Senior Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer

Company: Puffco

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Marketing / Creative / Design

Date Posted: 2026-06-26

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the visual evolution of the Puffco brand across diverse consumer touchpoints, from product launches to digital interfaces and experiential events.

• Develop and refine brand design systems, ensuring consistency and innovation in typography, iconography, and overall visual language.

• Create compelling and competitive design assets for direct response campaigns, social media, digital marketing, and advertising platforms.

• Collaborate closely with brand leadership and creative teams to translate strategic objectives into impactful visual solutions.

• Leverage AI tools to accelerate ideation and explore a wide range of creative approaches for complex design challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Graphic Designer, indicating a need for significant experience and a strategic contribution to brand development, not just execution. The emphasis on "pushing the brand forward" and creating work "far outside of the cannabis space" suggests a high level of creative autonomy and a requirement for innovative, industry-leading design thinking. The mention of AI tools implies a forward-thinking approach to design processes.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Refine and standardize the existing brand aesthetic, ensuring type and visual consistency across all mediums and marketing channels.

• Conceptualize and design hero imagery and art for new product launches, encompassing both photographic and digital design elements.

• Create cohesive and engaging art and design for social media posts across various platforms, aligning with brand voice and campaign objectives.

• Develop strategic visual assets for direct response campaigns, including print, packaging, digital marketing, and advertising materials.

• Design responsive web elements, engaging landing pages, and effective email marketing campaigns that enhance user experience and conversion rates.

• Execute static and motion graphics for Facebook and Instagram advertisements, optimizing for engagement and performance.

• Produce creative assets for affiliate and display advertising initiatives, ensuring brand alignment and impactful messaging.

• Collaborate with UX/UI teams or directly contribute to UX/UI design efforts for customer-facing digital interfaces.

• Utilize AI tools for rapid ideation, concept generation, and the exploration of diverse design directions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The breadth of responsibilities indicates a need for a versatile designer capable of handling a wide range of visual communication needs, from high-level brand strategy to granular execution across print, digital, and social platforms. The requirement to "version in high volume" and "solve for the brief with dozens of approaches" points to a need for efficient workflow and a strong conceptual foundation.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While specific degree requirements are not stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior level role, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 5-9 years of professional graphic design experience, with a proven track record in developing and executing brand-level creative assets.

Required Skills:

• Mastery of Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Adobe Illustrator (AI), Adobe Photoshop (PS), and Adobe InDesign (ID).

• Proven experience in refining brand identity, including typography and ensuring consistency across all mediums.

• Demonstrated ability to create compelling hero images and art for product launches.

• Expertise in designing cohesive and impactful social media posts.

• Experience with direct response campaigns, encompassing print, packaging, and digital marketing assets.

• Proficiency in designing for digital platforms, including responsive web design, landing pages, and email campaigns.

• Experience creating static and motion graphics for digital advertising (e.g., Facebook/Instagram ads).

• Strong understanding of typography and the ability to work with EULAs (End User License Agreements) for proper implementation.

• Ability to leverage AI tools for ideation and design acceleration.

• Excellent creative problem-solving skills and strategic thinking capabilities.

• Proven ability to manage high-volume design versioning and explore multiple creative approaches to meet brief requirements.

• Detail-oriented with exceptional organizational and multi-tasking abilities.

• Strong cultural awareness and ability to draw inspiration from external aesthetics and trends. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with After Effects and Adobe Premiere for motion graphics and video editing.

• Experience with UX/UI design principles or direct collaboration with UX/UI teams.

• Familiarity with affiliate and display advertising creative best practices.

• Experience working within or a strong understanding of the consumer packaged goods (CPG) or lifestyle brand sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on AI tools, UX/UI experience, and motion graphics suggests a desire for a designer who is not only skilled in traditional design but also adaptable to emerging technologies and digital interface design. The "cultural player" requirement implies looking for candidates with a strong sense of personal aesthetic and an awareness of cultural trends.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• An online portfolio is mandatory for application; PDF submissions will not be considered.

• The portfolio should showcase a diverse range of work, demonstrating expertise across print, digital, social media, and advertising.

• Include case studies that highlight the design process, problem-solving approach, and the impact of your work on business objectives (e.g., campaign performance, brand perception).

• Showcase examples of brand system development, including typography, color palettes, and style guides.

• Demonstrate proficiency in creating assets for direct response campaigns and digital marketing initiatives. Process Documentation:

• Evidence of a structured design process, from brief interpretation and ideation to execution and final delivery.

• Examples of how you have managed multiple projects concurrently, showcasing organization and bandwidth management.

• Documentation of how you have collaborated with cross-functional teams (e.g., marketing, product, creative directors) to achieve design goals.

• Insights into how you incorporate feedback and iterate on designs to meet strategic objectives.

• Examples of leveraging AI tools or new technologies to enhance design workflows and outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for an online portfolio and the "no PDFs" rule underscore the importance of digital presence and accessibility for initial screening. The emphasis on "versioning in high volume" and "solving for the brief with dozens of approaches" means the portfolio should ideally reflect this iterative and prolific approach to creative problem-solving.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $90,000 - $105,000 per year.

Benefits:

• Competitive pay structure.

• 401K retirement savings plan.

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage.

• Life Insurance coverage.

• Flexible Time-Off policy.

• On-site perks including snacks, lunches, and company retreats.

Working Hours: The role is based in Los Angeles and is a hybrid position requiring 2-3 days per week in office. Standard working hours are assumed to be approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility potentially available given the nature of creative work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided, indicating a mid-to-senior level position. The benefits package is comprehensive, covering health, financial well-being, and work-life balance, which are key considerations for experienced professionals. The hybrid requirement is clearly stated, with a specific number of days in the office.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Puffco operates within the cannabis technology and lifestyle industry, focusing on premium consumption devices and accessories. This industry is characterized by rapid growth, innovation, and a strong emphasis on brand experience and community.

Company Size: Puffco is a growing company, likely falling into the small to medium-sized business category (100-500 employees, based on typical industry growth patterns). This size often allows for a dynamic work environment with opportunities for direct impact, while also benefiting from established processes.

Founded: While not specified, Puffco has established itself as a leader in its niche, suggesting a history of innovation and market penetration. The company's focus on premium products implies a commitment to quality and design excellence.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of a broader Brand or Creative team, likely reporting to a Creative Director or ACD of Design.

• Collaboration will be essential with the VP of Brand, product teams, marketing, and potentially experiential event organizers.

• The team is described as "lively" and "collaborative," suggesting an energetic and interactive work environment. Methodology:

• Design decisions are expected to be data-informed and strategically aligned with brand objectives, particularly for direct response and digital marketing.

• There's an emphasis on iterative design processes, exploring multiple concepts ("dozens of approaches") before refining.

• The integration of AI tools points to a willingness to adopt new technologies to enhance creative output and efficiency.

• A strong focus on brand consistency and evolution is central to the team's approach.

Company Website: www.puffco.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Puffco's position in the cannabis industry is crucial, as it often involves navigating unique marketing regulations and consumer expectations. The company's emphasis on premium products suggests a high standard for visual quality and brand storytelling. The "lively team culture" and "cultural player" requirement indicate a preference for candidates who are not only skilled but also fit well within a dynamic and trend-aware team.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a Senior Graphic Designer, indicating a level of expertise and responsibility beyond junior or mid-level positions. It requires a strategic mindset and the ability to lead design initiatives, mentor others implicitly, and contribute significantly to brand development.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Graphic Designer will report to higher-level creative leadership, such as the VP of Brand or Creative Director/ACD of Design. This structure allows for mentorship and guidance while providing opportunities to influence brand strategy.

Operations Impact: The Senior Graphic Designer's work will directly impact Puffco's brand perception, customer acquisition, and engagement across all channels. Successful design execution is critical for product launch success, campaign effectiveness, and overall market competitiveness, contributing significantly to revenue generation and brand loyalty.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to move into Art Director or Lead Designer roles within the creative department.

• Opportunity to specialize in specific areas like motion graphics, UI/UX design, or brand strategy.

• Development of leadership skills through project ownership and potential mentorship of junior designers.

• Exposure to cutting-edge design technologies, including AI-driven tools, and participation in industry-leading creative projects.

• Continuous learning through collaboration with a dynamic team and exposure to a fast-paced, innovative industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies that candidates are expected to operate with a degree of autonomy and strategic input. Growth opportunities are likely tied to demonstrating leadership potential and expanding skill sets in emerging design areas.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at Puffco's Los Angeles HQ, described as "LA Center Studios," suggesting a professional office environment within a creative hub. The office is characterized as having a "fun casual and comfortable work environment."

Office Location(s): Los Angeles, California, United States. Specific address details are not provided but are implied to be within the LA Center Studios complex.

Workspace Context:

• The environment is described as "friendly," "fun casual and comfortable," and "lively," suggesting a collaborative and energetic atmosphere.

• The hybrid model (2-3 days in office) indicates a balance between in-person collaboration and remote flexibility.

• The office likely provides access to necessary design tools, software, and potentially collaborative spaces for brainstorming and team meetings.

• Opportunities for interaction with diverse teams (brand, product, marketing) will be readily available during in-office days.

Work Schedule: A hybrid work schedule is in effect, requiring 2-3 days per week in the Los Angeles office. Standard working hours are assumed to be around 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "fun casual and comfortable" and "lively" office environment suggests a company culture that values creativity, collaboration, and a positive work atmosphere. The hybrid setup requires individuals to be comfortable with both independent work and in-person team interaction.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of online portfolio and resume to assess experience, skill alignment, and creative output.

• Portfolio Review & Skills Assessment: A deeper dive into the candidate's portfolio, potentially with a discussion about specific projects, design processes, and problem-solving approaches. This may include a skills-based exercise or a design challenge.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from brand, creative, and potentially marketing teams to assess collaboration style, strategic thinking, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: Discussion with senior leadership (e.g., VP of Brand, Creative Director) to finalize assessment of strategic contribution, leadership potential, and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate your online portfolio to prominently feature work that aligns with Puffco's brand aesthetic and the responsibilities outlined. Prioritize high-impact projects.

• For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the design process, your strategic thinking, and the measurable outcomes or impact. Use storytelling to convey your journey.

• Be prepared to discuss your experience with typography, brand systems, digital design (web, social, ads), and print/packaging.

• Showcase examples that demonstrate your ability to rapidly iterate on designs and explore multiple concepts. Highlight any experience with AI tools for design.

• Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a design challenge that may require you to respond to a brief, develop concepts, or refine existing assets. Focus on demonstrating your strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, and ability to work within brand guidelines.

• Practice articulating your design decisions clearly and concisely, explaining the rationale behind your choices.

• Be ready to discuss how you would approach evolving a brand system or creating assets for a specific campaign type (e.g., direct response, social media).

• If a motion graphics or UX/UI component is involved, be prepared to discuss your experience and approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: The strict "online portfolio only" rule indicates that candidates must have a polished digital presence. The emphasis on process, iteration, and strategic thinking means the interview will likely go beyond just showcasing final designs to understanding how the candidate arrives at those designs and their impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Illustrator (AI): For vector graphics, logo design, illustration, and brand asset creation.

• Adobe Photoshop (PS): For image editing, manipulation, digital painting, and creating raster-based graphics.

• Adobe InDesign (ID): For layout and design of print materials, packaging, brochures, and other multi-page documents.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned for design, understanding how design impacts metrics is key. Familiarity with analytics dashboards (e.g., Google Analytics, social media analytics) might be beneficial to understand campaign performance. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the graphic design role, but awareness of how design integrates with marketing automation platforms and CRM for campaign execution could be a plus. Preferred/Bonus Tools:

• Adobe After Effects: For motion graphics, animation, and video post-production.

• Adobe Premiere: For video editing.

• AI Ideation Tools: Proficiency or familiarity with generative AI tools for design concepting (e.g., Midjourney, DALL-E, Stable Diffusion, or Adobe Firefly).

• UX/UI Design Tools: Potentially Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar if involved in digital interface design.

📝 Enhancement Note: Mastery of the core Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. Experience with After Effects and Premiere is highly valued, suggesting a growing need for motion and video content. The explicit mention of AI tools indicates a forward-looking approach to design technology.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Creativity: A drive to push creative boundaries and explore new design territories, as evidenced by the desire for work "far outside of the cannabis space" and the use of AI tools.

• Brand Stewardship: A deep commitment to maintaining and evolving the Puffco brand identity with consistency and excellence across all touchpoints.

• Collaboration: An emphasis on working effectively within a cross-functional team, sharing ideas, and contributing to a "lively team culture."

• Strategic Impact: A focus on creating designs that not only look good but also achieve specific business objectives, such as driving direct response and enhancing customer engagement.

• Detail-Orientation & Organization: A commitment to precision in design execution and efficient management of multiple projects.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively partnering with marketing, product, and leadership teams to ensure design solutions are aligned with broader business goals.

• Feedback-Driven Iteration: Openness to receiving and incorporating feedback to refine designs and achieve optimal results.

• Energetic & Enthusiastic: Contributing positively to a "lively" and "fun" team environment, bringing passion and fresh ideas.

• Cultural Awareness: Valuing diverse perspectives and drawing inspiration from cultural trends to inform aesthetic choices and audience connection.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to value a blend of creative energy, strategic thinking, and collaborative spirit. Candidates who can demonstrate these qualities, alongside strong design skills, will be a good fit. The "cultural player" aspect suggests a desire for team members who bring their unique perspectives and engage with the broader cultural landscape.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• High-Volume Production: Managing and delivering a large quantity of high-quality design assets across various platforms under tight deadlines.

• Brand Evolution: Balancing the need to refine and standardize the existing brand with the imperative to innovate and explore new visual territories.

• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Effectively translating complex strategic objectives from different departments into visually compelling designs.

• Staying Ahead of Trends: Continuously adapting to evolving design trends, technologies (like AI), and platform best practices, especially in a dynamic industry.

• Navigating Industry Nuances: Working within the specific regulatory and cultural landscape of the cannabis industry while aiming for broader appeal.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skills: Deepening expertise in motion graphics, UX/UI, and potentially other emerging design specializations.

• AI & Emerging Tech: Gaining hands-on experience and expertise in leveraging AI tools for creative workflows.

• Brand Strategy: Contributing to higher-level brand strategy discussions and influencing the visual direction of the company.

• Industry Insight: Developing a nuanced understanding of the cannabis consumer market and related lifestyle trends.

• Leadership Potential: Opportunities to take ownership of significant projects and implicitly mentor junior team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a senior role in a fast-paced company. The growth opportunities are substantial, especially for someone looking to expand their skillset in areas like motion graphics, AI, and brand strategy, all within a rapidly evolving industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a vague brief and developing multiple distinct design concepts for it." (Focus on your iterative process, ideation techniques, and how you cast a wide net.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across a wide range of marketing materials, from social ads to packaging?" (Highlight your understanding of brand systems, style guides, and attention to detail.)

• "Tell us about a time you used AI or a new technology to significantly improve your design workflow or the outcome of a project." (Be ready to discuss specific tools and the impact.)

• "How do you approach balancing creative innovation with the need to adhere to specific brand guidelines and business objectives?" (Showcase your strategic thinking and problem-solving.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Puffco and our brand? How do you see your design aesthetic contributing to our mission?" (Research Puffco's products, brand voice, and recent campaigns.)

• "Describe your ideal team environment. How do you contribute to a 'lively team culture'?" (Relate your answer to collaboration, enthusiasm, and bringing fresh ideas.)

• "How do you stay current with design trends and cultural influences that impact your work?" (Emphasize your active engagement with external aesthetics and your "cultural player" mindset.)

• "How do you handle constructive criticism or feedback on your designs?" (Focus on your openness to iteration and commitment to achieving the best outcome.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: For each key project, structure your presentation with a clear beginning (the challenge/brief), middle (your process, ideation, and solutions), and end (the results/impact).

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Visually showcase your design work. Use mockups to demonstrate how your designs would appear in real-world applications (e.g., on packaging, on a website, in an ad).

• Highlight Process & Iteration: Dedicate time to explaining your thought process, how you explored different options, and why you landed on the final solution. This is crucial given the emphasis on "dozens of approaches."

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data or metrics to demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs (e.g., improved click-through rates, increased engagement, successful product launches).

• Address AI Usage: Be prepared to discuss any AI tools used and how they integrated into your creative workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely put a strong emphasis on portfolio review and demonstrating how you approach problem-solving and iteration. Be ready to discuss the "why" behind your design choices and how they align with business goals.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.

• Curate your online portfolio: Ensure it prominently features work relevant to the responsibilities outlined, showcasing diversity in print, digital, social, and advertising. Prioritize projects that demonstrate brand system development, direct response campaign success, and innovative approaches.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight your 5-9 years of experience, specific Adobe Creative Suite proficiencies, and any experience with motion graphics, UX/UI, or AI design tools. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare your portfolio presentation: Practice walking through your key projects, explaining your process, rationale, and any measurable impact. Be ready to discuss your approach to high-volume versioning and problem-solving.

• Research Puffco: Understand their brand, products, target audience, and recent marketing efforts. Prepare to articulate how your design aesthetic and strategic thinking can contribute to their continued growth and innovation.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions for a Senior Graphic Designer role. All details, especially regarding company culture, specific project expectations, and interview processes, should be verified directly with Puffco during the application and interview stages.