Senior Visual Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Visual Designer Company: CoW DAO Location: Germany (Remote OK) Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Technology / Marketing Date Posted: January 19, 2026 Experience Level: 5-10 Years

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the creative direction and visual evolution of CoW DAO's brands across all digital and physical platforms, ensuring a cohesive and impactful brand identity.
• Design high-quality visual assets for marketing initiatives, encompassing digital content, launch videos, social media, advertising, and physical collateral, demonstrating a strong understanding of Go-To-Market (GTM) design principles.
• Mentor and guide 1-2 junior designers, fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous professional growth, and knowledge sharing within the design team.
• Bridge the gap between marketing visuals and product interfaces, ensuring a consistent design language and user experience across all touchpoints.
• Actively contribute to the strategic organization and process improvement of the design function at CoW DAO, identifying opportunities for increased impact and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "player-coach," requiring a blend of hands-on design execution and leadership responsibilities. The emphasis on "shaping design as a practice" and "shepherding the organizational structure for design" indicates a strategic component beyond typical senior design roles, integrating with GTM operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Brand Vision & Evolution: Define and execute the creative vision for CoW DAO's brands, leading the visual evolution across all marketing channels and platforms.
• Marketing Asset Creation: Design a wide array of high-quality visual assets for marketing campaigns, including digital content, social media graphics, banner ads, launch videos, website elements, swag, and physical collateral, aligning with GTM strategies.
• Team Leadership & Mentorship: Provide guidance, feedback, and mentorship to 1-2 junior designers, fostering their professional development and ensuring high-quality output.
• Design System & Consistency: Maintain and evolve a cohesive design language by ensuring alignment between marketing visuals and product interfaces, bridging the gap between GTM and product development.
• Design Operations & Process Improvement: Identify and implement processes that improve design workflows, manage resources against a roadmap, and enhance the overall efficiency and impact of the design team.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Foster a collaborative environment across design, marketing, product, and engineering teams to ensure seamless execution of GTM initiatives and product launches.
• Data-Informed Design: Utilize data and analytics to inform design decisions, measure the effectiveness of visual assets, and optimize creative strategies for GTM campaigns.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong connection to Go-To-Market (GTM) operations, particularly in the creation of marketing assets and the need for data-consciousness to inform design decisions that drive business outcomes. The "player-coach" aspect implies active involvement in campaign execution and team development.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience:

• 5+ years of progressive experience as a Senior Visual Designer, with a proven track record in leading design initiatives in a technology-focused environment.
• Demonstrated experience in a "player-coach" role, successfully mentoring junior designers and contributing to team strategy and process.

Required Skills:

• Visual Design Mastery: Expert-level skills in creating compelling visual assets for digital and physical mediums, with a strong portfolio showcasing brand evolution and marketing campaign execution.
• Brand Strategy & Development: Ability to define and guide the creative vision and visual identity of brands, ensuring consistency and impact across all touchpoints.
• Mentorship & Leadership: Proven experience leading or mentoring a small team of designers, providing constructive feedback and fostering professional growth.
• Design Tool Proficiency: Expert command of Figma, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), and other relevant design software.
• System Thinking: Deep understanding and practical application of design systems, ensuring scalability and consistency across diverse projects.
• Remote Collaboration: Experience and expertise in remote design workflows, tools, and best practices for effective collaboration with distributed teams.
• UI/UX Fundamentals: Solid understanding of User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) principles to ensure designs are not only visually appealing but also functional and user-centric.
• Data-Conscious Decision Making: Ability to leverage data and analytics to inform design choices, measure impact, and optimize creative strategies for marketing and GTM objectives.

Preferred Skills:

• Motion Design Expertise: Proficiency with motion design tools such as After Effects, Rive, and Lottie for creating dynamic and engaging visual content.
• Web3 Familiarity: Experience designing for Web3 projects, understanding the unique design considerations and user expectations within the decentralized ecosystem.
• Color Theory & Visual Styling: Advanced knowledge of color theory, typography, and visual styling to create sophisticated and impactful designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "data-conscious" decision-making and "design for digital products and digital media" points to an operations-minded approach where design directly supports business objectives and GTM strategies. The blend of creative and leadership skills is crucial for this role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Brand Evolution Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 comprehensive case studies demonstrating your ability to lead the visual evolution of a brand, detailing the process from concept to execution and measurable impact.
• Marketing Campaign Design: Include a selection of high-impact visual assets created for diverse marketing campaigns (e.g., digital ads, social media, video storyboards, event collateral), highlighting your understanding of GTM objectives.
• Design Leadership Examples: Provide evidence of your experience mentoring or leading designers, such as examples of feedback provided, process improvements implemented, or team-led projects.
• System Design & Application: Demonstrate your proficiency with design systems, including examples of how you've contributed to, utilized, or enforced design system guidelines across multiple projects.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Detail your approach to designing and optimizing visual design workflows, particularly within a remote, cross-functional environment. Highlight how you ensure efficiency and quality.
• Collaboration & Feedback Loops: Illustrate your methods for establishing effective collaboration and feedback loops between designers and other teams (e.g., marketing, product), focusing on clear communication and iterative improvement.
• Metrics & Impact Measurement: Explain how you track and measure the effectiveness of your design work, especially for marketing assets, using data to inform future creative strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio demonstrating end-to-end campaign design, leadership, and process thinking is critical. The ability to articulate how design directly contributes to GTM success and business metrics will be a key differentiator.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The typical salary range for a Senior Visual Designer in Germany, with 5-10 years of experience and remote capabilities, is estimated to be between €65,000 - €90,000 annually. This range can vary based on specific skills, portfolio strength, and final negotiation.

Benefits:

• Flexible Work Environment: Enjoy the autonomy to work remotely or from the Lisbon hub, promoting work-life balance.
• Token Plan: Opportunity to receive company tokens, aligning your success with the growth of CoW DAO.
• Periodic Gatherings: Regular in-person team meetups and trips to foster connection and collaboration.
• Conference Allocation: Budget to attend industry conferences and stay updated on design and Web3 trends.
• Learning Budget: Financial support for continuous professional development, courses, and skill enhancement.
• Hardware Budget: Allocation for acquiring necessary equipment to ensure optimal productivity.
• Flexible Work and Vacation Times: Robust policy supporting work-life balance with flexible schedules and generous vacation allowance.
• Growth Opportunities: Ample opportunities for individual growth, initiative, and taking on new responsibilities within a dynamic startup environment.
• Referral Program: Earn a bonus (4000 USDC or USD) for successful referrals.

Working Hours: Typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility in scheduling to accommodate remote work and cross-time zone collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior design roles in Germany, considering the remote work arrangement and the company's focus on Web3 and DeFi. The benefits package is comprehensive, reflecting a startup environment that values employee growth and well-being.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Decentralized Finance (DeFi) and Web3 infrastructure, focusing on optimizing trade execution and protecting Ethereum users from MEV (Maximal Extractable Value). Company Size: CoW DAO operates as a decentralized autonomous organization with a distributed team, likely comprising a core team and a broader community of contributors. Based on similar organizations, the core team could range from 50-200 individuals. Founded: While the exact founding date isn't provided, CoW Protocol's development and the subsequent DAO formation indicate a company established in the rapidly evolving DeFi space, likely within the last 5-7 years.

Team Structure:

• Decentralized & Cross-Functional: The design team likely operates within a decentralized structure, collaborating closely with marketing, product, engineering, and community management teams.
• Reporting: The Senior Visual Designer will mentor 1-2 designers, suggesting a small, focused design unit that reports to a higher-level manager or directly to a founding team member responsible for GTM or product.
• Collaboration: Emphasis on open-source ethos, community-driven development, and transparent communication, fostering a highly collaborative and integrated work environment.

Methodology:

• Open-Source & Community-Centric: CoW DAO is deeply committed to open-source principles, with over 100 repositories on GitHub, encouraging community contributions and transparency in development.
• Data-Driven Optimization: Utilizes tools like Dune Analytics to showcase performance metrics and inform strategic decisions, reflecting a data-conscious approach to product development and GTM.
• Agile & Iterative: Likely employs agile methodologies for product development and marketing campaigns, allowing for rapid iteration, feedback integration, and adaptation in the fast-paced DeFi market.

Company Website: https://cow.fi

📝 Enhancement Note: CoW DAO's commitment to open-source and decentralization shapes its culture, demanding strong collaboration and communication skills. The role's connection to DeFi and Web3 requires an understanding of this unique industry.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a Senior Individual Contributor with leadership responsibilities, falling into the "player-coach" category. It's a critical position for shaping brand identity and mentoring emerging talent within the GTM function.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Visual Designer will mentor 1-2 junior designers. They will likely report to a Head of Marketing, Head of Product, or a similar leadership role responsible for GTM strategy and execution.

Operations Impact: This role directly impacts the company's public perception, brand recognition, and the effectiveness of its marketing and GTM campaigns. High-quality visual design is crucial for attracting users, investors, and partners in the competitive DeFi space. The role also supports product design, ensuring a cohesive brand experience from marketing touchpoints to the interface itself.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to grow into a Design Lead or Head of Design role as the DAO expands its operations and design team.
• Strategic Design Influence: Opportunity to significantly shape the visual direction and design processes for CoW DAO and its suite of products (CoW Protocol, CoW Swap, MEV Blocker).
• Web3 Design Specialization: Deepen expertise in designing for the Web3 ecosystem, a rapidly growing and highly sought-after skill set.
• Cross-Functional Skill Development: Gain experience in product design, GTM strategy, and decentralized organizational structures.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "player-coach" aspect signifies a growth path that balances individual contribution with team development and strategic oversight, offering a unique career trajectory in the Web3 space.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company offers a flexible work environment, allowing employees to join a central hub in Lisbon or work entirely remotely. This supports a distributed team structure common in DAOs and tech startups.

Office Location(s): While remote work is supported across Germany, Portugal, and Spain, CoW DAO also maintains a presence or hub in Lisbon, Portugal, suggesting opportunities for in-person collaboration for those located nearby.

Workspace Context:

• Remote-First Collaboration: The environment is geared towards effective remote collaboration, requiring strong digital communication tools and processes.
• Technology Stack: Access to industry-standard design tools (Figma, Adobe Suite) and potentially specialized Web3 design tools.
• Cross-Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with marketing, product, engineering, and community teams, fostering a dynamic and integrated work experience.

Work Schedule: Flexible work hours are a key offering, allowing employees to manage their schedules effectively while ensuring alignment with team needs and project deadlines, particularly for GTM initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on flexibility and remote work aligns with the needs of modern design professionals and the distributed nature of DAOs. The Lisbon hub provides an option for those who prefer some in-person interaction.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of application, resume, and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and cultural fit.
• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A dedicated session where the candidate presents their portfolio, focusing on key projects, design process, leadership experience, and GTM impact.
• Skills-Based Interview: Technical interview assessing proficiency in design tools, understanding of UI/UX, motion design, and design systems.
• Team/Culture Fit Interview: Discussion with potential team members and leadership to evaluate collaboration style, communication skills, and alignment with CoW DAO's values.
• Take-Home Challenge (Potential): A design challenge to assess problem-solving skills, creativity, and ability to execute within a given brief, possibly related to a GTM campaign concept.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight GTM Impact: Showcase how your designs have contributed to marketing objectives, user acquisition, or campaign success. Quantify results where possible (e.g., increased engagement, conversion rates).
• Demonstrate Leadership: Include examples of your mentorship or team leadership, explaining your approach to guiding others and fostering design excellence.
• Showcase Process: Detail your design process for key projects, explaining your rationale, research methods, and iterative steps.
• Design System Integration: Clearly illustrate how you've worked with or contributed to design systems, emphasizing consistency and scalability.
• Web3 Relevance: If applicable, highlight any experience or understanding of designing for Web3 projects, demonstrating your familiarity with the ecosystem.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand CoW DAO: Thoroughly research CoW Protocol, its mission, products (CoW Swap, MEV Blocker), and target audience.
• Analyze Brand Identity: Study CoW DAO's current visual identity and marketing materials. Identify strengths, weaknesses, and potential areas for evolution.
• Focus on GTM Strategy: If a challenge is given, approach it from a GTM perspective, considering how the design will achieve specific marketing or business goals.
• Prepare for Mentorship Scenarios: Be ready to discuss hypothetical situations involving mentoring junior designers and resolving design conflicts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not only design skills but also leadership, strategic thinking, and cultural fit within a decentralized, Web3-focused organization. A portfolio that clearly articulates GTM impact is essential.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, and collaborative design workflows.
• Adobe Creative Suite: Including Photoshop (image editing, compositing), Illustrator (vector graphics, logos), and InDesign (layout, print design).
• Design Systems Tools: Proficiency with tools and methodologies for creating, managing, and scaling design systems (e.g., Storybook, Zeroheight, or Figma's component features).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Dune Analytics: Familiarity with this platform for understanding DeFi data and user behavior, which can inform design decisions.
• General Analytics Platforms: Understanding of how to interpret data from tools like Google Analytics or similar platforms to measure the performance of digital marketing assets.

CRM & Automation: (Less direct, but understanding of their output)

• Marketing Automation Platforms: Awareness of tools used for email marketing and campaign execution, understanding the types of assets needed for these platforms.

3D & Motion Design Tools (Preferred):

• After Effects: For creating animated graphics, explainer videos, and motion design assets.
• Rive / Lottie: For implementing interactive animations and Lottie animations in digital products and marketing materials.

📝 Enhancement Note: Expertise in core design tools is mandatory, with a strong preference for motion design and an understanding of the analytics landscape relevant to DeFi and digital marketing.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Impact & Ownership: A strong emphasis on taking initiative, driving results, and owning your work to make a significant difference in the organization's success.
• Simplicity: A preference for clear, straightforward solutions and processes, avoiding unnecessary complexity in design and operations.
• Team Spirit: A collaborative and supportive culture focused on collective achievement and mutual respect among team members.
• Continuous Growth: A commitment to ongoing learning, skill development, and embracing new challenges to foster personal and professional advancement.
• Data-Driven: Using data to inform decisions, measure effectiveness, and optimize strategies across all functions, including design and marketing.

Collaboration Style:

• Open & Transparent: Communication is direct, honest, and open, fostered by the DAO's commitment to transparency and open-source principles.
• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers work closely with marketing, product, and engineering, requiring strong interpersonal skills and the ability to translate complex ideas across disciplines.
• Feedback-Oriented: A culture that encourages constructive feedback as a tool for improvement and growth, both for individuals and the team's output.
• Autonomy & Empowerment: Team members are trusted to manage their work and make decisions, fostering a sense of autonomy and responsibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture values proactivity, clear communication, and a results-oriented approach, essential for success in a fast-paced, decentralized environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Decentralization: Adapting to the unique operational dynamics of a DAO, which may involve less formal structures and more community-driven decision-making.
• Rapidly Evolving Industry: Keeping pace with the fast-changing landscape of DeFi and Web3, requiring continuous learning and adaptation of design strategies.
• Balancing Brand Consistency with Innovation: Maintaining a strong, consistent brand identity across diverse marketing channels while also pushing creative boundaries and embracing new visual trends.
• Remote Team Management: Effectively leading and mentoring designers in a remote setting, ensuring alignment, motivation, and high performance.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Web3 Design Specialization: Gain deep expertise in designing for blockchain and decentralized applications, a highly in-demand skill.
• Leadership Development: Grow from a senior individual contributor to a recognized design leader within the Web3 space.
• Strategic GTM Input: Contribute significantly to the strategic planning and execution of marketing and GTM campaigns, understanding their direct business impact.
• Industry Exposure: Attend conferences and engage with the broader DeFi and Web3 communities, expanding professional networks and knowledge.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant opportunities for growth in a cutting-edge industry, balanced by the inherent challenges of decentralized organizations and rapidly evolving technologies.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led the visual evolution of a brand. What was your process, and what was the impact?" (Focus on your strategic approach, decision-making, and quantifiable results.)
• "How would you approach designing a comprehensive visual identity for a new DeFi product launch that needs to stand out in a crowded market?" (Emphasize your understanding of GTM, target audience, and brand positioning.)
• "Imagine one of your junior designers is struggling to meet deadlines. How would you coach and support them while ensuring project timelines are met?" (Demonstrate your mentorship style and problem-solving skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about CoW DAO and its mission in the DeFi space?" (Show genuine interest and research into the company's goals.)
• "How do you envision fostering a strong design culture within a remote, decentralized team?" (Discuss your approach to collaboration, communication, and team building.)
• "How do you incorporate data into your design process, especially for marketing assets?" (Provide specific examples of using analytics to inform design choices and measure success.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each project, frame it as a narrative – the challenge, your solution, the process, and the outcome.
• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., engagement rates, conversion lifts, brand recall).
• Showcase Leadership: Clearly distinguish between your individual contributions and any collaborative efforts or instances where you guided others.
• Explain Your "Why": Be prepared to articulate the strategic reasoning behind your design choices, connecting them to business objectives and GTM strategies.
• Interactive Elements: If possible, use interactive prototypes or walkthroughs to showcase dynamic designs and user flows.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, and a data-informed approach to design, all within the context of the Web3 and DeFi industries.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Visual Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby, ensuring all required fields are completed accurately.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent your experience in brand evolution, marketing asset creation, and any leadership or mentorship roles. Ensure each project clearly outlines the challenge, your process, and the measurable impact, with a specific focus on demonstrating GTM relevance.
• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight keywords and experiences directly related to visual design, branding, marketing design, team leadership, Figma, Adobe Suite, and any Web3/DeFi exposure. Quantify your achievements with specific data points where possible.
• Prepare Your Presentation: Rehearse walking through your portfolio, focusing on clear storytelling, strategic rationale, and quantifying the impact of your work, especially for GTM initiatives. Be ready to discuss your leadership approach and how you foster design excellence.
• Research CoW DAO: Deeply understand CoW DAO's mission, products, target audience, and current visual identity. Prepare to articulate why you are a strong fit for their culture and how you can contribute to their GTM success.

⚠️ 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.

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