Senior Brand Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Brand Designer

Company: Princeton10

Location: New York, NY

Job Type: Freelance (Contract)

Category: Brand Design / Creative Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-21

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (2-4 years)

Remote Status: Remote Solely

🚀 Role Summary

• Focus on developing and executing high-quality visual assets and comprehensive brand identity systems.

• Collaborate closely with Creative Directors, Art Directors, and scientific teams to support client deliverables across diverse media.

• Play a key role in building and refining brand identity systems with consistency and craft, particularly within the pharma advertising space.

• This is a hands-on, execution-focused role for a designer looking to deepen their craft in a specialized industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Senior Brand Designer," the experience requirement (2-4 years) suggests a mid-senior level. The emphasis on "heavy hands-on, execution-focused" and "building their craft foundation" indicates a role focused on detailed design execution rather than purely strategic oversight. The target industry is pharma advertising, which requires a specific understanding of communication nuances and regulatory considerations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Brand Identity Development: Conceptualize, design, and explore unique and complete brand identity systems, including logos, color palettes, typographic applications, and visual language, based on strategic declarations of personality, archetype, and tone.

• Visual System Creation: Develop guideline rules or toolkits that clearly define the unique attributes of brand systems, ensuring they are understandable and implementable by various stakeholders.

• Cross-Media Translation: Translate new or evolved brand identity systems into diverse forms suitable for different mediums such as print, digital, motion graphics, social media, and experiential activations.

• Design Execution: Compose detailed brand identity designs through the purposeful application of typography, photographic style, color, and conceptual graphic elements, ensuring expression of style, tone, and meaning through visual language.

• Asset Production: Produce diverse design assets including icons, infographics, diagrams, social media graphics, web layouts, slide decks, and marketing materials that consistently reflect the established visual identity.

• Collaboration & Iteration: Work closely with Art Directors, Copywriters, and scientific teams to interpret feedback, iterate on concepts, and refine designs for optimal client deliverables.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic brand system creation and detailed execution. The emphasis on "guideline rules or toolkits" points to a need for structured documentation of brand elements, crucial for maintaining consistency. The mention of "technical or science-based content" in requirements implies the designer must be comfortable translating complex information into accessible visuals.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is typically expected for this level of role.

Experience: 2–4 years of professional design experience, with a strong preference for experience in:

• Branding or visual identity development.

• Creative or advertising agency environments.

• Pharma or healthcare advertising (considered an asset, but not strictly required). Required Skills:

• Brand Identity Design: Proven ability to develop and articulate comprehensive brand identity systems from concept to execution.

• Graphic Design Fundamentals: Strong command of core design principles, including composition, hierarchy, color theory, and visual balance.

• Typography Expertise: Deep understanding and skillful application of typography for brand expression and readability across various mediums.

• Visual Communication: Ability to convey messages, tone, and meaning effectively through visual language.

• Adobe Creative Suite Proficiency: Expert-level skills in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.

• Feedback Interpretation: Capacity to receive, interpret, and implement feedback constructively and efficiently.

• Content Adaptability: Comfort working with and designing for technical or science-based content, with guidance.

Preferred Skills:

• Figma Familiarity: Experience or willingness to learn Figma for collaborative design workflows.

• Motion Graphics Basic Understanding: Awareness of designing for motion to ensure brand consistency across video and animation.

• Social Media Design: Experience creating engaging visual assets specifically for social media platforms.

• Agency Experience: Prior experience in a fast-paced agency setting, accustomed to client-facing projects and deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level is key here. "Senior" in the title typically implies more strategic input, but the 2-4 years and "hands-on, execution-focused" description position this as a strong mid-level role where a designer is expected to take ownership of design execution under direction. The preference for pharma/healthcare experience is a significant indicator of the client base.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Fundamentals: Showcase a strong grasp of design principles, demonstrating thoughtful use of layout, hierarchy, and visual balance.

• Typography & Layout: Present examples that highlight exceptional typographic choices and sophisticated layout skills across different applications.

• Brand Identity Work: Include early or developed examples of brand identity systems, visual language explorations, or logo development projects.

• Conceptual Design: Demonstrate the ability to develop unique and conceptual design solutions that align with strategic objectives and brand personality.

• Medium Diversity: Showcase work that has been adapted for or designed with consideration for multiple media (e.g., digital, print, social).

Process Documentation:

• Brand Guideline Examples: If available, include samples of brand guideline toolkits or style guides that demonstrate your ability to codify visual systems.

• Conceptual Exploration: Portfolios should hint at the process of exploring multiple design directions before landing on a final concept.

• Execution Detail: Showcase the intricate detail and craft applied in the final execution of design assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role, serving as the primary evaluation tool. It needs to demonstrate not just aesthetic capability but also the ability to create coherent, scalable brand systems and execute them with precision across various platforms. The "guideline rules or toolkits" responsibility strongly suggests that portfolios showing this kind of structured output will be highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $50 - $90 per hour.

• This hourly rate for a freelance contract position aligns with mid-senior level design roles in a high-cost-of-living area like New York City, especially for specialized industries like pharma advertising. The range accounts for varying levels of experience within the 2-4 year bracket, the specific skills required, and the demand for contract talent.

Benefits: As a freelance (contract) position, standard employee benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans are typically not included. The compensation is structured to reflect the contractor's responsibility for managing their own benefits and taxes.

• Flexible Work Schedule: The remote-only nature allows for significant flexibility in managing work hours, provided project deadlines and collaboration needs are met.

• Project Diversity: Opportunity to work on a variety of client projects within the pharma advertising sector, offering exposure to different therapeutic areas and brand challenges.

• Remote Work Environment: Freedom to work from any location, eliminating commute time and costs.

Working Hours: The job description implies a standard full-time workload (approximately 40 hours per week) given the "Senior" title and responsibilities. However, as a freelance contract role, actual hours may fluctuate based on project demands and client needs. Flexibility is inherent in remote work, but timely delivery of high-quality assets is paramount.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is explicitly provided. For a freelance role, it's crucial for candidates to understand that this rate is inclusive of all overheads and benefits they would normally expect from a full-time salaried position. The "remote-only" aspect is a key benefit for contractors seeking flexibility.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Primarily focused on Pharma Advertising and Healthcare Marketing. Princeton10 positions itself as a disruptive force ("not just another agency"), emphasizing change, passion, and purpose over traditional agency models.

Company Size: Described as "remote-only seasoned professionals" and having "teams" implies a distributed workforce, likely a medium-sized company or a specialized collective of independent contractors.

Founded: The company's founding philosophy is based on challenging and improving existing agency models ("if something isn’t working—or could work better—change it"). This suggests a culture that values innovation, efficiency, and a direct, results-oriented approach.

Team Structure:

• Distributed & Remote: Composed of "diverse, remote-only seasoned professionals."

• Collaborative: Works closely with "Creative Directors, Art Directors, Senior Designers, Copywriters, Project Managers, and Scientific teams."

• Leadership: Reports to the VP, CD, Art, indicating a clear creative hierarchy within the design and art direction function.

Methodology:

• Agile & Adaptive: Founded on the principle of identifying and improving what isn't working, suggesting an adaptable and iterative approach to client work.

• Data-Driven (Implied): While not explicitly stated for design, the "scientific teams" collaboration suggests an environment where data and strategic insights inform creative output.

• Process-Oriented: The emphasis on developing "guideline rules or toolkits" indicates a structured approach to brand system management.

Company Website: princeton10.net

📝 Enhancement Note: Princeton10's description as "not an agency" and its emphasis on challenging norms are key cultural indicators. They aim for a lean, effective, and passionate team. The remote-only structure is a defining characteristic and influences communication and collaboration styles.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Mid-Senior level, specifically for a designer focused on brand identity and execution. It's an opportunity to deepen expertise in a niche industry (pharma advertising) and refine craft under experienced leadership.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Brand Designer reports directly to the VP, CD, Art. This implies a clear reporting line and opportunities for mentorship and direct feedback from senior creative leadership.

Operations Impact: While this role is primarily creative execution, its impact is significant. By developing and maintaining strong brand identities and visual systems, the designer directly influences how clients (pharmaceutical companies) are perceived, how their scientific content is communicated, and ultimately, their market presence and engagement.

Growth Opportunities:

• Craft Specialization: Deepen expertise in brand identity systems and visual language development within the specialized pharma/healthcare sector.

• Mentorship: Learn directly from senior creative leaders (VP, CD, Art Director) who can provide guidance on design strategy, client management, and career development.

• Project Exposure: Gain experience working on diverse client projects, potentially across different therapeutic areas, expanding the portfolio and industry knowledge.

• Freelance Network: As part of a remote-only collective, there's potential to build a network of seasoned professionals and secure future contract opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Growth here is framed more around deepening specialized craft and gaining industry-specific experience rather than climbing a traditional corporate ladder. The freelance nature means growth is often tied to acquiring new skills and building a robust portfolio that attracts more high-value contracts.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a "remote-only" position. Princeton10 operates as a distributed team, meaning there is no central physical office for employees.

Office Location(s): N/A. As a remote-only company, employees are not tied to a specific office location. The role is based in New York, NY, but the work itself is performed remotely from anywhere.

Workspace Context:

• Independent: Requires a self-motivated individual capable of managing their own workspace and work schedule effectively.

• Digital Collaboration: Relies heavily on digital tools for communication, file sharing, and project management.

• Focus on Output: The environment prioritizes the quality and timeliness of design deliverables over physical presence or traditional office interactions.

Work Schedule: While the position is contract, a typical 40-hour work week is implied for a "Senior" role. However, the remote, freelance nature allows for flexibility. The key is meeting project deadlines and being available for scheduled meetings and collaborations, especially with teams in the New York time zone.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "remote-only" aspect is a defining feature of the work environment. It necessitates strong self-discipline, excellent digital communication skills, and the ability to create a productive workspace at home.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Initial review based on resume and application details.

• Portfolio Review: A crucial stage. Candidates must submit a portfolio demonstrating relevant skills and experience. This will be heavily scrutinized for design fundamentals, typography, brand identity work, and execution craft.

• Initial Interview: Likely a discussion with a hiring manager or creative lead to assess experience, approach, and cultural fit. Questions may focus on past projects, design process, and handling feedback.

• Design Challenge/Case Study (Potential): Candidates may be asked to complete a small design exercise or present a detailed case study from their portfolio, demonstrating their problem-solving and execution capabilities for pharma-related content.

• Final Interview: Possibly with senior leadership (e.g., VP, CD, Art) to discuss the role in detail, assess strategic thinking, and confirm fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Showcase 3-5 of your strongest projects that best align with the responsibilities (brand identity, visual systems, execution for pharma/science content).

• Highlight Process: For each project, briefly explain the brief, your strategic approach, design exploration, and the final solution. Visuals are key, but context matters.

• Demonstrate Craft: Ensure high-quality presentation of your work. Pay attention to detail in typography, layout, and image treatment.

• Showcase Adaptability: If possible, include examples of how a brand identity system was applied across different mediums.

• Address Pharma/Science: If you have relevant experience, explicitly call it out and explain your approach to communicating complex information visually.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Industry: Research common visual trends, challenges, and communication styles in pharma advertising.

• Practice Design Thinking: Be ready to articulate your process for approaching a design problem, from understanding the brief to delivering the final assets.

• Prepare for Feedback: Practice how you would respond to constructive criticism on design work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "portfolio demonstrating... early examples of brand or visual system work" and the explicit requirement for a portfolio in "future interview stages" means this is the most critical piece of the application. The role's focus on pharma advertising means candidates with relevant experience will have a distinct advantage.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Illustrator: Essential for logo design, vector graphics, and creating scalable brand assets.
  • Photoshop: Crucial for image manipulation, creating mockups, and digital asset production.
  • InDesign: Key for layout design, creating style guides, and producing print collateral.

• Figma: Preferred for collaborative design workflows, prototyping, and handoff to developers. Familiarity is a significant plus.

Analytics & Reporting: Not directly applicable to the designer's core role, but understanding how design impacts engagement metrics (e.g., on social media or websites) is beneficial.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to this role.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite is a non-negotiable requirement. Figma is a strong preferred skill, indicating a move towards more collaborative and modern design workflows.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Passion & Purpose: Princeton10 employees are driven by a "palpable passion and purpose," suggesting a team that is highly engaged and committed to their work.

• Disruption & Innovation: A core value is challenging the status quo and seeking better ways of working ("if something isn’t working—or could work better—change it"). This fosters an environment of continuous improvement and forward-thinking.

• Craft & Quality: The role emphasizes "consistency and craft," and producing "high-quality visual assets," indicating a strong commitment to design excellence.

• Efficiency & Directness: The rejection of "layer-laden teams" and "prehistoric processes" points to a preference for lean operations, clear communication, and effective execution.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional: Works closely with a variety of roles including Creative Directors, Art Directors, Copywriters, Project Managers, and Scientific teams, requiring strong communication and teamwork.

• Remote-First Communication: Relies heavily on digital communication tools and clear, concise messaging to maintain alignment across a distributed team.

• Feedback-Oriented: The iterative process requires designers to be open to and effective at incorporating feedback from various stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be a blend of high-energy passion, innovative thinking, and a focus on efficient, high-quality output, all within a remote-first framework. The emphasis on "not an agency" suggests a departure from traditional corporate bureaucracy.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Pharma Complexity: Translating complex scientific or technical information into clear, engaging, and compliant visual assets requires a unique skill set and attention to detail.

• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong team cohesion and clear communication within a fully remote environment can be challenging.

• Agency Model Disruption: Adapting to Princeton10's non-traditional agency model and fast-paced, results-oriented approach.

• Balancing Craft and Speed: Delivering high-quality, detailed design work within tight project timelines typical of agency environments.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Specialization: Gaining deep expertise in the visual communication needs of the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.

• Advanced Design Techniques: Refining skills in brand system development, visual language creation, and multi-platform asset production.

• Senior Mentorship: Learning from experienced creative leaders on strategy, client management, and career advancement within the creative industry.

• Networking: Building connections within a network of seasoned remote professionals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge lies in adapting to the specific demands of pharma advertising and excelling within a remote, potentially fast-paced, and innovative work environment. Growth is tied to mastering these challenges and developing specialized expertise.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you developed a comprehensive brand identity system from scratch. What was your process, and what were the key considerations for the client's industry?" (Focus on process, strategy, and industry relevance).

• "How do you approach translating complex or technical information into clear and compelling visual designs?" (Prepare examples relevant to science/pharma if possible).

• "Walk us through a brand identity project in your portfolio. What challenges did you face, how did you overcome them, and what was the outcome?" (Be ready to discuss your portfolio in depth).

• "How do you incorporate feedback from multiple stakeholders, especially when there are differing opinions?" (Demonstrate collaboration and problem-solving skills). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Princeton10's approach to agency work, and how does it align with your own work style?" (Show you understand their disruptive philosophy).

• "How do you maintain productivity and collaboration in a remote-only work environment?" (Highlight self-management and communication skills).

• "What are your thoughts on the unique communication needs of the pharmaceutical industry?" (Show industry awareness). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Prioritize Relevance: Lead with projects that best showcase brand identity development, visual systems, and execution for complex content.

• Tell a Story: For each project, explain the problem, your solution, and the impact. Use visuals effectively to support your narrative.

• Highlight Craftsmanship: Showcase attention to detail in typography, layout, and visual execution. Ensure all assets are presented cleanly and professionally.

• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design choices, process, and how you handle feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should be prepared to discuss their design process, their experience with brand systems, and their ability to adapt to the specific needs of the pharma advertising sector. The portfolio is the central piece, so thorough preparation for its presentation is essential.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Brand Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Lever link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features your strongest brand identity, visual system, and execution work. Tailor any introductory statements to highlight relevant experience, especially in agency settings or with technical content.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate your 2-4 years of professional design experience, emphasizing responsibilities related to brand identity, visual communication, and proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite.

• Prepare for Portfolio Review: Have a digital version of your portfolio ready for submission and be prepared to walk through specific projects during interviews, detailing your process, challenges, and solutions.

• Research Princeton10: Understand their "not an agency" philosophy and their focus on passion, purpose, and disruption. Be ready to articulate why this approach resonates with you.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.