Junior Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Junior Graphic Designer

Company: Dean Dorton

Location: Fort Wright, Kentucky, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Services

Date Posted: 2026-08-21

Experience Level: 1-3 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is crucial for enhancing Dean Dorton's brand presence through the creation of compelling visual content across both digital and print mediums, directly supporting marketing and communication objectives.

• The Junior Graphic Designer will collaborate closely with the Senior Marketing Brand Manager and other internal teams to ensure all visual assets strictly adhere to the firm's established brand guidelines and visual identity standards.

• A key responsibility includes developing a wide range of marketing collateral, such as brochures, presentations, social media graphics, and event signage, to support firm-wide campaigns and initiatives.

• This position offers a dynamic environment for a creative individual to contribute fresh ideas, hone design skills, and drive innovation within the marketing function, while also supporting internal communications.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role title is "Junior Graphic Designer," the responsibilities and required experience suggest a role that bridges creative execution with foundational marketing operations. The emphasis on brand consistency, collateral development, and cross-functional collaboration aligns with a marketing operations perspective, focusing on the efficient and effective deployment of visual assets to support business goals.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and produce high-quality marketing collateral, including brochures, presentations, social media graphics, event signage, and advertisements, ensuring alignment with brand messaging and visual standards.

• Create engaging visual assets for digital platforms, encompassing website content, email marketing campaigns, and internal newsletters, to enhance user experience and information dissemination.

• Maintain and enforce brand consistency across all design outputs, ensuring adherence to Dean Dorton's visual identity guidelines, including typography, color palettes, and logo usage.

• Support video, photography, and multimedia projects by providing design elements, editing assistance, or asset management, contributing to a comprehensive content strategy.

• Collaborate effectively with the Senior Marketing Brand Manager and cross-functional teams to understand creative briefs, gather requirements, and deliver design solutions that meet project objectives and stakeholder expectations.

• Assist in organizing and managing design files, templates, and brand assets to ensure easy access and efficient workflow for the entire marketing team and relevant stakeholders.

• Proactively research and implement new design tools, software functionalities, current design trends, and best practices to continuously improve the quality and effectiveness of visual communications.

• Contribute to firm-wide employee communications and internal initiatives by developing impactful visual assets that foster engagement and reinforce company culture.

• Participate actively in marketing team meetings, process improvement discussions, and brainstorming sessions, offering creative input and contributing to the overall strategic direction of marketing efforts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of tactical design execution and strategic contribution to the marketing function. For operations professionals, understanding the "Non-Charge" responsibilities is key, as these indicate a focus on process efficiency, knowledge management, and internal system improvements within the marketing department.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a closely related field, or equivalent practical experience demonstrating a strong foundation in design principles.

Experience: 1–3 years of professional experience in graphic design, with a preference for candidates who have experience in a marketing, agency, or corporate environment, demonstrating a track record of delivering creative solutions.

Required Skills:

• Adobe Creative Suite Proficiency: Expert-level command of InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop is essential for creating and manipulating visual assets across various formats.

• Brand Identity Management: Proven ability to design and maintain visual consistency, ensuring all outputs align with established brand guidelines and reinforce the company's visual identity.

• Typography and Layout Expertise: Strong understanding of typographic principles, layout composition, and visual hierarchy to create aesthetically pleasing and effective designs.

• Digital Asset Creation: Skill in designing graphics for digital platforms, including social media, websites, and email campaigns, with an understanding of optimal sizing and format requirements.

• Collaboration and Communication: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to effectively gather creative briefs, incorporate feedback, and work harmoniously with team members and stakeholders.

• Organizational Skills: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple design projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and maintain organized digital file structures.

• Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to design, ensuring accuracy in color, alignment, typography, and overall visual quality.

Preferred Skills:

• Video Editing & Motion Graphics: Familiarity with video editing software (e.g., Premiere Pro) and motion graphics tools (e.g., After Effects) to enhance multimedia content capabilities.

• Lightweight Design Platforms: Experience with tools like Canva for quicker, template-based design tasks or broader accessibility.

• Digital Marketing Acumen: Understanding of digital marketing platforms and social media design best practices to create content that performs effectively online.

• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with tools such as Asana, Monday.com, or similar platforms for managing design workflows and project timelines.

• Multimedia Project Support: Experience assisting with photography or other multimedia production tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Adobe Creative Suite and brand identity management is critical for this role. For operations candidates, highlighting experience with project management tools like Asana or Monday.com and any familiarity with workflow automation in design processes would be beneficial.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrated Brand Consistency: Showcase examples of projects where you successfully maintained and applied a consistent brand identity across multiple deliverables and platforms.

• Collateral Design Showcase: Include a selection of marketing collateral (e.g., brochures, presentations, social media campaigns) that highlight your ability to translate complex information into visually appealing and digestible formats.

• Digital Platform Design: Present examples of graphics created specifically for digital use, such as website banners, social media posts, or email templates, demonstrating an understanding of digital design best practices.

• Process Documentation Examples (Optional but Recommended): If available, include examples of how you organized design files, created templates, or documented design processes to improve team efficiency.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Candidates should be prepared to discuss their process for taking a design request from initial brief to final delivery, including stages for concept development, revision cycles, and final asset handoff.

• Asset Management: Demonstrate an understanding of best practices for organizing and naming design files, creating templates, and managing brand assets for team-wide accessibility and version control.

• Quality Assurance: Be ready to explain your approach to reviewing designs for accuracy, brand compliance, and overall quality before final delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Junior Graphic Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. The focus should be on demonstrating technical proficiency in design software and a strong understanding of brand application. For operations professionals, framing portfolio items around efficiency, process, and standardization (e.g., template creation, file organization) can add significant value.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Junior Graphic Designers with 1-3 years of experience in the Fort Wright, Kentucky area, a competitive salary range would typically fall between $50,000 - $65,000 per year.

Benefits:

• Flexible Work Schedules & Environment: Offers adaptability to balance personal and professional life, supporting a hybrid work model.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous PTO policy to ensure work-life balance and allow for rest and rejuvenation.

• Comprehensive Leave Programs: Includes paid family leave, medical leave, and dedicated maternity/paternity leave programs, underscoring a commitment to employee well-being.

• Robust Retirement Benefits: Features a best-in-class employer match for retirement savings and automatic profit sharing, contributing to long-term financial security.

• Health & Wellness Support: Access to telemedicine, mental health resources, and a wellness program reimbursement to support overall employee health.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, aligning with a full-time position. The hybrid nature of the role allows for flexibility in how these hours are structured and where they are performed, within the guidelines of the firm's hybrid work policy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on market data for similar roles in the specified region and experience level. It's important to note that actual compensation may vary based on the candidate's specific qualifications, interview performance, and the company's internal compensation structure. The benefits package is comprehensive and highlights Dean Dorton's focus on employee well-being and long-term financial support.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Dean Dorton operates within the professional services sector, specifically as a certified public accounting, business advisory, and technology solutions firm. This positions them at the intersection of finance, consulting, and technology, serving a diverse clientele both domestically and internationally.

Company Size: With approximately 250-500 employees (inferred from typical firm structures of this nature and LinkedIn data if available), Dean Dorton offers the stability and resources of a well-established firm while maintaining a culture that can foster close-knit teams and individual impact. This size is ideal for operations professionals who seek structured processes but also opportunities to influence and improve them.

Founded: Founded in 1972, Dean Dorton has a long-standing history of providing expert services. This longevity suggests a stable business model, deep industry expertise, and a commitment to client relationships and professional development, all of which contribute to a robust operational framework.

Team Structure:

• The Marketing team is likely composed of specialists, with a Senior Marketing Brand Manager overseeing strategy and brand integrity, supported by roles like this Junior Graphic Designer, potentially other marketing specialists (e.g., content writers, digital marketers), and possibly shared resources for broader GTM functions.

• The reporting structure will likely place the Junior Graphic Designer directly under the Senior Marketing Brand Manager, with opportunities for collaboration across various departments including Accounting, Advisory, and Technology Solutions teams.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a core aspect of Dean Dorton's operations, as evidenced by the company's integrated suite of services and the marketing team's role in supporting all firm initiatives. Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: While not a primary data analysis role, marketing operations at Dean Dorton would leverage data from campaigns, website analytics, and client interactions to inform design and communication strategies.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: The marketing team aims for efficient campaign execution and brand management, requiring structured workflows for creative requests, asset development, and approvals.

• Automation & Efficiency: Opportunities exist for automating repetitive design tasks or streamlining asset management through templates and organized systems, enhancing overall marketing function efficiency.

Company Website: https://www.deandorton.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's foundation in professional services implies a strong emphasis on accuracy, client service, and strategic thinking. For an operations role, understanding how marketing visually supports these core business functions is key. The "Growth" value is particularly relevant, suggesting an environment that encourages continuous learning and professional development.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at an entry-level to junior professional stage within the marketing operations and creative services domain. It provides a foundational experience in a corporate marketing environment, focusing on the execution of design tasks that support broader business objectives.

Reporting Structure: The Junior Graphic Designer reports directly to the Senior Marketing Brand Manager. This direct line of reporting facilitates clear guidance, mentorship, and feedback, crucial for skill development in a junior role. The Senior Brand Manager acts as a key stakeholder and mentor, guiding the designer's work and career progression within the team.

Operations Impact: While not directly managing revenue-generating processes, the Junior Graphic Designer's work has a significant indirect impact. High-quality visual content enhances brand perception, supports sales enablement materials, improves client communication effectiveness, and contributes to overall brand equity. This role ensures that Dean Dorton's visual presence is professional, consistent, and aligned with its strategic positioning as a leading professional services firm.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific design areas (e.g., motion graphics, digital illustration, UX/UI design) or to gain proficiency in new design software and tools.

• Brand Management Acumen: Development into a more strategic role within brand management, potentially taking on more responsibility for brand guideline enforcement, campaign concept development, or leading smaller design projects.

• Marketing Operations Integration: Potential to transition into broader marketing operations roles by gaining a deeper understanding of campaign execution, marketing technology stack, and data-driven marketing strategies, leveraging design skills to visualize data and campaign performance.

• Mentorship & Leadership: As experience grows, opportunities may arise to mentor future junior designers or lead specific design initiatives within the marketing team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path for a graphic designer within a professional services firm often involves a progression towards more strategic brand management or specialization. For operations-minded individuals, identifying how design skills can be leveraged in broader marketing operations contexts (e.g., data visualization, campaign asset management) is a key growth avenue.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as hybrid, indicating a blend of remote work and in-office presence. This suggests a modern work environment that balances flexibility with the benefits of in-person collaboration and team cohesion.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is Fort Wright, Kentucky. Occasional travel to other Dean Dorton offices or events may be required, indicating a need for adaptability and willingness to engage in face-to-face interactions when necessary.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed to foster collaboration, likely featuring open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and dedicated spaces for focused work. This environment encourages interaction with colleagues, including the Senior Marketing Brand Manager and other team members.

• Access to necessary design tools and technology, including the Adobe Creative Suite and potentially other project management software, will be provided to ensure efficient workflow and high-quality output.

• The team interaction opportunities are ample, especially during in-office days, allowing for brainstorming sessions, feedback exchanges, and team-building activities that are vital for creative synergy.

Work Schedule: The work schedule is based on approximately 40 hours per week. The hybrid arrangement provides flexibility, allowing individuals to structure their workdays to accommodate both remote and in-office requirements, while ensuring that critical team collaboration and project deadlines are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model is a significant factor for many professionals. For operations roles, understanding the expectations around in-office days (e.g., for team meetings, collaborative sessions) is important for workflow management and productivity.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess foundational skills, experience level, and alignment with the role's technical requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: Candidates will likely be asked to walk through their portfolio, explaining their design process, rationale behind key decisions, and how they've addressed project objectives and brand guidelines. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of marketing collateral, digital graphics, and how you've managed feedback.

• Technical Assessment/Challenge: A practical design exercise or challenge may be given to assess on-the-spot creative problem-solving, technical proficiency with design software, and ability to interpret a brief under time constraints.

• Behavioral & Cultural Fit Interview: Discussions with the Senior Marketing Brand Manager and potentially other team members to evaluate collaboration style, communication skills, adherence to company values (Integrity, Relationships, Collaboration, Growth), and overall fit within the marketing team and Dean Dorton's culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 4-6 of your strongest projects that best represent the skills and experience required for this role, focusing on marketing collateral, digital assets, and brand consistency.

• Showcase Process: For each project, briefly explain the objective, your role, the design process (ideation, execution, revisions), and the outcome or impact. Visuals of the process (sketches, early drafts) can be beneficial.

• Highlight Brand Adherence: Clearly demonstrate how you understood and applied brand guidelines. If you worked with existing brands, explain your approach to maintaining their integrity.

• Quantify Impact (If Possible): If any of your designs led to measurable results (e.g., increased engagement on social media, successful event turnout), be prepared to share those metrics.

• Tailor to Dean Dorton: Research Dean Dorton's current branding and marketing materials. Be ready to discuss how your skills align with their visual identity and how you can contribute to their marketing efforts.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: Carefully read and understand the design challenge prompt. Ask clarifying questions if anything is unclear.

• Focus on Core Skills: Prioritize demonstrating your proficiency in the required software (Adobe Creative Suite) and your understanding of design principles like typography, layout, and color.

• Time Management: Allocate your time wisely between ideation, execution, and refinement. It's often better to produce a well-executed, simpler design than an overly ambitious one that is incomplete or poorly rendered.

• Present Your Rationale: Be ready to explain your design choices and how they address the prompt's requirements. Explain your thought process, even if the final output isn't perfect.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio walkthrough and potential design challenge highlights the practical, skill-based nature of this role. For operations candidates, demonstrating an understanding of process, efficiency, and how design supports business goals will be critical during interviews.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: This is the core toolset. Proficiency is expected in:

  • Adobe InDesign: For layout design of brochures, presentations, and other print/digital collateral.
  • Adobe Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, icons, and illustrations.
  • Adobe Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.

• Video Editing & Motion Graphics: Familiarity with Adobe Premiere Pro (for video editing) and Adobe After Effects (for motion graphics) is a plus, indicating an ability to contribute to more dynamic multimedia content.

• Lightweight Design Platforms: Experience with Canva or similar tools is beneficial for rapid design tasks or for empowering non-designers within the organization to create basic branded assets.

Analytics & Reporting: While not a primary analytics role, understanding how design impacts digital performance is valuable. Familiarity with how graphics are used in:

• Website Analytics Tools (e.g., Google Analytics): Understanding how website graphics contribute to user engagement and conversion.

• Social Media Analytics: Awareness of how visual content performs on platforms like LinkedIn.

CRM & Automation:

• Microsoft Office Suite: Essential for integrating design elements into presentations (PowerPoint), documents (Word), and potentially data visualization (Excel).

• Project Management Tools: Experience with platforms like Asana or Monday.com is preferred for managing design workflows, tracking project progress, and collaborating with team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop, is paramount. For operations professionals, highlighting any experience with project management tools or understanding how design assets integrate into broader marketing automation or CRM workflows would be a significant advantage.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Integrity: Upholding honesty and ethical standards in all design work and professional interactions, ensuring that visual communications are accurate and trustworthy.

• Relationships: Building strong working relationships with team members, stakeholders, and clients through effective communication and collaborative design processes.

• Collaboration: Actively participating in team efforts, sharing ideas, and working together to achieve common marketing and business goals, contributing to a unified brand message.

• Growth: Demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning by staying updated on design trends, software advancements, and best practices, and actively seeking opportunities to expand skills and knowledge.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Working closely with the Senior Marketing Brand Manager and other departments to ensure design solutions effectively support diverse business needs and marketing objectives.

• Feedback-Driven Process: Embracing a culture of constructive feedback, actively receiving and incorporating input from stakeholders to refine designs and achieve optimal outcomes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to a team environment where design knowledge, best practices, and resources are shared openly to elevate the collective capabilities of the marketing function.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's core values of Integrity, Relationships, Collaboration, and Growth should be reflected in how candidates approach their work and interact with the team. For operations-minded individuals, demonstrating how design processes can be more collaborative and efficient will resonate well.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Brand Constraints: Effectively translating creative ideas into designs that strictly adhere to established brand guidelines and meet the technical requirements of various platforms.

• Managing Multiple Project Demands: Juggling requests from different stakeholders and prioritizing tasks to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment, requiring strong organizational and time-management skills.

• Adapting to Evolving Design Trends and Technologies: Staying current with the latest design software, tools, and visual communication trends to ensure that Dean Dorton's brand remains modern and impactful.

• Translating Business Needs into Visual Solutions: Understanding complex business objectives and effectively communicating them through clear, compelling, and targeted visual designs.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software Training: Opportunities to receive formal training or self-study resources for deeper mastery of Adobe Creative Suite, including specialized modules on motion graphics, advanced illustration, or interactive design.

• Industry Conferences and Workshops: Potential to attend marketing and design conferences or workshops to gain insights into new trends, network with professionals, and enhance creative skills.

• Mentorship from Senior Leadership: Guidance and professional development support from the Senior Marketing Brand Manager, focusing on career progression, skill enhancement, and strategic thinking.

• Cross-Departmental Exposure: Opportunities to learn about other areas of the business and how marketing and design support them, broadening understanding of the firm's overall operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a junior role, challenges often present as growth opportunities. Highlighting how one can proactively address these challenges through learning and strategic thinking is key. For operations professionals, focusing on the "adapting to evolving technologies" and "translating business needs" aspects can be particularly relevant.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a design request from initial brief to final delivery. How do you ensure brand consistency throughout?" (Focus on workflow, communication, and brand adherence.)

• "Walk us through a project in your portfolio where you had to incorporate feedback that significantly changed your initial design concept. How did you manage that process?" (Demonstrates adaptability, collaboration, and problem-solving.)

• "How do you prioritize design tasks when faced with multiple urgent requests from different teams?" (Assesses organizational skills, time management, and prioritization strategies.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Dean Dorton, and what interests you about working here?" (Research the company's services, values, and recent news. Connect your skills to their mission.)

• "How do you embody our core values of Integrity, Relationships, Collaboration, and Growth in your work?" (Provide specific examples of how you've demonstrated these values in previous roles.)

• "Describe your ideal work environment and how you collaborate with team members." (Align your response with Dean Dorton's hybrid model and collaborative culture.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each project, frame it as a narrative: the problem, your solution, the process, and the outcome.

• Highlight Your Role: Clearly articulate your specific contributions, especially if it was a team project.

• Focus on Design Rationale: Be prepared to explain why you made certain design choices (e.g., color selection, typography, layout) and how they support the project's goals.

• Showcase Technical Skill: Be ready to discuss the software and techniques you used.

• Prepare for the "What If": Think about how you might improve a past project if you had more time or resources. This shows critical thinking and a growth mindset.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation emphasizes demonstrating not just technical design skills, but also strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and cultural alignment. For operations candidates, framing answers through the lens of efficiency, process improvement, and measurable impact will be highly effective.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Junior Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your design portfolio to prominently feature projects demonstrating proficiency in marketing collateral, digital graphics, and brand identity adherence. Tailor your selection to align with Dean Dorton's industry and visual style.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your 1-3 years of relevant design experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop), and any experience with video/motion graphics or project management tools. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice walking through your portfolio, articulating your design process, and preparing to answer behavioral questions related to collaboration, problem-solving, and Dean Dorton's core values. Be ready for a potential design challenge.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Dean Dorton's services, target audience, and current marketing efforts. Understand their brand identity and be prepared to discuss how your design skills can contribute to their strategic goals.

⚠️ 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.