Junior Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Junior Graphic Designer

Company: Forms+Surfaces Inc

Location: Carpinteria, California, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Brand Design / Marketing Operations

Date Posted: June 04, 2026

Experience Level: Entry Level (0-2 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and execute a wide range of print and digital marketing collateral, ensuring brand consistency across all communication channels.

• Develop and refine visual assets for web pages, digital interfaces, and component-based design systems, contributing to a cohesive user experience.

• Create engaging 2D motion graphics for various platforms, enhancing storytelling and brand presence.

• Collaborate closely with sales, marketing, and product teams to support their design needs while upholding the integrity of the brand's visual identity.

• Actively explore and integrate emerging AI tools into design workflows to enhance efficiency and creative output.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the core role is Graphic Design, its function within an in-house Brand Design Group supporting Sales and Marketing indicates a strong connection to Marketing Operations and the Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy. The emphasis on brand consistency, collateral creation, and digital asset design directly impacts the effectiveness of marketing campaigns and sales enablement.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design layouts for diverse print and digital communications, including email campaigns, web assets, brochures, and sales collateral, adhering to brand guidelines.

• Apply principles of layout, typography, and visual hierarchy to ensure aesthetic appeal and clear communication in all design outputs.

• Support design requests from internal sales, marketing, and product development teams, ensuring visual coherence and brand alignment.

• Continuously evolve and maintain the company's visual identity to ensure relevance, recognizability, and alignment with core values.

• Contribute to the design and prototyping of web pages and digital interfaces using Figma, balancing brand expression with user usability.

• Develop 2D motion graphics for web, social media, and presentation contexts, translating campaign concepts into compelling visual narratives.

• Assist in the creation of cohesive visual narratives across multiple formats to support integrated marketing campaigns.

• Explore and implement AI-driven design tools and workflows to optimize creative processes and enhance design outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a hands-on approach to design execution, directly supporting marketing and sales initiatives. The emphasis on supporting various internal teams suggests a need for strong project management and communication skills, common in operations roles. The integration of AI tools points towards an innovative and forward-thinking approach to design production, aligning with modern operations efficiency drives.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Graphic Design, Interaction Design, or equivalent demonstrated experience.

Experience: 0-2 years of experience in graphic design, with a portfolio showcasing conceptual thinking and visual consistency across print, digital, and motion design.

Required Skills:

• A strong portfolio demonstrating conceptual thinking and visual consistency across print, digital, and motion design.

• Solid command of layout, composition, grid systems, and typography principles.

• Working knowledge of UX/UI fundamentals and their application in digital design.

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, After Effects).

• Proficiency in Figma for digital interface design and prototyping.

• Demonstrated 2D motion design skills.

• Genuine curiosity and desire to integrate AI design tools (e.g., Claude, ChatGPT) into design workflows.

• Collaborative working style, openness to direct feedback, and a clear ambition for professional growth and learning. Preferred Skills:

• 3D motion design experience.

• Familiarity with component-based design systems.

• Exposure to manufacturing, industrial design, or architectural product contexts.

• Existing experience using Large Language Models (LLMs) like Claude or ChatGPT for creative or production work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio that spans print, digital, and motion demonstrates the need for a versatile designer. The explicit mention of AI tools and a "genuine curiosity" suggests the company values proactive learning and adaptation, a key trait for success in dynamic operations environments. The preference for candidates with exposure to manufacturing or architectural product contexts indicates a desire for someone who can quickly grasp the company's industry niche.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 diverse projects that highlight conceptual thinking, visual consistency, and application across different mediums (print, digital, motion).

• Include examples demonstrating a strong grasp of layout, typography, and grid systems in practical applications.

• Feature at least one project that addresses UX/UI fundamentals or digital interface design, ideally created in Figma.

• Present examples of 2D motion graphics, illustrating an understanding of animation principles and storytelling through movement.

• Include any projects that demonstrate the experimental use of AI tools in the design process, highlighting problem-solving or efficiency gains. Process Documentation:

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their design process, from initial concept to final execution, emphasizing how they manage feedback and iterate on designs.

• Be ready to articulate how they ensure brand consistency across various deliverables and how they would approach supporting cross-functional team requests efficiently.

• Demonstrate an understanding of how design workflows can be optimized, particularly with the integration of new technologies like AI.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a junior role, the portfolio is paramount. The emphasis on demonstrating process and the ability to integrate AI tools suggests the company is looking for a designer who is not just technically proficient but also process-oriented and adaptable, mirroring the operational mindset required in GTM and RevOps.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $60,000 - $70,000 per year. This range reflects the entry-level nature of the role, considering the Carpinteria, CA location and the specialized skill set required for a hybrid Brand Design position.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage.

• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match, providing long-term financial security.

• Direct mentorship from the Creative Lead and the broader Brand Design Group, offering invaluable career development and skill enhancement.

• Exposure to a wide spectrum of in-house design projects, including brand systems, product launches, web builds, campaigns, and custom design tools.

• Proximity to product development, photography, and engineering teams, fostering cross-functional learning and collaboration.

• An active, AI-integrated creative practice, encouraging innovation and the adoption of cutting-edge design technologies.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with a hybrid work arrangement requiring 3 days per week on-site at the Carpinteria office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is typical for a Junior Graphic Designer in a California market, considering specialization. The benefits package is standard for a full-time role, with the "Direct mentorship" and "AI-integrated creative practice" being particularly attractive for career growth and skill development, aligning with the expectations of operations professionals seeking supportive environments.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Architectural Products Manufacturing. Forms+Surfaces designs and manufactures high-quality architectural products for public spaces like airports, transit hubs, and corporate campuses, emphasizing design excellence and durability.

Company Size: Forms+Surfaces is a medium-sized enterprise, likely employing between 200-500 individuals. This size often fosters a culture that balances structured processes with agility and cross-functional collaboration.

Founded: Forms+Surfaces was founded prior to 2019 (based on logo upload date), suggesting a long-standing presence and established reputation in the architectural products market.

Team Structure:

• The Junior Graphic Designer will be part of the Brand Design Group, an in-house team. This group likely includes a Creative Lead, potentially other designers, and roles focused on visual media creation and social media management.

• The role reports directly to the Creative Lead, indicating a clear reporting line and mentorship structure.

• Collaboration is expected with sales, marketing, and product teams, highlighting a cross-functional operational dynamic essential for Go-To-Market (GTM) efforts. Methodology:

• The Brand Design Group likely employs a structured approach to brand management, ensuring visual consistency across all touchpoints.

• Design projects are managed with a focus on supporting business objectives, such as product launches, sales enablement, and marketing campaigns.

• The team is encouraged to adopt innovative practices, including the integration of AI tools, to enhance design efficiency and creative output.

Company Website: https://www.forms-surfaces.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on tangible, built environment products implies a need for design that is both aesthetically strong and practically durable. This context is crucial for understanding the brand's visual language and the purpose behind the design collateral. The "Brand Design Group" functions as a core component of the marketing and sales support infrastructure, akin to an internal GTM operations unit.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an entry-level (Junior) position within the Brand Design Group. It is designed for individuals with foundational design skills and a strong desire to learn and grow. The role offers exposure to the full spectrum of in-house design work and direct mentorship, providing a solid launchpad for a career in design operations or brand management.

Reporting Structure: The Junior Graphic Designer reports directly to the Creative Lead. This structure ensures focused guidance and opportunities for skill development under experienced leadership. The role also involves significant collaboration with various internal departments, providing exposure to different operational functions within the company.

Operations Impact: While primarily a design role, the Junior Graphic Designer's output directly impacts the company's brand perception, marketing effectiveness, and sales enablement. High-quality, consistent design collateral and engaging digital assets are crucial for attracting clients, supporting sales conversations, and reinforcing the company's premium market position. The integration of AI tools also positions this role as contributing to operational efficiency and innovation within the design function.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, motion graphics, and UX/UI principles through hands-on project work and mentorship.

• AI Integration: Develop proficiency in using AI tools for design, becoming a valuable asset in an increasingly AI-driven creative landscape.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain experience working with sales, marketing, and product teams, understanding their operational needs and how design supports them.

• Brand System Development: Contribute to the evolution and maintenance of the company's visual identity and design systems, potentially leading to more senior roles in brand management or design leadership.

• Industry Insight: Develop a deeper understanding of the architectural products industry, product development, and manufacturing processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path emphasizes practical application, mentorship, and exposure to diverse business functions. This aligns with operations career development, where breadth of experience and adaptability are highly valued. The emphasis on learning and integrating new technologies like AI is a key indicator of a forward-looking operational environment.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Carpinteria, CA, and requires a hybrid work arrangement, with three days per week on-site. This suggests a professional office environment designed for collaboration and focused work.

Office Location(s): The primary on-site location is the Forms+Surfaces office in Carpinteria, California. This location is within the Santa Barbara County region.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and the presence of the Brand Design Group within the company indicate an environment that values both independent work and team interaction. Proximity to product development, photography, and engineering teams suggests opportunities for informal collaboration and knowledge sharing.

• Tools and Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma) and an encouragement to explore AI tools will be integral