Sr. Graphic Designer
๐ Job Overview
Job Title: Sr. Graphic Designer
Company: Viral Nation Inc.
Location: Canada
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing
Date Posted: 2026-06-02T20:00:09
Experience Level: 4+ Years
Remote Status: On-site
๐ Role Summary
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Drive the creation of visually compelling static, video, and motion design assets to elevate social media content and client campaigns, aligning with brand strategy and modern consumer engagement.
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Masterfully apply design principles, typography, and visual storytelling techniques to produce high-quality deliverables optimized for diverse social media platforms and formats.
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Provide crucial mentorship and guidance to junior designers, upleveling the overall craft and quality of the creative output within the team.
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Proactively integrate AI-powered design tools and technologies to enhance workflows, maximize efficiency, and pioneer innovative design approaches.
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Collaborate extensively across Strategy, Production, and Media departments to translate brand vision into impactful visual concepts for both external clients and internal agency initiatives.
๐ Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Graphic Designer, indicating a need for a candidate who can not only execute high-quality design work but also lead and mentor others. The emphasis on AI tools suggests a forward-thinking creative environment focused on efficiency and innovation. The "on-site" designation for Canada implies a primary physical presence is required, though specific city details are not provided.
๐ Primary Responsibilities
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Visual Identity & Brand Standards: Develop and maintain a deep understanding of client brand standards, ensuring all design outputs accurately reflect unique identities and voices across various platforms.
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Static, Video & Motion Design: Lead the creation of visually compelling static graphics, illustrations, infographics, and presentations, while also contributing significantly to engaging video content, motion graphics, and animations.
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Content Optimization: Produce high-quality design assets optimized for various social media platforms and formats, demonstrating an acute understanding of how people interact with creative content.
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Collaboration & Cross-Functional Support: Collaborate effectively with Strategy, Production, and Media teams to translate brand strategy into tangible visual ideas and support client objectives.
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Mentorship & Team Leadership: Guide and mentor junior designers, providing clear feedback and direction to elevate the team's overall creative output and skill proficiency.
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Client & Internal Project Ownership: Lead design work for external clients, present creative concepts with clear rationale, and contribute to agency marketing materials and brand identity.
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AI Integration & Innovation: Stay abreast of and actively utilize AI-powered design tools and technologies to streamline workflows, enhance creative output, and explore innovative design techniques.
๐ Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of senior-level execution, team leadership, and strategic integration of new technologies like AI. The focus on translating "brand strategy into visual ideas" and presenting/defending design decisions points to a strategic and client-facing aspect of the role.
๐ Skills & Qualifications
Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior role, or equivalent practical experience.
Experience: 4+ years of experience in graphic design, with a strong emphasis on social media design and a proven track record in a marketing agency or similar fast-paced environment.
Required Skills:
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Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).
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Acute knowledge of fundamental design principles, typography, color theory, and layout composition.
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Demonstrated experience with motion graphics and design-in-motion.
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Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a fast-paced agency setting.
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Strong attention to detail and an unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality work.
Preferred Skills:
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Experience with video editing software.
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Familiarity with AI-powered design tools and workflows.
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Experience presenting design work and articulating creative rationale to clients or leadership.
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Proven ability to mentor and guide junior creative staff.
๐ Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize core design software proficiency and a strong understanding of visual principles. The preference for video editing experience and AI tool familiarity points towards the evolving nature of digital creative roles. The explicit mention of a portfolio requirement is crucial for assessing practical skills.
๐ Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
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A strong portfolio demonstrating a diverse range of design styles and successful projects is a mandatory requirement for application.
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Showcase examples of static social media graphics, motion graphics, and video content.
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Include case studies that highlight your process for translating client briefs and brand guidelines into compelling visual solutions.
Process Documentation:
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While not explicitly required for submission, applicants should be prepared to discuss their design process, including how they approach concept development, iteration, feedback incorporation, and final delivery.
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Be ready to articulate how you manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and how you ensure brand consistency across various deliverables.
๐ Enhancement Note: The emphasis here is on a visual portfolio that clearly showcases the candidate's breadth of skills, particularly in social media, motion, and video. The ability to articulate the design process is implied and will be crucial during interviews.
๐ต Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $80,000 to $90,000 annually.
Benefits:
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Comprehensive Benefits Package.
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Total Rewards Package.
Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with the understanding that agency environments can require flexibility to meet client and project deadlines.
๐ Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is for Canada, and it's important to note that this is a general estimate. Actual compensation may vary based on the specific city within Canada, the candidate's precise experience, skill alignment, and performance during the interview process. The benefits are broadly stated as "comprehensive" and "total rewards," which typically include health insurance, paid time off, and potentially retirement savings plans.
๐ฏ Team & Company Context
๐ข Company Culture
Industry: Marketing & Advertising, specifically specializing in social-first ecosystems and digital brand building.
Company Size: Viral Nation is a growing organization, indicated by its multiple job postings and a diverse range of roles, suggesting a dynamic and expanding team.
Founded: Viral Nation was founded to build social-first ecosystems for brands. The company emphasizes a fluid, creative, and growth-oriented environment focused on staying at the forefront of the industry.
Team Structure:
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The creative team likely includes various specialists such as graphic designers, motion designers, video editors, and strategists.
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This Senior Graphic Designer role will report into a Creative Director or Art Director, with a focus on mentoring junior designers.
Methodology:
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Data-Driven Creativity: The company stresses aligning strategy, talent, media, and technology with culturally relevant creativity. This implies a data-informed approach to design decisions.
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Agile & Fast-Paced: The culture is described as fluid, creative, and growth-oriented, operating in a fast-paced environment that requires adaptability and continuous innovation.
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AI-Powered Workflows: A significant emphasis is placed on leveraging AI tools to enhance efficiency and push creative boundaries, indicating a forward-thinking operational methodology.
Company Website: viralnation.com
๐ Enhancement Note: Viral Nation positions itself as a modern, innovative agency focused on digital brands and social media. The culture appears to value creativity, collaboration, and a proactive approach to industry trends, including AI. The company's growth trajectory suggests opportunities for employees to grow with the organization.
๐ Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This role is classified as 'Senior,' signifying a level of expertise beyond entry-level or mid-level. It implies a capacity for independent work, complex problem-solving, and leadership in design execution and creative direction.
Reporting Structure: The Senior Graphic Designer will likely report to a Creative Director or Art Director. They are also expected to mentor and guide junior designers, indicating a leadership component within their role.
Operations Impact: The Senior Graphic Designer's impact is primarily on the visual representation and creative output for clients and the agency itself. This includes enhancing brand identity, driving engagement through compelling visuals, and contributing to the agency's overall creative reputation and client success. The use of AI tools also suggests an impact on operational efficiency within the creative department.
Growth Opportunities:
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Skill Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in motion graphics, video editing, or specific AI design applications.
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Leadership Development: Potential to advance into roles such as Art Director or Creative Lead, managing larger projects and teams.
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Industry Exposure: Working with a diverse portfolio of clients and staying at the forefront of digital marketing and AI trends provides continuous learning and professional development.
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Career Progression: The company's growth-oriented environment suggests potential for advancement within the agency structure as capabilities and impact increase.
๐ Enhancement Note: The "Sr." title is a strong indicator of a defined career path. The role offers not just design execution but also mentorship and strategic integration of new technologies, paving the way for leadership opportunities and specialized skill development within the dynamic digital marketing landscape.
๐ Work Environment
Office Type: The "On-site" designation implies a traditional office environment where collaboration and in-person interaction are valued. This is common in creative agencies to foster spontaneous idea generation and team cohesion.
Office Location(s): Canada. Specific city details are not provided, but it suggests a physical presence within the country is required.
Workspace Context:
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Collaborative Hub: Expect a dynamic workspace designed to facilitate collaboration between designers, strategists, account managers, and other creative professionals.
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Technology-Rich: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and potentially advanced hardware and AI tools will be available.
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Creative Energy: The environment is likely fast-paced and energetic, reflecting the agency's focus on innovation and delivering cutting-edge creative solutions for clients.
Work Schedule: The role is designated as Full-Time, with approximate working hours of 40 per week. However, agency environments often require flexibility to meet project deadlines and client demands, which may involve occasional overtime or adjusted hours.
๐ Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a preference for in-person collaboration, which is often beneficial for creative brainstorming and team building in an agency setting. While a standard work week is indicated, adaptability to project timelines is a common expectation in this industry.
๐ Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
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Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and creative fit.
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Portfolio Presentation: You will likely be asked to present your portfolio, discussing your design process, rationale behind your work, and how you've addressed specific client objectives. Be prepared to showcase examples of static, motion, and video design.
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Skills Assessment/Creative Challenge: A practical exercise to evaluate your design skills, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of brand guidelines, potentially involving a short turnaround.
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Team/Manager Interviews: Discussions with the hiring manager and potential team members to assess your experience, collaborative style, mentorship capabilities, and cultural fit. Expect questions about your experience with AI tools and your approach to design innovation.
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Final Interview: Possibly with senior leadership to discuss your overall fit and long-term potential within the agency.
Portfolio Review Tips:
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Curate Strategically: Select your strongest, most relevant work, emphasizing social media, motion graphics, and video. Tailor your selection to showcase skills mentioned in the job description (e.g., AI integration, brand adherence).
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Tell a Story: For each piece, explain the client's objective, your role, your creative process, the challenges you faced, and the results achieved. Quantify impact where possible.
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Showcase Versatility: Demonstrate your ability to work across different styles, brands, and platforms.
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Highlight AI Usage: If possible, include examples where you've leveraged AI tools to enhance your design process or outcome, and be ready to discuss your experience.
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Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate, whether it's a digital link or a PDF.
Challenge Preparation:
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Understand the Brief: Carefully read and dissect any creative brief provided for a design challenge.
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Focus on Strategy: Think about the "why" behind your design decisions, not just the "what." Connect your design choices back to the client's objectives and target audience.
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Time Management: Practice working efficiently under time constraints, prioritizing key elements.
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Clear Communication: Be prepared to articulate your thought process and design rationale clearly and concisely.
๐ Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio and the potential for a creative challenge highlights the practical, skill-based nature of this role. Candidates should prepare to not only show their work but also to discuss their thought process and strategic approach to design.
๐ Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
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Adobe Creative Suite:
- Photoshop: Essential for image manipulation, digital illustration, and graphic design.
- Illustrator: Crucial for vector graphics, logos, icons, and layout design.
- InDesign: Used for layout design, particularly for presentations and marketing materials.
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Motion Graphics & Animation Software: Likely includes Adobe After Effects for creating dynamic visuals, animations, and video content.
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AI Design Tools: Proficiency or familiarity with AI-powered design platforms and tools (e.g., Midjourney, DALL-E, Adobe Firefly, or other emerging AI creative assistants) is expected.
Analytics & Reporting: While not directly a design tool, understanding how design impacts engagement metrics on social media platforms is important. Familiarity with social media analytics dashboards (e.g., Meta Business Suite, platform-native analytics) would be beneficial.
CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to this role's core responsibilities, but an understanding of how creative assets are deployed within marketing automation platforms might be a plus.
๐ Enhancement Note: The core requirement is mastery of the Adobe Creative Suite. The explicit mention of AI tools suggests that candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience or willingness to learn and integrate these technologies into their workflow.
๐ฅ Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
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Creativity & Innovation: A strong emphasis on pushing creative boundaries, thinking outside the box, and embracing new technologies like AI to drive unique solutions.
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Collaboration & Teamwork: A culture that values cross-functional teamwork, open communication, and supporting colleagues to achieve shared goals.
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Client-Centricity: A focus on understanding and meeting client needs, translating their brand strategy into effective visual communications that drive results.
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Growth & Development: A commitment to continuous learning, skill enhancement, and supporting employee career progression within the agency.
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Quality & Detail: A dedication to producing high-quality, polished work with meticulous attention to detail.
Collaboration Style:
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Cross-Functional Integration: Expect to work closely with Strategy, Production, and Media teams, requiring clear communication and a collaborative approach to campaign development.
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Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages senior members to mentor junior staff, fostering a supportive environment for skill development and creative exchange.
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Feedback-Driven: A willingness to both give and receive constructive feedback to continuously improve creative output and processes.
๐ Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be oriented towards innovation, collaboration, and professional growth, with a strong client focus. The emphasis on AI and mentorship indicates a forward-thinking and supportive team environment.
โก Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
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Rapidly Evolving Industry: Keeping pace with the constant evolution of social media trends, design aesthetics, and AI technology requires continuous learning and adaptation.
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Balancing Client Needs with Creative Vision: Effectively translating diverse client objectives and brand guidelines into innovative and aesthetically pleasing designs can be challenging.
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Mentoring Junior Talent: Guiding and developing junior designers requires strong communication, leadership, and pedagogical skills.
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Managing Multiple Projects: Juggling numerous client projects with competing deadlines in a fast-paced agency environment demands excellent time management and organizational skills.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
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Advanced AI Tool Training: Opportunities to become proficient in cutting-edge AI design applications and integrate them into advanced workflows.
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Specialized Creative Workshops: Potential for training in specific areas like advanced motion graphics, video editing techniques, or emerging design trends.
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Leadership Development Programs: For those aspiring to leadership roles, there may be opportunities for management training and mentorship.
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Exposure to Diverse Clients: Working with a wide array of brands offers continuous learning about different industries, target audiences, and creative challenges.
๐ Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to a senior creative role in a dynamic agency environment. The growth opportunities are geared towards both technical skill enhancement (AI, motion) and leadership development, aligning with the senior nature of the position.
๐ก Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
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"Describe a time you successfully translated a complex brand strategy into a compelling visual social media campaign. What was your process?" (Focus on strategy-to-visual translation, process, and impact).
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"How do you approach mentoring junior designers? Can you provide an example of how you've helped a team member improve their craft?" (Demonstrate leadership, feedback skills, and impact on team development).
Company & Culture Questions:
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"What excites you about Viral Nation's approach to social-first ecosystems and digital brands?" (Show research into the company's mission and values).
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"How do you see yourself contributing to our creative culture and collaborating with cross-functional teams?" (Emphasize teamwork, communication, and cultural fit).
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
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Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly state the client, objective, your role, your process, the solution, and the outcome/impact.
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Highlight Key Skills: Explicitly point out where your work demonstrates proficiency in static design, motion graphics, video, AI integration, and adherence to brand guidelines.
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Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your technical choices, creative decisions, and problem-solving approaches.
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Showcase AI Integration: If you have examples, be prepared to discuss how AI tools enhanced your workflow or the final output, and your perspective on AI in design.
๐ Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only design skill but also strategic thinking, leadership potential, and adaptability to new technologies. The portfolio presentation is a critical component, requiring a clear and compelling narrative.
๐ Application Steps
To apply for this Senior Graphic Designer position:
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Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.
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Curate and finalize your design portfolio: Ensure it prominently features your best work in static graphics, motion graphics, and video, with a clear emphasis on social media campaigns. Include examples that demonstrate your understanding of brand identity and, if applicable, your use of AI design tools.
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Tailor your resume: Highlight your 4+ years of experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, motion graphics expertise, and any mentorship or leadership roles. Use keywords from the job description to optimize for ATS.
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Prepare your portfolio presentation: Practice walking through 2-3 key projects, articulating your process, rationale, and the impact of your designs. Be ready to discuss your experience with AI and your approach to client collaboration.
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Research Viral Nation: Understand their mission, client portfolio, and company culture. Prepare thoughtful questions about the role, the team, and the company's vision for creative innovation.
โ ๏ธ 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 4+ years of graphic design experience with a strong portfolio and proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite. Candidates must have a deep understanding of design principles and experience with motion graphics and social media trends.