Visual Designer, Brand

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Visual Designer, Brand

Company: Firefly Technology

Location: New York City, New York, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Brand Design / Visual Operations

Date Posted: May 15, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in defining and executing the visual identity of Firefly Technology, a company specializing in AI-native physical safety solutions for environments like schools, hospitals, and workplaces.

• The Visual Designer will be responsible for the end-to-end execution of brand assets across both print and digital mediums, ensuring a cohesive and impactful brand presence.

• A key aspect of this position involves evolving and refining the existing brand system, providing significant autonomy and authority to shape the brand's future.

• The role requires a strong blend of creative design skills, production expertise, and cross-functional collaboration to translate strategic objectives into tangible visual assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is classified under Brand Design / Visual Operations due to its focus on visual execution, brand system development, and the production management of physical and digital brand assets, which are critical operational components for a growing GTM strategy.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the comprehensive visual execution of the Firefly brand across all print and digital touchpoints, including tradeshow graphics, environmental design, printed collateral (one-pagers, handouts), installation and product guides, sales and investor decks, packaging graphics, and event materials.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including marketing, sales, product, and operations, to translate ambiguous project briefs into high-quality, on-brand finished artifacts, bringing strong opinions on typography, layout, and information hierarchy.

• Actively evolve the brand system by refining and extending brand guidelines, developing reusable templates and components, and making strategic design decisions that will define Firefly's visual identity for years to come.

• Manage the end-to-end production process for all designed collateral, including overseeing prepress, liaising with print vendors, coordinating with large-format and signage fabricators, and working with packaging suppliers, ensuring a high-quality bar from initial proof to final delivery.

• Design and optimize content-dense materials such as installation and product guides, where clarity, hierarchy, and scannability are paramount, ensuring functional surfaces like packaging, guides, and signage are durable and visually appealing in their real-world environments.

• Maintain and organize a centralized library of brand assets, templates, and source files to facilitate rapid deployment of on-brand materials by the broader company without compromising brand integrity.

• Establish and uphold the highest standards of visual craft and brand consistency across the organization as Firefly scales its operations and market presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities listed highlight a significant operational component, particularly in production management, asset library maintenance, and cross-functional workflow integration, which are critical for supporting sales and marketing GTM efforts.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong educational foundation in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is implied by the required experience and portfolio expectations.

Experience: 3–5 years of professional experience in visual design, brand identity, or brand systems work, with a preference for experience gained in-house at a brand-led company or within a design agency/studio. This experience should demonstrate ownership from concept to final production.

Required Skills:

• Visual Design Expertise: Proven ability to create compelling visual assets for both print and digital applications.

• Brand Systems Development: Experience in defining, extending, and maintaining brand guidelines and visual identity systems.

• Print Production Mastery: Comprehensive understanding of prepress processes, including bleeds, trims, color profiles, paper stocks, and finishing techniques, with practical experience in specifying and managing print jobs.

• Typography and Layout: Deep sensitivity and strong command over typography, layout principles, and information hierarchy for clear and effective communication, especially with dense content.

• Digital Design Proficiency: Fluency in industry-standard design software, specifically Figma and Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop).

• Project Autonomy: Demonstrated ability to work independently, scope projects, manage multiple parallel workstreams, and deliver high-quality results with minimal oversight.

• Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication abilities, essential for presenting work, articulating design decisions, and collaborating effectively with stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in environmental or spatial brand applications, such as tradeshows and signage.

• Expertise in packaging design, including understanding dielines and direct collaboration with packaging vendors.

• Proven experience designing technical documentation, instruction manuals, or other information-dense print collateral.

• Basic motion graphics or animation skills (e.g., After Effects, Rive).

• Proficiency in illustration or icon system design.

• Experience in hardware, IoT, or physical product companies where brand presence extends to physical objects.

• Familiarity with markets such as hospitality, healthcare, education, or public safety.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on production chops, autonomy, and cross-functional collaboration suggests a need for a candidate who can operate with a high degree of operational efficiency and strategic thinking within the design function.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio is the primary requirement, showcasing a range of projects that demonstrate end-to-end ownership from concept development through to final print production and digital execution.

• Projects should highlight your ability to work within and extend established brand systems, showcasing both adherence to guidelines and creative problem-solving.

• Include examples demonstrating strong typography, layout design, and information hierarchy, particularly for content-dense materials.

• Showcase your proficiency with digital design tools (Figma) and print production software (Adobe Creative Suite), including examples of print-ready files.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the design process from brief to final delivery, including project scoping, concept development, stakeholder feedback integration, and production management.

• Showcase your workflow for managing multiple parallel projects and prioritizing tasks effectively, particularly in a fast-paced environment.

• Provide examples of how you have managed vendor relationships (print, fabrication, packaging) and ensured quality control throughout the production lifecycle.

• Illustrate your approach to developing and maintaining design templates and asset libraries to support broader organizational needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is expected to function as a demonstration of operational capability in design, highlighting process efficiency, production management, and the ability to scale brand assets effectively.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $110,000 – $140,000 USD per year (Base Salary).

Benefits:

• Equity in the company.

• Comprehensive benefits package (specifics not detailed, but typical for full-time roles include health, dental, vision insurance, paid time off, retirement plans).

Working Hours: The role is full-time, implying approximately 40 hours per week. While not explicitly stated, the emphasis on autonomy may suggest some flexibility in daily scheduling, provided core responsibilities and collaboration needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is a base figure. The inclusion of equity suggests a significant performance-based component to overall compensation. The estimated annual salary is benchmarked against mid-level Visual Designer roles in New York City, considering the company's industry (Technology/Safety) and stated experience requirements.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (AI-native physical safety platform), Security & Safety, Hardware, IoT. Firefly is disrupting traditional physical safety systems by offering an integrated AI-native platform combining hardware and software.

Company Size: The provided data does not specify exact employee count, but the context of "raising over $27 million" and building a "defining American safety company" suggests a rapidly growing startup environment, likely between 50-200 employees. This size implies a dynamic, fast-paced culture where individual contributions have a significant impact.

Founded: Founded 18 months prior to the posting date (circa late 2024/early 2025), indicating a very early-stage, innovative company.

Team Structure:

• The role reports into a marketing or brand leadership function, with significant collaboration across Marketing, Sales, Product, and Operations departments.

• As an early hire in a critical brand role, there's potential to shape the team structure and processes as the company scales.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Approach: While not explicit for design, the company's AI-native platform suggests a strong emphasis on data informing decisions, which likely extends to how brand effectiveness is measured.

• Iterative Design & Development: The "build, not maintain" ethos and rapid growth suggest an iterative approach to brand development and asset creation, prioritizing speed and impact.

• Focus on Craft and Speed: The company culture values exceptional quality ("craft") delivered rapidly, requiring efficient workflows and strong execution.

Company Website: https://firefly.co/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's early stage and high-caliber team suggest an environment that values initiative, adaptability, and a strong sense of ownership, particularly in roles like this that shape external perception.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Visual Designer with significant ownership and authority, particularly concerning brand system evolution and production management. It's beyond a junior designer but not yet a senior or lead role. The opportunity to "define how Firefly looks for years to come" indicates a high-impact position within the visual operations function.

Reporting Structure: The role will likely report to a Brand Manager, Marketing Director, or Head of Design, with close collaboration across various departments. Direct reports are unlikely at this stage, but the opportunity exists to influence junior designers or freelancers as the team grows.

Operations Impact: The Visual Designer's work directly impacts the perception of Firefly's brand trustworthiness and professionalism among key B2B customers (schools, hospitals, hotels). High-quality, clear, and consistent visual assets are crucial for supporting sales enablement, investor relations, and overall market penetration, thus directly influencing revenue generation and operational efficiency in GTM activities.

Growth Opportunities:

• Brand Leadership: Potential to grow into a Senior Visual Designer or Brand Lead role, taking on more strategic brand direction and potentially managing a design team as the company scales.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas such as environmental design, packaging, or technical documentation design, becoming a subject matter expert.

• Cross-Functional Skill Development: Exposure to product development, marketing strategy, and sales enablement can broaden understanding of GTM operations and business impact.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to learn from experienced professionals from top-tier companies and potentially mentor future design hires.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within a rapidly scaling tech company, with the potential to significantly influence the brand's trajectory and develop a strong portfolio of impactful design leadership experience.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an in-office role based in Firefly's New York City office. The environment is likely designed to foster collaboration and innovation, typical of tech startups.

Office Location(s): New York City, NY. Specific office address details would be provided during the application process.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role requires close collaboration with various teams, suggesting an open or hybrid workspace designed to facilitate communication and idea sharing.

• Tools and Technology: Access to standard design software (Figma, Adobe Creative Suite) and potentially other project management and collaboration tools.

• Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with marketing, sales, product, and operations teams to understand needs and deliver solutions. The culture emphasizes working alongside "the best," implying a high-performing and dedicated team.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time working hours, likely Monday to Friday. The emphasis on autonomy suggests that while core hours are expected, there might be flexibility in managing personal workflow, provided project deadlines and collaboration needs are met. The fast-paced startup environment may also require occasional flexibility to meet critical project timelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The in-office requirement is critical for this role, emphasizing the importance of physical presence for collaboration, production oversight, and hands-on work with materials and vendors.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and suitability.

• Portfolio Presentation: A session where candidates present their portfolio, discussing their process, key projects, and design rationale. This is a critical stage to evaluate design thinking, communication, and production capabilities.

• Skills Assessment/Creative Challenge: Potentially a small design exercise or case study related to brand application or content hierarchy, simulating real-world tasks.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from marketing, sales, product, and potentially operations to assess collaboration skills and understanding of business needs.

• Final Interview: Discussions with senior leadership to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Relevance: Select projects that best showcase your experience with brand systems, print production, digital execution, and information hierarchy. Prioritize work that aligns with Firefly's B2B/enterprise context if possible.

• Showcase Process: Clearly articulate your design process for each project, from understanding the brief to problem-solving and final execution. Highlight your role and decision-making authority.

• Emphasize Production: For print projects, detail your involvement in prepress, vendor management, and the technical aspects of production. This is a key differentiator for this role.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics or qualitative outcomes that demonstrate the effectiveness of your design work (e.g., improved clarity, successful trade show presence, positive client feedback).

• Prepare to Discuss Brand Extension: Be ready to talk about how you would approach evolving and extending Firefly's brand system, demonstrating strategic thinking beyond just execution.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Business: Research Firefly's mission, target markets (schools, hospitals, workplaces), and product offerings. Understand the importance of trust and safety in these sectors.

• Analyze the Brand: Review Firefly's current website and any available collateral to understand their existing visual identity. Think about how you would build upon it.

• Practice Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio and design rationale concisely and confidently. Be prepared for questions about your choices and process.

• Anticipate Production Questions: Brush up on print production terminology and common challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process heavily emphasizes portfolio review and practical application, reflecting the hands-on nature of the role and the need for a designer who can both conceptualize and execute complex visual projects efficiently.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for digital design, UI elements, prototyping, and collaborative workflows.

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Adobe InDesign: Critical for layout design, particularly for print collateral, guides, and decks.
  • Adobe Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, icons, and illustrations.
  • Adobe Photoshop: For image manipulation and editing.

• Prepress Software/Tools: Familiarity with tools and workflows for preparing files for professional printing.

Analytics & Reporting: While not directly a design tool, understanding how to interpret analytics related to marketing collateral effectiveness (e.g., website traffic from specific campaigns, engagement with digital assets) would be beneficial.

CRM & Automation: No direct CRM/automation tools are specified for the designer, but understanding how brand assets are utilized within CRM-driven marketing campaigns or sales enablement platforms would be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and the core Adobe Creative Suite, with a strong emphasis on InDesign for layout and print production, is non-negotiable for this role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Craftsmanship: A deep commitment to high-quality design execution and attention to detail in all visual outputs.

• Impact-Driven: Focusing on creating designs that matter and directly contribute to the company's mission of safety and building trust with customers.

• Speed and Agility: Embracing a fast-paced environment where quick iteration and rapid delivery of high-quality assets are valued.

• Ownership and Autonomy: Taking full responsibility for design projects from inception to completion, with the freedom to make independent decisions.

• Collaboration: Working effectively with diverse teams to translate business needs into compelling visual solutions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively partnering with marketing, sales, product, and operations to ensure brand consistency and effectiveness across all touchpoints.

• Feedback-Oriented: Open to constructive feedback and able to iterate on designs based on input from stakeholders.

• Proactive Communication: Clearly articulating design choices, project status, and potential challenges to ensure alignment and smooth project progression.

• Team-Focused: Contributing to a collective effort to build a strong and recognizable brand, sharing knowledge and supporting teammates.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes a blend of high-performance expectations (speed, craft) with a strong sense of purpose and collaborative spirit, crucial for a growing startup environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Evolution with Strict Production Needs: Effectively extending a young brand system while ensuring all collateral meets rigorous print production standards and functional requirements for technical guides and packaging.

• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Translating ambiguous briefs from various departments (sales, marketing, product) into cohesive and effective visual assets, requiring strong negotiation and communication skills.

• Scaling Brand Assets Rapidly: Keeping pace with the rapid growth of a startup by efficiently creating and managing a wide array of brand collateral without compromising quality.

• Maintaining Visual Consistency: Ensuring a unified brand appearance across an expanding range of physical and digital touchpoints as the company scales.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Brand Development: Gaining hands-on experience in shaping the visual identity of a growing company in a critical sector.

• Production Expertise: Deepening knowledge of print production, vendor management, and material specifications for diverse applications.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Understanding the operational needs of sales, marketing, and product teams to create more effective GTM collateral.

• Mentorship from Industry Leaders: Learning from a team composed of individuals with backgrounds from top-tier companies.

• Potential for Leadership: Opportunity to grow into a leadership role as the design function expands.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant opportunities to tackle complex design challenges in a high-growth environment, offering substantial professional development and career advancement prospects.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a complex, content-heavy brief and translating it into a clear, visually appealing print collateral piece (e.g., an installation guide)." (Focus on hierarchy, layout, and production considerations).

• "How do you approach extending an existing brand system versus creating one from scratch? Provide an example." (Assess understanding of brand consistency and creative evolution).

• "Walk us through a project where you managed the end-to-end production process for a physical product (e.g., packaging, tradeshow booth). What were the key challenges and how did you overcome them?" (Evaluate production chops and project management).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Firefly's mission to improve physical safety through technology?" (Assess alignment with company values and impact).

• "How do you envision your role contributing to building trust with our target customers (schools, hospitals, workplaces) through visual design?" (Connect design work to business objectives).

• "Describe your ideal work environment and how you thrive in a fast-paced startup setting." (Evaluate cultural fit and self-management).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by case study, clearly outlining the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the outcome.

• Highlight Production: For print projects, explicitly detail your production process, including vendor interactions, material choices, and any challenges overcome.

• Showcase Brand System Thinking: Demonstrate how you've worked with or developed brand guidelines, templates, and assets.

• Be Concise and Focused: Present your strongest, most relevant work. Be prepared to go deeper on specific projects if asked.

• Articulate Rationale: Be ready to explain the "why" behind your design decisions, linking them back to project goals and user needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just creative skill, but also operational efficiency, production expertise, and strategic thinking aligned with a growing B2B technology company.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Visual Designer, Brand position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects demonstrating brand system development, print production expertise, strong typography/layout for dense content, and end-to-end ownership from concept to final output. Tailor your presentation to highlight relevant case studies.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your 3-5 years of relevant experience, highlighting achievements in visual design, brand execution, and production management. Use keywords identified in the job description (e.g., Brand Identity, Print Production, Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, Information Hierarchy).

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on your design process, production challenges, and how you collaborate with stakeholders. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions related to autonomy, speed, and craft.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Firefly Technology, its mission, target markets, and current brand presence. Understand the importance of trust and safety in their customer segments and consider how your design skills can directly support these operational goals.

⚠️ 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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