Designer

The Role:

The Designer is a client-facing, hands-on creative and design thinker who develops thoughtful, effective design solutions across brand identity, campaign development, social content, and visual storytelling.This role combines high-quality design craft with independent project ownership: translating briefs into compelling visual systems, presenting work clearly, incorporating feedback thoughtfully, and helping projects move from concept through delivery. The ideal Designer is a curious generalist with a sharp eye, a strong point of view, and the ability to work confidently in a fast-paced, idea-rich studio environment.

Working at CYLNDR Studios

CYLNDR Studios, a Cheil Worldwide company, is a fast paced, fun production company working in television, radio, print and the digital space. We are a collaborative team always striving to support and learn from one another. We are located in Durham, NC, New York, LA and Toronto, Canada. We like to work with people who are passionate and creative so we can continue to push out exceptional work. Come join our team. 

Employment Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Health dental, and vision insurance package
• Short term and long term disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• 401(k) plan with matching
• Flexible work schedule
• Holiday schedule plus summer & winter breaks
• Semi-annual team parties
• Weekly team social and/or skillshare sessions
• Paid Volunteer Time

Responsibilities

Creative Concepting & Execution

• Develop thoughtful design concepts across branding, campaign, digital, social, presentation, and content projects.
• Translate creative strategy and ideas into compelling visual stories, from individual assets and key visuals to full campaign and brand systems.
• Integrates AI into daily design workflows to increase speed and output quality; use generative tools to create high-fidelity campaign mockups and social assets.
• Produce polished, accurate, and on-brand work across formats, platforms, and deliverables.
• Explore multiple visual approaches, make clear recommendations, and refine directions based on feedback.
• Apply a strong understanding of typography, layout, color, composition, hierarchy, and design systems.

Project Ownership

• Own assigned design workstreams from concept through final handoff, managing priorities, timelines, revisions, and deliverables independently.
• Communicate progress, blockers, risks, and next steps proactively to project leads and collaborators.
• Organize working files and prepare assets for internal review, client approval, production, and final delivery.
• Work within established processes while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce rework.

Client & Team Collaboration

• Present work to clients and internal teams clearly and confidently, explaining design rationale and responding constructively to feedback.
• Collaborate closely with writers, strategists, producers, content creators, and other creatives to ensure work is strategically aligned and effectively executed.
• Help manage feedback loops and stakeholder expectations for assigned workstreams, with support from senior leadership as needed.
• Contribute actively to critiques and creative reviews, offering thoughtful, constructive feedback to peers.

Team Contribution & Growth

• Help maintain a high standard of creative thinking, craft, and professionalism across the studio.
• Share relevant inspiration, tools, and learnings with the team.
• Support Junior Designers and freelancers through informal mentorship, clear feedback, and strong working examples.
• Stay current on design culture, visual trends, emerging platforms, and AI-assisted creative tools.

Professional Skills & Knowledge

• Strong portfolio demonstrating concept development, brand systems, campaign work, and social-first or digital design.
• Advanced working knowledge of typography, visual hierarchy, layout, color, composition, and brand identity.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, especially Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
• Proficiency in Figma and collaborative design workflows.
• Comfortable using Google Workspace, particularly Slides and Docs.
• Strong communication, presentation, and storytelling skills.
• Ability to work autonomously, take initiative, and make sound decisions within a defined project scope.
• Strong attention to detail, file organization, and production readiness.
• Comfort adapting to evolving client needs, changing priorities, and varied deliverable types.
• Interest in modern creative workflows, including AI-assisted design tools.
• Motion design, animation, video editing, or prototyping skills are a plus.
• Working knowledge of generative AI for image creation, retouching, and asset variations; ability to refine AI outputs so they meet brand standards and don't feel "generic."

Experience

• 3–5 years of relevant design experience in an agency, studio, in-house creative team, or similar fast-paced environment.
• Experience working across multiple brands, channels, and formats.
• Experience presenting design work to internal stakeholders and/or clients.

Tools

• Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, Google Workspace, Slack, Zoom.
• Bonus: After Effects, Premiere Pro, motion design, prototyping, node based design tools, generative design tools, or social-content production experience.

Salary Range

Our estimated range for this role is $75-90K CAN
Compensation packages are based on the skill level and experience each candidate brings to their role. We pride ourselves on competitive salaries, and ensuring pay equity exists across our organization. Our promotions are not limited to a specific time per year. Promotions are tied to performance.  

CYLNDR Studios is a place where everyone can grow. Studies have shown that marginalized communities  such as women, LGBTQ+ and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. However you identify, and whatever background you bring with you, please apply if this is a role that would make you excited to come into work every day. 

Hybrid Schedule
We are in the office Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday on a hybrid schedule.