Junior Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Junior Graphic Designer

Company: Footasylum

Location: Manchester, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing / Retail

Date Posted: 2026-07-31T09:49:41

Experience Level: 0-2 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Support the delivery of creative assets across both print and digital channels within a fast-paced, in-house creative studio environment.

• Assist in the execution of day-to-day design briefs and contribute to the rollout of major marketing campaigns and key business projects.

• Prepare accurate artwork files for print and digital activation, ensuring adherence to brand guidelines and quality standards.

• Collaborate closely with an experienced team of creatives, photographers, art directors, and marketing professionals to produce impactful content.

• Maintain a keen awareness of current design trends, youth culture, and streetwear to ensure creative output remains relevant and engaging for the target audience.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as an entry-level opportunity within Footasylum's in-house creative studio, focusing on supporting the graphic design team. The emphasis is on learning, development, and contributing to a variety of creative projects within the retail and streetwear sector.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate within the graphic design team to conceptualize and deliver creative assets for print and digital platforms.

• Execute day-to-day design briefs, ensuring timely and high-quality output.

• Provide support to the Lead Graphic Designer and wider creative team on campaign rollouts and significant business initiatives.

• Develop artwork for various online and in-store touchpoints, including e-commerce, social media, and point-of-sale materials.

• Prepare accurate and print-ready artwork files for both physical and digital activation, ensuring all technical specifications are met.

• Apply and consistently maintain Footasylum's brand guidelines across all creative projects to ensure brand integrity.

• Actively contribute creative ideas and innovative solutions during project development and brainstorming sessions.

• Effectively manage personal workload, prioritizing tasks to ensure projects are delivered on time and to the highest standard.

• Stay informed about emerging design trends, youth culture, and the streetwear landscape to inspire creative direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are clearly defined for an early-career graphic designer, emphasizing execution, support, and learning within a structured creative team. The role requires both creative input and technical execution of design tasks.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, or a related creative field is preferred.

Experience: 0-2 years of professional graphic design experience, or a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent creative capability and understanding of design principles.

Required Skills:

• Strong working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign.

• Solid understanding of fundamental design principles, including layout, typography, color theory, and visual hierarchy.

• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills for managing multiple projects and assets.

• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and meet strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• A genuine passion for design, streetwear, and youth culture, demonstrated through personal projects or industry engagement.

• Confidence and ability to work effectively within established brand guidelines.

• Eagerness and readiness to learn new skills, software, and design techniques. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with motion graphics or video editing software (e.g., Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro).

• Familiarity with digital design principles for web and social media, including UI/UX concepts.

• Basic understanding of print production processes and file preparation for various printing methods.

• Experience in a retail or fashion-focused creative environment.

• Ability to receive and implement constructive feedback effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements clearly indicate an entry-level position, valuing a strong foundational understanding of design principles and software proficiency over extensive professional experience. A demonstrable passion for the brand's cultural alignment is a significant plus.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated collection of design work showcasing a range of creative projects, demonstrating versatility across different mediums (print, digital).

• Clear examples of layout design, typography application, and visual communication skills.

• Projects that highlight an understanding of and adherence to brand guidelines.

• Demonstrations of problem-solving through design, particularly in response to specific briefs.

• Evidence of proficiency in core design software (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign). Process Documentation:

• While formal process documentation is not explicitly required for this junior role, candidates are expected to articulate their design process from brief to final artwork. This includes:

  • Workflow design and optimization: How you approach a design brief, from initial concept to final execution.

  • Implementation and automation methods: Understanding how designs are prepared for different outputs and any efficiencies you might employ.

  • Measurement and performance analysis: While not directly responsible for this, an understanding of how design impacts campaign performance is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a junior role, the portfolio is the primary tool for demonstrating capability. The emphasis is on showcasing potential, foundational skills, and a clear design process rather than extensive documentation of implemented processes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a Junior Graphic Designer role in Manchester, England, with 0-2 years of experience, a competitive salary range is estimated between £22,000 - £28,000 per annum. This range is based on industry benchmarks for entry-level creative positions in the UK, considering the cost of living in Greater Manchester and the specialist nature of the retail/fashion industry.

Benefits:

• Professional development opportunities to enhance creative and technical skills.

• Access to training programs designed to foster career growth within the company.

• Clear pathways for career progression within the creative and marketing departments.

• Employee discounts on Footasylum products.

• A vibrant and collaborative work environment within a leading omni-channel retailer.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, typically Monday to Friday. While a standard schedule is expected, some flexibility may be required to meet project deadlines, particularly during campaign launches.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on standard UK junior graphic designer rates and location. Benefits focus on development and career progression, aligning with the entry-level nature of the role.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Omni-channel Retail, specializing in sportswear and streetwear. Footasylum operates as a key player in the UK market, bridging online and physical retail experiences.

Company Size: Footasylum is a significant employer, indicating a structured corporate environment with established departments and processes, offering opportunities for specialization and growth.

Founded: While the founding date is not provided, Footasylum's established presence in the UK market suggests a history of growth and adaptation within the dynamic retail sector.

Team Structure:

• The Studio Team is part of the larger Marketing Department, operating from a dedicated, purpose-built content creation studio at The Sharp Project in Manchester.

• This team comprises highly experienced producers, photographers, art directors, stylists, marketing professionals, and graphic designers.

• The Junior Graphic Designer reports directly to the Lead Graphic Designer, indicating a clear reporting line within a specialized creative unit.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, with constant interaction with Head Office teams and other business units to align creative output with broader marketing and business objectives. Methodology:

• Data-driven insights are likely used to inform creative decisions, especially in an omni-channel retail context where understanding customer behavior is key.

• Workflow planning and optimization are critical in a fast-paced studio environment to manage multiple daily briefs and large-scale campaigns efficiently.

• Automation and efficiency practices are implicitly valued to streamline asset creation and delivery processes, ensuring timely execution.

Company Website: https://footasylum.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as fast-paced, creative, and collaborative, with a strong emphasis on culture and brand relevance. The in-house studio model suggests a high volume of creative output and a need for efficient processes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as Junior, indicating an entry-level position designed for individuals at the beginning of their graphic design career. It offers foundational experience in a professional studio setting.

Reporting Structure: The Junior Graphic Designer reports directly to the Lead Graphic Designer, providing a clear line of mentorship and guidance. This structure facilitates skill development and learning under experienced professionals.

Operations Impact: While not directly "operations" in the traditional sense of revenue or sales ops, the graphic design output directly impacts brand perception, marketing campaign effectiveness, customer engagement, and ultimately, sales performance across all channels. The role contributes to the visual storytelling that drives customer connection and purchasing decisions.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunities to develop advanced skills in graphic design software, learn new design techniques, and gain experience in various design disciplines (print, digital, campaign creative).

• Industry Conference and Certification Participation: Potential for the company to support attendance at relevant design conferences or workshops to stay abreast of industry trends and network.

• Operations Leadership Potential: With demonstrated talent and growth, there is potential to progress to a Mid-Level or Senior Graphic Designer role, eventually leading projects or even a specialized area within the creative team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for this role clearly leads into more senior design positions within Footasylum's creative studio, emphasizing skill development and increasing responsibility within the design function.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in a purpose-built content creation studio at The Sharp Project in Manchester, suggesting a modern, well-equipped, and collaborative workspace designed for creative professionals.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is The Sharp Project in Greater Manchester. The job posting notes a hybrid expectation, implying a blend of studio-based work and potential time spent at Head Office.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The studio is described as a hub for creatives, fostering teamwork and idea-sharing among producers, photographers, art directors, and designers.

• Operations Tools and Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and potentially specialized equipment within the content creation studio.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for daily interaction with a diverse team of experienced professionals, enabling learning through observation and direct collaboration.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time schedule (40 hours per week) is expected, typically Monday to Friday. The hybrid arrangement allows for structured workdays with a balance between in-office collaboration and potentially more focused work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is characterized by its creative focus, collaborative spirit, and the specialized nature of a content creation studio, which is ideal for hands-on learning and development in graphic design.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application Review: The company reviews applications individually, looking for a strong portfolio and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Informal Chat/Teams Video: A preliminary call or video meeting to discuss the role informally, assess mutual fit, and understand the candidate's motivations and aspirations. This stage emphasizes open and honest conversation.

• Portfolio Presentation & Case Study: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, discuss their design process, and potentially work through a design challenge or case study related to Footasylum's brand or a specific campaign. This will assess creative thinking, problem-solving, and technical skills.

• Team/Cultural Fit Assessment: Further interviews may involve meeting with the Lead Graphic Designer and potentially other team members to evaluate cultural fit, collaboration style, and enthusiasm for the brand and industry.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select your strongest, most relevant work. Showcase a variety of projects that demonstrate your skills in layout, typography, and brand application.

• Tell a Story: For each project, briefly explain the brief, your creative process, the challenges you faced, and the outcome. Highlight your role and contributions.

• Showcase Software Proficiency: Ensure your work clearly demonstrates your command of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

• Highlight Brand Awareness: Include projects that show an understanding of working within brand guidelines or adapting to different brand aesthetics, especially if related to streetwear or fashion.

• Demonstrate Potential: Even if you have limited professional experience, showcase personal projects that reflect your passion for design and the Footasylum brand.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brand: Research Footasylum's current marketing campaigns, target audience, brand identity, and recent collections.

• Anticipate Design Tasks: Be prepared for tasks that might involve creating social media graphics, simple print layouts, or adapting existing assets.

• Focus on Process: Be ready to articulate your thought process, how you approach creative problems, and how you would incorporate feedback.

• Practice Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio concisely and engagingly, focusing on key projects and your contributions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process is designed to be communicative and assesses not just technical skills but also cultural fit and potential for growth within Footasylum's creative environment. A strong, well-presented portfolio is paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Photoshop: For image manipulation, retouching, and creating detailed raster graphics.

• Adobe Illustrator: For vector graphics, logo design, illustration, and complex layout elements.

• Adobe InDesign: For page layout, typesetting, and preparing documents for print and digital publication.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly responsible for analytics, understanding how design impacts engagement metrics (e.g., click-through rates on digital ads, social media engagement) is beneficial. Familiarity with basic reporting dashboards might be helpful for understanding campaign performance. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this role, but understanding how design assets are deployed through marketing automation platforms or CRM systems could be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite is a core requirement. While not explicitly stated, familiarity with digital asset management systems or content management systems could be advantageous in a retail environment.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Collaboration: Essential for working effectively within the studio and with other departments. Teamwork is key to producing cohesive campaigns.

• Communication: Open and honest communication is valued, both within the creative team and when interacting with stakeholders.

• Challenge: Embracing new challenges, pushing creative boundaries, and seeking innovative solutions to design problems.

• Passion for Culture: A demonstrated interest in youth culture and streetwear is integral to understanding and connecting with the Footasylum customer.

• Eagerness to Learn: A proactive attitude towards skill development and absorbing new information is crucial for growth in this role.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The team works closely with marketing, e-commerce, and potentially merchandising teams to ensure creative output aligns with business objectives.

• Feedback Exchange: A culture of constructive feedback is implied, allowing for continuous improvement of designs and creative ideas.

• Knowledge Sharing: Experienced team members are likely to share their expertise, fostering a learning environment for junior members.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture explicitly emphasizes collaboration, communication, and embracing challenges, reflecting a dynamic and supportive environment for creative professionals. A deep understanding of and passion for youth culture is a key cultural differentiator.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Fast-Paced Environment: The high volume of daily briefs and campaign rollouts can be demanding, requiring efficient time management and the ability to adapt quickly.

• Balancing Brand Guidelines and Creativity: Consistently producing fresh, engaging creative work while strictly adhering to established brand guidelines can be a creative challenge.

• Staying Ahead of Trends: The rapidly evolving nature of youth culture and streetwear trends requires continuous learning and adaptation to remain relevant.

• Developing Technical Proficiency: Mastering advanced features of design software and potentially learning new tools or techniques as the company evolves.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Gaining hands-on experience across a wide range of design projects, from social media graphics to print collateral, significantly enhances design skill sets.

• Industry Conference and Certification Participation: Potential for the company to sponsor attendance at design events or provide resources for acquiring relevant certifications.

• Operations Mentorship and Leadership: Learning directly from experienced art directors, designers, and marketing professionals provides invaluable mentorship, paving the way for future leadership roles within the creative team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents opportunities to overcome creative and logistical challenges, with a clear path for skill development and mentorship that supports progression within the design field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your design process from receiving a brief to delivering final artwork." (Focus on your workflow, tools, and how you iterate.)

• "How do you stay updated on design trends, particularly within streetwear and youth culture?" (Highlight your sources and passion.)

• "How would you approach creating assets for a new Footasylum campaign, considering our brand guidelines?" (Showcase your understanding of the brand and creative problem-solving.)

• "Describe a time you had to manage multiple design projects with competing deadlines. How did you prioritize?" (Focus on organizational and time management skills.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Footasylum and our brand?" (Demonstrate your research and genuine enthusiasm.)

• "How do you contribute to a collaborative team environment?" (Provide examples of teamwork and communication.)

• "What are your aspirations for your graphic design career?" (Align your goals with potential growth opportunities at Footasylum.)

• "How do you approach receiving and implementing feedback on your designs?" (Highlight your receptiveness and willingness to improve.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or by showcasing your strongest skills first.

• Highlight Key Projects: Select 3-5 projects to discuss in detail, explaining the brief, your creative process, challenges, and outcomes.

• Showcase Software Proficiency: Be ready to talk about the specific tools and techniques you used in each project.

• Emphasize Brand Relevance: If you have work that aligns with fashion, retail, or youth culture, make sure to feature it and explain your approach.

• Practice Your Pitch: Rehearse presenting your portfolio concisely and confidently, ensuring you can articulate your value proposition effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a blend of technical design skills, creative thinking, cultural relevance, and a collaborative attitude, all tailored to Footasylum's specific context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Junior Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Footasylum Teamtailor careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and highlights relevant design work, particularly showcasing your skills in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, and your understanding of layout and typography. Tailor it to reflect an interest in streetwear and youth culture if possible.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your design skills, any relevant experience (even internships or personal projects), and your educational background. Use keywords from the job description such as "Graphic Design," "Adobe Creative Suite," "Layout," and "Typography."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, your understanding of Footasylum's brand, and how you handle feedback and collaboration. Be ready to present a selection of your portfolio work.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Footasylum's brand, recent marketing campaigns, target audience, and company values. Understand their position in the retail market and their commitment to culture.

⚠️ 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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