Sr Creative Designer
📍 Job Overview
Job Title: Sr Creative Designer
Company: Purdue Federal Credit Union
Location: West Lafayette, Indiana, United States
Job Type: FULL_TIME
Category: Creative & Media / Marketing / Art & Design
Date Posted: 2026-05-26T19:38:18.298
Experience Level: 5-10 Years
Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Role Summary
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Lead the strategic development and execution of compelling visual content across multiple platforms, ensuring brand consistency and alignment with organizational objectives.
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Drive high-quality visual storytelling through advanced graphic design and video production for marketing campaigns, member education, social media, and internal communications.
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Serve as a senior creative partner, translating complex or regulatory information into clear, engaging, and audience-focused visual assets.
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Manage end-to-end creative projects, from ideation and concept development to final delivery, while upholding brand integrity and quality standards.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role is described as a "Sr Creative Designer" but the responsibilities and required skills heavily lean into a "Creative Lead" or "Senior Marketing Designer" capacity, particularly with the emphasis on strategy, video production, and brand guardianship. The provided experience level of 5-10 years aligns with this seniority.
📈 Primary Responsibilities
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Conceptualize, design, and produce a diverse range of visual assets for print, digital, environmental, and motion platforms, translating marketing and communication objectives into impactful creative solutions.
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Lead creative ideation sessions for marketing campaigns and initiatives, applying strong design judgment to ensure strategic soundness, visual appeal, and brand alignment.
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Develop and execute in-house video production from concept to final delivery, encompassing concept development, storyboarding, filming, and editing for digital, social, corporate, and internal communications.
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Ensure all creative deliverables, including video and motion graphics, adhere to brand guidelines, quality benchmarks, accessibility standards, and regulatory compliance requirements.
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Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external vendors (photographers, videographers, printers, signage providers) to uphold design standards, manage specifications, review proofs, and oversee final deliverables.
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Transform complex, regulatory, or technical information into clear, engaging, and member-friendly visual communications that resonate with the target audience.
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Manage multiple creative projects concurrently, effectively balancing creative demands, project timelines, and business priorities in a fast-paced environment.
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Provide basic photography support when necessary, focusing on capturing portraits, product, and lifestyle imagery that aligns with the credit union's visual brand.
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Maintain and refine an organized, accessible digital asset library for team-wide use, including image selection and light editing.
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Stay abreast of emerging trends in design, video production, photography, and digital media to continuously enhance creative output and processes.
📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic creative leadership and hands-on execution, particularly in video production. Emphasis is placed on bridging the gap between technical/regulatory information and clear member communication, a key aspect for financial institutions.
🎓 Skills & Qualifications
Education:
Experience:
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5-10 years of professional experience in graphic design, with a significant focus on visual storytelling, brand development, and multi-platform creative execution.
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Proven experience in leading creative projects from concept to completion, demonstrating strong project management and workflow optimization skills.
Required Skills:
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Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud suite, specifically InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.
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Strong expertise in layout principles, typography, color theory, brand storytelling, and visual hierarchy.
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Experience with video editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro) and motion graphics/basic animation (e.g., Adobe After Effects).
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Familiarity with video production equipment, including lighting and audio, with the ability to support or lead shoots.
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Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective stakeholder collaboration and clear articulation of creative concepts.
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Strong organizational and time management abilities, with meticulous attention to detail and the capacity to meet deadlines under pressure.
Preferred Skills:
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Basic photography skills (DSLR and mobile) and experience with image editing tools (e.g., Adobe Lightroom).
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Experience working within a regulated industry, such as financial services, with an understanding of compliance and disclosure requirements.
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Ability to interact professionally with employees, members, vendors, and external partners.
📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Adobe Creative Cloud, particularly InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and After Effects, is critical. The "preferred" skills in photography and regulatory experience are valuable additions for candidates.
📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
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A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a strong understanding of visual hierarchy, typography, and brand consistency across diverse media (print, digital, motion).
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Demonstrations of successful campaign ideation and execution, highlighting creative problem-solving and strategic thinking.
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Examples of translating complex or technical information into clear, engaging visual content suitable for a general audience.
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Evidence of end-to-end video production capabilities, including storyboarding, filming, editing, and motion graphics.
Process Documentation:
- Candidates should be prepared to discuss their personal creative process, including:
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Workflow design for managing multiple projects from brief to final delivery.
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Strategies for creative ideation and concept development.
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Methods for ensuring brand consistency and regulatory compliance throughout the design process.
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Techniques for collaborating with stakeholders and incorporating feedback.
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Approaches to video production, from pre-production planning to post-production editing.
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📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Creative Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to showcase not just aesthetic skill but also strategic thinking, process management, and the ability to execute complex projects, especially in video and motion graphics.
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range:
- Based on the location (West Lafayette, Indiana), experience level (5-10 years), and the scope of responsibilities (Senior Creative Designer with video production and strategy), a competitive salary range in the United States for this role would typically fall between $70,000 - $95,000 annually.
Benefits:
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Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
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Retirement Savings Plan (e.g., 401k) with potential employer match
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Paid Time Off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and holidays
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Life and Disability Insurance
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Opportunities for Professional Development and Training
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Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Working Hours:
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Standard full-time work week, typically 40 hours.
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The role is on-site, requiring presence in the West Lafayette office.
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While standard hours apply, occasional flexibility may be required to meet project deadlines or production schedules.
📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on industry benchmarks for a senior-level creative role with specialized technical skills in a mid-sized city in the US. Actual compensation may vary.
🎯 Team & Company Context
🏢 Company Culture
Industry: Financial Services / Credit Union
Company Size: Purdue Federal Credit Union is part of the financial services sector, a highly regulated industry focused on member service and financial well-being. Credit unions typically operate with a member-centric philosophy, distinct from for-profit banks. The company size, while not explicitly stated in the provided data, is likely moderate to large given its designation as a credit union with multiple locations.
Founded: While the founding date is not provided, credit unions often have a long history, rooted in community or organizational service. Understanding the company's history can provide insight into its core values and operational stability.
Team Structure:
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The role reports to a Marketing team, suggesting a collaborative environment where creative output directly supports marketing initiatives.
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The Senior Creative Designer likely works closely with Marketing Managers, Content Creators, Digital Marketing Specialists, and potentially other designers or agencies.
Methodology:
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The marketing and creative functions likely employ a data-informed approach, using campaign performance metrics and member feedback to refine creative strategies and visual executions.
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Process optimization is crucial in a regulated environment, ensuring that all creative work meets compliance standards while maintaining aesthetic quality and strategic impact.
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Automation tools may be utilized for workflow management, asset distribution, and performance tracking, though the primary focus of this role is on creative strategy and execution.
Company Website: https://www.purduefed.com/
📝 Enhancement Note: The context of a Credit Union implies a strong emphasis on community, member trust, and regulatory adherence, which will influence the tone and style of creative work.
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level:
Reporting Structure:
Operations Impact:
Growth Opportunities:
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Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like advanced motion graphics, animation, or interactive design.
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Leadership: Transition into a Creative Lead or Art Director role, managing a team of designers and overseeing larger creative strategies.
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Cross-functional Mobility: Move into broader marketing strategy roles or project management within marketing operations.
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Industry Expertise: Develop specialized knowledge in financial services marketing and creative compliance.
📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for a Senior Creative Designer typically involves moving towards leadership or deeper specialization, leveraging their proven ability to execute and strategize at a high level.
🌐 Work Environment
Office Type:
Office Location(s):
Workspace Context:
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The workspace is likely equipped with industry-standard design software, hardware, and potentially video production equipment.
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Opportunities for direct collaboration with marketing team members and other departments will be readily available, fostering a dynamic and interactive work environment.
Work Schedule:
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Standard business hours, Monday through Friday, are expected.
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While the role is primarily on-site, occasional flexibility may be required to accommodate project deadlines, video shoots, or urgent creative needs.
📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a traditional corporate or financial institution setting, emphasizing in-person teamwork and adherence to established office protocols.
📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
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Initial Screening: A review of the resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and creative fit.
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First Interview: Likely with the hiring manager (e.g., Marketing Director/Manager) to discuss experience, role expectations, and cultural fit. This may include behavioral questions.
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Portfolio Review & Creative Challenge: A dedicated session where the candidate presents their portfolio, discussing specific projects, their role, creative process, and impact. A specific creative challenge or exercise related to financial services marketing or translating complex information into visuals may be assigned.
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Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership or key stakeholders from cross-functional teams to evaluate strategic thinking, collaboration skills, and overall suitability for the role and company.
Portfolio Review Tips:
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Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate your advanced graphic design, video production, and brand storytelling skills. Prioritize work relevant to financial services or demonstrating the ability to simplify complex information.
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Tell a Story: For each project, explain the objective, your role, the creative process, challenges faced, solutions implemented, and quantifiable results or impact.
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Showcase Versatility: Include examples across different media (print, digital, social, video, motion graphics). Highlight your proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud tools.
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Explain Your Process: Be ready to articulate your workflow, how you approach briefs, collaborate with stakeholders, and ensure brand consistency and compliance.
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Highlight Video Production: Clearly demonstrate your end-to-end video production capabilities, from concept to final edit.
Challenge Preparation:
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Understand the Audience: Familiarize yourself with the credit union model, its member-centric approach, and the specific needs of financial services marketing (e.g., trust, security, clarity, compliance).
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Practice Translating Information: Be prepared to take a piece of technical or regulatory text and devise a visual concept to communicate it clearly and engagingly.
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Develop a Mini-Campaign Concept: Think about how you would visually approach a common credit union marketing goal (e.g., promoting a new savings product, member education on financial literacy, social media engagement).
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Prepare Questions: Have thoughtful questions ready about the team, current marketing initiatives, brand challenges, and expectations for the role.
📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio and potentially a creative challenge underscores the practical, skill-based nature of this role. Candidates should be ready to demonstrate their entire creative process and output.
🛠 Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
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Adobe Creative Cloud: Essential for this role, with advanced proficiency required in:
- Adobe InDesign: For layout and print design.
- Adobe Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, and illustrations.
- Adobe Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.
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Video Editing Software:
- Adobe Premiere Pro: For professional video editing.
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Motion Graphics & Animation:
- Adobe After Effects: For creating motion graphics and visual effects.
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Photography & Image Editing:
- Adobe Lightroom: Preferred for photography editing and asset management.
Analytics & Reporting:
CRM & Automation:
- Not directly related to the core design tasks, but an understanding of how creative assets are deployed within marketing automation platforms or CRM systems could be advantageous.
📝 Enhancement Note: The core requirement is deep expertise in the Adobe Creative Suite, with a strong emphasis on both print/digital design and video/motion graphics production.
👥 Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
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Member-Centricity: A core value for credit unions, meaning all creative work should ultimately serve the needs and interests of the members, building trust and providing value.
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Integrity & Compliance: Operating with the highest ethical standards and ensuring all communications meet regulatory requirements, reflecting the trust placed in financial institutions.
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Excellence: Striving for high quality in all creative output, from concept to final execution, reflecting professionalism and attention to detail.
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Collaboration: Working effectively within the marketing team and across departments to achieve shared goals and ensure cohesive messaging.
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Innovation: Embracing new creative approaches and technologies to keep the brand fresh and engaging while maintaining brand integrity.
Collaboration Style:
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The role is expected to be highly collaborative, working closely with marketing strategists, content creators, and other team members.
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A proactive approach to seeking feedback and incorporating input from stakeholders is likely valued.
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Open communication channels and a willingness to contribute ideas and solutions within a team setting are essential.
📝 Enhancement Note: The credit union environment fosters a culture of trust, community, and financial stewardship, which should be reflected in the creative work and professional conduct.
⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
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Balancing Creativity with Compliance: The primary challenge will be producing visually compelling and engaging content while adhering to strict financial industry regulations and disclosure requirements.
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Translating Complex Information: Simplifying intricate financial products, services, or regulatory policies into easily understandable and visually appealing formats.
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Managing Multiple Projects: Juggling diverse creative requests from various departments, each with its own priorities and deadlines, in a fast-paced environment.
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Keeping Pace with Technology: Continuously learning and adapting to new design software, video production techniques, and digital media trends.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
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Advanced Adobe Suite Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific applications like After Effects for more complex motion graphics or advanced Premiere Pro techniques.
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Financial Services Marketing Workshops: Specializing in marketing strategies and compliance within the credit union or broader financial sector.
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Creative Leadership Seminars: Developing skills in team management, project leadership, and strategic creative direction.
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Industry Conferences: Attending design, video, or marketing conferences to gain insights into emerging trends and network with peers.
📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for creative roles in regulated industries, emphasizing the need for both artistic skill and meticulous attention to detail. Growth opportunities focus on both technical and leadership development.
💡 Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
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"Describe your process for translating a complex financial product or regulatory requirement into a clear and engaging visual concept." (Focus on your methodology for simplification and visual communication).
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"Walk us through a campaign where you led both graphic design and video production. What were the objectives, your specific contributions, and the outcomes?" (Showcase end-to-end project management and integrated creative skills).
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"How do you ensure brand consistency and regulatory compliance across all your creative deliverables, especially when working under tight deadlines?" (Highlight your approach to quality control and adherence to guidelines).
Company & Culture Questions:
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"What do you know about credit unions, and why are you interested in working for Purdue Federal specifically?" (Research the credit union model and its values).
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"How do you see your creative approach aligning with the member-centric values of a credit union?" (Connect your skills and philosophy to the organization's mission).
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
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Structure is Key: Organize your portfolio logically. Use clear headings and brief descriptions for each project.
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Highlight Your Role: Be specific about what you did on each project, especially if it was a collaborative effort.
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Focus on Impact: For each case study, emphasize the problem, your creative solution, and the results or lessons learned. Quantify impact where possible (e.g., increased engagement, improved clarity).
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Showcase Video Skills: Dedicate a section to your video work, showing your range from concept to editing and motion graphics.
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Be Prepared for Technical Questions: Expect questions about your software proficiency, creative process, and how you handle specific design or video challenges.
📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on showcasing not just creative talent, but also strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, an understanding of the financial industry, and strong communication skills.
📌 Application Steps
To apply for this Sr Creative Designer position:
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Submit your application through the provided link on the Purdue Federal Credit Union careers portal.
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Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience in graphic design, video production, brand management, and any relevant experience in financial services or regulated industries.
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Portfolio Preparation: Ensure your online portfolio is up-to-date and showcases your strongest work, particularly projects demonstrating your ability to translate complex information visually and your end-to-end video production capabilities. Be ready to present specific case studies during the interview.
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Company Research: Thoroughly research Purdue Federal Credit Union, its mission, values, recent campaigns, and the credit union industry in general. Understand their member-centric approach and how creative work supports these goals.
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Interview Practice: Prepare to discuss your creative process, project management approach, and how you handle feedback. Practice articulating your contributions to past projects, focusing on strategy, execution, and impact. Be ready for a potential creative challenge.
⚠️ 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 advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud and expertise in layout, typography, and visual hierarchy. Candidates should have experience in video editing, motion graphics, and professional communication skills.