Technical Brand Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Technical Brand Designer

Company: Ideogram

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada; New York, New York, United States; San Francisco, California, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Brand Design / Product Design / Marketing Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-03

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (with remote flexibility for specific locations)

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the definition and evolution of Ideogram's brand identity across all digital touchpoints, including web, marketing campaigns, and product surfaces, establishing a cohesive visual foundation for future growth.

• Design and implement high-impact marketing and web experiences, collaborating closely with Product and Marketing teams to create elegant, responsive digital assets that effectively communicate Ideogram's story and advanced AI technology.

• Act as a crucial bridge between Product Design and Brand expression, ensuring a consistent and inspiring visual language from major launch moments down to the smallest UI details.

• Manage and collaborate with external creative agencies, translating high-level brand strategy into tangible visual executions that align with Ideogram's unique tone, aesthetic, and ambitious market position.

• Champion design excellence and compelling storytelling, setting a high standard for visual quality and brand consistency while fostering a culture of creative exploration and bold execution within the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "Technical Brand Designer," indicating a hybrid function that blends traditional brand design responsibilities with a strong emphasis on technical execution and system building, particularly relevant in a fast-paced tech environment. The "first Technical Brand Designer" implies a foundational role with significant influence over establishing core processes and systems.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop, scale, and maintain comprehensive brand guidelines that ensure consistency and expressiveness across web properties, digital marketing campaigns, and user interface elements.

• Design and prototype responsive web experiences and engaging digital campaigns, partnering with Product and Marketing to translate complex AI concepts into clear, visually appealing communications.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with Product Managers, Engineers, and Marketing specialists to ensure brand integrity and visual harmony across all user-facing touchpoints and product surfaces.

• Provide creative direction and detailed specifications to external creative agencies, ensuring all deliverables align with Ideogram's brand strategy, aesthetic principles, and overarching business objectives.

• Rapidly prototype and iterate on design concepts through sketches, motion studies, and interactive mockups, utilizing feedback loops and performance data to refine and optimize visual outcomes.

• Advocate for and uphold the highest standards of visual craft, brand consistency, and creative storytelling, inspiring team members and stakeholders to embrace bold design thinking.

• Leverage AI coding tools to accelerate the design and development lifecycle for landing pages, internal branding tools, and interactive prototypes, driving efficiency and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic brand building and hands-on technical design execution. The emphasis on "bridging product and brand" and "translating high-level brand strategy into visual executions" suggests a need for a designer who can operate at both conceptual and tactical levels, with a strong understanding of how brand integrates into product UI and marketing assets.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Interaction Design, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience. Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in brand design, motion design, visual design, or marketing design, with a preference for candidates who have worked within creative technology, AI, or design-led organizations.

• Demonstrated experience in building and scaling design systems and creating reusable components across various channels and platforms. Required Skills:

• Brand Systems Development: Proven ability to define, evolve, and maintain comprehensive brand guidelines and visual systems that ensure consistency across diverse touchpoints.

• Figma Proficiency: Expert-level command of Figma for design system creation, collaborative workflows, and asset management.

• Technical Design Execution: Experience using AI coding tools (e.g., Claude Code, Cursor) for rapid prototyping, landing page development, and building internal design tools.

• Web & Digital Design: Strong portfolio showcasing expertise in designing responsive web experiences and impactful digital marketing campaigns.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to effectively partner with Product, Marketing, Engineering, and external agency teams in a fast-paced environment.

• Storytelling & Craft: A keen eye for detail, a strong sense of aesthetic, and the ability to translate complex ideas into compelling visual narratives.

Preferred Skills:

• Motion design expertise for dynamic brand expression.

• Experience with user interface (UI) design principles and application within product surfaces.

• Familiarity with A/B testing methodologies and leveraging performance data to inform design decisions.

• Understanding of generative media models and AI's role in creative workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "5+ years" suggests a mid-to-senior level individual contributor role, expected to be self-directed and capable of establishing standards. The specific mention of AI coding tools like Claude Code and Cursor is a critical technical requirement, pointing towards a role that actively uses AI in the design and prototyping process, not just designing for AI products.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Brand System Showcase: A robust section demonstrating experience in developing and scaling design systems, including examples of brand guidelines, component libraries, and their application across different mediums (web, digital assets).

• Web & Campaign Design: A curated selection of high-impact web experiences and digital marketing campaigns that highlight your ability to blend brand storytelling with user-centric design principles.

• Technical Execution Examples: Specific projects illustrating the use of AI coding tools or advanced prototyping techniques to bring design concepts to life rapidly and efficiently.

• Cross-functional Collaboration Case Studies: Examples of projects where you successfully partnered with product, marketing, or engineering teams, detailing your role and the collaborative process.

• Brand Evolution Projects: Demonstrations of how you've evolved or maintained brand identity through significant growth phases or product launches.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates are implicitly expected to articulate their design process, including how they approach research, ideation, prototyping, iteration, and collaboration.

• Evidence of employing iterative design methodologies, utilizing feedback loops, and leveraging performance data (e.g., A/B testing results) to refine design direction is highly valued.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "Technical Brand Designer" title and the emphasis on AI coding tools, the portfolio should not only showcase visual craft but also demonstrate a pragmatic, systems-oriented approach to design, with clear evidence of technical application and process efficiency.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Toronto, Canada: As a guide, for a Mid-Senior Level Brand Designer with 5+ years of experience in the tech sector in Toronto, a competitive salary range would typically fall between CAD $90,000 - $130,000 annually, potentially with equity.

• New York/San Francisco, United States: In these high-cost-of-living tech hubs, a comparable role would likely command an annual salary between USD $110,000 - $160,000, with a significant equity component.

Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation & Equity: Recognition of value and impact through strong salary and stock options.

• Generous Vacation: 4 weeks of paid time off annually to ensure work-life balance and rejuvenation.

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Full health, vision, and dental insurance provided from day one.

• Retirement Savings Plan: RRSP/401(k) with an employer match of up to 4%, supporting long-term financial planning.

• Top-Tier Tools & Technology: Access to leading software, hardware, and creative tools to enhance productivity and creativity.

• On-site Amenities (Toronto HQ): Daily catered lunches and dinners, fostering a collaborative and convenient work environment.

• Autonomy for Exploration: Resources and compute power available for testing new ideas and running experiments when a clear business or creative use case exists.

• Culture of Learning: Opportunities for mentorship, continuous skill development, and exposure to cutting-edge AI and design practices.

Working Hours:

• The role is full-time, typically requiring approximately 40 hours per week. While a standard work week is expected, the company culture emphasizes autonomy and the ability to explore and experiment, suggesting flexibility within reasonable operational needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary ranges are estimated based on common industry benchmarks for similar roles in the specified locations and experience level, factoring in the tech industry and the company's funding status. The benefits list is directly extracted and presented for clarity.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Generative Media, Creative Technology, Software Development.

Company Size: Ideogram is a rapidly growing startup, aiming to triple its team size over the next year. Current size is likely in the range of 50-150 employees, indicating a dynamic, fast-paced environment with significant opportunities for impact.

Founded: Ideogram was founded with a mission to democratize design through AI. The company has a strong research and engineering foundation, with early contributors to significant AI models.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team is likely a cornerstone of Ideogram's user-facing development, working closely with Product Management and Engineering.

• This role reports into the Head of Product Design (or a similar leadership position), with direct collaboration expected across Marketing, Product, and potentially Research teams.

• The culture is described as "flat" with "high ownership, collaboration, and mentorship," suggesting an environment where individual contributions are valued, and cross-functional teamwork is essential. Methodology:

• Ideogram leverages cutting-edge AI research (Diffusion Models) to build generative media tools. The company emphasizes a blend of rigorous engineering and strong design/taste.

• Design processes incorporate rapid prototyping, iteration, experimentation, and the use of data (like A/B testing) to inform decisions, reflecting a data-driven yet creatively-led approach.

• The use of AI coding tools for design and development is a core part of their workflow, indicating a commitment to leveraging technology for efficiency and innovation.

Company Website: https://ideogram.ai/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on AI and generative media places it at the forefront of technological innovation. The culture described as "flat," "high ownership," and "fast-paced" is typical of successful tech startups, where individual impact is significant, and adaptability is key.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This "Technical Brand Designer" role is positioned as a foundational, individual contributor role at a mid-to-senior level. As the first of its kind, it offers a unique opportunity to define processes, establish standards, and heavily influence the company's visual identity and brand expression during a critical growth phase.

Reporting Structure: The designer will report to a senior leader within the Product Design team (e.g., Head of Product Design). Collaboration will be extensive with cross-functional teams, including Marketing, Product Management, and Engineering.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct and significant impact on Ideogram's market perception, user acquisition, and brand loyalty. By creating a cohesive and compelling visual identity, this designer will be instrumental in communicating the value of Ideogram's AI technology and differentiating it in a competitive landscape. Their work will influence how users perceive the brand's innovation, creativity, and trustworthiness.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership in Brand Systems: As the first Technical Brand Designer, there's a clear path to becoming the subject matter expert and leader for all things brand-related, potentially growing into a Brand Design Lead or Manager role as the team expands.

• Skill Specialization & Expansion: Opportunity to deepen expertise in AI-driven design tools, explore advanced motion graphics, and gain exposure to product design strategy in a rapidly evolving AI landscape.

• Influence and Impact: Direct influence on the company's visual direction and brand narrative during a period of rapid scaling, offering significant career acceleration and resume-building experience.

• Mentorship: Potential to mentor junior designers as the team grows and to learn from experienced researchers and engineers within the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "first Technical Brand Designer" designation is a significant indicator of growth potential. This role is not just about executing tasks but about building the function itself, which can lead to accelerated career progression and increased strategic influence.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Ideogram offers a hybrid work model. Their Toronto headquarters is described as being conveniently located near Union Station and the PATH, suggesting a modern, accessible urban office environment. The company also has a presence in NYC, and remote flexibility is offered in specific US locations.

Office Location(s):

• Toronto, Ontario, Canada (HQ)

• New York, New York, United States

• San Francisco, California, United States

• Other specified locations in the United States may allow for remote work. Workspace Context:

• The culture emphasizes collaboration, with daily in-office lunches and dinners at the Toronto HQ fostering team interaction and idea exchange.

• Access to "top-of-the-line tools and tech" is provided, ensuring designers have the necessary resources to be productive and creative.

• The emphasis on "autonomy to explore and experiment" suggests a workspace that supports creative freedom and encourages initiative, whether in the office or a remote setting. Work Schedule:

• Full-time position (approx. 40 hours/week). The hybrid model and emphasis on autonomy suggest some flexibility in daily scheduling, provided core collaboration needs and deadlines are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature and specific location allowances suggest a company that balances in-person collaboration benefits with the flexibility demanded by top tech talent. The Toronto HQ description hints at a well-resourced and amenity-rich office.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and portfolio to assess alignment with the role’s core requirements, particularly experience in brand systems, technical design, and AI tool usage.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: Expect a dedicated session where you will walk through your portfolio, highlighting specific projects that demonstrate your brand system development, web design, technical execution (AI tools), and cross-functional collaboration capabilities. Be prepared to discuss your design process, decision-making rationale, and the impact of your work.

• Technical/Design Challenge: A practical exercise may be assigned, focusing on a brand-related challenge or a task involving AI coding tools to assess your hands-on skills and problem-solving approach.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with members of the Product, Marketing, or Engineering teams to evaluate your collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to integrate brand vision with product development.

• Final Round: Discussions with senior leadership, potentially focusing on strategic vision, cultural fit, and long-term impact within Ideogram.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 projects that best showcase your ability to build and evolve brand systems, design effective web/digital experiences, and demonstrate technical proficiency with AI tools.

• Highlight Process & Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your design process, the tools used (especially AI coding tools), and the measurable outcomes or impact of your work. Quantify results where possible.

• Showcase Systems Thinking: Emphasize how you approach scalability, consistency, and reusability in your brand system projects.

• Demonstrate Technical Fluency: Include examples of how you've used AI coding tools or advanced prototyping to accelerate design or build functional prototypes. Be ready to discuss your experience with these tools in detail.

• Tell a Cohesive Story: Ensure your portfolio tells a narrative about your skills and how you can contribute to Ideogram's mission.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Ideogram: Research Ideogram's mission, products (Ideogram 3.0, Character, Custom Models), target audience, and recent announcements.

• Brand Alignment: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach extending and refining Ideogram's brand identity for specific marketing initiatives or product features.

• AI Tool Proficiency: Familiarize yourself with common AI coding tools and be ready to discuss their applications in design workflows. If you have specific experience with Claude Code or Cursor, be prepared to share it.

• Systems Design: Practice articulating how you would build or extend a design system, focusing on efficiency, scalability, and cross-functional adoption.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "Technical Brand Designer" and specific AI tools means interviewers will likely probe deeply into your practical application of these technologies in a design context, not just theoretical knowledge.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for design system development, UI design, prototyping, and collaborative workflows. Advanced proficiency is essential.

• AI Coding Tools: Explicitly mentioned are Claude Code and Cursor. Expect to use these for rapid prototyping, building landing pages, and potentially developing internal branding tools.

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, familiarity with other prototyping or animation tools (e.g., Principle, After Effects) might be beneficial for motion studies.

Analytics & Reporting:

• A/B Testing Platforms: Experience with tools or methodologies for A/B testing marketing assets and web experiences to inform design decisions.

• Web Analytics: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics or similar platforms to understand user behavior on web properties.

CRM & Automation:

• While not explicitly mentioned as a primary tool for this role, understanding how brand assets are utilized within marketing automation platforms or CMS for campaign deployment could be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and AI coding tools (Claude Code, Cursor) highlights the critical technical stack for this role. Proficiency in these areas is not just preferred but likely a prerequisite for success.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Boldness: A drive to push creative boundaries and develop innovative design solutions, aligning with Ideogram's mission to multiply human creativity.

• Craft & Taste: A deep appreciation for design quality, aesthetic excellence, and attention to detail in all visual outputs.

• Ownership & Accountability: A proactive approach to taking responsibility for projects, driving them to completion, and owning their outcomes.

• Collaboration & Mentorship: A willingness to work closely with diverse teams, share knowledge, and contribute to a supportive learning environment.

• Data-Informed Iteration: A balanced approach that combines creative intuition with the use of data and experimentation to refine designs and measure impact.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect to work closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and Marketing Specialists, requiring clear communication and the ability to translate design vision into actionable insights for different disciplines.

• Agency Partnership: A key aspect involves collaborating with external creative agencies, requiring strong briefing, feedback, and quality assurance skills.

• Feedback-Driven: The culture encourages rapid iteration, implying an open environment for giving and receiving constructive feedback on design work.

• Flat Hierarchy: Contributions are valued from all levels, fostering an environment where ideas are shared freely and collaboration is not hindered by formal structures.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values mirror those of many successful tech startups: innovation, quality, individual initiative, teamwork, and a data-driven mindset. The emphasis on "taste" and "craft" alongside engineering prowess is a unique differentiator for Ideogram.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Establishing New Standards: As the first Technical Brand Designer, a primary challenge will be defining and implementing new brand guidelines and systems from the ground up, requiring strategic thinking and persuasive communication.

• Balancing Brand and Product: Effectively integrating a strong brand identity into a rapidly evolving AI product interface requires constant negotiation and creative problem-solving.

• Rapid Growth Environment: Navigating the fast-paced, scaling nature of a startup means adapting quickly to changing priorities and evolving product roadmaps.

• Technical Tool Integration: Mastering and effectively leveraging new AI coding tools within a design workflow to achieve desired outcomes efficiently.

• Cross-functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent brand messaging and visual execution across diverse teams (Product, Marketing, Engineering) and external partners.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into AI Design: Gain unparalleled experience in designing for and with cutting-edge AI technologies, specifically generative media.

• Brand System Leadership: Build and own a critical brand infrastructure for a rapidly growing AI company, offering significant leadership experience.

• Technical Skill Advancement: Develop advanced proficiency in Figma and gain practical experience with AI coding tools for design and prototyping.

• Industry Exposure: Work within a company at the forefront of AI innovation, with potential for attendance at relevant industry events or conferences.

• Mentorship: Benefit from working alongside experienced researchers, engineers, and designers in a collaborative startup environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a foundational role in a high-growth startup, offering significant opportunities for professional development and impact.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach defining and scaling Ideogram's brand guidelines for a company aiming to triple its size in the next year?" (Focus on scalability, process, and cross-functional adoption.)

• "Describe a time you had to bridge the gap between a strong brand vision and the practical constraints of product development or marketing execution. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Highlight collaboration, problem-solving, and compromise.)

• "Given our focus on AI, how do you see the role of a Technical Brand Designer evolving, and how would you leverage AI coding tools like Claude Code or Cursor to enhance your work at Ideogram?" (Demonstrate forward-thinking and practical application of AI.)

• "Imagine we are launching a new feature that requires a distinct visual identity within the Ideogram platform. Walk us through your process for designing and integrating this new visual element while maintaining brand consistency." (Assess design process, systems thinking, and attention to detail.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about Ideogram's mission and our approach to AI-powered design?" (Show genuine interest and alignment with company values.)

• "How do you contribute to a 'flat team' culture with high ownership and collaboration?" (Provide examples of proactive contribution and teamwork.)

• "Describe your ideal working relationship with marketing teams and external creative agencies." (Assess collaboration and communication skills.)

• "How do you balance creative intuition with the need for data-driven decision-making and iterative improvement?" (Demonstrate a balanced, strategic approach.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your specific role and contributions, the design process (including AI tool usage), your solutions, and the measurable impact.

• Highlight Technical Proficiency: Dedicate time to showcase how you've used Figma for systems and AI coding tools for rapid prototyping or development. Be ready to demonstrate or explain the workflow.

• Emphasize Systems Thinking: Clearly articulate how your brand systems are designed for scalability, consistency, and ease of use across different platforms and teams.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, improved conversion rates, enhanced brand recall).

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design choices, technical implementation, and how your work aligns with Ideogram's business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely be rigorous, focusing heavily on practical application of design skills, technical proficiency with specific tools, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, innovative startup environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Technical Brand Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature projects demonstrating brand system development, web/digital design, and, crucially, your experience with AI coding tools (like Claude Code or Cursor) and rapid prototyping. Highlight case studies where you've influenced brand strategy or executed complex visual systems.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 5+ years of relevant experience, emphasizing skills in brand design, design systems, Figma, AI tools, and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your design process, your philosophy on brand building in the AI space, and how your technical skills align with Ideogram's innovative approach. Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on clear communication of process and impact.

• Company Research: Thoroughly review Ideogram's website, blog posts (Ideogram 3.0, Character, Custom Models), and recent news to understand their mission, product offerings, and company culture. This will be crucial for demonstrating genuine interest and cultural fit.

⚠️ 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.