At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the creation of stunning brand identities and packaging designs from concept to delivery.
- Company: Contrast, a global branding agency with 30 years of experience in impactful design.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with mentorship opportunities for junior designers.
- Why this job: Join a creative team shaping major brands and influencing market trends.
- Qualifications: Strong design skills, retail experience, and proficiency in industry-standard design tools.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 60000 £ per year.
Company Description
Contrast is a global branding agency with over 30 years of experience in creating strategic, consumer-focused brand design.
The agency is trusted by leading brands and major retailers worldwide to deliver creative work that drives growth and influences purchase intent.
By combining deep consumer insights with disciplined brand strategy, Contrast helps clients build distinctive, resilient brands in competitive markets.
Team members collaborate with international clients across industries, contributing to high-impact projects that shape brand trajectories.
Role Description
This full-time Senior Designer role is based in the London Area, United Kingdom, with a hybrid work arrangement that combines in-office collaboration with some work-from-home flexibility.
The Senior Designer will lead the development of brand identities, packaging, and visual systems, from concept through to final delivery, ensuring creative excellence and consistency across all touchpoints.
Day-to-day responsibilities include translating strategic insights into compelling design solutions, buildig design systems, collaborating closely with strategy, creative directors and account teams, and guiding junior designers through feedback and mentorship.
Retail experiece is key for this role.
Qualifications
- Strong brand and retail design expertise, including visual identity systems, packaging design, and layout for both digital and print packaging.
- Proficiency with industry-standard design tools (e. g., Adobe Creative Cloud suite such as Illustrator, Photoshop, In Design; Figma or similar) and efficient file management practices.
- Experience applying consumer and market insights to creative concepts, with the ability to connect brand strategy to visual execution.
- Comfort presenting work to clients and internal teams, with clear communication of design rationale and openness to feedback.
- Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, agency environment.
- Collaborative mindset and experience mentoring or supporting junior designers while contributing positively to team culture.
- Relevant experience in branding or creative agencies working with major brands or retailers; FMCG and retail experience is advantageous.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent training in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or a related field, or comparable professional experience.
- Portfolio demonstrating strong conceptual thinking, craft, and design systems across a range of brand and packaging projects.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Designer in Preston
✨Show Off Your Skills with a Killer Portfolio
As a graphic designer, your portfolio is your secret weapon! Make sure it's not just a collection of your work but showcases your creative process too. Use platforms like Behance or Dribbble to share your designs and gain visibility within the design community.
✨Get Involved in Design Meetups
Networking is key in the design world! Check out local design meetups or workshops where you can connect with other creatives and potential employers. This is a goldmine for finding unadvertised job openings at companies like Contrast.
✨Tailor Your Applications
When you’re applying for a full-time role at a creative company like Contrast, don’t go for a one-size-fits-all approach. Ensure your application highlights specific projects or styles that align with their brand image, showing that you’re a perfect fit for their team.
✨Leverage Social Media
Don't underestimate the power of social media in landing your dream design job! Share your work on platforms like Instagram or Pinterest, and engage with accounts from your desired companies—this could put you on their radar before they start hiring.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Designer in Preston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Portfolio:Your portfolio is your visual CV! Make sure to include a link to your best design projects that showcase your creativity and versatility. Tailor it to include works that relate to the kind of design work Contrast does, so they can see you in action.
Tailor Your CV for Design:When crafting your CV, highlight your design skills and software proficiencies, like Adobe Creative Suite or Sketch. Mention any relevant experience you have with branding, UI/UX design, or typography, as we want to see how you fit in with the creative team at Contrast.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, share your design philosophy and what excites you about working at Contrast. Let us know how you approach your design projects and any specific campaigns or themes that resonate with you, showing we’re not just a good fit but a perfect match!
Highlight Collaboration Skills:As a graphic designer, you often work with various teams and stakeholders. In your application, mention experiences where you've collaborated with others to bring a project to life, whether it's with clients, writers, or developers. This shows you can thrive in a team environment, which is key at Contrast.
How to prepare for a job interview at Contrast
✨Get Your Portfolio Ready
Your portfolio is your secret weapon in graphic design interviews! Make sure it's showing off your best work, with a variety of styles and projects that highlight different skills — from branding to digital illustration. Be prepared to talk through each piece, focusing on your creative process and the tools you used.
✨Know Your Design Tools Inside Out
Familiarity with software like Adobe Creative Suite is a must! Brush up on your skills with Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, as interviewers might dive into specific technical questions or ask for your workflow. If you’ve worked with any innovative tools or techniques, don't hesitate to showcase that expertise!
✨Prepare for Design Challenges
Some companies may throw a design challenge your way during the interview! This might involve sketching out ideas or solving a branding issue on the spot. Practising these quick thinking exercises beforehand can help us show off our creativity and adaptability.
✨Passion Counts
For a full-time position, showing genuine enthusiasm for design is key! Talk about your inspirations, the projects you're excited about, and why you're drawn to Contrast. They want to see not just a skilled designer, but someone who'll bring passion and fresh ideas to the team.
