Senior Graphic Designer

Appian Corporation
Full-time£50k-125k/year (GBP)London, United Kingdom

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer

Company: Appian Corporation

Location: London, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Creative & Design (Marketing)

Date Posted: 2026-06-18

Experience Level: 7+ Years (Mid-Senior Level)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

  • Spearhead the visual brand direction for high-impact, cross-functional creative initiatives, including flagship events, experiential branding, digital assets, and print collateral.

  • Drive the execution of complex creative projects from concept to completion, ensuring alignment with Appian's strategic business objectives and brand messaging.

  • Evolve and maintain Appian's visual brand identity, establishing scalable design standards to reinforce its position as an industry leader.

  • Design comprehensive event and experiential assets, encompassing environmental graphics, signage, wayfinding, booth visuals, and stage designs.

  • Create compelling digital and print deliverables for diverse channels such as campaigns, web, social media, presentations, sales enablement, and internal communications.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically positioned as a Senior Graphic Designer with a strong emphasis on strategic creative execution and cross-functional leadership within a B2B SaaS environment. The responsibilities highlight a need for an experienced designer capable of not only executing design but also influencing creative direction and mentoring junior team members. The EMEA focus and requirement for on-site presence in London are key differentiators.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Define and execute the visual direction for Appian’s flagship events, cross-functional marketing campaigns, experiential branding, digital assets, print collateral, and corporate initiatives, ensuring alignment with Appian’s vision, messaging, and brand.

  • Support complex, high-priority creative projects from concept to execution across multiple departments, ensuring outcomes contribute to Appian’s business goals and brand presence.

  • Evolve and apply Appian’s visual brand identity, helping establish scalable design standards that position Appian as an industry leader.

  • Design event and experiential assets, including environmental graphics, signage, wayfinding, booth graphics, stage visuals, print collateral, and digital event materials.

  • Create high-quality digital and print deliverables across campaigns, web, social, presentations, sales enablement, events, and internal communications.

  • Define, present, and champion creative concepts to stakeholders, leveraging strategic insight and strong design rationale to influence outcomes.

  • Drive creative quality by monitoring industry trends, building effective partnerships, and translating insights into actionable design approaches that enhance Appian’s market position.

  • Act as a key mentor and go-to resource for creative best practices, fostering a culture of excellence and knowledge sharing across teams.

  • Partner with external agencies, print vendors, production partners, and event teams to ensure creative output is aligned to Appian’s brand standards, business goals, and production requirements.

  • Provide cross-functional creative support across Marketing, Events, Field Marketing, Product Marketing, Sales Enablement, and regional teams.

  • Support onsite event execution as needed, including creative reviews, signage checks, vendor handoffs, and final production quality control.

  • Travel for key events and onsite productions as required to support marquee brand moments and ensure creative execution meets expectations.

  • Utilize data, stakeholder input, and performance insights where available to inform creative strategy, shape visual direction, and support evidence-based decision-making.

  • Manage assigned creative workstreams, timelines, and stakeholder feedback to ensure work is delivered efficiently and accurately.

  • Continuously refine design and operational processes to increase departmental agility, improve asset turnaround times, and reduce friction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a senior-level role requiring strategic thinking, project ownership, and cross-functional collaboration. The emphasis on "shaping Appian's visual brand," "defining and executing visual direction," and "influencing outcomes" points to a need for a designer who can operate with significant autonomy and strategic input. The inclusion of process improvement signifies an expectation of optimizing design workflows.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Design, Visual Arts, Graphic Design, Marketing, or a related field.

  • A Master’s degree is considered a plus. Experience:

  • Typically 7+ years of progressive experience in graphic design, visual design, brand design, or creative execution.

  • Demonstrable experience supporting B2B, SaaS, technology, enterprise, or complex solution-based marketing is strongly preferred. Required Skills:

  • Proven expertise in shaping creative direction and delivering high-impact, cross-functional projects across events, experiential, digital, and print.

  • Strong portfolio demonstrating significant impact and strategic alignment of visual communication with business goals.

  • Hands-on proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud required, including Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.

  • Deep expertise in brand design and visual execution, including typography, layout, hierarchy, color, and image treatment.

  • Strong understanding of brand strategy and visual identity systems.

  • Proven success in designing for events and experiential environments (signage, wayfinding, booth graphics, stage visuals).

  • Strong digital design experience across web, social media, campaign assets, email, paid media, and presentations.

  • Excellent ability to align project objectives with company vision and communicate clearly with diverse stakeholders.

  • Demonstrated success in owning high-priority, cross-functional creative initiatives.

  • Expertise in collaborating across departments and managing diverse stakeholder expectations.

  • Willingness and ability to travel for major events and onsite reviews as required.

  • Fluency in both written and spoken English is required. Preferred Skills:

  • Familiarity with Figma.

  • Familiarity with Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Slides.

  • Experience working within a Google environment.

  • Motion, animation, or video design experience.

  • Proficiency in additional languages is considered a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a balance of technical design skills, strategic thinking, and soft skills crucial for a senior role. The preference for B2B/SaaS/tech experience and specific tool proficiencies (Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma) are critical for candidates to highlight. The portfolio requirement is central, needing to showcase impact across multiple design disciplines.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Comprehensive Design Spectrum: Showcase a strong portfolio demonstrating expertise across event/experiential design, print collateral, digital assets (web, social, campaigns), and the evolution/application of brand systems.

  • B2B/SaaS/Tech Focus: Prioritize examples that highlight experience within B2B, SaaS, technology, or enterprise environments, illustrating an understanding of complex solution marketing.

  • Strategic Impact: Evidence of how your design work directly contributed to business goals, such as increased engagement, brand recognition, or successful event outcomes.

  • Process Documentation: Include case studies that briefly outline your design process, from initial brief and concept development to execution, stakeholder feedback integration, and final delivery.

  • Visual Consistency: Demonstrate an ability to maintain and evolve a strong visual brand identity consistently across diverse applications.

Process Improvement:

  • Be prepared to discuss how you have identified inefficiencies in design workflows and implemented solutions to improve asset turnaround times, increase departmental agility, and reduce operational friction.

  • Highlight instances where you have refined design processes, collaborated with external vendors, or standardized asset creation to enhance overall team productivity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are detailed, emphasizing not just aesthetic execution but also strategic thinking, B2B context, and process optimization. Candidates should prepare case studies that clearly articulate their problem-solving approach and the business impact of their design work. The explicit mention of process improvement in the role description translates directly to portfolio expectations.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £50,000 - £125,000 GBP per year

Explanation of Range: This range reflects the seniority of the role, the diverse responsibilities encompassing strategic creative direction, cross-functional leadership, and specialized design expertise (events, digital, print). The upper end accounts for candidates with extensive experience and a proven track record of significant impact in B2B/SaaS environments, while the lower end is suitable for highly skilled candidates meeting the core requirements. Regional market data for senior graphic design roles in London, UK, supports this range, considering the cost of living and demand for specialized creative talent within the technology sector.

Benefits:

  • Health Coverage

  • Life Insurance

  • Disability Insurance

  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with free mental health support

  • Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP)

  • Lifestyle Allowance

  • Tuition Reimbursement

  • Family-forming Benefits

  • Retirement/Pension Plan

  • Wellness Dollars

  • Potential for a discretionary bonus based on individual and company performance.

Working Hours: Standard 40 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is broad, typical for senior roles where experience and specific impact can significantly influence compensation. The detailed benefits package is a strong selling point, particularly the lifestyle allowance, tuition reimbursement, and family-forming benefits, which cater to a wide range of employee needs.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software (Process Automation, Enterprise Software, SaaS)

Company Size: 1,000-5,000 Employees (as per LinkedIn data)

Founded: 1999

Company Description: Appian provides industry-leading low-code and process automation technology. They focus on automating complex processes for large enterprises and governments, known for their platform's reliability and scale. With 25 years of experience, Appian possesses deep expertise in enterprise operations.

Team Structure:

  • The Senior Graphic Designer reports to the Director, Creative Design.

  • The role involves significant cross-functional collaboration with departments such as Marketing, Events, Field Marketing, Product Marketing, Sales Enablement, and regional teams.

  • There is an expectation to mentor and act as a resource for creative best practices, fostering a culture of excellence. Methodology:

  • Data-Informed Creativity: The role requires utilizing data, stakeholder input, and performance insights to inform creative strategy and visual direction.

  • Process Optimization: A continuous focus on refining design and operational processes to enhance agility and efficiency.

  • Brand Consistency: Ensuring all creative output aligns with Appian's established vision, messaging, and brand identity.

Company Website: http://www.appian.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Appian's culture is characterized by "Intensity" and "Excellence," as stated in their values. This suggests a fast-paced, high-achieving environment where quality and commitment are paramount. The company's long history in enterprise operations automation positions them as a stable and experienced player in the tech industry, appealing to designers looking to contribute to impactful, large-scale projects.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor (IC) with potential for leadership mentorship. This role is beyond a standard graphic designer; it requires strategic input, project ownership, and the ability to influence creative direction and mentor others.

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Director, Creative Design. This implies direct access to leadership and significant visibility on high-priority initiatives.

Operations Impact: The Senior Graphic Designer's work directly influences Appian's market perception, brand strength, and the effectiveness of its marketing and event initiatives. By shaping visual brand identity and supporting strategic campaigns, the role contributes directly to business success, lead generation, and brand authority within the enterprise software space.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Creative Leadership & Mentorship: Develop skills in mentoring junior designers and leading creative discussions, potentially paving the way for a Lead Designer or Creative Manager role.

  • Strategic Design Influence: Gain deeper experience in aligning creative strategy with business objectives, influencing executive-level stakeholders, and contributing to broader brand strategy.

  • Specialization Expansion: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like experiential design, event branding, or advanced digital asset creation.

  • Continuous Learning: Access to Appian University training, skills-based training, mentorship programs, and tuition reimbursement to expand technical and strategic capabilities.

  • Cross-functional Exposure: Broaden understanding of various marketing functions (product marketing, sales enablement) through close collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth trajectory for this role moves beyond pure design execution into strategic creative leadership and mentorship. Candidates should look for opportunities to demonstrate their ability to influence and guide, as this will be key to career progression within Appian.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Primarily on-site in London, UK. Appian emphasizes a collaborative and in-person work environment for its creative teams.

Office Location(s): London, United Kingdom. Specific office details would need to be confirmed, but it is expected to be a professional, modern office space designed to foster collaboration.

Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative Hub: Expected to be an environment where designers work closely with marketing, events, and other cross-functional teams, requiring strong interpersonal and communication skills.

  • Tool & Technology Access: Access to necessary design software (Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma) and collaboration tools within a Google environment.

  • Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities for brainstorming, feedback sessions, and project reviews with peers and stakeholders.

Work Schedule: Standard working hours (approximately 40 hours per week) with the expectation of flexibility and occasional travel for key events and onsite productions as required.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in London indicates a preference for in-person collaboration, crucial for the experiential and event design aspects of the role. Candidates should be prepared for regular team interaction and a dynamic office environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio for alignment with core requirements.

  • Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, discussing specific projects, their role, design process, strategic rationale, and the business impact achieved. Expect detailed questions about B2B/SaaS context and event/experiential design.

  • Skills & Technical Assessment: Potential for a practical design exercise or a deeper dive into technical proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud and other relevant tools.

  • Cross-functional Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Marketing, Events, or other departments to assess collaboration style, communication effectiveness, and strategic thinking.

  • Manager/Director Interview: Final interview with the Director, Creative Design, focusing on cultural fit, career aspirations, and strategic alignment with Appian's values and goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 projects that best showcase your expertise in event/experiential design, B2B/SaaS marketing, brand systems, and digital/print collateral.

  • Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the challenge, your role, the process followed, the strategic decisions made, the creative solutions, and the measurable results or impact.

  • Highlight Process Improvement: Be ready to discuss how you optimized workflows, managed feedback, or collaborated with vendors to achieve efficient and high-quality outcomes.

  • Showcase Brand Evolution: If applicable, include examples of how you've evolved or maintained brand consistency across diverse applications.

  • Prepare for Technical Questions: Be ready to discuss your proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, and other relevant design tools.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Design Brief Response: Be prepared for a hypothetical design brief, potentially related to an event, campaign, or digital asset, requiring you to outline your approach, key considerations, and potential visual directions.

  • Process Optimization Scenario: Anticipate questions about how you would approach improving a specific design workflow or addressing a common challenge in creative production.

  • Stakeholder Management: Practice articulating your design rationale and defending creative decisions to non-design stakeholders, emphasizing business alignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely to be rigorous, with a strong emphasis on portfolio review and the ability to articulate the strategic impact and process behind your work. Candidates should meticulously prepare their portfolio and be ready to discuss their experience in B2B/SaaS contexts and process optimization.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

  • Adobe Creative Cloud: Expert proficiency required in Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.

  • Figma: Familiarity is advantageous for collaborative design workflows.

Presentation & Collaboration Tools:

  • Microsoft PowerPoint: For creating and delivering presentations.

  • Google Slides: Expected for use within a Google environment.

  • Google Workspace: General familiarity with Google's suite of tools.

Supporting Technologies (Potentially relevant):

  • Motion Graphics/Animation Software: Experience (e.g., After Effects) is a plus.

  • Video Editing Software: Experience is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud is non-negotiable. Familiarity with Figma and the Google ecosystem is highly beneficial, reflecting modern collaborative design practices. The mention of motion/animation/video as a plus suggests potential future growth areas or a desire for broader skill sets within the team.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values (Appian's Core Values):

  • Intensity: Approaching work with ambition, commitment, and a drive to achieve ambitious goals. This translates to a proactive and high-energy approach to design projects.

  • Excellence: Setting and living up to high standards, ensuring quality and care in all aspects of work. This means meticulous attention to detail and a dedication to delivering polished, professional creative output.

  • Accountability: Holding oneself and others responsible for achieving the best results. This implies taking ownership of projects and collaborating effectively to ensure successful outcomes.

  • Teamwork: Accomplishing hard things, together. Fostering a collaborative spirit where designers support each other and work effectively across departments to meet shared objectives.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-functional Integration: Expect close collaboration with Marketing, Events, Sales Enablement, and other teams, requiring clear communication and an understanding of diverse departmental needs.

  • Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: An environment where senior designers actively guide and share best practices with others, contributing to a culture of continuous improvement and skill development.

  • Feedback-Driven: A willingness to receive and provide constructive feedback to refine creative work and processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Appian's core values of Intensity and Excellence are central to their culture. This role demands a designer who thrives in a results-oriented, high-quality environment and is comfortable collaborating intensely with various teams to achieve ambitious goals.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing Strategic Vision with Execution: Effectively translating high-level business objectives into compelling visual designs while managing multiple project demands and timelines.

  • Cross-Functional Stakeholder Management: Navigating diverse opinions and requirements from various departments to ensure creative alignment and project success.

  • Maintaining Brand Consistency Across Diverse Applications: Ensuring a unified brand experience across vastly different mediums (events, digital, print) and numerous touchpoints.

  • Adapting to Evolving Design Trends & Technologies: Staying current with industry best practices, design tools, and visual communication trends within the B2B SaaS landscape.

  • Onsite Event Support Demands: Managing the logistical and creative pressures associated with supporting live events, often requiring travel and rapid problem-solving.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Advanced Creative Strategy: Deepen understanding of how design influences business strategy, market positioning, and customer engagement in the enterprise software sector.

  • Leadership & Mentorship Skills: Develop skills in guiding junior designers, leading creative reviews, and acting as a subject matter expert.

  • Specialized Design Expertise: Opportunity to become a go-to expert in specific areas like large-scale event branding, interactive digital experiences, or advanced campaign design.

  • Industry Conferences & Training: Access to resources for professional development, potentially including industry events and specialized training programs.

  • Tuition Reimbursement: Support for formal education to further academic qualifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a senior role in a dynamic company, requiring strong problem-solving and adaptability. The growth opportunities focus on moving beyond design execution into strategic influence and leadership within the creative function.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a complex, high-priority creative initiative you led from concept to execution. What were the key business objectives, and how did your design strategy contribute to achieving them?"

  • "How do you ensure brand consistency across vastly different mediums, such as a large-scale event and a digital ad campaign? Walk us through your process."

  • "Tell us about a time you had to influence stakeholders with differing opinions on a creative project. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?"

  • "How do you incorporate data and performance insights into your design process? Provide an example."

  • "Describe your experience in mentoring junior designers or acting as a creative resource for teams. What is your philosophy on knowledge sharing?" Company & Culture Questions:

  • "How do Appian's values of 'Intensity' and 'Excellence' resonate with your work style and career aspirations?"

  • "What interests you most about Appian's role in process automation and the enterprise software market?"

  • "How do you approach collaboration with non-design teams like Marketing and Events?"

  • "What are your expectations for a creative team culture, and how do you contribute to a positive and productive environment?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your role, the strategic approach, the creative solution, and the quantifiable impact or results.

  • Highlight B2B/SaaS Relevance: Emphasize projects that demonstrate your understanding of enterprise clients, complex solutions, and B2B marketing objectives.

  • Showcase Process & Problem-Solving: Be ready to discuss your design process, including how you handled feedback, iterated on designs, and managed project timelines.

  • Prepare for Technical Deep-Dives: Be ready to discuss your proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, and any other tools you claim expertise in.

  • Connect to Appian's Needs: Tailor your presentation to highlight how your skills and experience directly address the responsibilities and requirements outlined in the job description, particularly in event/experiential and digital design.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, business acumen, and strong communication skills, in addition to design expertise. Candidates must be ready to articulate the "why" behind their design decisions and their impact on business outcomes.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Graphic Designer position:

  • Submit your application through the provided link on the Greenhouse job board.

  • Portfolio Customization: Ensure your submitted portfolio prominently features projects that align with the job description's emphasis on event/experiential design, B2B/SaaS contexts, and brand system evolution. Prioritize quality over quantity.

  • Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your 7+ years of experience, specific achievements in cross-functional projects, proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud, and any B2B/SaaS/tech marketing experience. Use keywords from the job description.

  • Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, strategic rationale, and the business impact of your work. Prepare specific examples that showcase your ability to mentor, collaborate, and drive creative excellence.

  • Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Appian's products, market position, and core values ("Intensity," "Excellence"). Understand their role in process automation and enterprise software to better align your responses with company objectives.

⚠️ 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

Requires a Bachelor's degree in Design or a related field and at least 7 years of progressive experience in graphic and brand design. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud is essential, with a strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in B2B, SaaS, or enterprise experiential and digital design.