Visual Marketing Designer and Animator

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Visual Marketing Designer and Animator

Company: Modular

Location: Los Altos, CA / San Francisco, CA (Hybrid)

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Marketing Operations & Creative

Date Posted: April 01, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the visual identity and creative output for all marketing initiatives, encompassing ad creative, event materials, website pages, and brand motion.

• Serve as the guardian of brand consistency, ensuring a sharp and cohesive visual presence across all company touchpoints.

• Develop and execute high-volume, high-quality visual assets for paid, social, and organic marketing channels, including static and animated content.

• Collaborate closely with marketing leadership and frontend engineers to deliver pixel-perfect web designs and motion graphics.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within the marketing operations and creative function, focusing on the execution of visual strategies that support broader Go-To-Market (GTM) initiatives. The emphasis on "high-output" and "moving quickly" suggests a fast-paced environment common in high-growth tech companies, requiring strong project management and efficient workflow design.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and produce a wide range of marketing ad creative, including static and animated assets for paid, social, and organic channels.

• Create comprehensive visual assets for events, conferences, and meetups, spanning booth graphics, digital signage, and promotional merchandise.

• Maintain and enforce brand consistency across all marketing touchpoints, acting as the primary quality bar for visual representation.

• Design and implement website pages and microsites using Figma and/or Webflow, ensuring pixel-perfect execution in collaboration with frontend engineers for modular.com.

• Produce dynamic motion graphics and animations using industry-standard tools like After Effects, Lottie, Jitter, and emerging AI-powered creative tools for video content and social clips.

• Proactively leverage AI tools (e.g., generative image tools, Claude for creative workflows) as creative accelerators to enhance production efficiency and quality.

• Respond rapidly to ad-hoc marketing requests, including product launches, blog graphics, email headers, and social templates, demonstrating agility in a fast-paced environment.

• Oversee the final hand-off of pixel-perfect designs for printing for physical event assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on creative execution and operational efficiency. The requirement to "respond quickly to ad-hoc marketing requests" and "ship high-quality work at high velocity" points to the need for robust workflow management and prioritization skills, crucial for operations-minded creatives.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio often serves as a proxy for formal education in creative fields. Candidates are expected to demonstrate a level of understanding equivalent to a degree in Graphic Design, Animation, or a related visual arts discipline.

Experience: 4+ years of professional experience in visual design, with a proven track record in brand systems, digital advertising, and web design. Experience in a high-growth startup environment is highly desirable.

Required Skills:

• A compelling portfolio showcasing exceptional visual taste, range, and craft across brand, web, motion, and campaign work.

• Expert-level proficiency in Figma, Adobe After Effects, Photoshop, and a preferred video editing tool.

• Strong motion design and animation skills, with the ability to take concepts from storyboard to final render.

• Working experience with Lottie animations for web implementation.

• Proven ability to deliver high-quality work at a high velocity, thriving under pressure and tight deadlines.

• Demonstrable and practical application of AI tools within the design and production process.

• A keen eye for typography, layout, color theory, and visual hierarchy; strong aesthetic judgment is non-negotiable.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for developer or technical audiences.

• Familiarity with the AI infrastructure competitive landscape and the developer tooling market.

• Video filming and/or editing experience beyond animation.

• Experience building websites in Webflow.

• Familiarity with HTML/CSS for rapid prototyping or microsite development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "stunning portfolio" and "demonstrable use of AI tools" indicates a need for candidates who can not only execute but also innovate and adapt to evolving creative technologies. The preference for experience with technical audiences suggests the company operates in a B2B or developer-focused market.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 4+ years of professional visual design experience, with a strong emphasis on brand systems, digital advertising, and web design projects.

• Include detailed case studies demonstrating successful application of motion design and animation skills, from concept to final render, utilizing tools like After Effects and Lottie.

• Highlight proficiency in Figma and other relevant design and video editing software through project examples.

• Demonstrate a clear understanding and practical application of AI tools in accelerating design and production workflows.

Process Documentation:

• Case studies should articulate the design process, including initial ideation, wireframing, prototyping, animation storyboarding, and final asset production.

• Demonstrate how workflows were optimized for high velocity and quality, especially when responding to ad-hoc requests.

• Illustrate the collaborative process with marketing leadership and frontend engineers, showcasing clear communication and feedback loops.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role, serving as the primary evaluation tool. Candidates must present evidence of not just creative talent but also operational efficiency and adaptability, particularly concerning AI tool integration and high-velocity project delivery.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• US Candidates: $110,000 - $130,000 USD per year.

• Canada Candidates: $106,700 - $126,100 CAD per year.

Benefits:

• Premier insurance plans.

• Up to 5% 401k matching.

• Flexible paid time off.

• Stock options, forming a significant portion of total compensation.

• Relocation assistance for US and Canada-based candidates.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are expected (approximately 40 hours per week), with the understanding that occasional overtime may be required to meet project deadlines and ad-hoc requests in a fast-paced environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary ranges are base estimates. The total compensation package is significantly enhanced by annual target bonuses and equity, which is a key differentiator for high-growth startups. The benefit details are standard for tech roles, with a particular emphasis on competitive offerings to attract top talent. The salary ranges have been adjusted for Canadian currency based on current exchange rates.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, specifically AI Infrastructure and Developer Tooling. Modular is at the forefront of enabling AI developers.

Company Size: High-growth startup environment, implying a dynamic, agile, and often demanding workplace.

Founded: While the founding date isn't explicitly stated, the company's focus on cutting-edge AI technology suggests a relatively recent establishment, characteristic of startups in this sector.

Team Structure:

• The Visual Designer & Animator will join the Marketing team, working closely with marketing leadership and one other staff designer.

• This role requires significant collaboration with frontend engineers for web implementation and potentially product teams for demo animations.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Creativity: While primarily a creative role, insights from marketing data (ad performance, web analytics) likely inform design decisions and iterations.

• Agile Workflow: The need to "move quickly between campaigns, launches, events, and brand projects" and "respond quickly to ad-hoc marketing requests" points to an agile, iterative approach to creative production.

• AI-Accelerated Processes: A core tenet is the integration of AI tools to enhance efficiency and output quality, moving beyond basic usage to creative acceleration.

Company Website: modular.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Modular operates in a highly competitive and rapidly evolving tech sector. The company culture is likely characterized by rapid innovation, a strong emphasis on technical excellence, and a fast-paced execution model, requiring team members to be adaptable and proactive.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a mid-to-senior level individual contributor position within the marketing function, with a strong emphasis on creative operations and execution. It's a hands-on role where the individual is expected to be a primary driver of visual output.

Reporting Structure: The Visual Designer & Animator will report directly to Marketing leadership, working closely with them on campaign strategy and execution. They will also closely collaborate with a staff designer and frontend engineers.

Operations Impact: This role directly impacts the company's Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy by defining and executing its visual brand identity. High-quality, consistent, and compelling visuals are critical for attracting and retaining target developer audiences, driving lead generation, and building brand recognition in a competitive AI infrastructure market. The efficiency of the visual production process directly influences the speed and effectiveness of marketing campaigns.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in advanced motion graphics, AI-driven creative workflows, or front-end web design integration.

• Leadership Potential: As the company grows, opportunities may arise to lead specific creative initiatives, mentor junior designers, or even build out a dedicated creative production team.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain deeper understanding of marketing strategy, product development, and engineering processes, enabling a more holistic view of product-market fit.

• Industry Expertise: Develop specialized knowledge in AI infrastructure and developer tooling, becoming a valuable asset in a rapidly growing industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations professionals, this role offers a pathway to influence GTM strategy through creative execution. Growth hinges on demonstrating efficiency, adaptability, and a proactive approach to integrating new tools and methodologies, particularly AI.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid role requiring in-office presence in Los Altos, CA or San Francisco, CA. Onboarding is conducted in-person in Los Altos.

Office Location(s): Los Altos, CA and San Francisco, CA. Relocation assistance is provided for US and Canada-based candidates.

Workspace Context:

• The hybrid model promotes collaboration with team members and immediate access to resources and tools within the office environment.

• Expect a dynamic workspace where rapid iteration and cross-functional teamwork are common.

• Access to high-performance workstations and software necessary for advanced design and animation tasks.

• Opportunities for regular team onsites and local meetups, encouraging in-person collaboration and team building.

Work Schedule: While standard full-time hours are expected, the fast-paced nature of a startup and the "on-call" requirement for ad-hoc requests may necessitate flexibility. The hybrid model allows for a balance between structured office work and remote flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of this role, coupled with mandatory in-person onboarding and occasional travel for team events, indicates a company that values both flexibility and in-person collaboration. For operations candidates, understanding how to manage time and resources effectively in such an environment is key.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Portfolio Review (Initial Screen): The primary evaluation criterion. Submissions without a "stunning portfolio" demonstrating exceptional visual taste, range, and craft across brand, web, motion, and campaign work will likely not proceed.

• Skills Assessment: Technical interviews focusing on proficiency in Figma, After Effects, Photoshop, and AI tool application. This may include practical exercises or a review of specific project workflows.

• Case Study Presentation: Candidates may be asked to present a detailed case study from their portfolio, explaining their process, design decisions, challenges overcome, and the impact of their work, particularly highlighting velocity and AI tool integration.

• Team & Cultural Fit Interview: Discussions with marketing leadership and potentially other team members to assess collaboration style, adaptability, and alignment with Modular's fast-paced, high-standard culture.

• Final Interview: Likely with senior leadership to discuss overall fit, long-term vision, and compensation.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Ruthlessly: Only include your absolute best work that directly aligns with the job description's requirements (brand, web, motion, ads, AI integration).

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process (especially workflows, AI usage, and speed), the solution, and the measurable impact or outcome.

• Showcase Velocity & AI: Explicitly highlight projects where you delivered quickly or leveraged AI tools effectively. Use annotations or specific sections to call these out.

• Demonstrate Range: Include examples across static design, motion graphics, web design, and ad creative to prove versatility.

• High-Quality Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is visually polished, easy to navigate, and mobile-responsive.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss how you would approach designing ad creative for a specific AI infrastructure product or how you would animate a complex technical concept for a developer audience.

• Prepare to articulate your workflow for managing multiple urgent requests simultaneously while maintaining quality standards.

• Practice explaining the technical aspects of your animation and design processes in a clear, concise manner.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is heavily weighted towards the portfolio. Candidates must strategically present their work to showcase not just creative talent but also operational efficiency, adaptability, and proficiency with modern creative tools, especially AI.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: For UI/UX design, web page design, and collaborative prototyping.

• Adobe After Effects: For advanced motion graphics and animation.

• Adobe Photoshop: For image manipulation, asset creation, and editing.

• Video Editing Tool: A chosen NLE (e.g., Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve) for video content production and editing.

• AI-Powered Creative Tools: Generative image tools (e.g., Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, DALL-E), AI assistants for creative workflows (e.g., Claude), and emerging animation acceleration tools.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

Other Relevant Tools:

• Lottie: For integrating vector animations into web and mobile applications.

• Jitter: For quick animation creation and social media clips.

• Webflow: Preferred for website building, though not strictly required.

• Descript: For AI-powered video editing and transcription.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and After Effects is non-negotiable. The explicit mention of AI tools as "creative accelerators" and the requirement for "demonstrable use" signifies that candidates must be comfortable and adept at integrating these technologies into their daily workflow.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• High Standards & Craftsmanship: A non-negotiable value, reflected in the expectation of a "stunning portfolio" and "pixel-perfect" execution.

• Speed & Agility: The ability to "move quickly," "respond quickly," and "ship high-quality work at high velocity" is critical in this fast-paced environment.

• Collaboration & Team-First Attitude: Emphasis on working closely with others, passing work back and forth, and celebrating wins as a team.

• Innovation & Adaptability: Embracing new tools like AI and being comfortable working in a high-growth startup setting where roles can evolve.

• Data-Informed Decisions: While creative-led, designs should be informed by performance metrics and business objectives.

Collaboration Style:

• Direct & Iterative: Expect constant feedback loops and iterative design processes, working closely with marketing leadership and engineers.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with frontend engineers for web implementation and potentially product teams for demo content.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages sharing work-in-progress and insights to collectively improve output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture prioritizes high performers who can deliver exceptional quality at speed, while also being team players. For operations professionals, this translates to a need for strong communication, proactive problem-solving, and a willingness to adapt to evolving priorities.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• High-Volume Output: Consistently delivering a high volume of creative assets under tight deadlines.

• Brand Consistency Across Channels: Maintaining a unified visual identity across diverse platforms and formats, from digital ads to physical event materials.

• Technical Audience Design: Adapting visual communication to effectively resonate with a developer and technical audience.

• Rapidly Evolving AI Tools: Staying current with and effectively integrating new AI tools into creative workflows without compromising quality.

• Balancing Speed and Quality: Achieving both high velocity and exceptional design standards simultaneously.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mastery of AI Creative Tools: Deepen expertise in leveraging generative AI and AI-assisted animation tools for enhanced creative output.

• Advanced Motion Graphics: Develop specialized skills in complex animation techniques and storytelling through motion.

• Web Design & Development Integration: Gain deeper insight into front-end development processes and best practices for web design implementation.

• Industry Insight: Develop a strong understanding of the AI infrastructure and developer tooling market, becoming a subject matter expert.

• Leadership Exposure: Potential to influence creative direction and mentor junior team members as the company scales.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to a high-growth tech startup; success relies on a candidate's ability to manage pressure, adapt quickly, and continuously learn, especially in the rapidly evolving AI creative space.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for ensuring brand consistency across disparate marketing channels, especially under tight deadlines." (Focus on process, tools, and checks).

• "How do you approach designing for a technical audience? Can you provide an example?" (Highlight understanding of audience needs and tailored communication).

• "Walk us through a project where you significantly leveraged AI tools to accelerate your design or animation workflow. What were the results?" (Emphasize practical application, efficiency gains, and quality outcomes).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Modular's mission and its place in the AI infrastructure market?" (Demonstrate research and genuine interest).

• "How do you handle feedback on your designs, especially from multiple stakeholders?" (Highlight collaborative and receptive approach).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each key project, clearly define the objective, your specific role, the creative process (including AI usage and velocity), the final solution, and the impact/results.

• Highlight Key Skills: Explicitly point out examples of your Figma, After Effects, motion design, ad creative, and AI tool proficiency within your showcased projects.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics (e.g., conversion rates, engagement lift, time saved) to demonstrate the value of your creative work.

• Be Prepared for Technical Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific techniques, software functionalities, and your rationale behind design and animation choices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview will heavily scrutinize the candidate's portfolio and their ability to articulate their process, efficiency, and adaptability, particularly concerning AI integration and high-velocity execution.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Visual Marketing Designer and Animator position at Modular:

• Submit your application through the provided link on jobs.gem.com.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is meticulously curated to highlight your strongest work in brand, web, motion, and ad creative, with specific examples demonstrating AI tool integration and high-velocity project delivery.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize 4+ years of relevant experience, expert-level proficiency in required design tools (Figma, After Effects, Photoshop), and demonstrable experience with AI tools in a professional context. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design process, your approach to maintaining brand consistency, your collaboration style, and how you leverage AI tools to achieve efficiency and quality, drawing specific examples from your portfolio.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Modular's technology, target audience (developers), and recent marketing efforts to better tailor your responses 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.

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