Senior Visual Designer

Grammarly
Full_timeβ€’$171k-235k/year (USD)β€’San Francisco, United States

πŸ“ Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Visual Designer Company: Grammarly Location: San Francisco, California, United States Job Type: Full-time Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Technology Date Posted: October 21, 2025 Experience Level: 5-10 years Remote Status: Hybrid

πŸš€ Role Summary

  • Lead the visual design and execution of high-quality graphics, animations, and visual assets for web and mobile product experiences, product experiments, and growth design initiatives.
  • Optimize and re-invest in the customer journey from discovery through long-term engagement, creating impactful visual elements across digital touchpoints.
  • Collaborate with product managers, developers, marketers, and other stakeholders to deliver cohesive and innovative design solutions, advocating for high design standards.
  • Partner closely with product and content designers, fostering a culture of creativity, communication excellence, and robust visual support for growth strategies.
  • Utilize data-driven insights and stakeholder feedback to iterate on designs, ensuring clarity, meaning, and inspiration throughout the user experience.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: This role is focused on visual design within the Growth Design team, specifically targeting the customer journey optimization. The emphasis is on creating engaging visual assets for acquisition, onboarding, and retention efforts, requiring a strong understanding of how design impacts user behavior and conversion.

πŸ“ˆ Primary Responsibilities

  • Spearhead the design and execution of visual assets for Grammarly's web and mobile product experiences, including product experiments and growth design materials.
  • Develop and refine intake, partnership, and visual asset production processes, collaborating with Design Operations to scale these systems effectively.
  • Partner with product managers, developers, marketers, and other cross-functional stakeholders to deliver cohesive, impactful design solutions and champion high design standards.
  • Collaborate closely with product and content designers, fostering a culture of creativity, excellent communication, and strong visual support for growth initiatives.
  • Integrate data-driven insights and stakeholder feedback to iteratively improve designs, enhancing user engagement and clarity.
  • Create delightful and personalized user experiences through imaginative use of static and motion elements, storyboarding how these enhance user engagement.
  • Work with Design Foundations and Brand Creative teams to develop, maintain, and advocate for design systems, style guides, and brand standards across individual products and the company.
  • Ensure visual consistency and brand alignment across all user touchpoints, sharing visual insights from growth experiments to promote collective knowledge building among design teams.
  • Stay current with industry trends, tools, and best practices to drive innovation and maintain best-in-class design craft.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on design execution, process development, and cross-functional collaboration, indicating a senior-level role that influences design strategy and operational efficiency within the Growth Design team.

πŸŽ“ Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience. Experience: 4+ years of professional experience as a visual designer or in a similar design role, with a proven track record of delivering impactful visual solutions.

Required Skills:

  • Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and modern design tools such as Figma and Sketch.
  • Strong portfolio showcasing a breadth of visual design projects, including graphic design production, visual systems, communication design, and creative problem-solving.
  • Excellent communication, presentation, and collaboration skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and influence stakeholders.
  • Exceptional attention to detail and strong organizational abilities, essential for managing complex visual assets and workflows.
  • Proven ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience with motion graphics or product animation, demonstrating creativity and a desire to deepen product motion skills.
  • Familiarity with UX/UI principles and web accessibility standards, ensuring designs are user-centered and inclusive.
  • Experience working within cross-functional and agile teams, contributing to collaborative product development cycles.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize technical design proficiency, a strong portfolio demonstrating creative problem-solving, and excellent collaboration skills. The preference for motion graphics and UX/UI familiarity suggests a role that bridges creative execution with user-centered design principles.

πŸ“Š Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a diverse range of visual design projects, with a focus on graphic design production, visual systems, and communication design.
  • Case studies demonstrating creative problem-solving and the application of visual design principles to achieve specific project goals or business objectives.
  • Examples of work that highlight an understanding of user engagement and how visual elements contribute to a positive customer journey.
  • Demonstrations of proficiency in modern design tools and advanced use of Adobe Creative Suite, illustrating technical expertise and workflow efficiency.

Process Documentation:

  • Evidence of developing and refining processes for visual asset production, intake, and partnership, showcasing an ability to improve operational efficiency.
  • Examples of how data-driven insights and stakeholder feedback were incorporated into design iteration cycles, demonstrating a commitment to iterative improvement.
  • Documentation of contributions to or adherence to design systems, style guides, and brand standards, ensuring visual consistency and brand alignment.
  • Case studies illustrating collaboration with cross-functional teams (product managers, developers, marketers) to deliver cohesive design solutions.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Candidates are expected to present a portfolio that not only demonstrates creative output but also showcases an understanding of design processes, collaboration, and the impact of visual design on user experience and business goals.

πŸ’΅ Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $171,000 - $235,000 USD per year. This range is for "Zone 1" compensation, likely reflecting a primary US market like San Francisco.

Benefits:

  • Excellent health care, including comprehensive medical, dental, vision, mental health, and fertility benefits.
  • Disability and life insurance options for added security.
  • 401(k) and RRSP matching to support long-term financial planning.
  • Paid parental leave to support new parents.
  • Generous paid time off: 20 days per year, plus 12 paid holidays and two floating holidays.
  • Flexible sick time to support employee well-being.
  • Various generous stipends, including for caregiving, pet care, wellness, and home office expenses.
  • Annual professional development budget and opportunities for continuous learning and career growth.

Working Hours: While not explicitly stated, a standard full-time role typically involves around 40 hours per week. Grammarly's hybrid model offers flexibility, allowing for a balance between focused work and in-person collaboration.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Grammarly offers a competitive compensation package with a strong emphasis on comprehensive benefits and employee well-being, reflecting its commitment to supporting its employees both professionally and personally. The salary range is provided for Zone 1, which typically includes major tech hubs.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏒 Company Culture

Industry: AI Writing Assistance / Technology Company Size: Grammarly is a significant player, indicated by its ranking on the Forbes Cloud 100 and TIME's 100 Most Influential Companies. It's large enough to have structured teams and cross-functional collaboration but agile enough for innovation. Founded: 2009, with over a decade of experience in the AI writing assistance space, establishing a strong market presence and a mature product offering.

Team Structure:

  • The Growth Design team is part of a larger design organization, collaborating with Product Designers, Content Designers, Design Operations, and Brand Creative teams.
  • This Senior Visual Designer reports into the Growth Design team, working closely with Product Managers, Developers, and Marketers on growth-focused initiatives.
  • Collaboration is a key element, with an emphasis on cross-functional partnerships to optimize the end-to-end customer journey.

Methodology:

  • Data-driven insights are crucial for iterating on designs and measuring the impact of visual elements on user engagement and conversion.
  • A customer-centric approach is paramount, aiming to create meaningful, clear, educational, and inspiring user experiences.
  • Continuous improvement and innovation are encouraged, with an emphasis on staying updated with industry trends and best practices.

Company Website: http://grammarly.com/about

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Grammarly fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and data-driven decision-making, with a strong focus on customer experience and continuous improvement. The hybrid work model supports flexibility and in-person connection.

πŸ“ˆ Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Visual Designer, indicating a mid-to-senior level role with significant responsibility for leading design execution and contributing to strategic design initiatives within the Growth Design team. Reporting Structure: The role likely reports to a Design Lead or Manager within the Growth Design team, with close collaboration with Product Managers and other senior members of cross-functional teams. Operations Impact: This role directly impacts Grammarly's growth by visually optimizing critical points in the customer journey, from initial discovery and onboarding to long-term engagement and upgrades. High-quality visual design can significantly influence user perception, conversion rates, and overall customer satisfaction.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Deepen expertise in product motion graphics and animation through dedicated learning and hands-on project experience.
  • Develop leadership skills by mentoring junior designers and leading visual design aspects of complex growth initiatives.
  • Expand understanding of UX/UI principles and web accessibility standards, contributing to more inclusive and effective product designs.
  • Potential to move into more specialized design roles or management positions within the design organization as Grammarly evolves its multi-product strategy.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: This role offers significant opportunities for skill development in specialized areas like motion graphics and UX, alongside leadership growth. The focus on growth initiatives provides a direct line of sight to business impact.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Grammarly employs a "hub-based hybrid working model," which means the company maintains physical office spaces ("hubs") that employees can utilize for collaboration, focus work, and team building, while also allowing for remote work. Office Location(s): The primary advertised location is San Francisco, with a hybrid arrangement, suggesting employees are expected to work from the San Francisco hub on designated days.

Workspace Context:

  • The hybrid model encourages a blend of focused individual work and in-person collaboration, fostering trust, innovation, and a strong team culture.
  • Employees likely have access to modern office facilities designed for collaboration and productivity.
  • Opportunities for regular interaction with a diverse team of growth experts, designers, product managers, and developers.

Work Schedule: The hybrid model implies flexibility in scheduling, allowing employees to balance their work and personal lives while meeting team and project needs. Standard business hours are expected, with flexibility for collaborative activities.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is designed to offer flexibility while ensuring opportunities for meaningful in-person collaboration, crucial for fostering innovation and team cohesion within the design and growth teams.

πŸ“„ Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and alignment with the role's requirements.
  • Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where you present your portfolio, discussing key projects, your design process, and the impact of your work. Be prepared to articulate your rationale for design decisions and how you approached challenges.
  • Design Challenge/Case Study: You may be asked to complete a design exercise or discuss a case study related to growth design, product visuals, or brand consistency.
  • Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Developers, and other stakeholders to assess collaboration skills, communication, and alignment with team dynamics.
  • Hiring Manager Interview: A final discussion with the hiring manager to assess overall fit, career aspirations, and cultural alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your visual design expertise, creative problem-solving, and experience with growth-oriented initiatives or product design. Include examples of web, mobile, and potentially motion graphics work.
  • Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your design process, the solutions you developed, and the impact of your work (quantifiable results are a plus).
  • Highlight Process: Demonstrate your thought process, your collaboration with others, and how you incorporated feedback or data into your designs.
  • Showcase Craftsmanship: Ensure your portfolio is visually polished, easy to navigate, and demonstrates exceptional attention to detail in typography, layout, and color.
  • Tailor to Grammarly: If possible, include projects that show an understanding of Grammarly's brand or similar product/growth challenges.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Familiarize yourself with Grammarly's product and brand.
  • Be prepared to discuss how visual design can influence user acquisition, onboarding, and engagement.
  • Practice articulating your design decisions clearly and concisely, focusing on the "why" behind your choices.
  • Consider how you would approach designing for a user journey or a specific growth experiment.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes a strong portfolio demonstration, collaborative skills, and the ability to translate visual design expertise into tangible growth outcomes.

πŸ›  Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Adobe Creative Suite: Advanced proficiency expected in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for asset creation and manipulation.
  • Modern Design Tools: Expertise in Figma and/or Sketch for UI design, prototyping, and collaborative workflows.
  • Motion Graphics Software (Preferred): Experience with tools like Adobe After Effects for creating animations and motion graphics.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • While not a primary responsibility, familiarity with how design impacts analytics and reporting metrics (e.g., conversion rates, engagement) is beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

  • Not directly applicable to the visual design role, but understanding how visual assets are deployed through marketing automation or product journeys is advantageous.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Proficiency in industry-standard design software is critical. Experience with prototyping and collaborative design tools like Figma is highly valued, and motion graphics skills are a significant plus.

πŸ‘₯ Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Craftsmanship: A commitment to high-quality visual design, attention to detail, and a passion for creating beautiful, effective assets.
  • Collaboration: Working effectively with cross-functional teams, valuing diverse perspectives, and fostering a supportive team environment.
  • Data-Informed: Utilizing data and user insights to guide design decisions and measure impact.
  • Growth Mindset: A continuous desire to learn, experiment, and improve, staying ahead of industry trends and best practices.
  • User-Centricity: Designing with the end-user in mind, ensuring clarity, delight, and meaningful experiences.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-Functional Integration: Actively partnering with product managers, developers, marketers, and other designers to achieve shared goals.
  • Open Communication: Encouraging clear, concise, and constructive feedback exchange within the team and with stakeholders.
  • Knowledge Sharing: Proactively sharing insights, learnings, and best practices from design experiments and industry trends.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Grammarly's culture emphasizes excellence in craft, strong collaboration, and a data-driven approach to design, all while maintaining a focus on the user and fostering continuous learning.

⚑ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing the need for rapid iteration in growth experiments with maintaining high design quality and brand consistency.
  • Effectively translating complex product features or growth strategies into clear, compelling visual narratives.
  • Collaborating with diverse stakeholders who may have varying design sensibilities or priorities.
  • Staying current with evolving design tools, technologies, and user expectations in the fast-paced AI and tech industry.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in motion graphics, 3D design, or advanced UI/UX principles through internal resources and external training.
  • Industry Exposure: Participate in design conferences, workshops, and webinars to stay abreast of emerging trends and network with peers.
  • Mentorship: Benefit from mentorship from senior designers and leaders within Grammarly, gaining insights into career progression and strategic design thinking.
  • Cross-Functional Learning: Gain a deeper understanding of product management, marketing strategies, and development processes through close collaboration.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: This role presents opportunities to tackle complex design challenges within a growth context, with ample support for professional development and skill expansion in cutting-edge design areas.

πŸ’‘ Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a time you used visual design to significantly impact a user journey or conversion rate. What was your process, and what were the results?" (Focus on data-driven outcomes and your strategic approach.)
  • "How would you approach designing visual assets for a new feature launch aimed at increasing user adoption? Walk me through your thought process." (Emphasize user understanding, creative concepting, and iterative design.)
  • "How do you ensure visual consistency and brand alignment across multiple product touchpoints, especially when working on growth experiments?" (Discuss your understanding of design systems and brand guidelines.)

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What excites you about Grammarly's mission and products? How do you see visual design contributing to our AI writing assistance?" (Research Grammarly's mission and demonstrate genuine interest.)
  • "How do you approach collaboration within a hybrid work environment? Describe your ideal working relationship with product managers and developers." (Highlight your communication, teamwork, and flexibility.)
  • "How do you stay updated on design trends and incorporate them into your work while respecting brand guidelines?" (Showcase your proactive learning and ability to balance innovation with brand integrity.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Storytelling: Structure your presentation around clear narratives for each project, detailing the challenge, your role, your process, the solution, and the impact.
  • Visual Clarity: Ensure your slides are clean, well-designed, and effectively showcase your work. Use high-quality mockups and visuals.
  • Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Focus on the most impactful projects and articulate your points clearly and efficiently.
  • Interaction: Be prepared for questions about your design choices, problem-solving approach, and how you handle feedback. Engage with the interviewers.
  • Grammarly Context: If possible, subtly weave in how your skills and experiences align with Grammarly's specific needs and values.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Prepare to showcase not just your design skills but also your strategic thinking, collaborative abilities, and understanding of how visual design drives business outcomes, particularly within a growth context.

πŸ“Œ Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Visual Designer position:

  • Submit your application through the provided link on the Grammarly careers page.
  • Portfolio Optimization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, visually stunning, and highlights projects relevant to product design, growth initiatives, and visual systems. Clearly articulate your role and the impact of your work.
  • Resume Tailoring: Customize your resume to emphasize your 4+ years of visual design experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Figma/Sketch, and any experience with motion graphics or growth-related design. Use keywords from the job description.
  • Prepare Your Narrative: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on clear storytelling, articulating your design process, and showcasing quantifiable results where possible. Be ready to discuss your approach to collaboration and problem-solving.
  • Research Grammarly: Understand Grammarly's mission, product, brand identity, and recent initiatives. Consider how your design philosophy aligns with theirs.

⚠️ 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

Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design or related field, or equivalent experience is required. A strong portfolio and 4+ years of professional experience as a visual designer are essential.