Lead Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Designer

Company: Exchange Life

Location: United States (Fully Remote)

Job Type: Full-Time Contractor

Category: Creative & Design / Marketing Operations

Date Posted: September 17, 2026

Experience Level: Entry to Mid-Level (0-2 years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is focused on AI-driven graphic design for e-commerce ad creatives, leveraging AI image generation tools and Adobe Photoshop to produce high-performing visual assets for a fast-growing travel jewelry brand.

• The position requires a strong understanding of typography, text placement, and visual style to create compelling ad creatives that align with brand guidelines and drive engagement.

• Success in this role hinges on proactive communication, independent work ethic, and the ability to iterate designs based on feedback and crucial ad performance data.

• This is an opportunity to build and shape the static ad creative function within a content operation that has already achieved significant organic reach, with a clear path to a Senior Designer title based on performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Lead Designer," the experience level and core responsibilities suggest an entry to mid-level role focused on execution within a defined AI creative process. The "Lead" aspect likely refers to taking ownership of the static ad creative output and potentially leading its development as the function grows, rather than managing a team from day one. The focus on "AI Native" and "building the creative machine" indicates a significant opportunity for an ambitious designer to grow with the company.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• AI Image Generation: Utilize internal prompts, templates, and established workflows to generate high-quality AI product images for marketing campaigns.

• Ad Creative Design: Overlay headlines and copy onto AI-generated product images using Adobe Photoshop, ensuring strict adherence to Exchange Life's established visual style and brand guidelines.

• Performance-Driven Iteration: Actively iterate on design concepts and executions based on constructive feedback from the Content Lead, Marketing team, and, critically, direct ad performance data.

• Asset Management & Organization: Maintain a clean, organized, and up-to-date library of creative assets, including AI-generated images and finalized ad creatives, for efficient retrieval and future use.

• Proactive Communication & Bottleneck Identification: Communicate effectively and proactively with the remote team regarding project status, potential bottlenecks, production capacity, and any challenges encountered in the creative workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize execution within a defined system, with a strong focus on leveraging AI tools and Photoshop. The "iterating on designs based on ad performance" is a critical aspect, highlighting that success is measured by conversion rates, not just aesthetic appeal. This requires a designer comfortable with data-informed decision-making.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a background in Graphic Design, Digital Media, Marketing, or a related field is implicitly expected.

Experience: 0-2 years of professional design experience, with a focus on digital advertising or e-commerce creative. Demonstrable ability to work independently and follow established processes is key.

Required Skills:

• Intermediate Adobe Photoshop Proficiency: Essential for overlaying copy, text formatting, and final image adjustments.

• Strong Typography and Text Placement: Crucial for creating legible and impactful ad copy within visual creatives.

• Portfolio of Clean, Polished Design Work: Must showcase a keen eye for aesthetics, attention to detail, and a professional finish.

• Process Adherence & Independent Execution: Ability to follow a defined creative brief and established workflows with minimal supervision.

• Reliable Communication Skills: Clear written and spoken English, with a proactive approach to flagging issues and sharing opinions.

• Stable Internet Connection: A fundamental requirement for a fully remote, asynchronous role.

Preferred Skills:

• AI Image Generation Experience: Familiarity with tools like Higgsfield or similar AI art/image generation platforms.

• E-commerce/DTC/Social Media Ad Creative Experience: Prior exposure to creating visuals specifically for online retail or paid social campaigns.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Must-Haves" highlight practical skills directly applicable to the role's core tasks. The "Nice-to-Haves" point towards candidates who can hit the ground running with AI tools, suggesting the company is looking for someone eager to learn and adapt quickly within their specific tech stack. The emphasis on "independent work" and "following a creative brief" suggests that while creativity is valued, adherence to process and brand standards is paramount for this role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate Design Execution: Showcase examples of clean, polished graphic design work, particularly those involving text overlay and product presentation.

• Highlight Process Adherence: Include case studies or examples that illustrate your ability to follow a specific brief or established design process.

• Showcase Ad Creative Examples: If possible, include examples of ad creatives (even for personal projects) that demonstrate an understanding of what makes visuals perform on digital platforms.

• Illustrate Photoshop Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio clearly indicates your intermediate to advanced skills in Adobe Photoshop, especially in areas relevant to image manipulation and text integration.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Familiarity: While not explicitly required, candidates who can speak to their experience documenting or understanding design workflows will be advantageous.

• Iteration & Feedback Integration: Be prepared to discuss how you incorporate feedback and iterate on designs based on performance data or team input.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on a "creative machine" and established processes, the portfolio should emphasize the candidate's ability to execute within parameters and deliver polished, on-brand assets. The ability to show how they've iterated on designs based on results will be highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $20 - $30 USD per hour, commensurate with experience (DOE).

Performance Bonuses: $300 - $800 USD per month, paid for each "winning" ad creative that meets performance thresholds or scales on paid media. There is no cap on bonus potential.

Benefits:

• Performance-Based Bonuses: Direct financial incentive tied to the success of your creative output, offering significant earning potential beyond the base hourly rate.

• Flexible PTO: Generous time off policy, allowing for personal time as needed, with coordination managed asynchronously.

• 1-on-1 Mentorship: Direct guidance and learning opportunities from the Content Lead.

• Paid Courses & Software: Investment in professional development through paid educational resources and necessary software licenses.

• Long-Term Role: Positioned as a stable, long-term engagement rather than a short-term project.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week. The schedule is fully flexible, allowing work to be done at any time as long as daily deliverables are met and asynchronous communication is maintained. No specific timezone overlap is required.

📝 Enhancement Note: The compensation structure is a key differentiator, combining a competitive hourly rate with a substantial performance bonus. This model strongly rewards designers who can consistently produce ad creatives that drive business results. The "no cap" on bonuses suggests a high-growth environment where successful contributors can significantly increase their earnings. The benefits package is tailored towards remote work and professional development, reflecting the company's investment in its contractors.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce, Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Travel Jewelry Brand.

Company Size: Small to Medium-sized (implied by "lean, fully remote international team" and "fast-growing").

Founded: Undisclosed, but described as "fast-growing" with a proven content engine (over a quarter billion views).

Team Structure:

• Lean, International, Fully Remote: Operates with a small, distributed team of designers, video editors, and content creators.

• Close Collaboration: Works directly with the Content Lead and Marketing team, fostering a tight-knit creative unit.

• Performance-Oriented: Emphasis on results and individual contribution, with titles and advancement tied to performance rather than tenure.

Methodology:

• AI-Driven Content Creation: Leverages AI tools for image generation and data for ad performance optimization.

• Asynchronous Communication: Relies on efficient, non-real-time communication for a globally distributed team.

• Agile & Iterative: Designs are expected to be iterated upon based on feedback and performance metrics.

Company Website: https://Exchange-life.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Exchange Life presents itself as a dynamic, digitally native company that has found significant success through social media content. The culture appears to be entrepreneurial and results-driven, with a strong emphasis on individual ownership and performance. The "building the creative machine" narrative suggests a high-growth, somewhat unstructured environment where individuals can make a substantial impact.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Entry to Mid-Level Graphic Designer, with a direct path to Senior Designer based on performance.

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Content Lead, working closely with the Marketing team. The role is an independent contractor position.

Operations Impact: The role is critical for scaling the company's image ad creative output to match its successful video content engine. Success directly impacts paid media performance, customer acquisition, and overall revenue growth.

Growth Opportunities:

• Title Advancement: The explicit goal of reaching "Senior Designer" within six months by consistently producing high-performing creative work.

• Skill Specialization: Deepening expertise in AI image generation, prompt engineering, and performance-driven ad creative design in a high-stakes environment with real ad spend.

• Portfolio Development: Building a strong portfolio with quantifiable results (ad performance metrics) that can be leveraged for future career advancement.

• Mentorship & Learning: Direct 1-on-1 mentorship from the Content Lead, plus access to paid courses and software, to accelerate skill development.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique growth trajectory for ambitious designers. The company explicitly states the path to Senior Designer and emphasizes learning from real ad spend. The focus is on developing a niche skill set in AI-powered performance marketing creative, which is highly in demand.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: 100% Remote. No physical office is mentioned, suggesting a fully distributed, virtual work environment.

Office Location(s): United States (as a base requirement), but the team is international and fully remote, meaning team members can be located anywhere with a stable internet connection.

Workspace Context:

• Asynchronous Collaboration: The work environment is set up for individuals to work on their own schedules, communicating primarily through asynchronous channels. This requires strong self-discipline and organization.

• Tool-Centric: Reliance on digital tools like Photoshop, AI image generation platforms, and internal prompt libraries is central to the workflow.

• Performance Feedback Loop: Direct access to ad performance data provides immediate feedback on creative effectiveness, fostering a data-informed design process.

Work Schedule: Fully flexible. Work can be done at any time, as long as daily deliverables are met and asynchronous communication is maintained. This offers significant autonomy but requires strong time management skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is designed for maximum flexibility and autonomy, typical of many successful remote-first or contractor-based creative operations. The key is self-management, proactive communication, and the ability to deliver results without direct, real-time supervision.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Review: Initial screening of applications, with a focus on portfolios and demonstrated skills.

• Portfolio Showcase: Expect to walk through your portfolio, highlighting relevant design work, especially ad creatives and examples of following processes.

• Skills Assessment: Potential for a practical design challenge or a discussion around your approach to AI image generation and Photoshop workflows.

• Cultural/Fit Interview: Discussion about your working style, communication preferences, and alignment with the company's performance-driven, remote culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Relevance: Select your strongest pieces that showcase intermediate Photoshop skills, typography, and clean design. Prioritize any ad creative or e-commerce examples.

• Demonstrate Process: If possible, include a case study showing how you've taken a brief from concept to final execution, or how you've iterated based on feedback.

• Highlight AI Experience: If you have AI image generation experience, make it prominent. Explain your process, tools used, and any results achieved.

• Quantify Results: For any ad creative examples, if you have performance data (even for personal projects), be ready to share it. This aligns with the company's performance-centric approach.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and visually appealing.

Challenge Preparation:

• AI Prompting & Iteration: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach generating specific types of images using AI, and how you'd refine prompts for better results.

• Photoshop Workflow: Be ready to explain your process for overlaying text, adjusting images, and preparing files for digital ads.

• Performance Metrics: Understand key ad performance metrics (CTR, Conversion Rate, CPC) and how design impacts them.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process likely prioritizes demonstrable skills and a portfolio that aligns with the company's need for performance-driven ad creatives. Candidates should be prepared to showcase their technical abilities in Photoshop and their understanding of how design translates to business results in an e-commerce context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Photoshop: The main tool for overlaying headlines, copy, and making final adjustments to AI-generated images. Intermediate to advanced proficiency is required.

• AI Image Generation Tools: Higgsfield or similar platforms are expected. Proficiency in generating specific image styles, product mockups, and refining outputs is key.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Ad Performance Data: Direct access to data on how creatives perform on paid channels will be provided. Understanding how to interpret this data to inform design decisions is crucial.

CRM & Automation:

• Internal Prompt Library & Workflows: Candidates will be trained on and expected to utilize proprietary systems for prompt generation and workflow management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is focused on AI-driven creative production and performance tracking. Proficiency in Photoshop is a baseline, while experience with AI image generation tools and an analytical mindset for interpreting ad performance data are highly valued.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Performance-Driven: Success is measured by the effectiveness of creatives in driving ad performance and conversions.

• Efficiency & Scalability: Focus on building a "creative machine" that can scale output effectively, particularly in the static ad creative space.

• Proactive & Independent: Valuing individuals who take ownership, communicate independently, and identify issues or opportunities without constant supervision.

• Data-Informed: Decisions, especially regarding design iterations, are guided by ad performance data.

• Continuous Learning: Encouraging growth in rapidly evolving areas like AI creative and performance marketing.

Collaboration Style:

• Asynchronous & Remote: Communication is primarily non-real-time, requiring clear, concise written updates and proactive problem-solving.

• Cross-Functional Input: Designs are reviewed by the Content Lead and Marketing team, and feedback is integrated.

• Direct Feedback Loop: Close connection to ad performance data provides direct, objective feedback on creative output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes autonomy, results, and adaptation. Individuals who thrive in a remote, asynchronous environment and are motivated by measurable performance outcomes will likely fit well. The "no micromanagement" ethos suggests a high degree of trust in the contractor's ability to manage their own workload and deliver results.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Bridging AI to Performance: Translating AI-generated visuals into ad creatives that consistently perform well on paid platforms requires a unique blend of creative skill and analytical understanding.

• Remote Collaboration Nuances: Effectively collaborating and receiving/giving feedback in a fully remote, asynchronous environment can be challenging and requires strong communication skills.

• Rapidly Evolving AI Landscape: Staying current with AI image generation tools and techniques while also meeting specific brand and performance requirements.

• Balancing Artistry with Advertising: Creating visually appealing designs that also serve the direct purpose of driving conversions and sales.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Real-World AI Creative Mastery: Gaining practical, paid experience in AI image generation and prompt engineering with direct feedback from ad spend.

• Performance Marketing Design: Learning what makes ad creatives effective on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, directly from performance data.

• Mentorship: Receiving guidance from an experienced Content Lead to refine skills and career path.

• Portfolio Building: Developing a robust portfolio with quantifiable achievements that significantly boost future job prospects in the creative and marketing fields.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge and opportunity lie in mastering the intersection of AI creativity and performance marketing. This role offers a chance to gain highly specialized, in-demand skills in a fast-paced, data-driven environment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking an AI-generated image and turning it into a polished ad creative, including text overlay and final adjustments."

• "How do you ensure your designs align with a specific brand's visual style, especially when working with AI tools?"

• "Can you walk us through a time you iterated on a design based on feedback or performance data? What was the outcome?"

• "What are your thoughts on the balance between artistic creativity and the functional requirements of performance-based advertising?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working with AI in a creative capacity for an e-commerce brand?"

• "How do you manage your workload and communicate effectively in a fully remote, asynchronous environment?"

• "What are your expectations for receiving feedback on your work?"

• "How do you stay motivated and productive when working independently?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Relevance: Prioritize showcasing Photoshop skills, typography application, and any ad creative examples. If you have AI work, present it clearly.

• Tell the Story: For each piece, explain the brief, your process, your creative decisions, and the outcome (especially if performance data is available).

• Demonstrate Process Adherence: Show examples where you followed specific guidelines or incorporated feedback to improve a design.

• Discuss Tools: Be ready to talk about your experience with Photoshop and any AI image generation tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating technical proficiency in Photoshop, an understanding of ad creative principles, and the ability to work autonomously in a remote setting. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their process and how they leverage data to inform their design decisions.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on careerspage.io.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight your intermediate Adobe Photoshop skills, any experience with AI image generation tools, and any examples of ad creative work or e-commerce design. Emphasize your ability to work independently and communicate effectively.

• Curate your portfolio: Select your strongest, most relevant design pieces. Ensure it clearly showcases your Photoshop capabilities, typography skills, and any ad creative examples. If you have AI-generated art or ad creatives with performance data, make these prominent.

• Prepare for a practical discussion: Be ready to talk through your design process, how you handle feedback, and your experience with digital advertising creative.

• Research Exchange Life: Understand their product (travel charms) and their marketing approach (social media content, high view counts). This will help you tailor your application and speak to their specific needs.

⚠️ 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.