Middle Graphic Designer
š Job Overview
Job Title: Middle Graphic Designer
Company: Sofia Stars
Location: Sofia City, Bulgaria
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Graphic Design / Creative Operations
Date Posted: 2026-04-22
Experience Level: Mid-Level (3-5 years)
Remote Status: On-site
š Role Summary
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Design visually compelling graphics for games, websites, and promotional campaigns, ensuring brand consistency and adherence to guidelines.
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Leverage advanced proficiency in design software like Figma and Adobe Photoshop, alongside AI image generation tools, to produce high-quality assets.
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Collaborate closely with product, design, and marketing teams to translate creative concepts into engaging visual content.
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Manage and maintain artwork libraries and design systems, contributing to efficient workflow and scalability of design assets.
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Contribute to the creative pipeline by preparing visual mood boards and gathering strong design references.
š Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a "fast-growing global service provider" that emphasizes "fresh tech and cultural understanding," suggesting a dynamic environment. The focus on scaling ideas into multiple assets and supporting design processes indicates a need for efficiency and strategic thinking beyond pure aesthetics, aligning with operations principles.
š Primary Responsibilities
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Develop and execute high-quality promotional graphics for games, websites, and tournaments, adhering strictly to established brand guidelines and visual concepts.
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Create diverse visual assets, including thumbnails, banners, icons, and other marketing collateral, utilizing a combination of Adobe Creative Suite, AI image generation tools (e.g., Midjourney, Ideogram, Photoshop AI), and Figma.
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Prepare comprehensive visual mood boards and research strong design references to inform creative direction and ensure alignment with project objectives.
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Conduct thorough reviews of all graphic materials to guarantee quality, consistency, brand relevance, and overall effectiveness.
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Foster strong collaborative relationships with product managers, UX/UI designers, and marketing teams, participating actively throughout the design pipeline from ideation to final asset delivery.
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Maintain and meticulously organize artwork libraries, style guides, and design systems to ensure efficient access, consistency, and scalability of visual assets.
š Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "scale visual concepts into a full library of promo assets" and "maintain and organize artwork libraries and style guides" highlights a need for process-oriented thinking and asset management, which are core to operations. This implies the role requires not just creative output but also the discipline to create repeatable, organized design assets.
š Skills & Qualifications
Education: While no specific degree is listed, a strong portfolio demonstrating mastery of design principles and software is paramount. A background in Graphic Design, Digital Art, or a related field is typically expected for this level.
Experience: Minimum of 3 years of hands-on experience working with creative teams in a studio or agency environment, with a proven track record of delivering high-quality visual assets.
Required Skills:
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Advanced proficiency in Adobe Photoshop for detailed image manipulation and creation.
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Expert-level skills in Figma for UI design, prototyping, and collaborative asset creation.
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Hands-on experience with AI image generation tools such as Midjourney, Ideogram, or Photoshop AI for concept exploration and asset enhancement.
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Strong foundational knowledge of typography, vector graphics, and logo experimentation.
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Proven ability to scale visual concepts into comprehensive libraries of promotional assets.
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Solid understanding of UI principles and product design workflows.
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Experience in managing and organizing artwork libraries and design systems.
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Demonstrated ability to create branded graphic design and visual illustrations.
Preferred Skills:
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Experience within the gaming or tech industry, understanding specific visual demands.
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Familiarity with other design and collaboration tools that integrate with Figma or Photoshop.
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Basic understanding of animation principles for motion graphics integration.
š Enhancement Note: The requirement for "3+ years of experience working with creative teams in a studio environment" and "hands-on experience with AI image generation tools" along with "advanced proficiency in Figma and Photoshop" indicates a need for a candidate who can hit the ground running with minimal supervision and possesses a modern, versatile skill set highly relevant to current design operations.
š Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
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A curated selection of 5-7 diverse projects showcasing expertise in graphic design for digital platforms (websites, games, promotions).
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Specific examples demonstrating the ability to scale a single visual concept into a full library of related assets (e.g., different banner sizes, icon sets).
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Case studies or project descriptions that highlight the use of AI image generation tools in the design process, detailing the prompt engineering and refinement stages.
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Evidence of strong typography, vector graphics, and logo design experimentation.
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Visual examples of work produced using Figma and Photoshop, illustrating proficiency and adherence to brand guidelines.
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A section dedicated to UI principles and product design workflows, if applicable to past projects.
Process Documentation:
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For each portfolio piece, briefly outline the design process followed, from initial brief and mood boarding to final asset delivery and organization.
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Detail how brand guidelines were applied and maintained across different assets.
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Explain workflow strategies used when collaborating with product and design teams.
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If applicable, describe how artwork libraries or design systems were utilized or contributed to.
š Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "scaling visual concepts into a full library of promo assets" and "maintaining and organizing artwork libraries and style guides" necessitates a portfolio that not only displays creative output but also demonstrates a structured approach to asset creation and management, reflecting operational efficiency.
šµ Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Based on the "Middle Graphic Designer" title, required experience (3+ years), and location in Sofia, Bulgaria, a competitive salary range for this role is estimated between 2,500 - 4,000 BGN gross per month. This range considers the specific mention of AI tools and advanced software proficiency.
Benefits:
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Financial Incentives: Monthly, quarterly, and annual bonuses; Food vouchers (102 EUR equivalent); Appreciation gifts (birthday, wedding, newborn, etc.).
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Time Off & Well-being: Up to 25 vacation days; 6 undocumented sick leaves; Medical insurance and dental coverage; Office massages.
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Lifestyle & Development: Sport card with 70% coverage (Multisport and/or CoolFit); Breakfast, lunch & snacks provided in the office; Education budget for professional development.
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Team & Culture: Monthly team events to foster camaraderie and engagement.
Working Hours: The role is listed as Full-Time, typically implying a standard 40-hour work week. Given the "studio environment" context and on-site nature, standard business hours are expected, with potential for occasional flexibility based on project demands.
š Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is derived from general market data for mid-level graphic designers in Sofia, Bulgaria, factoring in the specialized skills (AI tools, Figma expertise) and the company's status as a "fast-growing global service provider." The provided benefits package is comprehensive and aligns with competitive offerings in the region.
šÆ Team & Company Context
š¢ Company Culture
Industry: The company operates as a "global service provider" in a broad capacity, guiding "high-growth businesses" with services including R&D, Customer Support, Sales, KYC, Risk, and Anti-Fraud. This suggests a B2B focus, likely serving tech, gaming, fintech, or e-commerce sectors that require robust operational support. The emphasis on "fresh tech and cultural understanding" points to an innovative and adaptable environment.
Company Size: The provided data does not specify company size, but the mention of "fast-growing" implies a developing organization that may range from a mid-sized company (50-250 employees) to a larger, established entity scaling its operations. For a graphic designer, this could mean working within a dedicated creative team or supporting multiple departments.
Founded: The "Company Founded" field is not provided. However, the company's description as "fast-growing" suggests a relatively modern establishment or a period of significant expansion.
Team Structure:
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The Graphic Designer will likely be part of a broader Creative or Marketing department.
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Direct collaboration is expected with product and design teams, indicating a cross-functional structure where design is integrated into product development and go-to-market strategies.
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The reporting structure will likely be to a Lead Graphic Designer, Design Manager, or Head of Marketing/Creative.
Methodology:
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Data Analysis & Insights: While not directly a data analyst role, the designer is expected to understand and apply "brand guidelines" and "visual concepts," implying a need to interpret and act on strategic briefs.
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Workflow Planning & Optimization: The responsibility to "scale visual concepts into a full library of promo assets" and "maintain and organize artwork libraries" points to an appreciation for efficient workflows and asset management.
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Automation & Efficiency: The explicit requirement for AI image generation tools indicates a company embracing modern, efficient design tools to accelerate production and explore creative avenues.
Company Website: https://www.sofiastars.com/
š Enhancement Note: Sofia Stars' positioning as a versatile service provider for high-growth businesses means the graphic designer will likely encounter diverse visual challenges across different industries. The "fast-growing" nature suggests opportunities for impact and potential for process improvement contributions.
š Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This role is classified as a "Middle Graphic Designer," indicating a mid-level position. It requires a solid foundation of technical skills and creative experience (3+ years) and the ability to work independently on assigned tasks while also collaborating effectively within a team. The role involves executing designs based on established concepts and brand guidelines, with an emphasis on production efficiency and asset scalability.
Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report to a Lead Graphic Designer, Design Manager, or potentially a Marketing Manager. They will collaborate closely with product teams, UX/UI designers, and potentially marketing specialists.
Operations Impact: While not a traditional "operations" role in terms of process optimization of business workflows, this graphic designer's work directly impacts the "operations" of marketing and product development. High-quality, consistent visuals are crucial for customer acquisition (website and promo graphics), user engagement (in-game assets), and brand perception. Efficient asset creation and management streamline marketing campaigns and product launches, contributing to the overall operational effectiveness of these departments.
Growth Opportunities:
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Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific design areas such as UI/UX for games, advanced AI-driven design, or motion graphics, potentially leading to senior or specialized roles.
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Leadership Potential: With proven performance and contributions to design systems or process improvements, there may be opportunities to mentor junior designers or take on lead roles on specific projects.
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Cross-Functional Exposure: Collaboration with various teams provides exposure to different business functions, potentially opening doors to roles in product management, marketing operations, or creative direction.
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Education Budget: The provided education budget can be utilized for advanced courses, certifications, or workshops in emerging design technologies and methodologies, fostering continuous learning and career advancement.
š Enhancement Note: The "Middle" designation implies a stepping stone from junior roles, with expectations of greater autonomy and contribution to project outcomes. The company's growth trajectory suggests potential for increased responsibility and career progression within the organization.
š Work Environment
Office Type: The job is listed as "On-site" and mentions a "Great office location." This suggests a physical workspace designed for collaboration, likely featuring modern amenities and a potentially vibrant atmosphere conducive to creative work.
Office Location(s): The primary location is Sofia City, Bulgaria. Specific details about the office's accessibility or proximity to public transport are not provided but are implied to be a positive aspect.
Workspace Context:
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Collaborative Environment: As part of a "studio environment" and working closely with "product and design teams," the workspace is expected to facilitate frequent interaction, brainstorming sessions, and feedback exchanges.
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Tools & Technology: Access to a robust technology stack including Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and AI image generation tools is fundamental to the role. The company's focus on "fresh tech" suggests modern hardware and software setups.
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Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct communication and teamwork with colleagues across design, product, and potentially marketing departments are crucial for this role's success. The provision of "Breakfast, lunch & snacks in the office" further emphasizes a communal and integrated work environment.
Work Schedule: The role is "Full-Time," generally implying a standard 40-hour work week. As an on-site position, adherence to typical business hours is expected, though the dynamic nature of a "fast-growing" company might occasionally require flexibility to meet project deadlines.
š Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement combined with the provision of meals and an education budget indicates a company that invests in its employees' work experience and professional development within a physical office setting.
š Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
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Initial Screening: A review of submitted resumes and portfolios to assess experience, skills, and alignment with requirements.
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Portfolio Presentation & Technical Interview: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, discussing key projects, design choices, and their process. This stage will also involve technical questions regarding Figma, Photoshop, AI tools, and design principles. Expect scenario-based questions related to brand consistency and asset scaling.
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Team/Manager Interview: An interview with the hiring manager and potentially team members to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and problem-solving abilities. This may include behavioral questions and discussions about how the candidate handles feedback and works within a team.
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Final Interview (Optional): A final discussion with a senior leader to confirm suitability and discuss role expectations.
Portfolio Review Tips:
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Showcase Versatility: Highlight projects that demonstrate your ability to work across different visual styles and asset types (thumbnails, banners, icons).
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Demonstrate Process: For each project, clearly explain your thought process, the tools used (especially Figma, Photoshop, AI), and how you applied brand guidelines.
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Highlight Scalability: Include examples that explicitly show how you scaled a core visual concept into multiple assets, detailing the efficiency gained.
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AI Integration: Clearly present any work where AI tools were used. Explain your prompts, how you refined the AI output, and how it integrated with your manual design work.
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Brand Consistency: Provide examples where you successfully maintained brand consistency across a series of assets.
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Conciseness: Be prepared to present your portfolio within a set timeframe, focusing on the most impactful and relevant projects.
Challenge Preparation:
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Be ready for a potential design challenge that might involve creating a set of promotional graphics based on a given brief, or refining existing assets to better align with brand guidelines or a new concept.
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Practice articulating your design decisions and workflow efficiency, especially concerning asset scaling and the use of AI tools.
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Prepare questions about the team structure, current design challenges, and opportunities for professional growth within Sofia Stars.
š Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "scaling visual concepts" and integrating "AI image generation tools" suggests the interview process will likely include specific evaluations of these capabilities. A candidate's ability to articulate their process and demonstrate efficiency will be key.
š Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
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Figma: Essential for collaborative UI design, prototyping, and creating vector-based assets. Proficiency expected for creating consistent design systems and scalable assets.
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Adobe Photoshop: Critical for detailed image editing, compositing, and creating raster graphics. Advanced skills are required for high-quality visual production.
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AI Image Generation Tools: Midjourney, Ideogram, Photoshop AI (or similar). Proficiency here is a key differentiator, indicating the ability to leverage cutting-edge technology for concept generation and asset enhancement.
Analytics & Reporting: While not a primary focus for this role, understanding how visual assets perform (e.g., click-through rates on banners, engagement on game thumbnails) would be beneficial. Awareness of tools used for website analytics or campaign tracking might be a plus.
CRM & Automation: Not directly relevant to the graphic designer's core toolset, but an understanding of how marketing assets are used within CRM or marketing automation platforms could provide valuable context.
š Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma, Photoshop, and AI image generation tools signifies the core technology stack. A candidate's ability to demonstrate advanced proficiency and creative application of these tools, particularly AI, will be highly valued.
š„ Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
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Efficiency & Scalability: A strong emphasis on delivering high-quality assets quickly and in a scalable manner, as indicated by the need to "scale visual concepts into a full library of promo assets."
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Innovation & Adaptability: The company's embrace of "fresh tech" and "AI tools" suggests a culture that values innovation and the adoption of new technologies to improve processes and outcomes.
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Collaboration & Communication: Working within a "studio environment" and with "product and design teams" necessitates strong communication skills and a collaborative spirit.
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Quality & Consistency: Maintaining "brand guidelines" and "quality" across all outputs is a fundamental expectation.
Collaboration Style:
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Cross-Functional Integration: Expect to work closely with product managers and designers, requiring clear communication about project requirements, feedback, and timelines.
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Feedback-Driven Improvement: The process of "reviewing graphic materials" implies a culture where constructive feedback is given and received to enhance designs.
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Knowledge Sharing: Maintaining "artwork libraries and style guides" encourages sharing of best practices and reusable assets across the team.
š Enhancement Note: The company's focus on "guiding high-growth businesses" and providing "tailored solutions" suggests a results-oriented culture that values proactive problem-solving and efficiency in execution, which the graphic designer's role directly supports.
ā” Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
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Balancing Creativity with Efficiency: Delivering high-quality, on-brand visuals under tight deadlines and scaling them into multiple assets requires a strategic approach to creative execution.
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Integrating AI Effectively: Mastering the art of using AI tools not just for generation but for thoughtful concept development and seamless integration with traditional design workflows.
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Maintaining Brand Consistency Across Diverse Projects: As a service provider for various businesses, adapting to and consistently applying different brand identities can be demanding.
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Staying Abreast of Design Trends & Technology: The rapid evolution of design tools and trends, especially in AI, requires continuous learning and adaptation.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
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Advanced Software Training: Utilizing the education budget for specialized courses in Figma, Photoshop plugins, or advanced AI prompting techniques.
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Industry Best Practices: Opportunities to learn from experienced team members and potentially attend industry webinars or conferences focusing on digital design, gaming visuals, or AI in creative fields.
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Mentorship: Potential for guidance from senior designers or creative leads on developing a strategic approach to visual design and asset management.
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Exposure to New Industries: Working with a diverse client base offers exposure to a wide range of visual challenges and industry-specific design needs.
š Enhancement Note: The company's "fast-growing" nature and emphasis on "fresh tech" indicate an environment where embracing new challenges and continuous learning are likely encouraged, providing ample opportunity for professional development.
š” Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
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"Describe your process for scaling a visual concept from an initial idea into a full library of promotional assets. How do you ensure consistency and efficiency?" (Focus on workflow, asset management, and scalability.)
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"Walk us through a project where you utilized AI image generation tools. What was your prompting strategy, how did you refine the output, and how did it integrate with your traditional design work?" (Highlight your AI proficiency and creative application.)
Company & Culture Questions:
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"How do you stay updated with the latest graphic design trends and emerging technologies, particularly in areas like AI and UI design?" (Showcase your commitment to continuous learning.)
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"Describe your experience collaborating with product and design teams. How do you handle feedback and ensure alignment with project goals?" (Focus on teamwork and communication.)
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
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Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio to highlight projects that best demonstrate the required skills: AI integration, Figma/Photoshop mastery, asset scalability, and brand consistency.
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Tell a Story: For each project, explain the problem, your approach, the tools used, the solution, and the outcome. Quantify results where possible (e.g., "increased engagement by X%").
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Highlight AI Workflow: Clearly articulate your process for using AI tools. Show examples of raw AI output and how you refined it into a final, polished asset.
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Demonstrate Scalability: Dedicate a section or specific examples to show how you created multiple assets from a single core concept.
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Be Concise and Confident: Practice your presentation to ensure it flows well and stays within any time limits. Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your work.
š Enhancement Note: Given the emphasis on AI tools and asset scalability, expect interview questions and portfolio reviews to heavily scrutinize these specific areas. Demonstrating a clear, efficient, and creative workflow that incorporates these elements will be crucial.
š Application Steps
To apply for this Middle Graphic Designer position:
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Submit your application through the Sofia Stars careers portal via the provided Greenhouse link.
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Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature projects showcasing your expertise in Figma, Photoshop, AI image generation tools, and your ability to scale visual concepts into multiple assets. Include case studies that detail your process and the impact of your designs.
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Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume highlights your 3+ years of studio experience, specific software proficiencies (Figma, Photoshop, AI tools), and achievements related to branded graphic design and asset management. Use keywords from the job description.
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Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, especially regarding AI integration and asset scalability. Prepare to present your portfolio confidently and engage in discussions about brand consistency and collaborative workflows.
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Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Sofia Stars' services, mission, and values. Understand their role as a service provider for high-growth businesses and consider how your creative contributions align with their operational goals.
ā ļø 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 must have at least 3 years of experience in a studio environment with strong skills in Figma, Photoshop, and AI generation tools. A solid background in branded graphic design, typography, and UI principles is required.