At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design projects that create social impact and mentor junior designers.
- Company: Shape History, an agency dedicated to social and environmental change.
- Benefits: Flexible working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference through impactful design in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: 5-8 years of design experience with strong leadership and client-facing skills.
The predicted salary is between 37000 - 48000 £ per year.
Shape History was founded with one goal in mind: to build an agency that lives and breathes social and environmental impact. We’re a team of analysts, strategists, creatives, and movement-builders, tirelessly dedicated to solving some of the world’s most pressing social challenges. We still believe that the best work happens through partnership, and that lasting impact demands smart, bold, narrative-shifting creativity.
We’re looking for an experienced and thoughtful Senior Designer to join us as maternity cover and shape the visual quality and design direction of our work across branding, campaigns, digital content, editorial, social, and storytelling projects. This is a role for a highly collaborative designer who combines exceptional craft with strategic thinking and a strong understanding of how design can support social impact.
You’ll lead design development across multiple projects, mentor and support designers, and work closely with creatives, strategists, copywriters, and clients to ensure all output is visually compelling, accessible, and strategically effective.
What you’ll be doing:
- Design Leadership
- Lead the design development of brand systems, integrated campaigns and communications projects across print and digital platforms.
- Set and maintain a high standard of visual craft and consistency across all agency output.
- Shape and evolve visual identities, creative systems, and storytelling approaches.
- Ensure all work is audience-focused, culturally relevant, and aligned with strategic objectives.
- Creative Collaboration
- Collaborate closely with copywriters, strategists, art directors, and account teams to develop strong integrated ideas.
- Contribute to creative brand and concept development from initial ideation through to delivery.
- Present design rationale and creative recommendations clearly to clients and stakeholders.
- Team Management & Mentorship
- Support, mentor, and develop junior and midweight designers.
- Lead design reviews and provide constructive creative feedback.
- Help build an inclusive, collaborative, and creatively ambitious design culture.
- Manage freelance designers and external creative partners where needed.
- Design Systems & Delivery
- Oversee the execution and delivery of high-quality design assets across branding and identity systems, campaign toolkits, social and digital content, editorial and publication design, presentation and pitch materials, and motion and experiential assets where relevant.
- Ensure projects are delivered on time and to a high creative standard.
- Champion accessibility, usability, and inclusive design best practices.
- Leadership & Growth
- Help identify recruitment needs within the team and contribute to hiring processes.
- Support the implementation of our race equity and environmental strategies.
- Encourage the team to stay up to date with design trends and explore new tools and approaches including AI.
About you:
You’re a highly skilled designer and creative problem-solver with strong visual instincts and a portfolio demonstrating thoughtful, impactful work across multiple formats. You care about the role design can play in shaping culture, communicating complex ideas, and contributing to social progress.
The Fundamentals (Skills & Experience):
- 5–8 years of professional design experience, with at least 1–2 years in a role involving some leadership and client-facing responsibility in an agency, studio, or comms environment.
- Strong portfolio demonstrating branding, campaign, and digital design work.
- Excellent understanding of typography, layout, visual systems, and storytelling.
- High proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and relevant design tools.
- Strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.
- Experience managing multiple projects and balancing creativity with delivery.
- Experience developing accessible and inclusive design systems.
Extra bit of awesome:
- Experience working on social impact, advocacy, cultural, or purpose-led campaigns.
- Motion, digital product, or content design experience.
- Understanding of audience engagement and digital communications trends.
What we offer:
- The opportunity to create work with meaningful social impact.
- A collaborative, values-driven, and creatively ambitious culture.
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
- Opportunities for professional development and creative growth.
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion:
We are committed to having an inclusive culture in which everyone feels safe and supported to achieve their potential. We actively encourage applications from underrepresented and minority groups, including those with lived experience of social issues we are working to address.
The Details:
- Location: Hybrid / London (2 days per week in the office)
- Type: Full-time
- Salary: £37,000 – £48,000
- Reports to: Creative Director
Senior Designer employer: Shape History
Shape History is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and creative work culture, where your design expertise can truly make a difference in social impact campaigns. Located in the vibrant city of London, we offer our employees opportunities for professional growth through mentorship and diverse project involvement, ensuring that your contributions are both meaningful and rewarding. Join us to be part of a team that values innovation and accessibility in design, while making a positive impact on society.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Designer
✨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 Shape History.
✨Tailor Your Applications
When you’re applying for a full-time role at a creative company like Shape History, 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
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 Shape History 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 Shape History.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, share your design philosophy and what excites you about working at Shape History. 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 Shape History.
How to prepare for a job interview at Shape History
✨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 Shape History. They want to see not just a skilled designer, but someone who'll bring passion and fresh ideas to the team.
