Visual Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Visual Designer Company: Fairphone Location: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands Job Type: Full-time Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing Date Posted: 2026-01-12 Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years) Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Translate Fairphone's brand story into compelling visual designs across all marketing channels.
• Ensure brand compliance and consistency in all visual assets, enhancing the multichannel customer experience.
• Collaborate closely with Brand, Marketing, Commercial, and Product teams to bring creative briefs to life.
• Drive process improvements to increase design speed and efficiency, contributing to a dynamic scale-up environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a mid-level Visual Designer focusing on asset creation and brand consistency within a values-driven company. The emphasis on collaboration, process improvement, and translating complex briefs into visual solutions indicates a need for strong communication and execution skills beyond pure design aesthetics, aligning with the typical demands of a scale-up marketing team.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and deliver a wide range of multi-channel visual assets, including digital ads, social media graphics, email templates, landing pages, point-of-sale materials, and event collateral.
• Translate complex creative briefs into clear, compelling, and brand-compliant visual solutions, often requiring adaptation for multiple languages.
• Maintain high standards of design quality and efficiency, managing multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proactively collaborate with Brand & Marketing, Commercial, Product, and Impact teams, integrating feedback constructively and ensuring design consistency across all touchpoints.
• Utilize and contribute to existing design guidelines, templates, and reusable components within the design system to ensure visual coherence and accelerate asset production.
• Actively participate in creative brainstorms and sessions to generate new ideas for content and creatives, leveraging and developing skills across digital, print, motion, and illustration.
• Effectively communicate project status, deadlines, and potential challenges to stakeholders, proactively questioning briefs and suggesting improvements to elevate the work.
• Prepare and organize final design files meticulously for handoff to developers, printers, or external agencies, ensuring print-ready PDFs, web-optimized images, and organized source files.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on design execution and strategic contribution. The emphasis on "Proactive Communication & Strategy" and "Strategic Translation" suggests that the role requires more than just executing designs; it involves understanding the strategic intent behind briefs and offering creative input. Managing a design system and contributing to templates points towards a need for structured thinking and long-term asset management.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Formal training in design (e.g., Graphic Design, Visual Communication) is required. A professional certificate in a related field is also considered.

Experience: 3-5 years of experience in visual design, digital design, or graphic design, preferably within multicultural environments on either a brand or agency side.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects) and Figma for design production.
• In-depth knowledge of typography, layout, color theory, and iconography, with a keen eye for detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Proven ability to translate marketing goals and complex creative briefs into clear, compelling visual solutions.
• Experience in managing multiple design projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong collaboration and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to integrate feedback constructively.
• Familiarity with design system principles and contributing to brand guidelines.

Preferred Skills:

• Dutch, German, or French language skills.
• Experience working with macOS, Google Workspace, and project management tools like Basecamp.
• Experience in motion graphics or illustration.
• Understanding of sustainable electronics and Fairphone's mission and values.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of 3-5 years places this role firmly in the mid-level bracket. The explicit mention of "multicultural environments" and preferred language skills suggests the company values diversity and international collaboration. Proficiency in both Adobe Creative Suite and Figma is a key technical requirement, indicating a need for versatility in design tools.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A diverse portfolio showcasing successful visual design projects across multiple channels (digital ads, social media, email, landing pages, collateral).
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of brand compliance and the ability to maintain visual consistency across various asset types and languages.
• Include case studies or examples that illustrate the translation of marketing goals into effective visual solutions.
• Examples of process improvement initiatives or contributions to design systems, templates, or reusable components that enhanced efficiency or speed of asset production.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of how you manage design projects from brief to final delivery, highlighting planning, feedback incorporation, and file preparation.
• Demonstrate your workflow for adapting existing campaign visuals and templates for different platforms and languages.
• Showcase your approach to participating in creative reviews, brainstorms, and iterating on designs based on constructive input.
• Illustrate your methods for preparing and organizing final design files for handoff to developers, printers, or agencies.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Visual Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. The emphasis here is not just on aesthetics but on demonstrating strategic thinking (translating briefs), process efficiency (design systems, templates), and cross-functional collaboration. Applicants should be prepared to walk through their portfolio, explaining their process, the strategic rationale behind their design choices, and the impact of their work.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for mid-level Visual Designers in Amsterdam, with 3-5 years of experience, a competitive salary range would typically fall between €38,000 and €55,000 annually. This range can vary based on specific skills, portfolio strength, and the candidate's negotiation.

Benefits:

• 25 paid holidays per year, plus public holidays in the Netherlands, with additional days for tenure.
• A day off on your birthday.
• Daily, healthy lunch provided at the office.
• Organic FairChain coffee and other refreshments available.
• Contribution to a collective pension scheme.
• Provided working devices: MacBook, Fairbuds, and a Fairphone.
• Hybrid working model with a contribution of up to €250 towards home office setup.
• Full coverage of 2nd-class public transport commute to the office.
• Bike allowance: up to €300 for bike purchase, €100 annual repair budget, and 23 cents per km for biking distance to the office.
• Career development support through coaching (Inuka), trainings, workshops, and courses funded by a development budget.
• Access to a gym in the building.
• Subscription to mental & physical well-being services (Inuka & Urban Sports).

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with a hybrid working model allowing for flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on current market data for similar roles in Amsterdam, considering the specified experience level and the cost of living. The comprehensive benefits package reflects Fairphone's commitment to employee well-being and work-life balance, which are significant draws for talent. The hybrid model and home office contribution are standard for tech-related roles in the region.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Sustainable and modular electronics, with a strong focus on ethical sourcing, fair labor practices, and environmental responsibility. Fairphone is a disruptor in the consumer electronics market. Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the description implies a scale-up environment, suggesting a company that has moved beyond startup phase but still maintains agility and growth-oriented momentum. This often means a dynamic, less hierarchical structure than large corporations. Founded: Fairphone was founded in 2010, with the first phone launching in 2013, indicating a mature yet still evolving company with a clear mission.

Team Structure:

• The Visual Designer will be part of the Brand & Marketing team, working closely with the Creative Director, Art Director, and Creative Operations & Project Manager.
• There will be frequent collaboration with cross-functional teams, including Commercial, Product, and Impact teams.
• The structure likely supports open communication and a collaborative approach, typical of a mission-driven organization.

Methodology:

• Fairphone emphasizes a values-driven approach to business, integrating social and environmental impact into its core operations.
• In design, the focus is on creating assets that are "on-brand," "visually inspiring," and "resonate with our target audience," indicating a strategic and audience-centric methodology.
• Process improvement and efficiency are key, as noted by the emphasis on reusable components and increasing design speed.

Company Website: [Fairphone Website URL would be inserted here if available, e.g., fairphone.com]

📝 Enhancement Note: Fairphone's mission is central to its culture. Candidates should be prepared to articulate how their design work can support this mission and how they align with the company's social and environmental values. The "scale-up" environment suggests a fast-paced, adaptable, and potentially less formal work setting than a large, established corporation.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Visual Designer with 3-5 years of experience, placing it at a mid-level. It requires hands-on design execution, adherence to brand guidelines, and contribution to creative briefs and asset production. It's a crucial role within the Brand & Marketing team, supporting the execution of creative strategies.

Reporting Structure: The Visual Designer reports to the Brand & Marketing team leadership, likely the Creative Director or Art Director, and works closely with a Creative Operations & Project Manager. This structure ensures guidance and project management while allowing for creative autonomy.

Operations Impact: The Visual Designer's impact is directly tied to the effectiveness of Fairphone's brand communication. By creating compelling and on-brand visuals, they contribute to:

• Brand recognition and recall.
• Engagement rates across digital channels.
• Conversion rates for marketing campaigns.
• Overall brand perception and resonance with target audiences.
• Maintaining a cohesive and professional brand image across all touchpoints.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunities to develop expertise in specific design areas like motion graphics, illustration, or advanced digital campaign design, based on interest and team needs.
• Creative Leadership: Potential to take on more ownership of creative briefs, lead smaller projects, or mentor junior designers as the team grows.
• Cross-functional Exposure: Gaining experience by collaborating with Product, Commercial, and Impact teams, broadening understanding of business operations and strategy.
• Design System Development: Contributing significantly to and potentially leading the evolution of Fairphone's design system.
• Industry Exposure: Working within a unique, mission-driven company in the sustainable tech sector offers unique learning opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities are framed around skill enhancement, project ownership, and cross-functional learning, typical for a mid-level role in a growing company. The emphasis on developing creative capabilities and potentially leading aspects of the design system points towards a clear path for advancement within the creative department.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fairphone operates a hybrid working model, indicating a blend of office-based collaboration and remote flexibility. The office is located in Amsterdam. Office Location(s): The primary office is at Van Diemenstraat 200, 1013 CP Amsterdam, NL, situated with views of the IJ waterfront.

Workspace Context:

• The office environment is designed to foster collaboration, with a gym in the building for well-being and social interaction.
• Access to resources like a MacBook, Fairbuds, and a Fairphone as working devices is provided.
• The office likely supports a dynamic and creative atmosphere, with amenities like a kitchen providing healthy lunches and organic coffee.
• The hybrid model means employees will balance in-office days (for collaboration, team meetings, and focused work) with remote days, supported by a home office setup budget.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week. The hybrid model allows for flexibility in how these hours are structured, balancing office presence with remote work, which is beneficial for deep work and personal needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model and provided office amenities suggest a modern, employee-centric work environment. The office location in Amsterdam is a significant draw, and the details about the gym and well-being services indicate a company culture that prioritizes employee health and work-life balance.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess qualifications and alignment with the role.
• First Interview: Likely with the hiring manager (e.g., Creative Director/Art Director) to discuss your experience, design philosophy, and understanding of Fairphone's brand. Be prepared to discuss your portfolio in detail.
• Design Challenge/Task: You may be given a small design task or asked to present a case study from your portfolio that demonstrates your ability to translate a brief into a visual solution, manage feedback, and adhere to brand guidelines.
• Team/Cross-functional Interview: An opportunity to meet potential colleagues from the Brand & Marketing team and possibly other departments (e.g., Commercial, Product) to assess cultural fit and collaboration style.
• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership for a final review and discussion about your fit within the company's mission.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent the skills required for this role (multi-channel asset creation, brand consistency, translating briefs).
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief/objective, your role, the design process, the challenges faced, your solutions, and the outcome/impact. Quantify where possible (e.g., "improved engagement by X%").
• Showcase Process: Include sketches, mood boards, wireframes, or iterations to demonstrate your thought process and problem-solving approach.
• Highlight Brand Alignment: Emphasize projects where you successfully maintained or developed brand identity and consistency.
• Adaptability: Include examples of adapting designs for different channels, formats, and languages if possible.
• Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and Figma within the context of your projects.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Fairphone's Brand: Thoroughly research Fairphone's mission, values, existing marketing campaigns, and visual identity.
• Focus on Core Responsibilities: If given a task, ensure it aligns with the primary responsibilities listed, such as creating multi-channel assets or adapting existing ones.
• Process & Efficiency: Consider how you would approach the task efficiently and how you might contribute to process improvements.
• Presentation Skills: Prepare to present your work clearly, concisely, and persuasively, articulating your design decisions and rationale.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes both technical design skills and cultural fit. The portfolio review is critical, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate not just creative output but also strategic thinking, process management, and an understanding of Fairphone's unique brand identity and mission.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for graphic design, photo editing, and motion graphics. Specific applications include:
  • Photoshop: For raster image editing, digital painting, and complex compositing.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logo design, icon creation, and layout.
  • After Effects: For motion graphics, animation, and visual effects.
• Figma: A collaborative interface design tool crucial for digital asset creation, prototyping, and component-based design, increasingly standard in design workflows.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned as a primary tool for the designer, understanding how to interpret basic analytics (e.g., engagement rates, click-through rates) from marketing campaigns will be beneficial for understanding asset performance. Tools like Google Analytics or platform-specific analytics may be relevant for reviewing campaign impact.

CRM & Automation:

• No direct CRM or automation tools are listed as primary requirements for the Visual Designer. However, familiarity with how marketing automation platforms (e.g., HubSpot, Mailchimp) utilize visual assets in emails and landing pages could be advantageous.

Project Management & Collaboration:

• Basecamp: Preferred for project management, task tracking, and team communication.
• Google Workspace: Used for general productivity, document sharing, and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirements are Adobe Creative Suite and Figma. Proficiency in these tools is non-negotiable. The mention of Basecamp highlights the company's preference for specific project management methodologies, and candidates should be prepared to work within that system. Understanding how designs are used in digital platforms and how to prepare files for developers and printers is also key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Sustainability & Ethics: A deep commitment to social and environmental responsibility, influencing all business decisions.
• Impact-Driven: Focused on creating tangible positive change in the electronics industry and beyond.
• Collaboration & Inclusivity: Fostering a diverse and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute openly.
• Proactivity & Initiative: Encouraging team members to take initiative, drive change, and bring positive energy.
• Authenticity: Valuing genuine contributions and encouraging creativity, with a preference for authentic responses over AI-generated content.
• Learning & Growth: Supporting continuous development and providing opportunities for employees to expand their skills and creativity.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role requires extensive collaboration with Brand & Marketing, Commercial, Product, and Impact teams, necessitating strong communication and a team-oriented approach.
• Constructive Feedback: An environment where feedback is actively sought, given, and integrated to improve work and processes.
• Open Communication: Encouraging stakeholders to question briefs, make suggestions, and maintain open lines of communication regarding project status.
• Shared Vision: Working towards common goals, with a collective effort to innovate and drive change.

📝 Enhancement Note: Fairphone's strong mission and values are central to its culture. Candidates should demonstrate an alignment with these principles, particularly regarding sustainability and ethical practices. The emphasis on inclusivity and proactive contribution suggests a flat, supportive hierarchy where individual input is valued.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Creative Innovation: Maintaining strict brand guidelines while producing fresh, engaging, and original visual assets for diverse campaigns can be challenging.
• Managing Multiple Stakeholders & Deadlines: In a scale-up environment, juggling requests from various departments and meeting tight deadlines requires excellent organizational and prioritization skills.
• Translating Complex Concepts Visually: Effectively communicating Fairphone's mission, ethical sourcing practices, and product benefits through visual design can be complex.
• Adapting to Evolving Digital Trends: Staying current with fast-changing digital design trends and platform requirements while ensuring brand integrity.
• Process Optimization: Continuously identifying and implementing improvements to the design workflow to increase efficiency without compromising quality.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Expansion: Opportunities to develop skills in motion graphics, illustration, photography, or other creative disciplines based on interest and team needs.
• Cross-functional Knowledge: Gaining a broader understanding of marketing, product development, and the impact of ethical business practices through collaboration.
• Design System Contribution: Playing a key role in developing and refining Fairphone's design system, a valuable skill for future roles.
• Mentorship & Coaching: Access to coaching (Inuka) and formal training programs to support career goals and skill development.
• Industry Impact: Working on projects that directly contribute to changing the electronics industry, offering a unique sense of purpose and learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a designer in a growing, mission-driven company. The growth opportunities are substantial, focusing on expanding creative skill sets, gaining strategic experience, and contributing to significant company initiatives like the design system.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing visual assets for a new Fairphone product launch, ensuring it aligns with our brand and resonates with our target audience?" (Focus on process, brand understanding, and audience insight)
• "Describe a time you had to translate a complex marketing brief into a visual solution. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Highlight strategic translation, problem-solving, and impact)
• "How do you ensure brand consistency across multiple channels and in multiple languages? Can you give an example from your portfolio?" (Demonstrate attention to detail, process, and adaptability)
• "Fairphone is committed to sustainability. How would you visually represent this core value in our marketing materials?" (Assess understanding of brand mission and creative application)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about Fairphone's mission and values?" (Show genuine alignment and research)
• "How do you approach collaboration with non-design teams (e.g., marketing, product)?" (Highlight communication, teamwork, and stakeholder management)
• "Describe your experience working in a fast-paced or scale-up environment." (Assess adaptability and ability to manage pressure)
• "How do you stay updated on design trends and incorporate them into your work while maintaining brand integrity?" (Demonstrate continuous learning and strategic application)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each project, follow a narrative: Problem/Brief -> Your Role/Solution -> Process/Tools -> Outcome/Impact.
• Visuals: Use high-quality mockups and clear visuals. Annotate key design decisions.
• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your key projects within a set timeframe, focusing on the most relevant aspects.
• Tool Discussion: Be ready to discuss your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and Figma, referencing specific projects where you utilized them.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, improved click-through rates).

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skill but also strategic thinking, brand understanding, and alignment with Fairphone's mission. The portfolio is a key tool; practice presenting it clearly and persuasively, highlighting the impact and process behind each project.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Visual Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on the Fairphone careers page.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is tailored to showcase projects that align with Fairphone's brand, mission, and the specific responsibilities of this Visual Designer role (e.g., multi-channel assets, brand consistency, translating creative briefs).
• Resume Optimization: Highlight your 3-5 years of experience in visual/digital/graphic design, emphasizing proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Figma, and any experience in multicultural environments. Quantify achievements where possible.
• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly research Fairphone's mission, values, and recent marketing campaigns. Prepare to discuss your portfolio in detail, focusing on your design process, strategic thinking, and how your work aligns with Fairphone's objectives.
• Company Research: Understand Fairphone's position in the market, its commitment to sustainability, and its company culture. Be ready to articulate why you are a good fit for their values-driven organization.

⚠️ 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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