Senior Brand Designer (Illustrator)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Brand Designer (Illustrator)

Company: Function Health

Location: US - Remote

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Brand Design / Creative Operations

Date Posted: May 28, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and execute visually compelling brand design and illustration systems across social, digital, and experiential channels, enhancing the company's proactive health narrative.

• Translate complex health and science concepts into clear, engaging, and culturally resonant visual narratives that define the future of modern health and wellness storytelling.

• Develop and refine Function's visual identity and illustration systems as the company scales, ensuring brand consistency and impact across all consumer touchpoints.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Creative Directors, Art Directors, Product Marketing, and external partners, to drive integrated 360 brand activations.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is for a Brand Designer with an illustration focus, the emphasis on translating complex health concepts and driving brand narrative across multiple channels positions it within the broader scope of Creative Operations, impacting GTM strategies through visual storytelling.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the design and execution of visually distinctive brand assets across social media platforms, paid campaigns, editorial content, and experiential activations.

• Develop and maintain robust illustration systems and visual storytelling frameworks that elevate Function's core brand identity and mission.

• Create best-in-class, social-first creative content that is native to modern internet culture while adhering to premium brand standards and visual hierarchy.

• Translate intricate health and scientific information into accessible, emotionally impactful visual narratives that resonate with a broad audience.

• Contribute actively to creative ideation sessions, mood board creation, design system development, and integrated campaign planning.

• Maintain a keen understanding of typography, composition, motion principles, and visual storytelling techniques across diverse formats.

• Evolve and refine the company's overall visual identity in line with its rapid growth and expanding market presence.

• Confidently present creative concepts and rationale to cross-functional stakeholders, ensuring clear communication and alignment.

• Stay abreast of emerging trends in design, internet culture, fashion, wellness, technology, and the broader creative industries to inform strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a strategic role in shaping the brand's visual communication, directly supporting Go-To-Market (GTM) initiatives by making complex health information accessible and appealing. The focus on social-first and internet-native creative suggests a strong understanding of modern marketing channels.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Not specified, but a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Illustration, Fine Arts, or a related field is typically expected for senior roles.

Experience: 5+ years of professional experience in brand design, illustration, art direction, or visual design within agency, editorial, fashion, wellness, media, or high-growth consumer brands.

Required Skills:

• Exceptional portfolio demonstrating strong typography, illustration, layout, branding, and social campaign work.

• Proven ability to create 360-degree campaign systems across digital, social, motion, editorial, and experiential platforms.

• Strong understanding of social-first storytelling, internet culture, and platform-native creative execution.

• Excellent illustration skills with the ability to adapt stylistically across various campaigns and brand moments.

• High level of craft, taste, and meticulous attention to detail in all design outputs.

• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate creative rationale clearly and persuasively.

• Proficiency in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and modern creative workflows.

• Deep understanding of creative production workflows and effective cross-functional collaboration.

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in fast-paced, dynamic environments.

Preferred Skills:

• Motion design experience.

• Experience working with health, wellness, beauty, luxury, or culturally driven brands.

• Editorial or magazine design background.

• Experience directing freelance creatives, illustrators, or production partners.

• Experience working on talent-led campaigns and partnerships.

• Understanding of experiential and event-based design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 5+ years of experience and a strong portfolio with specific skill sets (typography, social storytelling, AI tools) indicates a mid-to-senior level role. The emphasis on AI creative tools suggests a forward-thinking approach to design workflows, aligning with modern GTM strategies that leverage technology.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 5+ years of professional design work, with a significant emphasis on illustration for consumer brands or editorial contexts.

• Demonstrate mastery of typography, layout design, and visual hierarchy across various media, including digital, social, and print.

• Include case studies highlighting the development of illustration systems and their application in brand campaigns or storytelling initiatives.

• Present examples of social-first creative executions that clearly demonstrate an understanding of internet culture and platform-native content.

• Provide clear evidence of translating complex concepts into visually engaging narratives, particularly within the health or wellness space if applicable.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of how design processes were documented or standardized for consistency across multiple projects or team members.

• Demonstrations of workflow optimization, perhaps showing how a design process was streamlined or improved for efficiency.

• Case studies that detail the journey from initial concept to final execution, highlighting problem-solving and decision-making throughout the design lifecycle.

• Any instances where design systems were developed or contributed to, illustrating a structured approach to brand asset management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "strong portfolio" with specific elements like "illustration systems," "social-first storytelling," and "AI creative tools" implies a need for candidates to showcase not just finished work but also the strategic thinking and process behind it. This aligns with operations roles that value demonstrable process mastery.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Given the "Senior" title, 5-10 years of experience, and a fully remote US-based position for a well-funded Series B company (Function Health raised $298M Series B), a competitive salary range would likely fall between $120,000 - $170,000 USD per year, depending on the candidate's specific experience, skill set, and location within the US (adjusting for cost of living if specific regions are preferred, though remote roles often standardize).

Benefits:

• Competitive salary package.

• Comprehensive benefits package (details not specified, but typically includes health, dental, vision insurance).

• Flexible working hours, supporting a healthy work-life balance for remote employees.

• Opportunity to work with cutting-edge AI and health technology.

• Be part of a mission-driven company focused on improving human longevity.

Working Hours:

• The role is listed as FULL_TIME, typically implying around 40 hours per week.

• The company offers "flexible working hours," suggesting autonomy in scheduling, provided core responsibilities and collaboration needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior-level design roles in tech/health-tech startups in the US, considering the company's funding stage and remote work policy. The mention of "competitive salary and benefits package" and "flexible working hours" from the job description is directly incorporated.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Health Technology / Digital Health / AI / Wellness

Company Size: The job description mentions "growing our team" and "entering its next chapter of growth" after a $298M Series B, suggesting a mid-stage startup, likely between 50-250 employees. This implies a dynamic, fast-paced environment where individual contributions have a significant impact.

Founded: Function Health was founded with the mission to empower people to live 100 healthy years, redefining health through proactive, data-driven insights. The company was recognized as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies of 2024.

Team Structure:

• The Brand Designer will be part of the "growing Brand Creative team."

• This team likely collaborates closely with broader Marketing, Product, and potentially Engineering departments.

• Reporting lines will likely be to a Creative Director or Art Director within the Brand Creative team.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Insights: Function Health leverages advanced diagnostics, biomarker testing, and AI to provide members with actionable health intelligence. This data-centric approach likely influences creative strategy.

• Proactive Health: The core mission is to shift from reactive to proactive healthcare, a concept that the brand creative must visually communicate.

• AI Integration: The company is an "AI operating system for health" and explicitly seeks candidates comfortable with AI creative tools, indicating a forward-thinking approach to creative workflows and innovation.

• Storytelling Focus: Emphasis is placed on translating complex science into clear, engaging visual narratives that are emotionally impactful and culturally relevant.

Company Website: https://www.functionhealth.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on AI, health tech, and proactive wellness, combined with its recent Series B funding, indicates a high-growth, innovation-driven environment. The culture is likely fast-paced, mission-oriented, and values data-driven decision-making, which will influence the brand's creative output and the designer's approach.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a "Senior Brand Designer (Illustrator)," positioning it as a key individual contributor with significant design responsibility. It sits above junior or mid-level designers and requires a high degree of autonomy and craft. In terms of operations, this role is critical for the visual execution of GTM strategies and brand storytelling, ensuring creative output aligns with business objectives and effectively communicates the company's value proposition.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Brand Designer will report into the Brand Creative team, likely under a Creative Director or Art Director. They will collaborate extensively with other creative team members (motion designers, other designers) and cross-functional stakeholders in marketing, product, and growth teams.

Operations Impact: The visual narrative and brand identity crafted by this role directly influence customer perception, engagement, and ultimately, conversion rates. By translating complex health science into accessible and compelling visuals, the designer plays a crucial role in:

• Brand Awareness & Perception: Shaping how the market understands proactive health and Function Health's unique offering.

• Customer Acquisition: Creating engaging content for social, paid campaigns, and editorial platforms that attract new members.

• Customer Retention & Engagement: Building a consistent and appealing brand experience that fosters loyalty.

• GTM Strategy Support: Providing the visual assets and creative direction necessary for successful product launches, campaigns, and partnerships.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in illustration, brand systems, and AI-driven creative tools, becoming a subject matter expert within the team.

• Leadership Potential: Transition into an Art Director or Lead Designer role as the creative team expands, potentially managing junior designers or specific creative projects.

• Cross-Functional Influence: Gain deeper understanding of marketing strategy, product development, and user growth, enabling more strategic creative contributions.

• Industry Expertise: Develop specialized knowledge in health tech branding and visual communication for scientific concepts.

• Creative Innovation: Lead initiatives exploring new creative technologies and storytelling formats for the health and wellness space.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role has significant potential for growth within a rapidly scaling company. The "Senior" title suggests a path towards leadership or deeper specialization, directly impacting GTM performance through refined brand execution and innovative visual strategies.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as "TELECOMMUTE" and "Fully Remote," indicating that there is no requirement to be in a physical office. The company operates in a distributed, remote-first manner.

Office Location(s): While the role is US-Remote, Function Health is headquartered in New York, NY, and has other listed locations including San Francisco, CA, and Austin, TX. This suggests a company with a physical presence that supports remote talent across the United States.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Digital Environment: Expect to work in a highly digital and collaborative remote setting, utilizing communication and project management tools extensively.

• Access to Tools: The role requires proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, and the company is open to exploring AI creative tools, suggesting access to a modern technology stack.

• Team Interaction: While remote, there will be opportunities for team interaction through virtual meetings, collaborative design sessions, and company-wide communications, fostering a sense of connection despite geographical distance.

• Mission-Driven Focus: The work environment is likely fast-paced and driven by the company's mission, encouraging innovation and a proactive approach to creative challenges.

Work Schedule:

• The position is FULL_TIME, implying a standard 40-hour work week.

• The company offers "flexible working hours," allowing for a degree of autonomy in scheduling work around personal needs, provided project deadlines and collaboration requirements are met. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for remote roles, enabling better work-life integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote nature of this role emphasizes the need for strong self-management, digital collaboration skills, and comfort with virtual communication tools. The "flexible working hours" suggest a results-oriented environment where output and collaboration are prioritized over strict adherence to a 9-to-5 schedule.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and alignment with the role's requirements. Be prepared to highlight your most relevant illustration and brand design projects.

2. Portfolio Review & Creative Discussion: A more in-depth discussion focused on your portfolio. Expect to walk through key projects, discuss your design process, rationale, and how you approach translating complex concepts visually. This is where your illustration skills and experience with AI tools will be scrutinized.

3. Skills-Based Interview/Challenge: This may involve a design exercise, a take-home project, or a live collaboration session to assess your problem-solving skills, creative thinking, and ability to work within brand guidelines.

4. Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with potential collaborators from marketing, product, or other creative teams to assess cultural fit, communication style, and ability to work effectively in a team environment.

5. Final Interview: Likely with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Brand, VP of Marketing) to discuss overall fit, strategic thinking, and long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that directly showcase illustration, brand design, social-first creative, and your ability to translate complex ideas. Prioritize work that aligns with Function Health's mission and aesthetic.

• Highlight Process: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the creative process, design decisions, and the impact/results. Use visuals to explain your thought process.

• Showcase Illustration Systems: If you've developed illustration styles or systems, present them clearly, demonstrating versatility and consistency.

• Demonstrate AI Tool Usage: If you've used AI tools, be ready to explain how you integrated them into your workflow, what benefits they provided, and how you maintained originality and craft.

• Social-First Examples: Include examples of social media creative that demonstrate an understanding of internet culture and platform-native content.

• Clear Communication: Be prepared to discuss your work confidently, articulate your rationale, and answer questions about your design choices.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brand: Thoroughly research Function Health, its mission, target audience, competitors, and existing brand aesthetic.

• Anticipate Translation Tasks: Be ready for a challenge that requires you to visually represent a health concept or scientific principle in an engaging and clear manner.

• Focus on Craft & Speed: Demonstrate both high-quality execution and the ability to work efficiently, reflecting the company's "Ruthless Prioritization" and "Relentless Execution" values.

• AI Tool Readiness: If applicable, be prepared to incorporate AI tools into your challenge solution, demonstrating thoughtful integration rather than reliance.

• Presentation Skills: Practice presenting your work clearly and concisely, anticipating questions about your strategy and execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured to assess not only design skills but also strategic thinking, collaboration, and alignment with company values. The emphasis on illustration, AI tools, and translating complex concepts highlights specific areas candidates should prepare for.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for collaborative design, prototyping, and creating design systems. Expect to use it for UI design, layout, and asset creation.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Includes Photoshop for image manipulation, Illustrator for vector graphics, and potentially After Effects for motion design elements. Proficiency across these is critical.

• AI Creative Tools: Explicitly mentioned as a requirement. This could include generative art tools (e.g., Midjourney, Stable Diffusion), AI-assisted design platforms, or other emerging technologies that enhance concepting, asset generation, or workflow efficiency.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Less direct relevance for a designer, but an understanding of how marketing automation and CRM systems (e.g., HubSpot, Salesforce) are used to deploy campaigns and track customer journeys can inform design strategy for campaign assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and AI creative tools indicates the core technical proficiency required. Familiarity with how design assets are deployed through marketing channels is also implied, connecting creative work to GTM operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Ruthless Prioritization: Expect a fast-paced environment where efficiency and impact are paramount. Design work should be focused on driving business goals and member value, not perfection for its own sake.

• Member-First, Always: Design decisions should always consider the end-user (the member) and aim to create clear, human, and empowering experiences.

• One Team, Moving Fast: Collaboration is key. The designer must be able to work effectively with diverse teams, communicate clearly, and contribute to rapid iteration.

• Radical Ownership, Relentless Execution: Take responsibility for design outcomes, anticipate needs, and ensure projects are completed with urgency and precision, embracing new technologies to achieve this.

• Mission Over Ego: The company's mission to improve health longevity is the primary driver. Designers should be collaborative, transparent, and open to feedback, leaving personal ego aside for the collective goal.

• Sustained Integrity in Every Detail: Accuracy, quality, and clarity are crucial, especially in health. Design work must be precise, trustworthy, and reflect the seriousness of the company's domain.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The designer will work closely with marketing, product, and growth teams, requiring strong communication to align on campaign goals and brand messaging.

• Feedback Exchange: A culture of constructive feedback is implied, essential for iterative design and continuous improvement, particularly in a fast-moving startup.

• Knowledge Sharing: Open sharing of trends, insights, and best practices across the creative team and with other departments is expected to foster innovation and maintain a high standard of work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on specific company values like "Ruthless Prioritization," "Relentless Execution," and "Mission Over Ego" signals a culture that values speed, impact, and a strong sense of purpose. The designer must be adaptable and collaborative, understanding how their creative output contributes to broader operational and GTM objectives.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complexity: Visually communicating intricate health and science concepts in a way that is both accurate and easily understood by a broad audience is a significant challenge.

• Rapid Scaling: Keeping pace with the company's rapid growth means constantly evolving the brand's visual identity and ensuring consistency across an expanding range of touchpoints and campaigns.

• AI Integration Nuances: Thoughtfully integrating AI creative tools while maintaining a high level of craft, originality, and brand integrity requires careful consideration and experimentation.

• Balancing Craft and Speed: Meeting the demands of a fast-paced environment ("Ruthless Prioritization," "Relentless Execution") without compromising design quality and attention to detail.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Illustration & Brand Systems: Opportunities to deepen expertise in illustration techniques and develop sophisticated brand systems for a rapidly growing company.

• Health Tech Branding: Gain specialized knowledge in branding for the health and wellness technology sector, understanding its unique communication challenges and opportunities.

• AI Creative Exploration: Become proficient in leveraging cutting-edge AI tools for design and storytelling, positioning yourself at the forefront of creative technology.

• Cross-Functional Strategy: Develop a deeper understanding of marketing, product, and GTM strategies by collaborating closely with these teams, enhancing your strategic design thinking.

• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into leadership roles, mentoring junior designers or leading creative initiatives as the team expands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for adaptability, strategic thinking, and a willingness to innovate, particularly with AI tools. The growth opportunities point towards a career path that emphasizes both creative mastery and strategic influence within a dynamic industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach translating the concept of 'living 100 healthy years' into a visual narrative for a social media campaign?" (Focus on storytelling, audience engagement, and visual metaphor.)

• "Describe a time you had to communicate a complex scientific or technical concept visually. What was your process, and what were the results?" (Highlight problem-solving, clarity, and impact.)

• "How do you see AI tools evolving the role of a brand designer, and how would you integrate them into your workflow at Function Health?" (Demonstrate understanding of AI's potential and your strategic approach to using it while maintaining craft.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you find most compelling about Function Health's mission and its approach to proactive health?" (Show genuine interest and alignment with the company's purpose.)

• "Which of our core values resonates most with you and why? How do you embody it in your work?" (Prepare specific examples related to values like "Ruthless Prioritization," "Radical Ownership," or "Mission Over Ego.")

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, present a clear story: Problem/Objective -> Your Role -> Process/Solution -> Outcome/Impact.

• Emphasize Illustration & AI: Clearly showcase your illustration skills and any projects where AI tools were utilized effectively. Be ready to discuss your process and rationale for their use.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If your work contributed to measurable results (e.g., engagement rates, conversion lift), be prepared to present those metrics.

• Tailor to Function Health: Highlight projects that demonstrate an understanding of branding, social-first content, and potentially health/wellness themes.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time; present your strongest points efficiently and be ready for deeper dives based on interviewer interest.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skills but also strategic thinking, an understanding of the company's mission, and comfort with modern creative technologies and fast-paced environments. Linking design work to business objectives and GTM impact is crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Brand Designer (Illustrator) position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on jobs.gem.com.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature illustration work, social-first creative, and any examples of translating complex concepts visually. If you have experience with AI creative tools, highlight those projects.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 5+ years of relevant experience, highlighting skills in brand design, illustration, typography, and proficiency with Figma and Adobe Creative Suite. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio with a focus on your process, rationale, and the impact of your work. Prepare to discuss how your skills align with Function Health's mission and values.

• Company Research: Deeply research Function Health's mission, values, recent funding, and target audience. Understand their current brand presence and identify opportunities for creative contribution.

⚠️ 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.