Mid-Weight Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Mid-Weight Graphic Designer

Company: aps Events and Media

Location: Manchester, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design

Date Posted: March 20, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Weight (Estimated 2-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is focused on delivering high-quality graphic design outputs for a diverse events and media production company, primarily serving the healthcare industry.

• The position requires a strong understanding of visual communication, layout, typography, and the technical aspects of preparing artwork for print and digital distribution.

• The successful candidate will manage multiple design projects from conception to completion, ensuring creative solutions align with client needs and brand consistency.

• This role offers a hybrid work arrangement, combining remote work flexibility with in-office collaboration within a creative studio environment situated in a scenic South Manchester location.

📝 Enhancement Note: The original job description lacks specific details on the "Mid-Weight" designation. Based on industry standards, this typically implies 2-5 years of professional experience post-graduation or equivalent, demonstrating a solid grasp of core design principles and the ability to work independently on defined projects. The role is not entry-level but also not senior management, suggesting a focus on execution and creative contribution rather than strategic leadership.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Create compelling and effective graphic design solutions across a wide range of outputs, including digital media, print materials, and event collateral.

• Develop clear, engaging layouts and sophisticated presentation materials for internal and external stakeholders, ensuring visual appeal and informational clarity.

• Produce accurate, production-ready artwork, meticulously preparing files for various print processes to maintain quality and minimize errors.

• Proactively manage a diverse workload, juggling multiple projects simultaneously and consistently meeting tight deadlines without compromising design quality.

• Collaborate effectively with internal teams, including marketing, events, and media production, as well as external clients and stakeholders, to understand project requirements and deliver considered creative solutions.

• Uphold and enhance brand consistency, ensuring all design outputs adhere to established brand guidelines and maintain a high level of craft and attention to detail.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of design processes and workflows within the creative team, fostering efficiency and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided responsibilities list is comprehensive. The emphasis on "preparing files for print" and "managing multiple projects and deadlines" highlights the practical, execution-oriented nature of a mid-weight role. The need to collaborate with "colleagues and stakeholders" indicates that communication and teamwork are as crucial as design skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, Communications, or a related field is typically expected for a mid-weight role, or equivalent practical experience demonstrating a strong foundation.

Experience: A minimum of 2-5 years of professional graphic design experience is required, with demonstrable experience in a studio or agency environment, or within a company's internal creative team. Experience within the healthcare industry or in event production is considered a strong asset.

Required Skills:

• Strong foundations in graphic design principles, including layout, composition, typography, and color theory.

• Proven visual communication skills, with the ability to translate complex ideas into clear and engaging visual narratives.

• Solid artworking skills, with meticulous attention to detail for preparing files for print and digital outputs.

• High level of proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.

• Experience in creating polished and effective presentation design using tools such as Microsoft PowerPoint and Apple Keynote.

• Excellent attention to detail and a discerning eye for design craft, ensuring high-quality deliverables.

• Proven ability to manage multiple projects concurrently, prioritize tasks effectively, and work efficiently under pressure to meet deadlines.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with motion graphics or basic video editing software (e.g., Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro).

• Familiarity with digital design principles, including UI/UX considerations for web and social media assets.

• Understanding of event branding and collateral design for large-scale productions.

• Experience working within the healthcare sector or with medical/scientific content.

• Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Monday.com) for tracking design tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Mid-Weight" designation strongly suggests candidates should possess practical, hands-on experience beyond foundational training. The emphasis on Adobe Creative Suite and presentation software is standard for this level. The preference for specific industry experience (healthcare, events) or additional software skills points to areas where candidates can differentiate themselves.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a range of design projects that demonstrate breadth of skill and versatility across different media (print, digital, presentations).

• Case studies or project examples that highlight your design process, from initial concept and research to final execution, with a focus on problem-solving.

• Projects that clearly demonstrate strong layout, typography, and visual communication skills, with an emphasis on how design decisions supported project objectives.

• Examples of print-ready artwork files or a clear explanation of your print production knowledge.

Process Documentation:

• Portfolio pieces should ideally illustrate your approach to project management, including how you handle briefs, manage timelines, and iterate on designs based on feedback.

• Demonstrations of your understanding of print production workflows, including pre-press checks, color management, and file preparation.

• Examples of how you ensure brand consistency and adhere to design guidelines across multiple assets for a single campaign or client.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a mid-weight designer, a portfolio is critical. It's not just about showcasing pretty pictures, but about demonstrating a capable design process, technical proficiency, and the ability to deliver functional, effective design solutions. The requirement for "relevant work" implies showcasing projects similar in scope or complexity to what aps Events and Media produces.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Mid-Weight Graphic Designer in Manchester, England, with 2-5 years of experience and hybrid work flexibility, the estimated salary range is £28,000 - £38,000 per annum. This estimate considers the cost of living in Manchester and the typical salary bands for creative roles within media production companies.

Benefits:

• Hybrid Work Model: Opportunity to work from home for part of the week, offering flexibility and work-life balance.

• Scenic Work Environment: Access to a beautiful parkland setting when working from the office in South Manchester.

• Creative Exposure: Involvement in a wide variety of design challenges and outputs within the events and healthcare media industries.

• Professional Development: Chances to contribute meaningfully within a growing creative team and gain exposure to diverse design projects.

• Collaborative Culture: A supportive working environment with opportunities to collaborate with experienced colleagues.

• Competitive Salary: A salary commensurate with experience and the responsibilities of the role.

• Standard UK Benefits: Likely includes statutory pension contributions, paid time off (holidays), and potential for other company-specific benefits.

Working Hours: The role is advertised as FULL_TIME. Based on industry standards and the mention of "40" in the input data, it is assumed to be approximately 40 hours per week. Flexibility may be offered within the hybrid model, but core business hours will likely need to be covered.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on typical UK market rates for this role and location. The benefits mentioned in the original description are highlighted, with additional standard benefits inferred. The hybrid aspect is a significant perk for this role.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: The company operates in the Events and Media Production industry, with a primary focus on creating innovative digital media and producing global events, particularly within the healthcare industry. This specialization suggests a need for sensitivity, accuracy, and a professional approach to design.

Company Size: Based on LinkedIn data, aps Events and Media has between 51-200 employees. This indicates a medium-sized company, offering a balance between the structure of larger organizations and the agility and personal impact potential of smaller ones. For a creative role, this size often means a well-defined team structure but with opportunities for cross-functional collaboration.

Founded: Founded in 2014, aps Events and Media has established itself over a decade, suggesting a period of growth and experience in its specialized markets. This history implies a stable company with a developed understanding of its industry and client base.

Team Structure:

• The creative team is likely composed of designers, possibly with specialists in areas like digital media, motion graphics, or event branding.

• As a mid-weight designer, you would report to a Creative Director or Head of Design, working alongside other designers at various levels.

Methodology:

• The company emphasizes creating "exciting and innovative digital media" and producing "global events." This suggests a forward-thinking approach to production and design.

• A strong focus on "high-quality design and attention to detail" indicates a commitment to excellence in execution.

• The healthcare industry focus implies that processes will likely involve rigorous review, accuracy checks, and adherence to industry standards.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on healthcare and global events is a key differentiator. It means designers will work on projects with significant impact and potentially complex subject matter, requiring a professional and meticulous approach. The company size suggests a dynamic environment where an individual's contribution is visible.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position is defined as a Mid-Weight Graphic Designer. This level signifies a designer who has moved beyond junior responsibilities and can independently manage defined projects, contribute creatively, and execute tasks with a high degree of proficiency. They are expected to have a strong command of design principles and software, and to be developing their ability to problem-solve creatively and manage client expectations.

Reporting Structure: The role is part of a creative team and likely reports to a Creative Lead, Art Director, or Head of Design. Collaboration will extend to project managers, event organizers, and media production specialists within the company.

Operations Impact: While this role is primarily creative, its impact is significant. High-quality graphic design is crucial for brand perception, event success, and the clarity of communication in the healthcare sector. Effective design directly influences client engagement, event attendance, and the overall professional image of aps Events and Media and its clients. The designer contributes to the visual storytelling that underpins the company's media production and event offerings.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas such as event branding, digital campaign design, or healthcare communications.

• Project Leadership: As experience grows, potential to take on lead design roles on specific projects or campaigns.

• Creative Development: Exposure to a broad range of projects and industries fosters continuous learning and adaptation of design skills.

• Mentorship: Potential to mentor junior designers as they progress within the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Mid-Weight" designation is key here. It implies a growth trajectory from junior to a more autonomous role. The company's focus on events and healthcare provides specific avenues for specialization and impact, which are valuable for career progression in the design field.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company offers a hybrid work model, allowing for a mix of remote work and in-office presence. When in the office, employees benefit from a unique setting described as being "surrounded by acres of beautiful parkland in the South Manchester area." This suggests a tranquil and inspiring physical workspace, potentially conducive to focused creative work.

Office Location(s): The office is located in Cheadle, South Manchester, United Kingdom. This location offers a pleasant environment away from the immediate city bustle, while still being accessible within the Manchester region.

Workspace Context:

• Hybrid Flexibility: The ability to work remotely offers autonomy and flexibility, crucial for many creative professionals.

• Inspiring Surroundings: The parkland setting provides a unique and potentially stress-reducing environment for in-office days.

• Collaborative Studio: The description implies a busy, fast-paced studio where designers work closely together, fostering a dynamic and collaborative atmosphere.

• Technology & Tools: Access to industry-standard design software and hardware within the studio environment.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, approximately 40 hours per week. The hybrid nature means specific in-office days may be scheduled, with remote days offering flexibility in managing personal workflow and focus time.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "beautiful parkland" setting is a distinctive feature of the office environment. For a hybrid role, it suggests that in-office days are intended to be productive and potentially inspiring, rather than just obligatory. The environment is likely designed to support creative output.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application Review: CV and Portfolio submission is critical. Applications without a portfolio will not be considered.

• Portfolio Screening: The creative team will review portfolios to assess design skills, process, and relevance to the company's work.

• Initial Interview: Likely a virtual or in-person meeting to discuss your experience, motivations, and suitability for the role. This may include a brief portfolio walkthrough.

• Skills Assessment/Design Challenge: A practical exercise may be given, either in-house or as a take-home assignment, to evaluate your design process, artworking skills, and ability to meet specific brief requirements under time constraints.

• Final Interview: A discussion with senior management or the Creative Director to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and overall potential contribution.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 4-6 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prioritize those that showcase your mid-weight capabilities, versatility, and understanding of the company's work (events, healthcare media).

• Showcase Process: For each project, include a brief overview of the brief, your thought process, key design decisions, and the final outcome. Visuals of sketches, mood boards, or early concepts are beneficial.

• Highlight Technical Skills: Include examples of strong typography, layout, and artworking. If applicable, show how you prepared files for print or digital.

• Detail Presentation Skills: If you have strong presentation design examples, ensure they are clearly presented, showcasing your ability to structure information visually.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If a project led to measurable results (e.g., increased engagement, successful event), mention it.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and visually polished. A PDF format or a professional online portfolio link is acceptable.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to demonstrate proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite.

• Practice creating quick layouts and refining designs based on feedback.

• Understand the principles of preparing files for print (e.g., CMYK, bleed, resolution).

• Think about how to approach a design brief, considering target audience, message, and desired outcome.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention that applications without a portfolio will not be considered underscores its importance. For a mid-weight role, the portfolio should demonstrate not just creative output but also a solid design process and technical competence. The potential for a design challenge is common at this level.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: This is the core requirement.

  • Adobe InDesign: Essential for layout, print production, and presentation design.
  • Adobe Illustrator: Crucial for vector graphics, logos, icons, and illustrations.
  • Adobe Photoshop: Necessary for image manipulation, retouching, and digital asset creation.

• Presentation Software:

  • Microsoft PowerPoint: Widely used for business presentations, requiring proficiency in creating professional, visually appealing slides.
  • Apple Keynote: An alternative for presentation design, often favoured for its slick animations and design capabilities.

Analytics & Reporting: While not explicitly a design tool, understanding how design impacts metrics is beneficial. Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics for web assets) or reporting dashboards might be an advantage, though not a primary requirement for this design role.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to the graphic designer role, but understanding how design assets are used within marketing automation platforms or CRM systems (e.g., email templates) could be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily focused on design software. The emphasis on both print (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) and presentation tools (PowerPoint, Keynote) reflects the diverse outputs expected from the role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: A drive to produce "exciting and innovative digital media" and "strong, effective creative solutions."

• Quality & Craftsmanship: A commitment to "high-quality design," "attention to detail," and a "high level of consistency, craft."

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively with "colleagues and stakeholders" to deliver successful outcomes.

• Proactivity & Ambition: A "proactive, motivated mindset with ambition to grow" and the ability to manage projects with confidence.

• Professionalism: Especially important given the healthcare industry focus, implying accuracy, reliability, and a responsible approach to design.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers will work closely with event production, media production, and potentially sales/marketing teams.

• Feedback-Driven: The role involves collaborating with stakeholders, suggesting an environment where feedback is given and received constructively to refine designs.

• Process-Oriented: The mention of preparing files for print and managing deadlines points to structured workflows and a focus on efficient execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values appear to align with a creative agency or production house environment – emphasizing creativity, quality, and teamwork. The healthcare context adds a layer of professionalism and responsibility to these values.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity with Client Needs: Effectively translating client briefs and brand guidelines into innovative yet appropriate designs, especially within the healthcare sector where accuracy is paramount.

• Managing Diverse Project Demands: Juggling multiple projects with varying deadlines, scopes, and stakeholders requires strong organizational and prioritization skills.

• Adapting to Evolving Media Trends: Staying current with design trends, software updates, and new media formats while maintaining a consistent brand voice.

• Print Production Nuances: Ensuring that digital designs translate perfectly to physical print, requiring meticulous attention to pre-press requirements and color management.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Industry Experience: Gaining in-depth knowledge of design challenges and solutions within the healthcare industry.

• Broadening Design Scope: Exposure to a wide array of design outputs, from event branding to digital marketing campaigns, enhancing versatility.

• Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to refine advanced techniques in Adobe Creative Suite and presentation software.

• Hybrid Work Acclimation: Developing effective remote work habits and communication strategies for a hybrid environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a mid-weight designer, particularly in a specialized and fast-paced industry. The growth opportunities are directly tied to the company's diverse project types and the inherent learning that comes with a mid-weight role.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: "Describe your process for approaching a new design brief, from initial concept to final delivery. How do you ensure brand consistency across different outputs?" (Focus on your workflow, research, and problem-solving steps.)

• Project Management: "How do you manage multiple design projects with competing deadlines? Can you give an example of a time you had to prioritize urgent tasks?" (Prepare a specific example, highlighting your organizational skills and how you communicate priorities.)

• Technical Proficiency: "What are your preferred tools for print preparation, and what are the key considerations you always check before sending a file to print?" (Be ready to discuss InDesign, Illustrator, and specific pre-press elements.)

• Client Collaboration: "How do you handle constructive criticism or conflicting feedback from clients or stakeholders?" (Emphasize your ability to listen, interpret feedback, and find collaborative solutions.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working in the healthcare industry and for a company focused on events and media production?" (Research the company's work, mention specific projects or their approach that resonates with you.)

• "How do you see your skills contributing to our creative team and the company's goals?" (Connect your abilities to their stated mission and industry focus.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each chosen project, tell a story: What was the problem? What was your solution? What was the outcome?

• Highlight Process: Show the journey, not just the final images. Include sketches, wireframes, mood boards, or early concepts.

• Demonstrate Technical Skill: Point out specific design choices related to typography, layout, color, and artworking.

• Focus on Relevance: Briefly explain why each project is relevant to aps Events and Media's work in events and healthcare media.

• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, challenges faced, and how you would approach similar projects for their clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for a graphic designer at this level should focus on demonstrating practical skills, a solid design process, and the ability to communicate effectively about their work and its impact. The portfolio is the primary tool for this.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Mid-Weight Graphic Designer position:

• Submit Your CV and Portfolio: Ensure your CV is up-to-date and highlights your relevant experience. Crucially, submit a portfolio showcasing your best work. Applications without a portfolio will not be considered.

• Tailor Your Portfolio: Select projects that best demonstrate your mid-weight capabilities, print artworking skills, presentation design experience, and any relevant work in events or the healthcare sector.

• Prepare Your Portfolio Walkthrough: Be ready to discuss your design process, rationale, and technical execution for the projects you present.

• Research aps Events and Media: Understand their client base, the types of projects they undertake, and their specialization in healthcare and events. This will help you tailor your application and interview responses.

• Practice Answering Common Design Interview Questions: Prepare for questions about your creative process, project management, technical skills, and how you handle feedback.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with aps Events and Media before making application decisions.