Senior Graphic Designer (Project Based Role)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer (Project Based Role) Company: Meow Wolf Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Creative Operations / Marketing Operations / Brand Operations Date Posted: 2025-07-24T00:00:00 Experience Level: 5-10 Years Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is central to Meow Wolf's Visual Development department, focusing on the strategic execution and oversight of graphic design projects across diverse mediums, including exhibition graphics, branding, and digital content.
• As a Senior Graphic Designer, you will be responsible for conceptualizing and delivering high-impact visual assets that align with and elevate the Meow Wolf brand identity and narrative.
• You will lead and mentor other designers on medium-scale projects, ensuring quality, consistency, and timely delivery of creative work from concept through production.
• This position requires a strong understanding of design theory, a keen aesthetic sense, and the ability to translate creative goals into tangible, attention-grabbing designs for both print and digital formats.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Graphic Designer," the responsibilities described, particularly overseeing projects, leading other designers, and collaborating across departments like exhibitions, marketing, and operations, strongly indicate a role within Creative Operations or Brand Operations, focusing on the strategic and managerial aspects of design execution rather than purely individual contributor design work. The project-based nature also suggests a need for strong project management and resource allocation skills, common in operations roles.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage the end-to-end lifecycle of graphic design projects, from initial concept development and ideation to final delivery, ensuring alignment with project briefs and brand standards.
• Design and produce original graphic design pieces, including illustrations, infographics, logos, branding elements, print collateral, marketing campaign assets, web and social media content, product packaging, and merchandise displays.
• Lead and mentor associate graphic designers and graphic designers on medium-scale projects, providing clear direction, constructive feedback, and ensuring the quality and consistency of their work.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Exhibitions, Marketing, Merchandising, Operations, Production Design, and Creative Direction, to conceptualize and execute design solutions that meet diverse stakeholder needs.
• Maintain and champion brand consistency across all marketing and creative projects, ensuring all visual communications adhere to Meow Wolf’s established design systems and guidelines.
• Prioritize and manage multiple design projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment, balancing urgency and importance to meet deadlines effectively.
• Actively participate in brainstorming sessions, concept development, and project presentations, articulating design rationale and contributing to strategic creative decisions.
• Drive improvements to company graphics standards and processes, acting as a self-starter to identify opportunities for design system enhancement and workflow optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "oversee," "lead," "mentor," "prioritize," and "manage multiple projects" points to a significant operational component beyond pure design execution. The role requires managing the process of design creation and delivery, which is a core function within operations. The collaboration with "Operations" specifically highlights the integration of design within broader operational workflows.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Visual Communications, or a related field is typically expected for a senior-level role, though equivalent practical experience demonstrating mastery of design principles and processes may be considered.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience as a Graphic Designer, with at least 3 years in a lead or senior capacity, demonstrating progressive responsibility in project management and creative direction.
• Experience within the marketing, film, media, themed entertainment, or interactive museum industries is highly preferred, providing context for the unique demands of creative project execution in these sectors.
• Proven track record of executing creative projects from initial concept through final production across both print and digital formats.

Required Skills:

• Graphic Design Expertise: Comprehensive knowledge of design principles, styles, layout techniques, typography, grid systems, and visual hierarchy.
• Adobe Creative Suite Proficiency: In-depth mastery of Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign for professional design creation and production.
• Project Management & Prioritization: Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks effectively, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Brand Management: Strong understanding of brand consistency and the ability to apply and maintain brand guidelines across diverse creative outputs.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with various departments and stakeholders, translating feedback and requirements into design solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• Portfolio Development: A robust portfolio showcasing a wide range of professional graphic design work, demonstrating strong visual aesthetic, conceptual thinking, and technical skill.
• Materiality & Production Knowledge: Industry knowledge of materiality and production methods relevant to physical installations, print, and merchandise.
• Team Leadership & Mentorship: Experience leading and mentoring junior designers, providing constructive feedback and guiding project execution.
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to address design challenges and propose creative solutions.
• Emerging Technologies Curiosity: Natural curiosity and awareness of emerging technologies and design trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "3+ years experience as a lead graphic designer and at least 5 years as a graphic designer" clearly positions this as a senior role. The preferred industry experience (themed entertainment, museums) and the emphasis on "materiality and production methods" are critical for understanding the operational context within Meow Wolf's unique business model.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a diverse range of design projects that demonstrate conceptual strength, visual appeal, and technical execution across various mediums (branding, print, digital, environmental graphics).
• Include case studies that highlight your process for taking a project from brief to completion, emphasizing problem-solving, ideation, and final output.
• Demonstrate how you've maintained brand consistency and applied design systems effectively in previous roles.
• Provide examples of projects where you've collaborated with cross-functional teams or managed project timelines and deliverables.
• Highlight any experience with environmental graphics, exhibition design, or themed entertainment design, as this is highly relevant to Meow Wolf's core business.

Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your typical workflow for managing design projects, including how you approach concept development, iteration, feedback integration, and final asset delivery.
• Explain how you ensure quality control and brand consistency throughout the design process.
• Discuss your experience with project prioritization and time management techniques, especially when juggling multiple high-stakes projects.
• Be ready to articulate your approach to collaborating with non-design stakeholders and translating their needs into effective visual solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Graphic Designer role, especially in an immersive experience company like Meow Wolf, a portfolio is paramount. The expectation is not just to see pretty pictures, but to understand the designer's process, problem-solving approach, and ability to manage projects and collaborate effectively – all key components of operational excellence in creative departments.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The stated starting salary for this position is $72,100 USD per year.
• Compensation is contingent upon location and the candidate's demonstrated experience and qualifications. Given the Santa Fe, NM location and the senior-level nature of the role (5+ years experience, leadership responsibilities), this figure aligns with industry benchmarks for experienced creative professionals.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical Insurance options (PPO & HDHP), Dental and Vision Insurance, Health Savings Accounts (HSA), Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRA), and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) are available for regular and project-based full-time positions.
• Retirement Planning: 401k Retirement Plan.
• Income Protection: Company-paid Life Insurance Policy and Disability Coverage(s), with options for Voluntary Critical Illness and Life Insurance Policies.
• Employee Support: Company-paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Family Support: Paid Parental Leave for 12 weeks.
• Perks & Discounts: Discount off Meow Wolf Gift Shop merchandise and cafes, and complimentary admission to Meow Wolf attractions for employees and their guests.

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time position, typically Monday through Friday, with standard working hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Occasional evening and weekend work may be required to meet project demands and deadlines, reflecting the dynamic nature of creative projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary of $72,100 aligns with entry to mid-level designer salaries in many US markets, but for a Senior Graphic Designer role with 5+ years of experience and leadership potential in a niche industry, it might be on the lower end. However, the "project-based" nature (anticipated 12+ months) could influence the compensation structure. The benefits package is robust and competitive, typical for a company of Meow Wolf's size and mission.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Themed Entertainment / Experiential Art / Immersive Art Installations. Meow Wolf operates at the intersection of art, technology, and storytelling, creating unique, interactive, and often surreal immersive experiences that engage audiences on multiple sensory levels. This industry context implies a culture that values innovation, creativity, collaboration, and pushing boundaries. Company Size: Meow Wolf is a growing company, indicated by its multiple locations and diverse departments. This size suggests a dynamic environment where employees can have a significant impact, but also one that requires clear processes and structures to manage growth effectively. The operations teams are likely integral to scaling these unique experiences. Founded: Meow Wolf began as a collective in 2008 and has since grown into a prominent public benefit corporation and certified B Corporation. This origin story as a collective fosters a collaborative and artist-driven culture, while its current structure as a PBC and B Corp emphasizes a commitment to social and environmental well-being alongside profitability.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Graphic Designer will be part of the Visual Development department, which is likely a key component of the broader Creative or Marketing teams.
• This role involves collaboration with various departments, including Exhibitions, Marketing, Merchandising, Operations, Production Design, Creative Direction, and Fabrication. This indicates a highly cross-functional work environment where design is integrated into many facets of the company's operations.
• While this specific role is not supervisory, it involves leading associate and graphic designers on medium-scale projects, suggesting a mentorship and team-lead aspect within project execution.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Creativity: While art-centric, the operational aspects likely involve data for project management, resource allocation, and potentially usage analytics for digital assets.
• Process-Oriented Execution: Given the complexity of immersive experiences, there’s a strong emphasis on structured processes for design, production, and installation to ensure quality and consistency.
• Collaborative Ideation: Meow Wolf's values highlight "Collaborative Creativity" and "Provocative Playfulness," indicating a methodology that encourages shared brainstorming, experimentation, and open feedback loops to generate innovative design solutions.

Company Website: www.meowwolf.com/careers

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Meow Wolf's unique culture, values (Collaborative Creativity, Provocative Playfulness, Outsiders Welcome, Authentic Compassion, Audacious Courage), and mission as a Public Benefit Corporation and B Corp is crucial for any applicant. This context heavily influences how design and operational processes are approached, emphasizing creativity, inclusivity, and impact.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as Senior, indicating a professional with substantial experience and the ability to operate with a degree of autonomy and leadership within their domain. For an operations professional in a creative context, this means not just executing tasks but also contributing to process improvement, mentoring junior team members, and influencing project outcomes. Reporting Structure: The Senior Graphic Designer will likely report to a Creative Director, Art Director, or a Manager within the Visual Development or Marketing departments. They will, in turn, lead other designers on specific projects, creating a project-based leadership dynamic. This structure highlights the blend of individual contribution and team guidance inherent in senior operations roles. Operations Impact: The graphic design output directly impacts Meow Wolf's brand perception, marketing effectiveness, exhibition appeal, and merchandise sales. By ensuring high-quality, consistent, and compelling visual assets, this role contributes significantly to the overall customer experience, brand engagement, and revenue generation. Effective operational execution of design ensures that creative visions are realized efficiently and on brand.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to lead larger, more complex projects, potentially managing a small team or overseeing design for an entire exhibition, fostering leadership and project management skills.
• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific design areas relevant to immersive experiences, such as environmental graphics, interactive design, or brand system development.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain broader experience by working closely with diverse departments like Exhibitions, Fabrication, and Marketing, understanding the operational intricacies of different business functions.
• Process Improvement Contribution: Contribute to the refinement of design workflows, style guides, and asset management systems, enhancing operational efficiency within the creative department.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "project-based" nature of the role (anticipated 12+ months) suggests it could be a long-term contract or a pathway to a permanent position. Growth potential would involve taking on more complex projects, leading larger creative initiatives, and potentially transitioning into permanent roles with broader operational responsibilities within the creative department or Meow Wolf's expanding operations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Santa Fe, NM, and operates within a professional office environment. However, the description also notes potential work within immersive exhibition spaces, which can be noisy, dimly lit, and feature special effects like strobing lights and fog machines. This implies a dynamic work setting that blends traditional office tasks with on-site creative production support. Office Location(s): Primarily Santa Fe, New Mexico. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The environment encourages collaboration with fellow designers and cross-functional teams, supporting Meow Wolf's "Collaborative Creativity" value.
• Creative Tools & Technology: Access to standard office equipment and the expectation to utilize Google Suite and Adobe Creative Suite daily.
• Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with designers, project managers, curators, marketing teams, and potentially fabrication personnel, fostering a rich creative exchange.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours (Monday-Friday, ~9 AM-5 PM or 10 AM-6 PM) are expected, but flexibility for occasional evening and weekend work is necessary to meet project demands. This reflects a results-oriented environment where project deadlines often dictate working hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Work Environment and Physical Demands" section is critical. It highlights that this isn't just a desk job; designers may need to work within the immersive installations themselves, requiring adaptability to non-traditional, sensory-rich environments. This is a key aspect of the operational reality for creative roles in this industry.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of application materials, focusing on resume and portfolio for relevant experience and design quality.
• Portfolio Review & Skill Assessment: Candidates will present their portfolio, discussing their design process, project management approach, and ability to meet brand and project requirements. This may include specific case studies demonstrating problem-solving and collaboration.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders from departments like Exhibitions, Marketing, or Operations to assess collaboration skills, communication, and alignment with company values.
• Creative Challenge/Project Discussion: Potential for a design exercise or in-depth discussion about how they would approach a specific Meow Wolf design challenge, evaluating strategic thinking and creative problem-solving.
• Cultural Fit Interview: Discussion focused on Meow Wolf's values and mission to ensure alignment with the company's unique culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your senior-level capabilities, leadership, project management, and experience relevant to Meow Wolf's work (themed entertainment, immersive art).
• Tell the Story: For each project, explain the brief, your process, the challenges faced, how you collaborated, and the ultimate outcome, emphasizing your role and impact.
• Highlight Process: Show your thought process, sketches, mood boards, and iterations, not just the final polished designs. This demonstrates your operational approach to design.
• Quantify Impact: If possible, include metrics or results that demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs (e.g., engagement rates, sales impact, brand recognition).
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, project management, collaboration experiences, and how you handle feedback and pressure.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with Meow Wolf's existing brand identity, exhibits, and marketing materials to understand their aesthetic and voice.
• Practice articulating your design process and decision-making, especially in response to hypothetical Meow Wolf-related design briefs.
• Be ready to discuss how you would balance creative vision with project constraints (budget, timeline, technical limitations) – a key operational skill.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio presentation, process discussion, and understanding Meow Wolf's unique context points to an interview process that values operational thinking and creative problem-solving in equal measure. Demonstrating how you "manage" the design process is as important as the design itself.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for daily design work.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, illustrations, and branding elements.
  • Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, digital painting, and mockups.
  • InDesign: For layout design of print materials, marketing collateral, and exhibition graphics.
• Google Suite: For collaboration, communication, and project management (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned for this role, a Senior Designer may interact with analytics tools to understand the performance of digital assets (web, social media) or marketing campaigns, indirectly influencing design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the core design function, but understanding how design assets integrate into marketing automation platforms or CRM systems could be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Google Suite and Adobe Creative Suite is crucial. Proficiency in these core tools is non-negotiable for this role and highlights the software stack expected in a creative operations environment.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Collaborative Creativity: Actively participate in team brainstorming, share ideas openly, and contribute to a shared creative vision, fostering an environment where ideas are amplified through collective effort.
• Provocative Playfulness: Embrace experimentation, explore unconventional ideas, and find joy in the creative process, recognizing that unexpected approaches can lead to discovery and innovation.
• Outsiders Welcome: Be inclusive, open-minded, and respectful of diverse perspectives, creating a welcoming environment where all team members feel valued and can contribute their unique talents.
• Authentic Compassion: Demonstrate empathy, supportiveness, and kindness towards colleagues, acting as "kind punks" who stand up for what's right and support each other.
• Audacious Courage: Have the courage to challenge the status quo, take creative risks, and embrace reinvention to push the boundaries of art and storytelling.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Work seamlessly with diverse teams (Exhibitions, Marketing, Merchandising, Operations, Fabrication) to ensure design solutions are integrated and effective across all touchpoints.
• Feedback Exchange: Engage in constructive dialogue, providing and receiving feedback openly to refine designs and improve project outcomes.
• Knowledge Sharing: Share design knowledge, best practices, and insights with fellow designers and team members to foster collective growth and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: Meow Wolf's company values are deeply integrated into their culture and likely influence how operational tasks, including design project management, are approached. Demonstrating alignment with these values will be key for candidates.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Project Constraints: Successfully translating ambitious creative concepts into tangible designs within defined timelines, budgets, and technical limitations, requiring strong operational foresight and problem-solving.
• Maintaining Brand Consistency Across Diverse Projects: Ensuring a cohesive brand experience across a wide array of outputs, from large-scale installations to small digital assets, demanding meticulous attention to detail and process.
• Managing Multiple Stakeholder Needs: Effectively navigating feedback and requirements from various departments, each with unique objectives, requiring strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Adapting to Fast-Paced, Evolving Projects: Thriving in a dynamic environment where project scopes and requirements may shift, necessitating agility and a proactive approach to design execution.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Techniques: Opportunities to explore new software, design methodologies, and creative approaches relevant to immersive experiences and themed entertainment.
• Industry Exposure: Gaining insights into the operational and creative processes of other departments within Meow Wolf, broadening understanding of the business.
• Mentorship: Learning from senior creative leaders and collaborating on high-profile projects, fostering professional growth and skill development.
• Process Innovation: Contributing to the refinement and optimization of design workflows and asset management systems, enhancing operational efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the operational complexities inherent in a creative role at Meow Wolf. Overcoming these requires not just design talent but also strong project management, communication, and adaptability – skills honed in operations-focused roles.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Operations & Strategy: "How would you approach prioritizing design requests from multiple departments with competing deadlines and varying levels of urgency? Describe a time you had to manage conflicting project priorities." (Focus on your process for triage, resource allocation, and stakeholder communication).
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: "Describe a challenging project where you had to collaborate with a difficult stakeholder or department. How did you manage the relationship and ensure the design goals were met?" (Highlight your communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills in a collaborative context).
• Problem-Solving & Efficiency: "Meow Wolf is known for its innovative experiences. If tasked with designing graphics for a new, unconventional exhibit element, how would you approach the concept development and execution to ensure it aligns with the brand while also being technically feasible and within budget?" (Showcase your ability to balance creativity with practical operational constraints).

Company & Culture Questions:

• Brand Understanding: "What aspects of Meow Wolf's brand identity resonate most with you, and how would you ensure your design work consistently reflects that?" (Research their mission, values, and aesthetic thoroughly).
• Team Dynamics: "How do you prefer to collaborate with other designers and cross-functional teams? What is your approach to giving and receiving creative feedback?" (Align your answers with Meow Wolf's stated values like "Collaborative Creativity").
• Impact Measurement: "How have you measured the success or impact of your design work in previous roles, particularly in marketing or branding initiatives?" (Think about metrics like engagement, brand recall, or sales impact).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the process, the challenges, your solutions, and the outcome.
• Emphasize Process: Walk through your workflow, showing sketches, wireframes, or iterations to demonstrate how you arrive at the final product. This highlights your operational rigor.
• Showcase Collaboration: Mention specific instances where you worked with other teams or individuals, and how that collaboration influenced the final design.
• Highlight Brand Alignment: Explain how your designs support and enhance the brand identity, especially in relation to Meow Wolf's unique positioning.
• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Prepare to answer detailed questions about your technical choices, design rationale, and project management decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skills, but also the operational capabilities required for a senior role: project management, process thinking, cross-functional collaboration, and a deep understanding of brand and company values.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-adjacent creative position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Meow Wolf careers portal.
• Operations Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating project management, cross-functional collaboration, and brand consistency, with a focus on relevant industries (themed entertainment, experiential art). Prepare to walk through your design process for 2-3 key projects.
• Resume Optimization for Operations Roles: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your years of experience, specific software proficiencies (Adobe Creative Suite, Google Suite), project leadership, and any experience in managing creative workflows or processes. Quantify achievements where possible.
• Operations Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design strategy, project prioritization methods, and collaborative approaches. Be ready to discuss how you maintain quality and brand standards under pressure, aligning your answers with Meow Wolf's values.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Meow Wolf's mission, values, current projects, and brand aesthetic. Understand their Public Benefit Corporation and B Corp status and how this influences their operations and creative output.

⚠️ 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.