Visual Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Visual Designer Company: Wayfair Location: Boston, MA Job Type: TEMPORARY Category: Creative Operations / Marketing Design Date Posted: August 18, 2025 Experience Level: Junior (0-2 years) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Develop and execute branded visual assets across multiple specialty retail brands (Joss & Main, Birch Lane, AllModern) to maintain brand integrity and visual systems.
• Design a diverse range of graphics for various marketing channels including digital advertisements, email campaigns, and print materials.
• Collaborate closely with internal creative teams, Design Managers, Creative Directors, and Marketing leadership to deliver high-quality creative output.
• Proactively explore and integrate emerging technologies, particularly AI tools, to enhance creative workflows and drive team efficiency.
• Manage multiple design projects concurrently, requiring strong project management and cross-functional collaboration skills in a fast-paced environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a temporary position covering a maternity leave, with potential for full-time transition. The focus on "Specialty Retail Creative" implies a need for understanding brand differentiation within a larger e-commerce context. Emphasis on AI tools suggests a forward-thinking creative department.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Execute on branded asset creation for Joss & Main, Birch Lane, and AllModern, ensuring adherence to established visual systems and brand guidelines.
• Design a variety of graphic assets, including promotional campaign visuals, digital display ads, social media graphics, email marketing layouts, and potentially print collateral.
• Assist in the research, exploration, and ideation phases of creative projects, leveraging AI tools to inform and enhance creative concepts.
• Manage assigned design projects from concept to completion, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with project objectives.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including marketing, product, and other creative disciplines, to achieve project goals.
• Propose and implement process improvements and efficiency gains within the creative workflow, with a specific focus on integrating AI technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of execution-focused design tasks and a proactive approach to process improvement and technology adoption, particularly AI. This suggests the role requires not just design skills but also a collaborative and innovative mindset.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related creative field, or equivalent practical training and experience.

Experience:

• A minimum of 1 year of professional experience in graphic design, visual design, or a closely related creative role. Experience within an e-commerce or retail environment is a plus.

Required Skills:

• Graphic Design Proficiency: Strong foundational understanding of design principles, typography, color theory, and layout composition.
• Adobe Creative Suite: Expert-level proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for creating and manipulating digital and print assets.
• Figma Familiarity: Demonstrated familiarity or proficiency with Figma for collaborative design and prototyping.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication abilities to articulate design concepts and project requirements clearly.
• Project Management: Proven ability to self-manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced setting.
• Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively within a team and across different departments.
• Curiosity & Adaptability: A keen interest in emerging technologies, especially AI tools within the creative space, and a willingness to learn and adapt.
• Conceptual & Technical Skills: Ability to balance creative ideation with the technical execution required for various media.

Preferred Skills:

• GSuite Proficiency: Experience using Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) for collaboration and documentation.
• AI Tool Exploration: Demonstrated initiative in exploring or utilizing AI-powered design tools (e.g., Midjourney, DALL-E, Adobe Firefly) for creative ideation or asset generation.
• E-commerce Design Experience: Familiarity with design best practices for online retail, including digital advertising, email marketing, and website assets.
• Brand Systems Understanding: Experience working with and maintaining established brand visual systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for AI tool familiarity, even if just "familiarity," signals a significant strategic initiative by Wayfair's creative team to integrate AI into their workflows. Candidates with demonstrable experience or strong interest in this area will stand out.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a range of visual design projects across different media (digital, print).
• Examples demonstrating brand asset creation and adherence to brand guidelines for specific brands.
• Case studies or project examples that highlight problem-solving, creative thinking, and the impact of the design work.
• Visualizations of how design processes were managed and executed, including any collaboration or feedback loops.
• Evidence of ability to work within established templates and systems while also contributing fresh ideas.

Process Documentation:

• Projects should ideally reflect an understanding of design workflows, from initial concept and research through execution and final delivery.
• For projects involving AI, documentation or explanation of how AI was used in the process (ideation, asset generation, workflow enhancement) would be highly beneficial.
• Examples of how design decisions were informed by business objectives or marketing strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated as a formal "portfolio requirement" for process documentation, showcasing how a candidate approaches design challenges, manages projects, and potentially integrates new technologies like AI will be crucial for evaluation. The emphasis on "executing existing ones within established templates" suggests a need for demonstrating process adherence.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The base pay for this position is estimated to be between $35.00 and $45.00 per hour. This range is dependent on factors such as geographic location, job-related knowledge, skills, and overall experience.

Benefits:

• As this is a temporary role, standard full-time benefits may not apply. However, Wayfair typically offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, which often includes:
  • Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
  • Paid Time Off (PTO) and Holidays
  • Employee Discounts on Wayfair Products
  • Opportunities for professional development and training.
  • Potential for conversion to a full-time role with access to the full benefits suite.

Working Hours:

• This role is expected to require approximately 40 hours per week, aligning with standard full-time work schedules to cover the maternity leave period. Flexibility may be available depending on project needs and team coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is hourly, typical for temporary or contract positions. The "potential for this role to transition into a full-time position" is a key piece of information, suggesting that performance in this role could lead to a permanent opportunity with Wayfair's standard benefits.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce, Home Furnishings & Decor Company Size: Wayfair is a large, publicly traded company with thousands of employees globally, indicating a structured yet dynamic corporate environment. This size offers opportunities for exposure to diverse projects and large-scale operations. Founded: Wayfair was founded in 2002, signaling a mature company with established processes and a strong market presence in the home goods sector.

Team Structure:

• The role is within Wayfair's Specialty Retail Creative team, which focuses on brands like Joss & Main, Birch Lane, and AllModern.
• This team likely operates within a larger Marketing or Creative department, collaborating with various stakeholders.
• The team includes a Design Manager and Creative Director, providing clear leadership and creative direction.
• Collaboration extends to peers within the creative team and cross-functional partners in marketing and other business units.

Methodology:

• The team emphasizes a hands-on, collaborative approach to creative production.
• There's a stated focus on producing high-quality branded assets for diverse marketing materials.
• A key operational methodology highlighted is the proactive seeking and development of ways to improve team efficiency, with a specific emphasis on exploring and integrating AI tools into creative workflows.
• Developing, aligning on, and implementing processes where needed is a core expectation.

Company Website: https://www.wayfair.com/careers/

📝 Enhancement Note: Wayfair's culture is characterized by innovation, speed, and a data-driven approach. The emphasis on AI and process improvement within the creative team suggests a culture that embraces technological advancements and operational efficiency.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Junior Designer level, suitable for individuals early in their graphic design career, typically with 0-2 years of experience. It serves as a foundational role for gaining practical experience in a large-scale e-commerce creative environment.

Reporting Structure:

• The Visual Designer will report to a Design Manager and work closely with a Creative Director.
• They will also collaborate with various marketing teams and potentially other business units within Wayfair.

Operations Impact:

• The Visual Designer's work directly impacts the brand perception and marketing effectiveness of Wayfair's specialty brands. High-quality visuals are crucial for driving customer engagement, conversion rates, and overall brand loyalty in the competitive home furnishings market.
• By optimizing creative workflows and exploring new technologies like AI, the designer can contribute to increased team efficiency and potentially reduce production costs, thereby impacting operational efficiency.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Opportunity to hone graphic design skills across various media and gain experience with industry-standard tools like Adobe Creative Suite and Figma. Exposure to AI tools offers a chance to develop in-demand future-ready skills.
• Brand Experience: Gain valuable experience working with distinct specialty retail brands within a large e-commerce ecosystem.
• Full-Time Conversion: Potential to transition into a full-time Visual Designer role at Wayfair, offering career stability, comprehensive benefits, and further growth opportunities within the company's creative departments.
• Process Improvement: Contribute to and learn from process optimization initiatives, particularly those involving AI, which can lead to roles in creative operations or strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The temporary nature of the role, coupled with the potential for full-time conversion, means that demonstrating strong performance, initiative (especially with AI), and adaptability will be key to long-term career progression within Wayfair.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Wayfair's Boston headquarters is a modern, large-scale corporate office environment designed to foster collaboration and innovation. Office Location(s): The role is based in Boston, MA, likely at Wayfair's corporate headquarters, providing access to a vibrant urban professional community.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be collaborative, with opportunities for direct interaction with design peers, managers, and cross-functional teams.
• Access to necessary design software and technology will be provided.
• The environment is fast-paced, characteristic of a leading e-commerce company, requiring designers to be agile and responsive.
• Emphasis on teamwork and positive attitude suggests a supportive yet high-performance culture.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week) are expected, aligning with a typical business schedule in Boston (e.g., Monday-Friday).
• While the role is on-site, the fast-paced nature might occasionally require flexibility to meet project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Boston means candidates should be prepared for a traditional office-based work environment, which is common for many large tech and e-commerce companies for roles involving direct team collaboration and creative brainstorming.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely involves a review of resume and portfolio by a recruiter or hiring manager to assess basic qualifications and design aesthetic.
• Portfolio Review & Skills Assessment: A more in-depth review of the candidate's portfolio, potentially including a discussion about specific projects, design process, and problem-solving approaches. Technical skills assessment may occur here.
• Team/Manager Interview: Interviews with the Design Manager and/or Creative Director to evaluate creative thinking, brand understanding, collaboration skills, and cultural fit. Emphasis will be placed on experience with Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and enthusiasm for AI tools.
• Cross-Functional/Final Interview: Potential interview with marketing stakeholders to assess collaboration capabilities and understanding of business objectives.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent the skills and experience required for this role.
• Highlight Brand Work: Include examples of how you've worked with established brands or maintained brand guidelines.
• Demonstrate Process: For each project, briefly explain your role, the challenge, your process (including any AI tools used), and the outcome. Visuals of your process (sketches, wireframes, mood boards) can be impactful.
• Showcase Versatility: Include a mix of digital and print design examples if possible.
• PDF or Web Link: Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible, typically as a PDF or a dedicated portfolio website.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your approach to designing for specific brands (Joss & Main, Birch Lane, AllModern) and how you would maintain their unique visual identities.
• Anticipate questions about your experience with AI tools in design and your thoughts on their future applications in creative workflows.
• Practice articulating your design rationale, problem-solving methods, and how you manage multiple projects under tight deadlines.
• Be ready to explain how you collaborate with team members and stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on AI and process integration suggests that candidates who can demonstrate not just design execution but also strategic thinking about workflow efficiency and technological adoption will be highly favored.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:
  • Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, and illustrations.
  • InDesign: For layout design, particularly for brochures, email templates, and print materials.
• Figma: For collaborative design, prototyping, and potentially UI/UX elements if the role expands.
• GSuite: Google Workspace tools (Docs, Sheets, Slides) for collaboration, documentation, and presentations.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly a design tool, understanding how design impacts metrics (e.g., click-through rates, conversion rates) is beneficial. Familiarity with basic analytics concepts or tools used by marketing teams (e.g., Google Analytics) could be advantageous.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to this design role, but understanding how marketing automation platforms (e.g., Marketo, HubSpot) utilize visual assets in campaigns would be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite is a core requirement. Familiarity with Figma is also essential, indicating a modern design workflow that embraces collaborative tools. The mention of AI tools suggests potential use of generative AI platforms or AI-integrated design software.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on working together across disciplines to achieve common goals.
• Innovation: Encouraging new ideas and actively exploring emerging technologies like AI to drive efficiency and creativity.
• Quality & Integrity: Upholding brand standards and delivering high-quality creative assets consistently.
• Efficiency: Proactively seeking ways to improve workflows and work smarter, faster, and more effectively.
• Customer Focus: Designing with an understanding of the end customer and business objectives.

Collaboration Style:

• The team operates in a hands-on, collaborative manner, working closely with peers and leadership.
• Cross-functional partnerships are essential for project success, requiring strong communication and teamwork.
• A positive work environment, promoting teamwork and confidence, is valued.

📝 Enhancement Note: Wayfair generally promotes a culture of agility, ownership, and innovation. The creative team's specific values appear to be a blend of artistic excellence and operational pragmatism, driven by a forward-thinking adoption of technology.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Innovation: Maintaining the distinct visual identities of multiple specialty brands while also exploring new creative approaches and technologies like AI.
• Fast-Paced Environment: Adapting to a dynamic, high-volume workload common in e-commerce, requiring efficient project management and quick turnaround times.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Effectively communicating and aligning design vision with diverse stakeholders who may have different priorities or levels of design understanding.
• Learning New Tools: Quickly becoming proficient with new design tools or AI technologies as they are integrated into the workflow.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Technical Skill Enhancement: Deepening expertise in Adobe Creative Suite and Figma, and gaining practical experience with AI design tools.
• Brand Strategy Exposure: Understanding how design contributes to the success of distinct retail brands within a larger portfolio.
• Process Optimization: Contributing to and learning from initiatives focused on improving creative workflows and efficiency.
• Industry Trends: Staying abreast of design and e-commerce industry trends, including the impact of AI on creative fields.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge and growth opportunity for this role lies in its temporary nature and the company's active pursuit of AI integration. Candidates who excel in these areas will find significant potential for development and future opportunities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: "Walk me through your design process for creating a promotional graphic for an online campaign. How would you approach it differently if using AI tools?"
• Brand Understanding: "How would you ensure visual consistency across Joss & Main, Birch Lane, and AllModern while still allowing each brand its unique personality?"
• Problem-Solving: "Describe a time you had to manage multiple design projects with competing deadlines. How did you prioritize and ensure quality?"
• AI Integration: "What are your thoughts on the role of AI in graphic design? How have you experimented with or how would you propose integrating AI into our creative workflow?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Wayfair and our Specialty Retail brands?"
• "How do you approach collaboration with team members and stakeholders from different departments?"
• "How do you stay current with design trends and new technologies?"
• "Describe a time you received constructive criticism on your design work and how you responded."

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each project, tell a brief story: the objective, your role, the challenge, your solution (including design choices and any AI usage), and the impact.
• Visual Clarity: Ensure your designs are presented cleanly and professionally. Highlight key elements and rationale.
• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your portfolio within a limited timeframe. Focus on the most relevant projects.
• Enthusiasm for AI: Be ready to articulate your curiosity and any initial experiences with AI tools in design, framing it as a proactive approach to innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Expect interview questions to probe not just design skills but also problem-solving, collaboration, and a genuine interest in leveraging new technologies like AI. Demonstrating a proactive, adaptable, and collaborative spirit will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Visual Designer position:

• Submit your application through Wayfair's careers portal via the provided link.
• Portfolio Preparation: Ensure your online or PDF portfolio is up-to-date, showcases relevant design work (digital assets, brand adherence), and clearly articulates your process for at least 3-5 key projects. Highlight any experience or exploration with AI design tools.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your graphic design experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Figma, project management skills, and any experience with fast-paced environments or e-commerce. Quantify achievements where possible.
• Interview Practice: Prepare to discuss your design process, how you handle creative challenges, your understanding of brand consistency, and your perspective on AI in design. Practice presenting your portfolio concisely.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Wayfair, their specialty brands (Joss & Main, Birch Lane, AllModern), and their overall mission to understand the context of the role and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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.