At a Glance
- Tasks: Create stunning artwork for in-store displays and digital screens while meeting tight deadlines.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at WHSmith's Travel Retail Head Office in Central London.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, annual bonus, hybrid working, and 24 days holiday plus your birthday off.
- Other info: Collaborate with a passionate team and grow your career in a vibrant retail environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a fast-paced studio where your creativity can shine and make an impact.
- Qualifications: 3-5 years experience in a studio, strong Adobe Creative Cloud skills, and attention to detail.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We are looking for a Creative Artworker to join our in‑house studio team at our Travel Retail Head Office in Aldgate, Central London. This is an all‑rounder role at the heart of a fast‑paced retail studio. You’ll produce accurate, brand‑compliant artwork across in‑store POS, digital out‑of‑home (DOOH) screens, master template roll‑outs and B2B documents — delivering high volumes of work to tight deadlines across our WHSmith UK campaign cycles. It suits a technically strong artworker who brings creative input to their work and takes real pride in getting the detail right, every time.
What you’ll be doing:
- Producing best‑in‑class, print‑ and pixel‑ready artwork across in‑store POS, large‑format graphics and digital screen (DOOH) formats, delivering at pace and at volume across our WHSmith UK cycles.
- Rolling out approved master POS templates accurately and at scale, adapting them to spec while keeping every asset on‑brand and technically correct.
- Creating and artwork B2B and large‑format documents — such as tender submissions and bids for new stores — building polished, accurate layouts that help win new business.
- Setting up digital screen artwork to exact specifications, with pixel‑perfect accuracy across a range of screen sizes and formats.
- In‑store briefs will cover a range of key customer moments (e.g. Halloween, Mother’s Day, Diwali, Eid and local marketing events), and you’ll bring creative input to your artwork where the brief allows.
- Working closely with the Studio Manager and following the agreed approval and sign‑off process for all work, implementing any remedial actions swiftly.
- Providing troubleshooting and finding practical solutions for technical artwork challenges.
- Following file‑naming conventions and storing all assets correctly on the server under controlled permissions, so everything stays archived and accessible.
- Ensuring all assets follow the correct formats, sizes and brand guidelines for WHSmith and its sub‑brands.
What we are looking for:
- Confident all‑rounder, equally comfortable on POS, DOOH, master template roll‑outs and B2B documents.
- Have strong print production and digital artwork knowledge, and you understand how to prepare files correctly for each output.
- Experienced in rolling out approved master templates accurately and at scale, adapting to spec without losing brand consistency.
- You have experience working on large‑format B2B documents such as annual reports or tender submissions to bid for new stores.
- Ability to bring creative input to your artwork and have your finger on the pulse of current design trends.
- Attention to detail is excellent, with strong typographic and layout skills.
- You can manage workload in a demanding, fast‑paced environment, delivering accurate, high‑quality work under time pressure.
- Strong collaborator, working well with the wider studio team and marketing colleagues.
- Solid understanding of Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop) is strong and you’re a confident Mac user.
- 3–5 years’ experience within a studio environment (agency or in‑house).
How we reward our teams:
- Competitive salary
- Annual bonus based on company and personal performance
- Hybrid working model from home and in the office
- 24 Days holiday, plus your Birthday off
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Creative Artworker in London
✨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 WHSmith Travel.
✨Tailor Your Applications
When you’re applying for a full-time role at a creative company like WHSmith Travel, 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 Creative Artworker in London
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 WHSmith Travel 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 WHSmith Travel.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, share your design philosophy and what excites you about working at WHSmith Travel. 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 WHSmith Travel.
How to prepare for a job interview at WHSmith Travel
✨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 WHSmith Travel. They want to see not just a skilled designer, but someone who'll bring passion and fresh ideas to the team.
