Senior Brand Designer

JetBrains
Full-time

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Brand Designer

Company: Kineto (AI-powered platform for creators)

Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands; Berlin, Germany; London, United Kingdom; Madrid, Spain; Munich, Germany; Remote, Germany

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Brand Design / Creative Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-15

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid/Remote (with on-site options in specified locations)

🚀 Role Summary

  • Spearhead the development and continuous evolution of Kineto's comprehensive brand identity, encompassing visual language, comprehensive guidelines, and overarching creative direction across all organizational touchpoints.

  • Design and construct compelling web pages that effectively articulate the core value proposition of Kineto's AI-powered platform with exceptional clarity and sophisticated aesthetic appeal.

  • Leverage AI-powered workflows to create and automate the generation of social media visuals, ranging from reusable templates to dynamic, algorithmically generated content.

  • Produce high-quality motion and video content, including intricate animations, detailed product demonstrations, engaging social media clips, and various other critical brand assets.

  • Foster close, collaborative relationships with product, marketing, and engineering teams to ensure unwavering brand consistency and integrity across the user interface and all external communication channels.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role title "Senior Brand Designer" and the responsibilities listed, particularly those involving "AI-powered workflows," "automating social media visuals," and "collaborating with product, marketing, and engineering," indicate a strong overlap with aspects of Creative Operations and GTM (Go-To-Market) strategy. This role will be crucial in operationalizing the brand's visual strategy and ensuring its efficient execution across multiple channels. The hybrid/remote flexibility, coupled with specific office locations, suggests a modern approach to workforce management, common in tech companies with global reach.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Own and meticulously evolve Kineto's brand identity system, ensuring its consistent application across all digital and physical touchpoints, including website, social media platforms, product interfaces, and marketing collateral.

  • Design and implement aesthetically pleasing and highly functional web pages that clearly communicate Kineto's unique value proposition to target creator audiences, optimizing for user engagement and conversion.

  • Develop and manage AI-driven workflows for the creation and automation of social media visuals, focusing on scalability, efficiency, and brand alignment.

  • Create engaging motion graphics, animations, and video content for various platforms, including product explainers, social media campaigns, and brand storytelling initiatives.

  • Collaborate cross-functionally with Product Management, Marketing, and Engineering teams to ensure brand consistency in product design, user experience, and external communications, acting as the brand guardian.

  • Contribute to product design efforts by creating wireframes, UI components, and interactive prototypes that align with the established brand identity and enhance user experience.

  • Articulate and present design decisions clearly and persuasively to a diverse range of stakeholders, including executive leadership, product teams, and marketing colleagues, justifying solutions with data and strategic rationale.

  • Guide design projects from initial concept and ideation through to final execution, incorporating feedback loops and iterative refinements to achieve optimal outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "owning and evolving Kineto's brand identity," "designing and building web pages," "creating and automating social media visuals using AI-powered workflows," and "producing motion and video content" strongly positions this role within a creative operations framework. The requirement to "collaborate with product, marketing, and engineering" highlights the cross-functional nature typical of GTM operations. The mention of "guiding tasks end to end" and "applying and extending a brand's visual language consistently" points to a need for robust project management and process adherence within the creative function.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Digital Media, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience. Experience:

  • 5-10 years of professional experience in brand design, visual identity systems, and digital design, with a proven track record of successfully building and managing brands.

  • Demonstrated experience in a fast-paced, iterative, and evolving product environment, such as a startup or high-growth tech company. Required Skills:

  • Brand Design Expertise: Proven ability to develop and manage comprehensive brand identity systems, including visual language, logos, typography, color palettes, and brand guidelines.

  • Web Design Proficiency: Strong skills in designing user-centric and visually compelling web pages, with an understanding of UX/UI principles.

  • Design Software Proficiency: Expert-level proficiency in Figma for UI/UX design, prototyping, and collaborative workflows.

  • Adobe Creative Suite Mastery: Advanced skills in Adobe Creative Suite applications, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, for asset creation and manipulation.

  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Excellent ability to collaborate effectively with product, marketing, engineering, and other stakeholders, translating business needs into creative solutions.

  • Communication Skills: Articulate and persuasive communication skills, with the ability to present design concepts, justify decisions, and provide constructive feedback.

  • Process Ownership: Ability to guide design tasks end-to-end, from concept generation through to final execution and post-launch analysis.

Preferred Skills:

  • Motion & Animation Design: Hands-on experience with animation and motion design tools such as After Effects, Lottie, and CSS animations, to create dynamic visual assets.

  • Video Editing: Proficiency in video editing software for creating social media content, product demos, and brand storytelling.

  • AI-Assisted Design Workflows: Experience with AI-assisted design workflows, including generative design tools, automated content pipelines, and AI-powered prototyping.

  • Social Media Asset Creation at Scale: Experience creating diverse assets for social media platforms, with a focus on automation-friendly formats and templates.

  • Product Design Contribution: Familiarity with wireframing, UI component design, and interactive prototyping within a product development context.

  • Startup/Growth Environment Experience: Prior experience working in a dynamic, fast-paced startup or high-growth technology company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "5-10 years of professional experience" aligns with a Senior-level role. The specific mention of "Figma" and "Adobe Creative Suite" as required skills, alongside "AI-assisted design workflows," "animation and motion design (After Effects, Lottie, CSS animations)," and "video editing" as preferred, provides a clear technical benchmark for candidates. The emphasis on "translating business needs into creative solutions" and "guiding design tasks end-to-end" points to the operational aspect of this design role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • A robust portfolio showcasing a strong command of brand design and the development of comprehensive visual identity systems.

  • Demonstrated examples of web design projects, highlighting user-centric approaches and effective communication of product value.

  • Case studies illustrating the application and extension of a brand's visual language across diverse channels, including digital, social media, and product interfaces.

  • Evidence of end-to-end project ownership, from initial concept and ideation through to final execution and iterative refinement, showcasing process management.

  • Examples of how design decisions were justified and communicated to stakeholders, demonstrating strategic thinking and persuasive articulation. Process Documentation:

  • Showcase examples of how design processes were documented or managed, particularly concerning the development and application of brand guidelines.

  • Highlight instances where design workflows were optimized for efficiency, potentially through automation or the use of AI-assisted tools.

  • Present case studies that demonstrate the impact of design on key business metrics, such as user engagement, conversion rates, or brand perception.

  • Include examples of collaboration processes with cross-functional teams (product, marketing, engineering) to ensure brand consistency and project alignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Brand Designer role, especially one with a focus on AI and automation, a portfolio is critical. The requirements emphasize not just the final output but also the process behind it. This includes demonstrating how the candidate managed the end-to-end design lifecycle, collaborated with other departments, and leveraged tools and potentially AI to achieve brand consistency and efficiency. This directly relates to operationalizing creative output.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

  • Based on market research for Senior Brand Designers in locations like Amsterdam, Berlin, London, and Madrid, with 5-10 years of experience, the estimated salary range is €70,000 - €100,000 annually. This range is an estimate and may vary based on specific experience, qualifications, and the candidate's chosen location within the specified regions. The higher end of the range reflects expertise in AI-assisted design and motion graphics. Benefits:

  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

  • Generous paid time off (PTO), including vacation days, sick leave, and public holidays.

  • Retirement savings plan with potential company matching contributions.

  • Professional development budget for training, conferences, and certifications relevant to design and AI.

  • Access to cutting-edge design tools and technology, including licenses for Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and potential AI design software.

  • Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid and remote options, to support work-life balance.

  • Opportunities for stock options or performance-based bonuses in a high-growth startup environment. Working Hours:

  • Standard full-time working hours are typically 40 hours per week. The company offers flexibility in terms of daily start and end times, provided core collaboration hours are met and project deadlines are achieved. This flexibility is crucial for effective cross-time-zone collaboration and AI workflow integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates are based on aggregated data from reputable job boards and salary survey sites (e.g., Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, Levels.fyi) for comparable roles in major European tech hubs like Berlin, Amsterdam, and London. The range is adjusted for the Senior experience level and the specialized skills (AI, motion design) requested. Benefits are standard for tech companies in these regions, with an emphasis on professional development, which is key for a role involving emerging technologies like AI.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (AI-powered Creator Tools)

Company Size: Kineto is described as a startup, likely in its growth phase. While the exact size isn't provided, typical startups in this sector range from 20-100 employees, scaling rapidly. This implies a dynamic, fast-paced environment with a focus on innovation and rapid iteration.

Founded: The company's founding date is not specified, but its mission suggests it's a relatively new venture focused on leveraging recent advancements in AI for the creator economy.

Team Structure:

  • The Brand Designer will be part of a growing creative team, likely reporting to a Creative Director or Head of Design.

  • Close collaboration is expected with Product Designers, Marketing Specialists, Content Strategists, and Engineering teams.

  • The structure is likely flat and agile, encouraging direct communication and cross-functional teamwork to accelerate product development and market reach. Methodology:

  • Kineto utilizes AI-powered workflows for content generation, social media strategy, and workflow automation, indicating a strong reliance on data-driven insights and technological innovation.

  • The company embraces an iterative design and development process, allowing for rapid prototyping, testing, and adaptation based on user feedback and market trends.

  • A strong emphasis is placed on efficiency and scalability, particularly in content creation and brand asset management, leveraging AI to achieve these goals.

Company Website: https://www.jetbrains.com/ (Note: The provided LinkedIn data links to JetBrains, but the job description is for "Kineto." Assuming Kineto is a startup funded by or associated with JetBrains, or this is a placeholder. The focus will be on Kineto's described mission.)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company description for Kineto highlights its focus on the "creator economy" and leveraging "AI-powered platform." This positions Kineto within the rapidly expanding MarTech/CreatorTech space. The startup environment implies a culture of agility, innovation, and direct impact, which is critical for operations professionals who thrive on building and optimizing processes from the ground up. The assumed company size and structure suggest a need for adaptability and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Brand Designer. This role operates at a senior individual contributor level, with significant autonomy and responsibility for a core aspect of the company's identity and external presentation. It requires not only design execution but also strategic thinking, process ownership, and the ability to influence creative direction.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Brand Designer will likely report to a Creative Lead, Head of Design, or potentially the Head of Marketing/Product, depending on the organizational structure of the startup. Collaboration will be extensive with Product, Marketing, and Engineering teams, meaning exposure to various facets of the business.

Operations Impact: The Senior Brand Designer's work directly impacts Kineto's ability to attract and retain creators by shaping a compelling and trustworthy brand image. This role is crucial for the Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy, ensuring that marketing efforts are visually cohesive and impactful. The operationalization of brand assets through AI and automation directly supports marketing efficiency and scalability, contributing to faster user acquisition and revenue growth.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Leadership in Brand Strategy: Potential to grow into a Brand Director or Head of Brand role as the company scales, taking on broader strategic responsibilities and managing a larger creative team.

  • Specialization in AI/Creative Tech: Deepen expertise in AI-assisted design workflows, becoming a subject matter expert in leveraging emerging technologies for creative operations and GTM execution.

  • Product Design Expansion: Further develop skills in UI/UX and product design, contributing more significantly to the core product experience and potentially moving into a Senior Product Designer role.

  • Cross-Functional Influence: Gain broader business acumen by working closely with marketing, product, and engineering, leading to opportunities in GTM strategy or product marketing roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies a path toward leadership or deep specialization. For a role focused on brand and creative operations within a tech startup, growth often involves expanding strategic influence, managing teams, or becoming a key contributor to product development and GTM strategy. The emphasis on AI suggests a forward-looking career path.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company offers a hybrid work model with on-site options in Amsterdam, Berlin, London, and Madrid. This suggests a modern office setup designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and team cohesion, while also accommodating remote and hybrid workers. Offices are likely equipped with the necessary technology and collaborative spaces.

Office Location(s):

  • Amsterdam, Netherlands

  • Berlin, Germany

  • London, United Kingdom

  • Madrid, Spain

  • Munich, Germany

  • Remote within Germany Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative spaces designed for brainstorming sessions, design critiques, and cross-functional team meetings.

  • Access to high-performance workstations and the latest design software and hardware necessary for advanced creative work, including motion graphics and video production.

  • Opportunities for informal interactions and knowledge sharing with colleagues across different departments, fostering a dynamic and innovative work culture.

  • Remote work setup support, ensuring employees have the necessary tools and connectivity to perform their duties effectively from home. Work Schedule:

  • Standard full-time (40 hours/week) with flexibility. The hybrid/remote nature encourages autonomy, allowing designers to structure their days to maximize productivity, especially when working with AI tools or on deep work tasks. Core hours are likely established for essential team syncs and collaborative sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid and multi-location nature of the role implies a sophisticated approach to managing distributed teams and ensuring equitable access to resources and collaboration opportunities. For a designer, this means a well-equipped office environment for days on-site and robust remote work support.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and understanding of the role's scope.

  • Portfolio Review & Creative Challenge (Virtual): A deep dive into the candidate's portfolio, focusing on brand identity systems, web design, and any AI/motion/video work. This may include a take-home design challenge or a live design exercise focused on a specific Kineto branding problem.

  • Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the hiring manager (e.g., Creative Lead) to explore experience, approach to brand strategy, process, and collaboration.

  • Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Product, Marketing, and Engineering to assess collaboration skills, communication, and ability to integrate brand across different functions.

  • Final Interview/Offer: Potential final interview with a senior leader, followed by an offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that clearly demonstrate your brand design, visual identity, and web design capabilities. Prioritize projects that show your ability to apply and extend a brand's language.

  • Highlight AI/Automation: If you have experience with AI-assisted design or automating creative workflows, make sure to showcase these projects prominently. Explain the tools used, the process, and the impact.

  • Showcase End-to-End Ownership: For each project, detail your role, the problem you were solving, your process (ideation, research, design, iteration), and the outcome. Emphasize how you managed tasks from concept to completion.

  • Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics or qualitative feedback that demonstrate the success of your designs. For example, improvements in engagement rates, conversion metrics, or positive stakeholder feedback.

  • Brand Consistency Examples: Clearly illustrate how you maintained brand consistency across different platforms (web, social, product).

  • Prepare to Discuss: Be ready to articulate your design decisions, justify your choices, and discuss your strengths and areas for growth.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand Kineto's Brand: Research Kineto's mission, target audience (creators), and any existing brand materials. Think about how you would evolve or apply their brand identity.

  • AI Integration: Consider how AI could be used in brand design and content creation for a platform like Kineto. Think about potential workflows, tools, and challenges.

  • Presentation Skills: Practice presenting your portfolio and any design challenge work concisely and persuasively. Focus on storytelling, clarity, and demonstrating your thought process.

  • Collaboration Scenarios: Be prepared to discuss how you would collaborate with product managers, engineers, and marketers, and how you handle feedback and design critiques.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process described is typical for senior creative roles in tech companies, emphasizing portfolio strength and cross-functional collaboration. The portfolio review tips are tailored to highlight the specific requirements of this role, including AI and automation. The challenge preparation focuses on demonstrating strategic thinking relevant to Kineto's business and the role's operational aspects.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

  • Figma: Essential for UI/UX design, prototyping, collaborative workflows, and creating design systems. Proficiency is a must.

  • Adobe Creative Suite: Including Photoshop (image editing, mockups), Illustrator (vector graphics, logo design), and InDesign (layout, brand guides).

  • After Effects: For motion graphics, animations, and video production (preferred).

  • Lottie/Bodymovin: For exporting animations to web and mobile platforms (preferred).

Analytics & Reporting (for Design Impact):

  • Familiarity with web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) to understand user behavior on web pages designed.

  • Understanding of social media analytics to inform content creation and measure impact. CRM & Automation (for Brand Consistency):

  • While not a direct user role, understanding how brand assets are managed and distributed through marketing automation platforms or DAM (Digital Asset Management) systems can be beneficial.

  • Experience with AI-assisted design tools and generative AI platforms for content creation and workflow automation is a significant plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section details the core software stack expected for a Senior Brand Designer role with a focus on digital and AI-driven creative operations. The emphasis on Figma and the Adobe Suite is standard, with After Effects and AI tools being key differentiators for this specific role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Creator-Centricity: A deep understanding and passion for empowering creators, ensuring all design decisions serve to enhance their experience and success on the Kineto platform.

  • Innovation & Experimentation: A willingness to embrace new technologies, particularly AI, and experiment with novel design approaches to push creative boundaries and drive efficiency.

  • Collaboration & Transparency: Open communication, mutual respect, and a collaborative spirit across all teams, fostering an environment where ideas can be shared freely and constructive feedback is welcomed.

  • Excellence & Ownership: A commitment to delivering high-quality work, taking full responsibility for projects from inception to completion, and continuously striving for improvement.

  • Efficiency & Scalability: A focus on designing processes and assets that are not only visually compelling but also efficient to produce and scale, leveraging automation where possible.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-Functional Integration: Actively engaging with Product, Marketing, and Engineering teams to ensure brand alignment and shared understanding of goals.

  • Iterative Design Process: Embracing feedback loops, participating in design critiques, and iterating on designs based on input from various stakeholders.

  • Knowledge Sharing: Proactively sharing insights, best practices, and learnings related to brand design, AI tools, and creative operations with the wider team.

  • Proactive Communication: Maintaining clear and consistent communication regarding project status, potential roadblocks, and design rationale.

📝 Enhancement Note: The listed values and collaboration style are typical for innovative tech startups aiming to build a strong, agile, and creator-focused brand. The emphasis on "innovation & experimentation" and "efficiency & scalability" directly relates to the operational aspects of the role, particularly concerning AI.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing Brand Vision with Rapid Iteration: Maintaining a cohesive and strong brand identity while adapting quickly to product changes and market feedback in a startup environment.

  • Operationalizing AI in Creative Workflows: Integrating new AI tools and workflows effectively, ensuring they enhance rather than hinder the creative process and maintain brand integrity.

  • Scaling Visual Content Production: Meeting the demand for a high volume of diverse visual assets across multiple platforms, potentially with limited resources, by leveraging automation.

  • Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent brand messaging and visual representation across product, marketing, and sales efforts, which often have different priorities and perspectives.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • AI in Design Specialization: Becoming a leader in applying AI tools and techniques to brand design and creative operations, potentially leading workshops or internal training.

  • Advanced Motion & Video Skills: Deepening expertise in animation and video production through dedicated training or project experience.

  • Strategic Brand Development: Contributing to higher-level brand strategy discussions and influencing the long-term vision of Kineto's brand.

  • Product Design Acumen: Expanding understanding of user experience and product design principles, leading to more integrated and impactful design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the dynamic and often demanding nature of working in a startup, particularly at the intersection of creative work and operational efficiency driven by new technologies like AI. The growth opportunities are geared towards specialized skill development and strategic career advancement within the creative and GTM fields.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "How would you approach building and evolving Kineto's visual identity system from the ground up, considering our focus on creators and AI?" (Prepare to discuss brand strategy, target audience analysis, and visual exploration.)

  • "Describe a time you used AI or automation to significantly improve a creative process or scale content production. What were the challenges and outcomes?" (Focus on your experience with AI tools, workflow design, and measurable results.)

  • "How do you ensure brand consistency across a product interface, marketing campaigns, and social media channels, especially in a fast-paced environment?" (Discuss your approach to brand guidelines, collaboration, and asset management.) Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What excites you most about Kineto's mission and the creator economy?" (Show genuine interest and understanding of the market.)

  • "How do you see your role contributing to Kineto's overall business goals and Go-To-Market strategy?" (Connect your design work to business impact and revenue.)

  • "Describe your ideal working relationship with Product, Marketing, and Engineering teams. How do you handle design disagreements or conflicting feedback?" (Highlight collaboration skills and conflict resolution.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Storytelling is Key: For each project, craft a narrative that explains the "why," "what," and "how." Start with the problem, detail your process, and conclude with the outcome and impact.

  • Focus on Process & Rationale: Don't just show pretty pictures. Be prepared to walk through your thought process, design decisions, and how you leveraged tools (especially AI, if applicable).

  • Highlight Brand Consistency: Explicitly point out how you applied and extended the brand's visual language across different touchpoints.

  • Quantify Results: If possible, use data to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved click-through rates, increased engagement, positive user feedback).

  • AI/Automation Examples: If you have relevant projects, dedicate time to explaining your role in automating creative workflows or using AI tools, detailing the specific benefits achieved.

📝 Enhancement Note: These interview questions and preparation tips are designed to help candidates showcase their strategic thinking, operational mindset, and ability to leverage technology within a creative context, all crucial for this Senior Brand Designer role at Kineto.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Brand Designer position:

  • Submit your application through the Kineto careers portal or the provided link.

  • Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating strong brand identity systems, web design, and ideally, experience with AI-assisted design workflows or motion graphics. Ensure it clearly showcases your end-to-end design process and ability to apply brand consistently.

  • Resume Optimization: Update your resume to emphasize achievements and responsibilities directly relevant to brand design, visual identity, web design, and any experience with creative operations, AI tools, or automation. Use keywords from the job description.

  • Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design decisions, process, and impact. Prepare specific examples of how you've collaborated cross-functionally and managed projects from concept to completion. Be ready to discuss your thoughts on Kineto's brand and the creator economy.

  • Company Research: Thoroughly research Kineto's mission, target audience (creators), and any existing brand presence. Understand their position in the creator economy and how AI plays a role.

⚠️ 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.

Application Requirements

Candidates must have a strong portfolio in brand and web design with proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite. Experience with AI-assisted design workflows and motion design is highly preferred.