Location: Newcastle-under-Lyme (Hybrid – typically 4 days in-house, 1 day WFH)
Apply:Apply with a covering letter (if you don’t send a cover letter you won’t be considered), portfolio and an up-to-date CV to [email protected]
About Starbots Creative
Starbots Creative is an independent brand and marketing agency helping ambitious businesses grow through brand, design, digital and marketing services. We've been creating work we're proud of since 2010, combining creativity with commercial thinking.
We're a close-knit team of ten people who enjoy working collaboratively, supporting each other and taking pride in delivering great work for our clients.
Role summary
We’re looking for a Designer to create and deliver effective creative work across brand, digital and print projects within a collaborative creative team.
This role is ideal for someone who has developed a strong foundation in design and is ready to take greater ownership of their work across a varied range of agency projects.
You’ll work from creative briefs to develop thoughtful, well-crafted design solutions, taking projects through from initial ideas to final delivery. You’ll collaborate with Senior Designers, marketers and developers, contributing ideas and managing your own workload while continuing to develop your creative thinking and technical skills.
You’ll be confident delivering day-to-day design work independently, while seeking creative direction and input when needed. Over time, you’ll have the opportunity to take ownership of increasingly complex projects and develop towards a senior role.
Responsibilities
1) Creative development & delivery
- Create effective design work across brand, digital and print projects.
- Develop creative ideas and visual approaches in response to brand and marketing briefs.
- Produce work across:
o Brand identities and visual systems
o Marketing campaigns and communications
o Websites and digital platforms
o Social media and digital content
o Print and physical marketing materials
- Take ideas from initial concepts through to final design and production.
- Apply established brand guidelines accurately and consistently.
- Ensure work meets high standards of quality, clarity and attention to detail.
- Balance creative thinking with practical delivery, budgets and deadlines.
2) Project ownership and workflow
- Take ownership of day-to-day design projects from brief through to delivery, managing your workload, priorities and communication throughout.
- Respond constructively to creative direction, internal feedback and client amends.
- Prepare artwork and files for production across digital and print formats.
- Ensure artwork is technically accurate, correctly formatted and ready for delivery.
- Maintain organised project files, assets and working documents.
- Work within agreed agency processes and use project management systems consistently.
3) Creative thinking and problem solving
- Contribute ideas during creative reviews, brand development and campaign discussions.
- Explore different creative approaches to communicate messages clearly and effectively.
- Consider the audience, objectives and intended outcome when making design decisions.
- Help turn early-stage concepts and ideas into practical creative solutions.
- Identify potential design or production challenges and raise them at the appropriate stage.
- Continue developing an understanding of how design supports marketing, brand and wider business objectives.
4) Collaboration and team contribution
- Work collaboratively with Senior Designers, marketers, developers and other members of the agency.
- Contribute positively to creative reviews, brainstorming sessions and team discussions.
- Present and explain your ideas clearly during internal reviews.
- Work with colleagues to respond to feedback and improve creative outcomes.
- Share useful knowledge, inspiration and practical techniques with the wider team.
- Support the Junior Designer by answering questions, sharing knowledge and providing practical guidance where appropriate.
- Contribute to a supportive, collaborative and accountable team culture.
5) Learning and development
- Take responsibility for developing your design skills, creative thinking and technical knowledge.
- Be open to feedback and use it to improve the quality and effectiveness of your work.
- Stay curious about developments in design, digital, motion, technology and creative practice.
- Explore new tools and techniques, including AI-assisted creative processes, where they can improve efficiency or creative output.
- Participate in training, creative reviews and development opportunities.
- Work towards taking ownership of more complex projects and progressing within the creative team.
Skills and experience
· Approximately 2–4 years’ experience in a design role, ideally within an agency or studio environment.
· A strong portfolio demonstrating creativity, layout skills and design thinking.
· Good working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign.
· Experience producing work across digital, print and motion.
· Working knowledge of Adobe After Effects and the ability to create motion graphics and animation.
· An understanding of brand identity, marketing communications and digital content.
· Familiarity with Figma or other digital design tools would be beneficial.
· Strong attention to detail and good technical artwork skills.
· Ability to interpret creative briefs, contribute appropriate ideas and manage day-to-day projects to agreed deadlines.
· Clear communication, a collaborative working style and a positive approach to feedback and development.
We’re looking for someone who is
· A thoughtful and creative problem solver
· Confident taking ownership of their day-to-day work.
· Reliable, organised and able to manage competing priorities.
· Curious and eager to continue developing their creative skills.
· Open to feedback and willing to challenge their own thinking.
· Collaborative and supportive within a team environment.
· Comfortable asking questions and communicating when they need input.
· Passionate about creating work that is both visually strong and effective.
· Interested in working across different types of projects, from brand and campaigns to digital and print.
Benefits
· Ambitious, fun, and innovative working environment
· Training, development and progression opportunities
· Exposure to a large scope of work within creative marketing
· Casual dress
· Company events
· Company pension scheme
· Flexible working environment
· 30 days including bank holidays
· Friday early finish
· Free drinks and snacks
· Monthly team ‘lunch and learns’
Pay: From £28,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
