print design and art direction in an agency setting (or comparable environment)" suggests a need for candidates who have navigated client briefs and fast-turnaround projects. The emphasis on "willingness to work extended hours" and "adapt under pressure" highlights the critical nature of political campaign timelines.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio showcasing a minimum of 2 years of print design and art direction work, with a strong emphasis on direct mail, campaign literature, or similar collateral.

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of layout design, typography, color theory, and visual hierarchy as applied to persuasive communication.

• Include examples that illustrate the ability to translate complex or abstract messages into clear and compelling visual narratives.

• Present case studies or project descriptions that highlight problem-solving in design, client feedback integration, and successful project completion under pressure.

Process Documentation:

• Portfolio pieces should implicitly demonstrate an understanding of the design process, from initial concept to final output.

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their workflow for managing multiple design projects, including file organization, version control, and collaboration with team members.

• Be ready to articulate how they approach incorporating feedback and iterating on designs to meet campaign objectives and deadlines.

• Examples that show how design contributed to campaign goals (e.g., increased engagement, clarified messaging) are highly valued.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Junior Graphic Designer role in a political campaign context, the portfolio is the primary evaluation tool. It needs to clearly display practical application of design skills in a high-stakes, deadline-driven environment, with a focus on direct mail and campaign collateral.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $67,500 annually (prorated).

• Calculation: The annual salary of $67,500 is prorated for the duration of the temporary role. The role runs from May 15, 2026, to October 23, 2026. This is approximately a 5.5-month period.

• Estimated Prorated Salary: $67,500 / 12 months * 5.5 months = approximately $30,937.50.

• Note: This is an estimate; actual compensation for the period will be calculated based on the exact start and end dates.

Benefits:

• While specific benefits for temporary roles can vary, standard offerings often include:
  • Access to company-provided design software and technology.
  • Opportunity to gain invaluable experience in political campaign strategy and design.
  • Networking opportunities within a leading strategic communications and marketing company.
  • Potential for future contract or permanent roles based on performance and business needs.

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time position, typically expected to be 40 hours per week.

• However, due to the nature of political campaigns and election cycles, candidates must be willing to work extended hours, including nights and weekends, during peak periods to meet critical deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary is explicitly stated as $67,500 annually, prorated for the contract duration. Given the temporary nature, comprehensive benefits like health insurance or retirement plans are less common, but the experience gained is significant. The explicit mention of extended hours is crucial for candidates to understand the commitment required.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Strategic Communications, Marketing, Political Consulting, Public Affairs. Orchestra operates within a dynamic and fast-paced sector, integrating various disciplines to build influence for its clients. The Campaigns team specifically focuses on Democratic political consulting and direct mail.

Company Size: Orchestra comprises 700+ people, formed by the acquisition of nine specialized firms including BerlinRosen, Civitas Public Affairs Group, Derris, Glen Echo Group, Inkhouse, M18, Message Lab, Onward, and Small Girls PR. This indicates a large, multi-faceted organization with a significant collective expertise.

Founded: Orchestra was launched in 2022, bringing together established firms. BerlinRosen, a key firm within Orchestra and the hiring entity for this role, was founded in 2006. This blend of established expertise within a newer, consolidated entity shapes its culture.

Team Structure:

• The Junior Graphic Designer will be part of the BerlinRosen Campaigns (BRC) team, which functions as an in-house creative studio specializing in brand strategy, copywriting, design, and direct mail production.

• The team includes strategists, copywriters, branding experts, and designers, fostering a collaborative creative environment.

• The Junior Graphic Designer will report to Art Directors and collaborate closely with account team members.

Methodology:

• Orchestra's approach is described as "strategic communications and marketing built for today’s complex and fragmented world," integrating people, platforms, and stories.

• The Campaigns team focuses on winning tough races through strategic consulting and direct mail, acting as creative partners from brainstorming to execution.

• There is an emphasis on data-driven insights (decoding audiences) and creative execution (designing bold strategies).

• The company values diversity and is committed to staff development and growth, indicating a supportive, albeit demanding, work environment.

Company Website: www.orchestraco.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company structure is a key aspect. Orchestra is an umbrella organization with multiple acquired firms. This role is with BerlinRosen Campaigns, which operates as a distinct unit within Orchestra. Understanding this structure helps in grasping the team dynamics and potential resources available.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a "Junior Graphic Designer," indicating an entry-level to early-career professional within the design discipline. It is suitable for individuals with foundational design skills and a desire to specialize in political campaign creative.

Reporting Structure: The Junior Graphic Designer will report to Art Directors within the BerlinRosen Campaigns (BRC) team. This implies a structured reporting line where guidance and feedback are provided by experienced design leaders. Close collaboration with account team members is also expected.

Operations Impact: While this role is primarily creative, its "operations" impact is through the effective design and production of campaign materials that directly influence voter perception and election outcomes. Successful designs can contribute to candidate wins, which is the ultimate measure of success for the Campaigns team.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in political campaign design, direct mail strategy, and brand development for electoral candidates.

• Creative Leadership: Potential to advance to roles like Graphic Designer, Senior Graphic Designer, or Art Director within the BRC team or other Orchestra firms, managing larger projects and teams.

• Industry Exposure: Gain significant experience in the high-stakes world of political consulting, which can open doors to other roles in advocacy, non-profits, or political strategy.

• Networking: Build a professional network within Orchestra and its constituent firms, potentially leading to future opportunities.

• Mentorship: Benefit from guidance and mentorship from experienced Art Directors and design leaders within the agency.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a temporary role, direct advancement within the same position is not applicable. However, exceptional performance can lead to recommendations for future contract extensions, permanent positions within Orchestra or its agencies, or strong references for roles in the broader political and communications industries. The "2+ years of experience" benchmark suggests that while junior, some prior professional exposure is expected.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Orchestra's New York, N.Y. office with a hybrid work arrangement. Orchestra staff are expected to be in the office 3 days per week. This suggests a collaborative office environment designed to foster teamwork and in-person interaction.

Office Location(s): New York, N.Y. Specific office details regarding accessibility or amenities are not provided but can be assumed to be a professional office setting in a major metropolitan area.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and team structure emphasize collaboration. The designer will work closely with Art Directors and account teams, requiring active participation in discussions and brainstorming sessions.

• Tools and Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and potentially project management tools will be provided. The office environment likely supports the technical needs of a creative studio.

• Team Interaction: The 3-day in-office requirement is designed to facilitate face-to-face interaction, team meetings, and spontaneous collaboration essential for creative project development and deadline management.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time (40 hours/week) but demands flexibility for extended hours, including nights and weekends, during peak campaign periods. This is characteristic of the political consulting industry where campaign timelines are non-negotiable.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model (3 days in-office) is a key aspect of the work environment. Candidates must be comfortable commuting to the New York City office and actively participating in in-person team activities on designated days. The expectation of extended hours is critical for managing candidate expectations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process: While not explicitly detailed, a typical process for a Junior Graphic Designer role in this industry would involve:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio.

• Skills Assessment/Portfolio Review: A dedicated session to review the candidate's portfolio, discuss design choices, and potentially assess technical skills. This may include a design challenge.

• Team/Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion about experience, work style, collaboration approach, and fit with the Campaigns team culture.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader or department head.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-8 of your strongest projects that best represent your print design skills, especially direct mail or campaign collateral.

• Showcase Process: Be prepared to walk through your design process for 2-3 key projects, explaining your rationale, problem-solving approach, and how you incorporated feedback.

• Highlight Political Relevance: If you have political campaign design experience, feature it prominently. If not, select projects that demonstrate strong messaging translation, persuasive design, and ability to work under pressure.

• Demonstrate Technical Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio clearly shows your mastery of InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator.

• Adaptability: Select projects that show your ability to adapt your design style to different brands or campaign needs.

• Clarity and Conciseness: Present your work cleanly, with clear descriptions of your role and the project's objectives and outcomes.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a potential design challenge that might involve creating a concept for a piece of campaign collateral or responding to a design brief under a time constraint.

• Practice articulating your design rationale clearly and concisely, focusing on how your design choices support campaign objectives.

• Familiarize yourself with common political campaign messaging and visual styles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role. Candidates should anticipate a detailed review and be ready to discuss their work extensively. A design challenge is highly probable given the hands-on nature of the work.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Adobe InDesign: Essential for all print layout and direct mail production. Proficiency is critical.
  • Adobe Photoshop: For image editing, retouching, and creating digital assets.
  • Adobe Illustrator: For logo design, vector graphics, and illustrations.

• Project Management Software: Likely tools like Asana, Trello, Monday.com, or internal systems for task tracking, deadline management, and team collaboration.

• File Sharing & Collaboration: Platforms like Google Drive, Dropbox, or similar for sharing design assets and project files.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly used by the designer, but understanding how campaign data informs design choices can be advantageous. Familiarity with CRM concepts might be helpful if interacting with data-driven campaign strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement is deep proficiency in Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator. Any candidate lacking this will not be a fit. Familiarity with project management tools is also important for efficient workflow in a deadline-driven environment.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Essential for working effectively within a studio environment and across campaign teams.

• Creativity & Innovation: Driving compelling visual concepts that help candidates win.

• Efficiency & Productivity: Delivering high-quality work under tight deadlines.

• Adaptability & Resilience: Thriving in the fast-paced, often unpredictable, political campaign cycle.

• Attention to Detail: Ensuring accuracy and polish in all design outputs.

• Impact-Oriented: Focusing on how design contributes to achieving campaign goals and influencing voters.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The designer will work closely with Art Directors, copywriters, strategists, and account managers, requiring strong communication and integration skills.

• Feedback-Driven: An open attitude towards receiving and incorporating feedback from Art Directors and clients is crucial for iterative design processes.

• Proactive Communication: Keeping team members informed about project status, potential roadblocks, and timelines.

• Shared Goal Focus: All team members are aligned on the objective of winning campaigns for clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is likely to be fast-paced, demanding, and results-oriented, typical of political consulting. Success requires not only design talent but also the ability to work effectively in a team, manage pressure, and contribute to a shared mission.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Intense Deadlines: The primary challenge will be consistently meeting extremely tight deadlines inherent in political campaigns, requiring significant time management and prioritization skills.

• High-Pressure Environment: Political campaigns are high-stakes, which can translate to high pressure and the need to adapt quickly to changing strategies or feedback.

• Volume of Work: Producing a high volume of creative assets for multiple campaigns simultaneously.

• Translating Abstract Concepts: Effectively visualizing complex political messages and abstract ideas into clear, persuasive designs.

• Balancing Creativity with Constraints: Delivering innovative design solutions while adhering to campaign branding guidelines, client feedback, and production limitations.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Design Skills: Developing expertise in direct mail design, political branding, and rapid creative production.

• Industry Insight: Gaining a deep understanding of political strategy, campaign messaging, and voter communication tactics.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Building a strong portfolio with impactful work from real-world political campaigns.

• Professional Network: Connecting with experienced professionals in political consulting, communications, and design.

• Resilience Building: Developing coping mechanisms and strategies for working effectively under pressure and tight deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly related to the demanding nature of political campaigns. Growth opportunities are significant for someone looking to specialize in this niche, offering a unique career path and valuable experience.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to meet a very tight deadline for a design project. How did you manage your time and what was the outcome?" (Focus on prioritization, efficiency, and successful delivery.)

• "How do you approach translating abstract campaign messages into visual concepts for direct mail or ads?" (Demonstrate your understanding of messaging and visual strategy.)

• "Walk us through a complex design project from your portfolio. What were the initial objectives, your creative process, and how did you handle feedback?" (Be ready to discuss your portfolio in detail.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across multiple campaign materials?" (Highlight your understanding of branding and hierarchy.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about designing for political campaigns?" (Show genuine passion for the industry.)

• "How do you handle constructive criticism or feedback on your designs?" (Emphasize your openness to iteration and improvement.)

• "What do you know about Orchestra or BerlinRosen Campaigns?" (Research the company and its work.)

• "How do you stay organized when managing multiple projects simultaneously?" (Detail your organizational methods and tools.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each project, tell a concise story: the challenge, your solution, and the impact.

• Highlight Your Role: Clearly articulate your specific contributions, especially if it was a collaborative project.

• Focus on Process: Be prepared to discuss your design thinking, problem-solving approach, and how you integrated feedback.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If any of your designs contributed to measurable success (e.g., increased engagement, successful campaign outcome), highlight it.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your presentation is visually clean, well-organized, and professional, mirroring the quality of work you aim to produce.

• Technical Proficiency: Be ready to discuss the specific tools and techniques you used.

📝 Enhancement Note: Expect questions that probe your ability to perform under pressure, your creative problem-solving skills, and your collaborative approach. Your portfolio presentation is a critical component of the interview process.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Junior Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your print design, art direction, and Adobe Creative Suite skills, specifically mentioning any agency or fast-paced environment experience. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a strong portfolio showcasing 5-8 of your best print design projects, with a focus on direct mail, campaign collateral, or similar materials. Ensure it clearly demonstrates your proficiency in InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator.

• Practice Your Portfolio Walkthrough: Be ready to present your portfolio to interviewers, discussing your design process, rationale, and ability to meet deadlines.

• Research Orchestra and BerlinRosen Campaigns: Understand their mission, recent work (especially political campaigns), and company culture to articulate your interest and fit.

• Prepare for a Potential Design Challenge: Familiarize yourself with common political campaign messaging and be ready to tackle a design exercise under time constraints.

⚠️ 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.