Mid-Level Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Mid-Level Graphic Designer

Company: Hybrid News Limited

Location: Bristol, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: 2026-06-09T00:00:00

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design impactful visual solutions for the education sector, focusing on connecting institutions with prospective students globally.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with Creative, Marketing, and Client Services teams to deliver integrated marketing campaigns.

• Execute high-quality designs across digital, print, social media, advertising, and event collateral.

• Translate complex information into clear, engaging, and visually compelling creative assets that adhere to brand guidelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically tailored for a graphic designer with a strategic mindset, aiming to influence educational recruitment through compelling visual communication. The "Mid-Level" designation suggests a need for demonstrated experience beyond junior tasks, with an expectation of independent concept development and project ownership within a defined scope. The focus on higher education marketing implies a need to understand audience segmentation and messaging effectiveness within that specific industry.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Partner with Creative, Marketing, and Account teams to deeply understand project objectives, target audience demographics, and specific brand requirements for educational clients.

• Conceptualize and execute a diverse range of creative designs, ensuring visual excellence across digital platforms (websites, social media, digital ads), print materials (brochures, reports), event collateral, and integrated campaign assets.

• Transform complex data, academic information, and recruitment messaging into clear, engaging, and visually impactful creative solutions that resonate with prospective students and stakeholders.

• Uphold and reinforce brand guidelines across all creative outputs, while also proactively identifying opportunities to evolve and strengthen visual identities for clients.

• Contribute significantly to the development and execution of integrated marketing campaigns, with a focus on driving student engagement, increasing awareness, and achieving recruitment outcomes for higher education partners.

• Present creative concepts and design rationale confidently to internal stakeholders, effectively articulating the strategic thinking behind the visuals and incorporating feedback constructively to refine deliverables.

• Proactively manage multiple design projects concurrently, effectively prioritizing tasks, managing timelines, and ensuring timely delivery of high-quality work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

• Maintain a keen awareness of current design trends, emerging creative technologies (including AI-powered tools), and best practices, particularly within branding, digital design, and the higher education marketing landscape.

• Provide mentorship and support to junior designers, sharing expertise, fostering a collaborative learning environment, and contributing to the overall positive culture of the creative team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative execution and strategic contribution. The expectation to "identify opportunities to evolve and strengthen visual identities" suggests a role that goes beyond simply executing briefs, requiring proactive input on brand strategy. The mention of "AI-powered creative tools" indicates a forward-thinking approach and a desire for candidates to be adaptable to new technologies.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience: 3–5 years of professional graphic design experience, with a preference for candidates who have worked within an agency setting, a marketing department, or specifically within the higher education sector.

Required Skills:

• Proven proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, for creating and manipulating visual assets.

• Demonstrated experience in designing for both digital channels (e.g., social media graphics, web banners, digital ads) and print media (e.g., brochures, flyers, reports).

• Strong foundational knowledge of branding principles, effective visual communication strategies, typography, layout design, and core design aesthetics.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, coupled with strong presentation abilities to articulate creative ideas and design rationale clearly and persuasively.

• Highly developed organizational and time management skills, with a proven ability to juggle multiple projects, prioritize tasks effectively, and meet stringent deadlines in a demanding environment.

• A proactive, collaborative work ethic, demonstrating a genuine willingness to contribute ideas, offer solutions, and work effectively within a team setting. Preferred Skills:

• Prior experience working within a fast-paced agency environment, managing client expectations and delivering under pressure.

• Familiarity with motion graphics software (e.g., After Effects) for creating dynamic visual content.

• Experience with video editing software for producing promotional or informational videos.

• Proficiency in Figma for collaborative design, prototyping, and UI/UX design tasks.

• Exposure to or practical knowledge of AI-powered creative tools for design ideation and asset generation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "3-5 years" of experience, coupled with the requirement for a "strong portfolio demonstrating creative thinking, technical excellence, and a diverse range of design projects," positions this role as one that requires autonomy and a proven track record. The preference for agency or higher education experience suggests a need for candidates who can adapt quickly to client-specific needs and understand the nuances of marketing within the education sector.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a minimum of 3-5 distinct projects that highlight creative concept development, technical execution, and a broad range of design applications (digital, print, branding).

• Each project within the portfolio should demonstrate a clear understanding of the project's objectives, target audience, and the strategic design decisions made to achieve desired outcomes.

• Evidence of strong typography, layout composition, color theory, and visual hierarchy application across various media.

• For digital projects, include examples of responsive design considerations and user-centric design principles where applicable.

• For branding projects, showcase the ability to develop cohesive visual identities and apply them consistently across different touchpoints. Process Documentation:

• While not a formal requirement for submission, candidates should be prepared to discuss their personal design process, from initial brief interpretation and ideation to final execution and delivery.

• Be ready to articulate how you approach translating client briefs into creative concepts and how you iterate on designs based on feedback.

• Demonstrate an understanding of workflow management and how you ensure quality and consistency throughout the design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a mid-level graphic designer role, the portfolio is paramount. The emphasis should be on demonstrating not just aesthetic skill but also strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities. Candidates should be prepared to "walk through" their portfolio, explaining the "why" behind their design choices and the impact they aimed to achieve, particularly relating to client objectives in the education sector.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Mid-Level Graphic Designer with 3-5 years of experience in the UK, particularly in a city like Bristol, the estimated salary range is approximately £30,000 - £40,000 per annum. This estimate considers the cost of living in Bristol, the specialized nature of the education marketing sector, and the hybrid working model.

Benefits:

• Professional Development: Access to resources and opportunities for continuous learning and skill enhancement.

• Career Progression: Clear pathways and support for advancing within the company and the industry.

• International Exposure: Opportunity to work on campaigns for prestigious universities worldwide.

• Flexible & Hybrid Working: Arrangements that offer a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work flexibility.

• Competitive Salary: A compensation package benchmarked against industry standards for the role and location.

• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Includes standard benefits such as pension contributions, holiday allowance, and potential health and wellness programs.

Working Hours: A standard full-time work week, typically around 40 hours, with flexibility offered through hybrid working arrangements. Specific daily hours may vary but will be coordinated to ensure team collaboration and project delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on general UK salary data for graphic designers with 3-5 years of experience, adjusted for location (Bristol) and the specialized industry focus. The benefits listed are directly extracted from the job description and highlight key attractors for creative professionals in terms of growth and work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Marketing & Advertising, specifically serving the Higher Education sector. Hybrid News Limited operates as a global, full-service marketing partner leveraging creativity, data, and AI-powered insights. The company's mission is to help universities grow worldwide.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated by number, the mention of "offices in six countries" and being "backed by EAB, a global education marketing specialist" suggests a medium to large-sized organization with a significant international presence and robust backing. This implies established processes and resources.

Founded: The company is backed by EAB, a global education marketing specialist. The founding date of Hybrid News Limited itself is not specified, but its backing by a specialist suggests a focus on innovation and strategic growth within the education market.

Team Structure:

• The Creative team is described as "growing," indicating an expanding department with potential for new roles and responsibilities.

• Collaboration is emphasized across Creative, Marketing, and Client Services teams, suggesting a cross-functional and integrated approach to project delivery.

• The role involves supporting and collaborating with junior designers, indicating a mentorship component within the team structure. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Insights: Hybrid leverages data and AI-powered insights to inform marketing strategies.

• Creative Excellence: Focus on developing impactful and engaging visual solutions that tell clients' stories.

• Global Reach: Operations span across multiple countries, serving international clients.

• Purpose-Driven: A strong emphasis on making a meaningful impact within the higher education sector.

Company Website: https://hybrid.co/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be one that values innovation (AI-powered insights), global collaboration, and a clear mission within the education sector. The "growing creative team" suggests an environment that is dynamic and offers opportunities for individuals to contribute to shaping processes and growth.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as "Mid-Level," indicating a designer who has moved beyond foundational tasks and is expected to work with a degree of autonomy. They will be responsible for executing projects from concept to completion, contributing creatively, and potentially mentoring junior team members. This level typically involves taking ownership of specific campaign elements or client accounts.

Reporting Structure: The graphic designer will collaborate closely with Creative, Marketing, and Client Services teams. They will likely report to a Creative Lead, Design Manager, or Head of Creative, who oversees the creative output and team performance. The role also involves supporting junior designers, suggesting a potential for informal leadership or mentorship.

Operations Impact: The graphic designer's work directly impacts the perception and effectiveness of marketing campaigns for educational institutions. By creating compelling visuals, they contribute to student recruitment, brand building, and overall client success. The role is crucial in translating strategic marketing goals into tangible, engaging creative assets that drive desired outcomes.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like branding, digital design, motion graphics, or AI-assisted creative tools, potentially leading to senior or specialist roles.

• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a Senior Designer or Creative Lead position, taking on more strategic responsibilities and managing projects or junior team members.

• Industry Expertise: Developing deep knowledge of the higher education marketing landscape, becoming a go-to expert for clients in this sector.

• Cross-Functional Experience: Gaining broader marketing and client services experience through close collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Mid-Level" designation, combined with the opportunity to "support and collaborate with junior designers," suggests a stepping stone towards more senior creative roles. The company's global presence and focus on education marketing provide a niche but significant area for career growth and specialization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job description mentions "offices in six countries" and "flexible and hybrid working arrangements," indicating a modern work environment that blends physical office presence with remote work capabilities. This suggests a company that has adapted to contemporary work models.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is Bristol, England. The company also has offices in five other countries, suggesting potential for international collaboration or, in some cases, internal mobility possibilities for employees.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The emphasis on collaboration with Creative, Marketing, and Client Services teams suggests an office space designed to facilitate teamwork and communication.

• Creative Hub: As a creative role, the workspace will likely be equipped with necessary design tools and software, fostering an environment conducive to creative ideation and execution.

• International Team Interaction: Opportunities to connect and collaborate with colleagues across different global offices, providing diverse perspectives and learning experiences.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time schedule, typically 40 hours per week, will be complemented by hybrid working arrangements. This offers flexibility, allowing designers to balance in-office collaboration with remote work, which can be beneficial for focused design tasks and personal well-being.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model is a key component of the work environment. For a graphic designer, this offers the advantage of focused work at home while maintaining in-person collaboration for brainstorming, feedback sessions, and team building in the Bristol office.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of the CV and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and creative fit.

• Portfolio Presentation: A key stage will involve presenting a curated portfolio to the hiring team. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their design process, rationale, and the impact of their work, particularly in relation to client objectives.

• Skills Assessment/Task: A practical design task or case study might be assigned to evaluate problem-solving skills, creativity under pressure, and proficiency with design tools. This could involve developing concepts for a hypothetical client or refining an existing design.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: Meetings with potential team members and managers to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and alignment with company values.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss career aspirations and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your skills across digital, print, and branding. Tailor the selection to highlight experience in or understanding of the education sector if possible.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your creative process, the design decisions you made, and the measurable results or impact achieved. Use visuals to support your narrative.

• Highlight Key Skills: Explicitly point out how your work demonstrates proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, branding, typography, layout, and visual communication.

• Showcase Versatility: Include a mix of project types to demonstrate your range and adaptability. If you have motion graphics or Figma experience, ensure those examples are visible.

• Be Prepared to Discuss: Anticipate questions about your design choices, how you handle feedback, and how you approach challenging projects.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Client: Research Hybrid News Limited and their work with higher education institutions. Familiarize yourself with common challenges and opportunities in education marketing.

• Practice Design Thinking: Be ready to articulate your approach to a design problem, from understanding the objective to generating solutions and refining them.

• Focus on Impact: Think about how design contributes to business goals (e.g., student enrollment, brand perception). Be ready to discuss how you measure or aim to achieve impact.

• Tool Proficiency: Ensure you are comfortable discussing your use of Adobe Creative Suite and any other relevant design software.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio presentation and potential design task indicates that practical skills and the ability to articulate design strategy are critical. Candidates should prepare to "sell" their work and their process, demonstrating not just technical ability but also strategic thinking and a client-centric approach.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency required in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for a wide array of design tasks, from raster image editing and vector illustration to page layout and print production.

• Adobe After Effects (Preferred): For creating motion graphics, animations, and dynamic visual content for digital platforms and campaigns.

• Figma (Preferred): A collaborative interface design tool valuable for prototyping, UI/UX design, and team-based design workflows, particularly for digital assets.

Analytics & Reporting: While not directly a designer's tool, an understanding of how design impacts analytics (e.g., click-through rates on ads, engagement on social media) is beneficial. Familiarity with tools that track campaign performance would be an advantage.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to the graphic designer role, but awareness of how creative assets are deployed within marketing automation platforms or CRMs could be helpful for context.

Emerging Technologies:

• AI-powered Creative Tools: Familiarity or willingness to explore AI tools for design ideation, asset generation, or workflow enhancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core requirement is strong command of the Adobe Creative Suite. Preferred tools like After Effects and Figma indicate a move towards more dynamic and interactive digital design, reflecting industry trends. The mention of AI tools suggests a company that is embracing new technologies, and candidates with an interest or experience in this area will be highly valued.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Impact-Driven: A core value is making a meaningful impact, specifically within the higher education sector, by influencing life-changing education decisions.

• Creativity & Innovation: Encouraging creative solutions and leveraging data and AI-powered insights to drive innovation in marketing.

• Collaboration: Fostering a supportive, global team environment where cross-functional collaboration is key to success.

• Inclusivity: A strong commitment to diversity and creating an inclusive environment where all employees feel valued and empowered.

• Purpose-Driven: Working in an industry that has a clear mission and purpose, contributing to growth and positive outcomes for educational institutions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers will work closely with Creative, Marketing, and Client Services teams, requiring strong communication and teamwork to align on project goals and deliverables.

• Mentorship & Support: A culture that encourages senior team members to support and collaborate with junior designers, sharing knowledge and fostering growth.

• Global Team Network: Opportunities to collaborate with international colleagues, bringing diverse perspectives and working styles together.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes impact, collaboration, and inclusivity. For a designer, this means being part of a team that values creative contributions that drive real-world outcomes in education, and working in an environment that supports growth and diverse perspectives.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Client Needs with Creative Vision: Effectively translating diverse client requirements and brand guidelines into innovative and impactful designs that also meet strategic objectives.

• Fast-Paced Environment: Managing multiple projects with competing deadlines in a dynamic agency setting, requiring strong organizational and prioritization skills.

• Evolving Technology Landscape: Staying current with new design tools, AI advancements, and digital marketing trends to ensure creative output remains cutting-edge and effective.

• International Collaboration: Working with a global team, potentially navigating different time zones, communication styles, and cultural nuances to achieve cohesive project outcomes.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Skill Development: Opportunities to enhance skills in areas such as motion graphics, UI/UX design, advanced branding, or AI-assisted creative workflows.

• Industry Knowledge Growth: Deepening understanding of the higher education sector's marketing challenges and opportunities, becoming a subject matter expert.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gaining insights into marketing strategy, client management, and data analysis through collaboration with other departments.

• Mentorship and Leadership: Potential to develop leadership skills through supporting junior designers and taking on more project ownership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the dynamic nature of agency work and the fast-evolving creative industry. The growth opportunities are directly tied to addressing these challenges by developing specialized skills, deepening industry knowledge, and embracing new technologies.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a client brief from initial concept to final deliverable. How do you ensure it meets both creative and strategic objectives?" (Focus on your structured approach, ideation techniques, and how you link design to client goals.)

• "How do you approach translating complex information or data into clear and engaging visual communications for an audience like prospective students?" (Prepare examples of simplifying complex ideas visually.)

• "Walk us through a project in your portfolio where you had to balance strong brand guidelines with a need for creative innovation. What was your approach?" (Demonstrate your ability to be both a brand steward and a creative problem-solver.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working specifically in the higher education marketing sector?" (Research Hybrid's mission and their impact on universities.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with non-designers, such as marketing or account managers?" (Highlight your communication skills and ability to translate design concepts for different audiences.)

• "How do you stay updated on design trends and new technologies, such as AI in creative tools?" (Show your proactive approach to learning and adaptation.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select for Impact: Choose 3-5 projects that best represent your skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities, with a preference for those relevant to education marketing or strong digital/branding work.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly outline the client's challenge, your strategic approach, your design process, key decisions, and the resulting outcomes or impact. Use visuals effectively.

• Articulate Your Rationale: Be prepared to explain why you made specific design choices regarding typography, color, layout, and imagery. Connect these choices back to the project's objectives.

• Highlight Technical Skills: Briefly mention the tools and techniques used, especially if they align with the preferred skills (e.g., motion graphics, Figma).

• Showcase Collaboration: If applicable, mention how you collaborated with team members or incorporated feedback to refine the design.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strategic design approach, strong communication skills, and an understanding of the client's industry. The portfolio presentation is critical, so candidates should practice articulating their process and the impact of their work clearly and concisely.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Hybrid News Limited careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your submitted portfolio (or link) prominently features your strongest work, ideally highlighting projects relevant to branding, digital design, and ideally, the education sector. Be ready to discuss the strategic rationale behind your design choices.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 3-5 years of experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, and any experience with digital design, print collateral, or agency environments. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Contributed to campaigns that increased student inquiries by X%").

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, presenting your portfolio confidently, and answering questions about your creative thinking, problem-solving approach, and collaboration style. Research Hybrid News Limited and their work.

• Company Research: Understand Hybrid's mission, their focus on the education sector, and their use of data and AI. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest during the interview process.

⚠️ 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.