Visual and Motion Designer / Marketing Designer (Contract)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Visual and Motion Designer / Marketing Designer (Contract)

Company: Ares Interactive, Inc.

Location: Canada (Remote) / USA (Remote)

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-26

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Remote Solely

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and execute high-impact visual and motion graphics for marketing campaigns, focusing on user acquisition and engagement for a portfolio of mobile games.

• Develop compelling video advertisements and static assets, including App Store Optimization (ASO) graphics, optimized for various digital channels.

• Leverage AI tools to enhance creative ideation, accelerate production workflows, and improve overall creative output efficiency.

• Collaborate closely with the Creative Manager and User Acquisition (UA) teams, translating performance data and feedback into actionable creative concepts.

• Ensure all visual assets are designed with a strategic focus on clarity, contrast, and maximum user engagement to drive campaign performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role bridges creative design with performance marketing within the gaming industry. The emphasis on "thumb-stopping" ads, ASO graphics, and translating performance data indicates a strong focus on user acquisition (UA) and creative operations, requiring a blend of artistic skill and analytical understanding of marketing effectiveness. The requirement to leverage AI tools positions this as a forward-thinking role in creative production.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and produce a wide range of video advertisements, including short-form ads for social media, ad networks, and other digital marketing platforms.

• Create static marketing assets such as banners, icons, promotional images, and App Store Optimization (ASO) graphics to enhance discoverability and conversion rates.

• Analyze campaign performance data and User Acquisition (UA) team feedback to inform creative strategy and iterate on existing assets for improved results.

• Apply core design principles, including color theory, composition, and contrast, to ensure assets are visually appealing, clear, and effective in communicating the game's value proposition.

• Integrate and experiment with AI-powered design tools and workflows to streamline asset creation, explore new creative territories, and boost overall production efficiency.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing, UA, and product, to ensure creative assets align with brand guidelines and campaign objectives.

• Maintain a keen awareness of industry trends in mobile gaming visuals and marketing creative to keep Ares Interactive's assets competitive and innovative.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a direct link between creative output and performance metrics, a hallmark of effective marketing operations. The emphasis on ASO graphics and translating performance data suggests a need for understanding conversion rate optimization (CRO) principles within creative. The explicit mention of AI integration points to a proactive approach in adopting new technologies for creative production.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong understanding of design principles equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Digital Media, or a related field is assumed, demonstrated through a robust portfolio.

Experience: 2-5 years of professional experience in visual design, motion graphics, and marketing asset creation, with a significant portion focused on the mobile gaming or app ecosystem.

Required Skills:

• Expert proficiency in Adobe After Effects for motion graphics and video editing.

• Expert proficiency in Adobe Photoshop for static asset creation and image manipulation.

• A strong, diverse portfolio showcasing successful video ad campaigns and static marketing assets, ideally within the mobile gaming sector.

• Demonstrated understanding of design fundamentals, including color theory, composition, typography, and layout.

• Proven experience in creating marketing materials specifically for the mobile app/game ecosystem, including App Store Optimization (ASO) assets and video ads.

• Experience with AI-integrated workflows and tools to enhance creative production and ideation.

• Ability to interpret performance data and UA feedback to drive creative decision-making.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale. Preferred Skills:

• Proficiency in 3D software such as Blender or Maya for asset creation or animation.

• Experience using Unity for recording gameplay footage for marketing assets.

• Familiarity with other design and animation software.

• Understanding of user experience (UX) principles as they apply to marketing creative.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "2-5 years" experience level suggests a need for candidates who can work independently but are still developing their strategic creative input. The emphasis on AI integration and mobile gaming assets differentiates this role from general graphic design positions, requiring specialized knowledge in performance-driven creative for a specific industry.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated collection of at least 5-7 distinct projects demonstrating expertise in both motion/video design and static marketing asset creation.

• Specific case studies showcasing video ad campaigns for mobile games, highlighting the creative strategy, execution, and (if possible) performance impact.

• Examples of App Store Optimization (ASO) graphics, including icons, screenshots, and promotional videos, explaining the rationale behind their design.

• Projects that explicitly demonstrate the use of AI tools in the design workflow, including examples of how AI was leveraged for ideation, asset generation, or efficiency.

• Visuals that clearly showcase understanding of design fundamentals such as color theory, contrast, composition, and user engagement principles. Process Documentation:

• Ability to articulate the design process from brief to final asset delivery, including stages of ideation, creation, review, and iteration.

• Understanding of how performance data and UA feedback are integrated into the design process for continuous improvement.

• Documentation of how AI tools are incorporated into the workflow, from initial concept to final output, to demonstrate efficiency gains and innovative approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a creative role with a performance marketing focus, the portfolio is paramount. The explicit mention of AI integration means candidates should be prepared to showcase how they've used these tools and the resulting benefits, rather than just listing them as skills. This demonstrates practical application and forward-thinking.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a contract position for remote roles in Canada and the USA, the salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience and location. Based on industry averages for a Visual and Motion Designer with 2-5 years of experience in the gaming/tech sector, working remotely in these regions, a typical hourly rate could range from $30 - $55 USD per hour, or an equivalent annualized salary of $62,400 - $114,400 USD. This estimate accounts for the specialized skills in motion graphics, AI integration, and mobile gaming marketing.

Benefits:

• Competitive hourly rate/contract compensation.

• Opportunity to work remotely with flexibility across Canadian and US time zones.

• Exposure to a diverse portfolio of mobile games from a leading interactive company.

• Potential for extension or future contract opportunities based on performance.

• Direct collaboration with experienced marketing and creative professionals.

Working Hours: This is a contract role, with an expectation of approximately 40 hours per week. Flexibility in scheduling is provided, allowing for remote work across various North American time zones, though regular overlap for collaboration with the Creative Manager and UA teams will be necessary.

📝 Enhancement Note: For contract roles, specific benefits can vary. The estimate provided is based on common market rates for specialized creative talent in the US and Canada, considering the remote nature and the demand for skills like motion graphics and AI integration in the gaming industry. Candidates should clarify payment terms and any potential benefits (e.g., equipment allowance, software access) during the interview process.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Ares Interactive operates within the dynamic and competitive video game industry, specifically focusing on mobile gaming. This sector demands constant innovation, rapid content creation, and a keen understanding of player engagement and market trends.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the presence of a "Creative Manager" and a need for dedicated design support suggests a growing or established marketing and creative department within Ares Interactive. The company size likely ranges from medium to large, indicating structured processes but also potential for agility.

Founded: Information on the founding date is not provided, but the company's focus on interactive and gaming implies a modern operational approach, likely embracing digital-first strategies and evolving technologies.

Team Structure:

• The Visual and Motion Designer will likely be part of a broader Marketing or Creative team.

• They will report directly to a Creative Manager, who oversees the visual output for marketing campaigns.

• Close collaboration is expected with User Acquisition (UA) specialists, performance marketers, and potentially game development teams to ensure creative alignment.

• The team structure is likely lean and agile, common in the gaming industry, allowing for quick iteration on creative assets. Methodology:

• Data-driven creative development: Utilizing performance metrics and UA feedback to guide design decisions and asset optimization.

• Agile creative production: Rapid iteration and adaptation of creative assets based on campaign results and market shifts.

• Technology adoption: Proactive integration of new tools and technologies, such as AI, to enhance creative output and efficiency.

• Cross-functional collaboration: Working closely with various departments to achieve unified marketing objectives.

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📝 Enhancement Note: The industry context is crucial. The fast-paced nature of mobile gaming means creative assets have a short shelf life and must be constantly refreshed. This requires designers to be adaptable, efficient, and data-informed, aligning with the operational demands of performance marketing.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level contract position (2-5 years experience). It's a specialist role focused on execution within the creative operations function, directly contributing to marketing campaign success through visual and motion design.

Reporting Structure: The designer reports to a Creative Manager, indicating a clear line of oversight and creative direction. This structure allows for mentorship and feedback, essential for growth.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on Ares Interactive's revenue generation through its contribution to user acquisition and engagement. High-performing creative assets can significantly influence conversion rates, driving down acquisition costs and increasing lifetime value of players.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Expansion: Opportunity to deepen expertise in AI-driven design, advanced motion graphics, and specific mobile gaming marketing creative.

• Specialization: Potential to become a go-to specialist for specific asset types (e.g., video ads, ASO) or game genres.

• Contract to Full-Time: Depending on performance and business needs, there may be opportunities for conversion to a full-time role with expanded benefits.

• Portfolio Enhancement: The role offers a chance to build a strong portfolio with high-visibility projects in the competitive mobile gaming market.

• Cross-functional Learning: Exposure to UA strategies, performance marketing, and game development can broaden understanding of the broader business.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a contract role, growth is often measured by the opportunity to gain new skills, expand one's professional network, and potentially secure longer-term or full-time engagements. The emphasis on AI and performance data suggests a growth path toward more strategic creative roles within operations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position, offering the flexibility to work from any location within Canada or the United States.

Office Location(s): Remote, with candidates expected to be based in Canada or the United States to facilitate potential collaboration and adherence to regional employment laws.

Workspace Context:

• Autonomous Work Environment: Candidates will manage their own workspace and schedule, requiring self-discipline and effective time management.

• Digital Collaboration Tools: Reliance on communication and project management platforms (e.g., Slack, Asana, Google Workspace) for team interaction and task management.

• Access to Software: Candidates will likely need to provide their own workstation capable of running demanding design software, though company-provided licenses for Adobe Creative Suite and potentially AI tools may be available.

• Virtual Team Interaction: Opportunities to connect with colleagues through video calls, team meetings, and asynchronous communication channels.

Work Schedule: The role is expected to require approximately 40 hours per week. While precise daily schedules can be flexible to accommodate remote work across different time zones, consistent availability during core business hours for key team meetings and collaborative sessions will be essential for effective project management and timely delivery of creative assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature of this role necessitates strong self-management skills. Candidates should be comfortable working independently, proactively communicating progress, and utilizing digital tools to stay connected with their team and manager.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application Review: Screening of resumes and portfolios for relevant experience, technical skills, and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation & Technical Interview: A session where candidates present their portfolio, discussing their process, design choices, and experience with AI tools and mobile gaming assets. This may include a live demonstration or in-depth discussion of specific projects.

• Creative Challenge/Test Project: A practical assignment designed to assess the candidate's ability to create specific types of assets (e.g., a short video ad concept, ASO graphic mockups) under timed conditions, possibly incorporating AI.

• Manager/Team Interview: A discussion with the Creative Manager and potentially other team members to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and understanding of marketing objectives.

• Final Decision: Based on overall performance across all stages, focusing on creative quality, technical proficiency, AI integration experience, and alignment with team needs.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select your strongest and most relevant work. For this role, prioritize mobile gaming ads, ASO graphics, and projects where you've used AI tools.

• Tell a Story: For each project, explain the brief, your creative process, the tools used (especially AI), challenges faced, and the results achieved. Quantify impact where possible.

• Showcase AI Integration: Clearly highlight projects where AI was utilized. Be prepared to discuss how you used it (e.g., for ideation, asset generation, upscaling) and the benefits it brought.

• Focus on Performance: Frame your designs in terms of their marketing objective – user acquisition, engagement, conversion. Use terms like "clarity," "contrast," and "user engagement."

• Be Concise and Clear: Ensure your portfolio is easy to navigate and your explanations are to the point.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: Carefully read and analyze any test project requirements.

• Prioritize: Focus on delivering the core requirements of the brief effectively.

• Showcase Skills: Use the challenge to demonstrate your proficiency in After Effects, Photoshop, and your understanding of mobile gaming creative.

• AI Application: If appropriate for the challenge, consider how AI could be used to enhance your submission or expedite the process.

• Presentation: Be ready to briefly explain your approach and rationale for the challenge piece.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh the portfolio and practical application of skills, especially AI integration. Candidates should be ready to discuss their creative process in detail and demonstrate how they translate data into effective visual strategies for user acquisition in the mobile gaming space. A practical test is highly probable.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe After Effects: Essential for motion graphics, video editing, and animation. Expertise level required.

• Adobe Photoshop: Crucial for creating and editing static assets, image manipulation, and preparing graphics for various platforms. Expertise level required.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary tool for this role, familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, internal game analytics dashboards) used to inform creative decisions would be beneficial. The role relies on interpreting data from these systems. CRM & Automation:

• No direct CRM or automation tool requirement is specified for this design role, but understanding how marketing automation platforms deliver creative assets and how CRM data might influence creative briefs could be an advantage. Emerging Technologies:

• AI Design Tools: Explicitly mentioned. Candidates should be proficient with or eager to learn AI tools relevant to visual design and motion graphics (e.g., Adobe Firefly, Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, RunwayML, or AI features within Adobe Suite).

Other Potential Tools:

• Blender/Maya: Preferred for 3D skills.

• Unity: Preferred for gameplay recording.

• Project Management Software: Familiarity with tools like Asana, Jira, or Trello for task tracking and collaboration.

• Collaboration Platforms: Slack, Microsoft Teams, or similar for team communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirements are Adobe After Effects and Photoshop. However, the explicit mention of AI tools elevates their importance. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience and comfort level with AI in a professional creative context. Familiarity with 3D software and Unity are strong differentiators.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Performance-Driven Creativity: A strong emphasis on creating visuals that not only look good but also achieve measurable marketing objectives, such as high click-through rates and conversions.

• Efficiency and Innovation: A drive to find smarter, faster ways to produce high-quality creative, with a keen interest in adopting and leveraging new technologies like AI.

• Collaboration and Communication: A culture that values teamwork, open feedback, and clear communication across departments to ensure alignment and project success.

• Agility and Adaptability: The ability to quickly respond to changing market trends, campaign performance data, and new game releases, iterating on creative as needed.

• Data-Informed Decision-Making: A commitment to using performance metrics and user insights to guide creative strategy rather than relying solely on intuition.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role requires seamless collaboration with marketing managers, UA specialists, and potentially game producers to ensure creative output aligns with broader business goals and game vision.

• Feedback Loops: An open culture for giving and receiving constructive feedback on creative work, essential for continuous improvement and asset optimization.

• Proactive Communication: Team members are expected to proactively share updates, flag potential issues, and seek clarification to keep projects on track in a remote environment.

• Shared Learning: An environment where team members are encouraged to share knowledge, explore new techniques (especially with AI), and collectively elevate the team's creative capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture appears to be a blend of creative artistry and performance marketing rigor. The values emphasize getting results through innovative and efficient means, with strong collaborative ties across functions. This is common in fast-paced, data-oriented industries like mobile gaming.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Rapid Iteration Cycles: The mobile gaming market demands constant creative refreshes. Designers must be able to produce high volumes of assets quickly while maintaining quality.

• Data Interpretation: Translating raw performance data and UA feedback into actionable creative insights requires analytical thinking alongside artistic skill.

• AI Integration Mastery: Effectively leveraging AI tools to enhance, not just replace, human creativity requires experimentation and a strategic approach.

• Balancing Creativity and Performance: Finding the sweet spot between compelling artistry and the specific requirements of performance marketing campaigns can be challenging.

• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong communication and creative synergy with a distributed team requires proactive effort and effective use of digital tools.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Tool Mastery: Deepen expertise in utilizing cutting-edge AI tools for creative production, becoming a specialist in AI-augmented design.

• Performance Marketing Creative: Gain a more profound understanding of UA strategies, A/B testing creative variations, and optimizing assets for maximum conversion.

• Mobile Gaming Industry Insights: Develop specialized knowledge of design trends, player psychology, and marketing tactics specific to the mobile gaming ecosystem.

• 3D & Game Engine Exposure: If the opportunity arises, gain practical experience with 3D modeling (Blender/Maya) or game engines (Unity), expanding technical capabilities.

• Creative Strategy: Grow from an execution-focused role to contributing more strategically to creative concept development and campaign planning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for performance-driven creative roles in fast-moving digital industries. The growth opportunities are significant, particularly in the rapidly evolving field of AI in creative production and performance marketing.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for creating a video ad for a mobile game, from initial concept to final delivery. How would you incorporate performance data into this process?" (Focus on workflow, data integration, and iterative design).

• "How do you approach ASO graphic design to maximize visibility and conversion on app stores?" (Highlight understanding of platform specifics and user psychology).

• "Can you walk us through a project where you used AI tools to enhance your design workflow or creative output? What were the benefits and challenges?" (Be specific about tools, application, and outcomes).

• "How do you ensure your creative assets are not only visually appealing but also drive user engagement and meet marketing objectives?" (Emphasize results-orientation and understanding of marketing goals). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about working in the mobile gaming industry, and specifically for Ares Interactive?" (Show enthusiasm for the sector and company).

• "How do you handle constructive criticism or feedback on your designs, especially when it comes from performance data or UA feedback?" (Demonstrate openness to feedback and data-driven adjustments).

• "Describe your experience working in a remote team environment. What strategies do you use to stay connected and productive?" (Highlight self-management and communication skills). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the creative process, the tools used (especially AI), any challenges, and the results achieved.

• Highlight AI Impact: Dedicate specific attention to projects where AI was used. Be ready to explain how it was integrated and the tangible benefits (e.g., speed, novel concepts, improved quality).

• Quantify Success: Whenever possible, use metrics (e.g., improved CTR, higher conversion rates, faster production time) to demonstrate the effectiveness of your work.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your presentation is clean, visually appealing, and easy to follow, mirroring the quality of your design work.

• Be Prepared for Technical Questions: Anticipate questions about your specific techniques in After Effects, Photoshop, and your understanding of design fundamentals.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a blend of creative talent, technical proficiency, an understanding of performance marketing principles, and a proactive approach to using AI. Strong portfolio examples showcasing these aspects will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on the Ares Interactive careers portal.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio prominently features your best work in video ad creation, static marketing graphics, and App Store Optimization (ASO) assets, with a specific emphasis on any projects where AI tools were utilized. Tailor your selection to highlight relevance to mobile gaming.

• Optimize Your Resume: Clearly list your proficiency with Adobe After Effects and Photoshop, along with any experience with AI design tools, 3D software (Blender/Maya), or Unity. Quantify achievements where possible, linking your design work to marketing outcomes.

• Prepare Your Portfolio Presentation: Practice walking through 2-3 key projects, articulating your design process, the role of AI, and the performance impact of your work. Be ready to discuss challenges and how you overcame them.

• Research Ares Interactive: Understand their portfolio of games, their market position, and their general marketing approach. Consider how your creative skills can directly contribute to their success in user acquisition and player engagement.

⚠️ 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.