At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape and deliver high-quality creative work across diverse client projects.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at a leading creative agency with a collaborative spirit.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, training days, and wellness perks.
- Other info: Enjoy a vibrant culture with team socials and guest talks from industry experts.
- Why this job: Make your mark in design while mentoring others and driving creative innovation.
- Qualifications: 4+ years in a creative agency, strong design skills, and a standout portfolio.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 50000 £ per year.
We are committed to delivering exceptional design solutions to our clients. Our team is our greatest asset, and we are now looking for a talented and experienced Senior Designer to join us on our exciting journey. You will be working with a great bunch of creative designers – our Design Director will be your immediate line manager, and you will work closely with the wider studio, our Creative Director, as well as the rest of the Spark team. We are a small team of 10-15 core Sparks, but grow as required by using our network of freelance trusted partners. We bring in the right people, for the right job at the right time.
The Role: As Senior Designer, you will play an important role in shaping and delivering high-quality creative work across a variety of client projects. Reporting to the Design Director and working closely with the wider studio, Creative Director and broader Spark team, you will help uphold creative standards, contribute strong design thinking and support the continued growth of the studio.
Skills & Requirements
- Excellent design craft and creativity, with the ability to produce high quality work across a range of briefs
- Previous experience as a brand designer, creating brands from initial territory development through to roll-out
- Ability to interpret written and verbal briefs from clients and colleagues and turn them into effective, visually engaging design solutions
- Strong skills in Figma, InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop, as well as experience with After Effects and AI image generation tools
- Ability to deliver design work across a wide range of outputs, including websites, campaigns, magazines, posters, animations, packaging, exhibitions, displays, corporate communications and visual identity systems
- Strong portfolio demonstrating creative thinking, design quality and versatility
Main duties and responsibilities
- Take ownership of quality control across design work and help uphold creative standards across the studio
- Mentor members of the studio team, helping to identify skill gaps and support their development
- Represent the creative team in pitches, new business activity, client meetings and events, presenting ideas and creative work confidently to clients and the client services team
- Work closely with other senior managers to improve efficiency, quality and creative output across the agency
- Encourage creative innovation within the business and stay ahead of relevant trends
- Estimate project timings and support the preparation of client quotes
- Support award submissions alongside other senior team members
- Oversee the organisation and housekeeping of design-related files, systems and server management
- Promote Spark culture and lead by example
- Help identify and attract suitable new talent, including permanent hires, freelance partners and work experience placements
- Bring strength in brand strategy, branding and design, while also contributing across digital, motion, print and campaign work
What we’re looking for
- Minimum 4 Years’ Agency Experience: working in a creative agency environment.
- Creative Excellence: You bring a high level of design craft, creativity and attention to detail, with a clear understanding of what makes work feel strong, effective and well resolved.
- Brand Design Experience: You have experience creating and developing brands from early creative territory through to rollout, with the ability to balance strategic thinking and visual impact.
- Contemporary Design Awareness: You have a strong awareness of visual culture, design trends and evolving creative standards, and use this to keep your work fresh and relevant.
- Collaborative Approach: You work well with others, communicate clearly and enjoy being part of a close-knit creative team.
- Positive and Proactive Mindset: You bring energy, initiative and a willingness to get stuck in, while taking pride in your work and the role you play in the wider studio.
- Strong Portfolio: You have a portfolio that demonstrates high-quality work, creative versatility and strong thinking across a range of outputs.
Benefits
- Competitive salary (35k – 50k DOE)
- Yearly bonus based on agency profits
- Flexible working between home and office (2-3 days in the office per week)
- Pension contribution
- Training days
- 28 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Birthday off paid
- 2 wellness days per year
- Team socials
- Guest talks from experts in the creative industry
Senior Designer in Manchester employer: Critical Playground LLC
At Spark, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic and supportive employer that values creativity and collaboration. As a Senior Designer, you will thrive in our close-knit team of passionate professionals, where your contributions are recognised and celebrated. With competitive salaries, flexible working arrangements, and ample opportunities for personal and professional growth, Spark is the perfect place for talented designers to make their mark in the creative industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Designer in Manchester
✨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 Critical Playground LLC.
✨Tailor Your Applications
When you’re applying for a full-time role at a creative company like Critical Playground LLC, 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 Manchester
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 Critical Playground LLC 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 Critical Playground LLC.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, share your design philosophy and what excites you about working at Critical Playground LLC. 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 Critical Playground LLC.
How to prepare for a job interview at Critical Playground LLC
✨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 Critical Playground LLC. They want to see not just a skilled designer, but someone who'll bring passion and fresh ideas to the team.
