Junior Graphic Designer

Starfish is a Branding and Creative Agency that builds brands with the soul to move people and the coherence to govern AI. We're hiring a Junior Graphic Designer: hybrid, three days a week in our New York City office, $67,000 to $75,000 per year depending on experience, portfolio required.

This is an entry-level role for a designer with 0 to 3 years of experience who has a strong eye, solid fundamentals and a real desire to learn. You'll work across branding, digital, print and presentations for clients in many industries, alongside our designers and creative directors.

What You'll Do

• Support the creative team in developing and executing design concepts across branding, digital, print, presentations, and other creative applications.
• Work on diverse clients, industries, and projects, adapting your approach to different audiences and brand identities.
• Collaborate with designers, creative directors, and teammates to bring ideas from concept through final execution.
• Use Figma and Adobe Creative Cloud to create thoughtful, polished design work.
• Prepare and organize production-ready files for digital and print applications, with guidance and supervision when needed.
• Present and articulate design ideas, explain creative decisions, and thoughtfully incorporate feedback.
• Manage multiple projects and deadlines while maintaining attention to detail, organization, and clear communication.
• Stay informed about emerging design trends, tools, and creative approaches, bringing fresh perspectives to the team.

What We're Looking For

• A strong portfolio that shows creative thinking, solid design fundamentals and a contemporary aesthetic.
• Proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), plus working knowledge of PowerPoint, Word and Google Slides.
• A strong grasp of typography, layout, composition, color and visual hierarchy.
• Clear communication: you can explain your design decisions and present your work with confidence.
• Organization and attention to detail across several projects and deadlines.
• Openness to feedback, curiosity, and the initiative to go beyond the brief and bring ideas that make the work better.

Qualifications

• Degree in Graphic Design, Communication Design, Visual Arts, or a related field, or equivalent experience demonstrated through a strong portfolio.
• This is an entry-level role. Designers with 0 to 3 years of professional experience, including internships and freelance work, are encouraged to apply.
• Previous agency experience, internships, or freelance design work are a plus, but not required.
• This role is hybrid and requires working from our New York City office three days per week.

Nice to Have

• Basic video editing or motion graphics experience using Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, or similar tools.
• Familiarity with creating and editing short-form video content for social media and digital platforms.
• Interest in exploring emerging creative technologies, including AI-assisted design tools and workflows.

These skills are a plus, but not required. We're most interested in finding someone with strong design fundamentals, creative instincts, and a willingness to learn.

What Makes Someone Successful Here

You care about the details and still see the bigger picture. You take pride in the work, ask thoughtful questions, and aren't afraid to try a new idea. You don't need to know everything on day one. What matters most is a strong design foundation, good instincts and the drive to keep getting better.

How to Apply

Apply on LinkedIn with your resume and a link to your portfolio. We'd love to see your strongest recent work, especially projects that show your design thinking and range.

Pay Range

$67,000 to $75,000 per year (USD), depending on experience.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision coverage through Oxford and Guardian, with Starfish covering 50% of employee premiums. Coverage starts the first day of the month after your start date.
• 10 PTO days per full calendar year (available after three months), plus 40 hours of paid safe and sick time from day one.
• Most major holidays off, plus bereavement and jury duty leave.
• 12 work-from-anywhere days a year.
• A 401(k) retirement plan.
• Eligibility for a discretionary annual bonus.

About Starfish

Starfish is a Branding and Creative Agency that builds brands with the soul to move people and the coherence to govern AI. Its expertise in Brand Experience is what enables it to lead in AI Brand Strategy. Independent since 2002, we're headquartered in New York City, with offices in France and Florida, and we work with clients across a wide range of industries.

Equal Opportunity

Starfish is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of every background and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, marital or partnership status, caregiver status, military or veteran status, genetic information, arrest or conviction record, or any other status protected by law. If you need a reasonable accommodation to apply, interview, or do the job, email [email protected] and we'll work with you. We consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in line with the New York City Fair Chance Act.