Designer

Middle Seat is a full-service media and fundraising firm. We support progressive campaigns, organizations, and causes fighting for racial justice, climate action, immigrant rights, intersectional feminism, economic justice, and more. Our work includes advertising, fundraising, development, creative, organizing, and strategy.

Design and Creative Ideation

• Work with clients to assess their needs and style requirements
• Think creatively and develop new design concepts, logos, visual identities, & graphics
• Collaborate with team members and clients on digital creative creation
• Generate print creative (flyers, proposals, literature, decks, mailers, etc.)
• Create and optimize static web graphics
• Create and optimize animated GIFs and more advanced motion graphics in video format
• Edit videos and DTCs 
• Support in video production as needed
• Create and generate branding assets and collateral 
• Amend final designs to align with team and client comments in order to gain final approval
• Other responsibilities as requested

Collaboration and Thought Leadership

• Work as part of a team with digital strategists, developers, client representatives, and other designers
• Collaborate in design discussions between the creative team and other Middle Seat teams
• Understand the current creative landscape in political design and ensure that we are helping set trends in the space -- not just responding to them
• Offer creative direction and feedback to designers on the Middle Seat team and design contractors as needed 
• As needed, lead team training sessions on new tools, processes, and best practices
• Contribute to new client pitches
• Other responsibilities as requested

Web Design

• Lead on website design with client communication, brand application, custom graphic creation, and UX design
• Apply client branding and build web graphics for product web design templates 
• Establish and promote design guidelines, best practices and standards
• Stay up-to-date with the latest UI trends, techniques, and technologies
• Effectively present and defend designs and deliverables to team members, clients, and other stakeholders
• Collaborate with web team members and clients to define and implement innovative solutions for the website direction, visuals, and experience

Requirements

• 2+ years of experience in digital design field — including a portfolio of your work
• Understanding of principles and implications of responsive web design and accessibility
• Desire to learn and improve design skills as a part of a growing team
• Ability to effectively communicate visual design adjustments to developers based on “in development” projects
• Advanced proficiency in standard design software including Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Canva, and Figma
• Proficiency in Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premier, Final Cut Pro, or similar software
• Demonstrated commitment to progressive politics
• Attention to detail and organization while managing tight deadlines and multiple projects
• Enjoy working with a team but also a self starter who will work with their manager to take on new projects 
• Able to work extended hours when needed. Comfortable being available for urgent client requests outside of normal business hours

Preferred

• Experience working with multiple clients or at a consulting firm
• Experience designing websites, landing pages, splash pages, and web elements
• Knowledge of HTML and CSS for translating design into code
• Experience designing logos
• Experience with Invision, Figma, and other UI design software
• Experience editing and optimizing video content

Benefits

• Salary starts between $65,000 and $70,000
• Profit sharing plan: share in the growth and success of Middle Seat
• Regular raises
• 6% employer match on your 401k retirement account
• 100% premium coverage for health, dental, and vision on a zero deductible plan
• $300 monthly mental health reimbursement
• 20 paid vacation days off, plus your birthday and work anniversary off
• Unlimited sick leave
• 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents
• Commuter benefits for public transportation
• Coworking space (WeWork, etc.) stipend for employees outside of the D.C. metro area
• $50 mobile phone subsidy monthly
• $100 monthly student loan reimbursement
• $1,000 annual professional development reimbursement

We are committed to building a diverse and passionate team. We encourage creative-minded individuals with a strong technical aptitude to apply for this position. Women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals are encouraged to apply.

Our firm is values-driven. We are intentional with the decidedly left-of-center clients we work with — and we strive to make our work environment and benefits reflect that, including salary transparency, healthy work-life balance, and consistent employee feedback and communication. We’re happy to talk more about our company culture with prospective applicants.