Staff Brand Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Staff Brand Designer

Company: TRM Labs

Location: United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Brand & Visual Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-17

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead complex, high-visibility brand design initiatives across multiple channels, ensuring visual excellence and adherence to brand standards.

• Drive the evolution of TRM's visual identity by defining and executing design standards in typography, imagery, layout, and color.

• Translate intricate, data-rich subject matter (e.g., blockchain intelligence, risk analysis) into clear, compelling infographics and data visualizations for diverse audiences.

• Steward and expand brand systems and documentation to ensure scalable, consistent, and soulful brand application across all programs and formats.

• Advance the team's AI-native design practice, integrating generative AI tools into concepting, iteration, and production to enhance creative output and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "Staff" level individual contributor, implying a senior level of expertise and influence within the design team. The emphasis on AI-native design and the translation of complex data into visuals suggests a strong focus on operational efficiency and impact within the creative function. The core responsibility of setting and upholding the "craft standard" highlights a critical operational aspect of ensuring quality and consistency in brand output.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain the highest craft standards for TRM's brand identity across campaigns, web presence, social media, events, thought-leadership reports, and sales/marketing collateral.

• Take ownership of the most challenging and critical brand design projects from initial brief to final delivery, ensuring consistently high-quality execution.

• Collaborate closely with creative and marketing leadership to refine and advance TRM's creative direction, meticulously defining and implementing visual standards across all brand elements.

• Develop sophisticated infographics and data visualizations to effectively communicate complex blockchain intelligence, investigation processes, and risk assessments to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Provide hands-on craft oversight for all brand outputs, actively reviewing work, elevating the overall quality bar, and guiding the team toward superior design decisions.

• Build and maintain robust brand systems and comprehensive documentation that facilitate scalable and consistent brand application across various programs, formats, and audiences, while retaining creative integrity.

• Commission and art-direct external creative talent, including agencies, illustrators, and motion designers, to achieve project objectives.

• Mentor and enhance the skills of fellow designers through constructive critique, collaborative pairing, and direct feedback, thereby elevating the team's overall craft.

• Champion and develop the team's AI-native design capabilities, integrating AI-assisted tools into the creative workflow for concept exploration, iteration, and production, and fostering fluency among teammates.

• Foster strong collaborative relationships with brand strategists, copywriters, product marketing managers, and leadership to ensure cohesive brand representation across all communication channels.

• Proactively challenge and expand upon creative briefs, exploring new formats and taking significant creative risks to achieve impactful design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities outline a blend of strategic brand stewardship, hands-on design execution, and operational leadership within the creative function. The emphasis on "craft oversight," "brand systems," and "AI-native design practice" points to a need for structured processes and efficient workflows to achieve high-quality, scalable brand output.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong foundation in design principles is expected, likely demonstrated through a comprehensive portfolio and professional experience.

Experience: 6-8+ years of dedicated brand design experience in high-craft environments such as leading agencies, prestigious editorial publications, elevated consumer brands, or design-forward technology companies.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated mastery of typography, layout, color theory, and composition across a diverse range of brand contexts, as evidenced in a strong portfolio.

• Proven ability to make complex, data-heavy information accessible and compelling through effective infographics and data visualizations.

• Fluency in developing and stewarding brand systems that support scale, consistency, and evolution, ideally through periods of significant growth or change.

• Deep expertise in Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), with proficiency in both digital and print design applications.

• Experience in digital and web design, including the creation of component libraries and effective collaboration with development teams.

• Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills, enabling clear communication of design processes, intent, and impact to various stakeholders.

• An "AI-first mindset" with hands-on experience integrating generative AI tools into creative workflows, a balanced perspective on their capabilities and limitations, and a proactive approach to skill development in this area.

• Experience operating at a "staff level," characterized by autonomous work, influencing stakeholders without direct authority, and making decisions that significantly shape team output. Preferred Skills:

• Proficiency in motion design and animation.

• Experience with 3D design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "staff level" experience implies a need for candidates who can operate with a high degree of autonomy and strategic foresight, contributing to the operational framework of the design team beyond individual task completion. The emphasis on AI fluency is a critical operational component, requiring candidates to demonstrate how they leverage these tools for efficiency and enhanced output.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A portfolio showcasing excellence across multiple domains:

  • Brand Design: Demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of brand identity development and application.
  • Editorial/Program Branding: Highlighting the ability to create cohesive visual systems for specific initiatives or publications.
  • Infographics/Data Visualization: Presenting clear and impactful ways complex data has been translated visually.
  • Design System Thinking: Illustrating an understanding of scalable design components and their application.

• Ideally, include 1-2 publicly available pieces that exemplify this range. Process Documentation:

• Evidence of experience in building and stewarding brand systems and documentation that scale effectively across programs, formats, and audiences, ensuring consistency without sacrificing creative spirit.

• Demonstrated ability to translate complex, data-heavy subject matter into clear, compelling visual assets, indicating a structured approach to information design and simplification.

• Examples of conceptualizing and executing complex, high-visibility brand design projects end-to-end, showcasing a systematic approach to project management and creative problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are a critical operational tool for evaluating a candidate's ability to execute complex design tasks efficiently and systematically. The emphasis on "design-system thinking" and "brand systems" indicates a need for candidates who can contribute to the operational framework of brand management.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $202,000 - $220,000 USD per year (base salary).

• 📝 Enhancement Note: This salary range is based on the provided information and reflects a senior-level individual contributor role in the US market. Actual compensation will be determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

Benefits:

• Eligibility to participate in TRM's equity plan.

• Comprehensive benefits package (details not specified, but typically includes health, dental, vision insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, etc., for full-time employees).

Working Hours: 40 hours per week (standard full-time).

• 📝 Enhancement Note: While standard hours are 40/week, the company culture emphasizes high velocity and a fast-paced environment. This suggests that while not mandated, periods of extended work may be expected to meet project demands and deliver outcomes quickly.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, specifically focused on AI-powered intelligence solutions for public and private sector agencies to investigate and disrupt crime, with a strong emphasis on blockchain intelligence and financial crime prevention.

Company Size: Series C company with $220M in total funding, backed by prominent investors. TRM operates as a distributed-first company with hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Washington D.C., London, and Singapore.

Founded: TRM Labs is a growing company, indicating a dynamic and evolving environment.

Team Structure:

• The Brand Design function is part of a broader creative and marketing team, emphasizing cross-functional collaboration.

• This role is an individual contributor at the "Staff" level, meaning it operates with significant autonomy and influences the output of the broader design team through craft leadership and mentorship, rather than direct management.

• Collaboration is expected with brand strategists, copywriters, product marketing, and leadership. Methodology:

• AI-First Creative Team: The team is structured around leveraging AI to extend human taste, judgment, and craft, focusing on exploring more directions, accelerating first passes, and producing variations at scale.

• High Velocity, High Ownership: TRM operates at a rapid pace, expecting clarity, follow-through, and impact. This requires adaptability, continuous feedback, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

• Mission-Driven: The core mission of building a safer world for billions informs the company's operations and the intensity of its work.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is characterized by speed, ownership, and a mission-driven approach, particularly within its AI-first creative team. This operational philosophy requires individuals who are comfortable with ambiguity, rapid iteration, and a high degree of personal accountability.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Staff Brand Designer. This level signifies a senior individual contributor role responsible for setting craft standards, leading complex projects, mentoring peers, and significantly influencing the team's output and direction. It's a role for an experienced professional who can operate autonomously and elevate the work around them.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, this role likely reports to a Creative Director, Head of Brand, or VP of Marketing. The emphasis is on leading through example and direct feedback rather than formal management.

Operations Impact: The Staff Brand Designer's impact is crucial for shaping TRM's external perception, communicating its complex mission, and attracting top talent and customers. Their work directly influences brand recognition, market positioning, and the effectiveness of marketing and sales collateral.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-assisted design, advanced data visualization techniques, or specific areas of brand systems development.

• Leadership Development: Potential to move into leadership roles (e.g., Design Lead, Creative Director) as the team grows, or to become a recognized expert and primary point of contact for brand craft.

• Strategic Influence: Contribute to the strategic evolution of TRM's brand and creative direction, influencing how the company communicates its mission and value proposition.

• Mentorship: Develop strong mentorship capabilities, shaping the growth of junior and mid-level designers within the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Staff" designation indicates a career path focused on deep craft expertise and influence, rather than necessarily traditional management. Growth opportunities are tied to expanding impact through technical mastery, strategic contribution, and elevating the broader team's capabilities.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Distributed-first company, operating remotely. While hubs exist, the role is fully remote.

Office Location(s): United States (remote). Hubs are located in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Washington D.C., London, and Singapore, suggesting potential for distributed collaboration but not a requirement to be in a specific office.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: High emphasis on cross-functional collaboration with marketing, brand strategists, copywriters, and leadership. Operates within an "AI-first creative team."

• Tools & Technology: Access to and expectation of proficiency in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and AI-assisted design tools. The company likely provides necessary software licenses.

• Team Interaction: Frequent, high-touch communication is expected, likely through digital collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Zoom, project management tools).

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week is the baseline. However, the company culture emphasizes high velocity, urgency, and adaptability, which may necessitate flexible work hours or periods of intense focus to meet project demands and deliver outcomes quickly.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote-first nature necessitates strong self-discipline and proactive communication. The "high velocity" culture implies that while hours are standard, the pace of work and expectation of rapid delivery are key operational characteristics of the work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit a portfolio along with the application.

• Portfolio Review: Initial screening will focus on the portfolio's demonstration of range in brand design, editorial/program branding, infographics/data visualization, and design system thinking.

• Interviews: Expect multiple rounds of interviews, likely including:

  • Design Deep Dive: Discussing portfolio pieces, design process, rationale, and craft standards.
  • AI Fluency Assessment: Evaluating practical application of AI tools in creative work, understanding of their benefits and limitations, and a point of view on their future.
  • Cross-functional Collaboration Discussion: Assessing ability to work with marketing, product, and leadership.
  • Culture Fit & Leadership Principles: Evaluating alignment with TRM's values (Impact-Oriented Trailblazer, Master Craftsperson, Inspiring Colleague) and its fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
  • Problem-Solving/Case Study (Potential): May involve a design challenge or discussion of how to approach specific brand challenges, potentially involving complex data or AI integration.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 1-2 pieces that best showcase the required range (brand design, editorial, data viz, design systems). Publicly available examples are preferred.

• Narrative is Key: For each piece, clearly articulate the problem, your process, the strategic intent behind your design decisions, and the measurable impact or outcome.

• Highlight Systems Thinking: Demonstrate how you build and maintain scalable design systems.

• Showcase Data Visualization Skills: Ensure examples clearly communicate complex information effectively.

• Emphasize AI Integration: If possible, include work that demonstrates your innovative use of AI tools, explaining the process and benefits.

• Be Prepared to Defend Craft: Articulate your aesthetic point of view and what makes a design excellent.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand TRM's Mission: Research TRM Labs, its products, and its market position in blockchain intelligence and crime disruption.

• AI Fluency: Be ready to discuss your personal AI workflow, specific tools you use, how you experiment, and your perspective on AI's role in design. Prepare examples of how AI has enhanced your work.

• Data Visualization: Be prepared to discuss how you approach translating complex data into accessible visuals.

• Brand Systems: Understand the principles of building and scaling brand systems.

• Leadership Principles: Familiarize yourself with TRM's leadership principles and prepare examples of how you embody them.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process places significant emphasis on the portfolio as a demonstration of operational capability and craft. The structured interview process, including specific assessments for AI fluency and alignment with leadership principles, indicates a deliberate approach to candidate evaluation.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI/UX design, prototyping, and collaborative design work. Expected to be used extensively for brand system components and digital applications.

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, and detailed illustrations.
  • Photoshop: For image manipulation, digital assets, and mockups.
  • InDesign: For editorial design, reports, and print collateral.

• Generative AI Tools: A wide range of AI tools for concepting, iteration, variation generation, and potentially asset creation (specific tools not mentioned, but candidates are expected to be proactive).

Analytics & Reporting: While not a primary focus for this design role, understanding how design impacts metrics (e.g., engagement on web assets, clarity of infographics) would be beneficial. Collaboration with teams using analytics tools is implied.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to the design role, but understanding how brand assets are deployed within marketing automation platforms or CRM systems could be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite is a foundational operational requirement for design execution. The strong emphasis on AI tools highlights a forward-looking operational approach to enhancing design productivity and exploration.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Impact-Oriented Trailblazer: Prioritizing customer needs, moving with speed, focus, and adaptability; treating plans as experiments to test, ship, measure, and iterate rapidly.

• Master Craftsperson: Deep commitment to craft, balancing speed with high standards, owning outcomes end-to-end, and pursuing daily improvement.

• Inspiring Colleague: Adding clarity and energy, fostering humility, candor, and a one-team mindset, and actively giving and receiving feedback to strengthen the team.

• AI Fluency: A baseline expectation that all team members leverage AI to accelerate and reimagine their craft, aiming for the top 10% of operators in their function.

Collaboration Style:

• High-Touch Communication: Frequent and direct interaction is expected across teams and functions.

• Feedback Culture: Embracing continuous feedback for improvement and team strengthening.

• Cross-functional Integration: Working closely with strategists, copywriters, product marketing, and leadership to ensure cohesive brand representation.

• Experimental Approach: Willingness to experiment, iterate, and learn from outcomes, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated leadership principles and values directly shape the operational expectations for how team members interact, approach their work, and contribute to the overall mission. AI fluency is explicitly called out as a core value and operational expectation.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complexity: Effectively visualizing intricate blockchain intelligence and crime-related data for diverse audiences is a significant challenge requiring deep analytical and design thinking.

• High Velocity Environment: Adapting to rapid iteration, changing priorities, and tight deadlines without compromising craft quality demands strong organizational and time management skills.

• AI Integration: Continuously learning and integrating evolving AI tools into a high-craft design workflow requires proactive experimentation and a willingness to adapt.

• Ambiguity Navigation: Operating effectively in a fast-moving environment where not all details are fully defined requires comfort with uncertainty and strong problem-solving abilities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Skill Advancement: Opportunity to become a leader in AI-assisted design, shaping best practices and exploring new generative capabilities.

• Brand System Evolution: Contribute to and influence the growth and refinement of TRM's brand systems as the company scales.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain deeper understanding of product marketing, brand strategy, and the technical aspects of TRM's business through close collaboration.

• Mentorship & Craft Leadership: Develop leadership skills by mentoring other designers and setting the standard for creative excellence within the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are operational in nature, requiring individuals to possess strong adaptability, problem-solving skills, and a commitment to continuous learning, particularly in the rapidly evolving field of AI.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Brand Strategy & Execution: "How would you approach evolving the visual identity of a brand like TRM, which deals with complex, sensitive subject matter like blockchain intelligence and crime disruption?" (Prepare to discuss process, research, stakeholder alignment, and potential visual directions.)

• AI in Design Workflow: "Describe a project where you significantly leveraged AI tools. What was your process, what were the outcomes, and what did you learn about AI's role in your craft?" (Be ready to demonstrate hands-on experience and a balanced perspective.)

• Data Visualization Design: "How do you ensure complex data visualizations are not only accurate but also accessible and compelling to both technical and non-technical audiences?" (Prepare examples and discuss your approach to simplification and storytelling.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Mission Alignment: "Why are you drawn to TRM's mission of building a safer world, and how do you see your design work contributing to that?" (Connect your passion for design with the company's purpose.)

• Pace & Ambiguity: "TRM operates at a high velocity with frequent changes. How do you stay focused and deliver high-quality work in such an environment?" (Highlight your adaptability, organizational skills, and ability to manage ambiguity.)

• Craftsmanship vs. Speed: "How do you balance the need for speed in a fast-paced environment with maintaining high craft standards?" (Discuss your process for quality control and decision-making.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, the solutions you implemented, and the results or impact achieved.

• Showcase AI Integration: If applicable, highlight projects where AI tools played a significant role, explaining your methodology and the benefits gained.

• Explain Design Rationale: Be prepared to articulate the "why" behind your design decisions, demonstrating strategic thinking and a strong aesthetic point of view.

• Demonstrate Systems Thinking: Clearly explain how your work contributes to or builds upon design systems for scalability and consistency.

• Engage and Discuss: Treat the portfolio review as a collaborative conversation, inviting questions and demonstrating enthusiasm for TRM's work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skills, but also operational capabilities such as strategic thinking, AI integration, adaptability, and the ability to translate complex information effectively, all aligned with TRM's values and high-velocity culture.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Staff Brand Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby HQ.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature 1-2 pieces demonstrating your range across brand design, editorial/program branding, infographics/data visualization, and design system thinking. Ensure these are publicly accessible if possible.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your 6-8+ years of experience in high-craft environments, specific expertise in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, and any experience operating at a "staff" level. Emphasize your AI-first mindset and data visualization skills.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, your approach to complex information, your AI integration strategies, and how you align with TRM's leadership principles. Prepare specific examples for each.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research TRM Labs' mission, products, and market position. Understand their culture of high velocity, AI-first operations, and the importance of their mission in building a safer world.

⚠️ 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.

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