Senior Graphic Designer (contractor) Job at VSSL Agency in San Diego

Welcome aboard VSSL. It’s pronounced “vessel”, but we’re more than a ship—we’re a fast, agile digital agency of brand builders, campaign makers, website creators, and more. Our mission is to set the course for our clients, creating bold digital marketing experiences that propel brands to success. Our crew brings strategy, spirit, and loyalty to the challenge of helping clients stand out in today’s aggressive, crowded, and fast‑changing digital world. And that’s exactly what we’re looking for in our next crew member.

What the Senior Designer Does

We’re seeking a highly skilled Senior Designer to join our creative team on a full‑time contract basis. Designers at VSSL are champions of thoughtful, well‑crafted work that moves brands forward. As a Senior Designer, you bring sharp visual instincts, strong creative judgment, and the ability to elevate every project you touch. You’re a self‑starter who thrives in ambiguity, able to absorb complex ideas and translate them into clear, compelling creative solutions. You sweat the details, push boundaries when it serves the brand, and collaborate with the crew to deliver work that’s strategic, polished, and right on course for VSSL and our clients.

In this role, you will:

• Lead design execution across a wide range of deliverables including websites, landing pages, digital ads, social content, tradeshow booths, storyboards, and brand collateral.
• Translate strategy, insights, and brand guidelines into compelling visual solutions and creative concepts.
• Proactively identify opportunities to strengthen creative output and bring fresh, strategic ideas to the table.
• Uphold quality and consistency across all touchpoints with a strong attention to detail.
• Collaborate closely with copywriters, developers, account managers, and fellow creatives to deliver high‑quality, on‑brand creative assets.
• Manage multiple projects and clients simultaneously while maintaining high standards of work and meeting deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Provide thoughtful rationale for design decisions and confidently present work to internal teams and clients.

What You Will Need:

• 5+ years of graphic design experience; experience in an agency environment preferred.
• Experience designing for B2B audiences or complex business solutions.
• Expertise in Figma and Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign)
• A stellar online portfolio showcasing a range of brand, web, and digital ad work. Documentation showing your thought and design process is a huge plus.
• Exceptional typography, layout, and visual storytelling skills.
• Knowledge of established best practices and current design trends
• Experience presenting and defending creative ideas to internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to deliver high‑quality work on time and on budget in a dynamic, fast‑moving environment
• Ability to self‑manage and work autonomously in a contract role
• Experience with video and/or motion graphics is a plus
• A collaborative spirit of “get s**t done and make it fun”
• Commitment for a minimum of 3 months.
• Start date: Mid to Late January 2025.
• Possibility of contract extension based on project needs and performance.

Make Sure We’re Your Kind of Crew

This crew succeeds because we’ve got each other’s backs. We’re quick to offer help and accept it when needed. We’re flexible enough to wear whatever hat needs wearing. And we love a good fight—if it’s for the crew, our clients, or an idea we believe in. That’s how we get to our destination: working as one crew to build lasting brands that stand out.

Every member of the VSSL crew lives by our values:

We are One Crew

The strongest crew is one that works (and celebrates) together. That’s because none of us is as smart as all of us. Through everything, we always have each others’ backs.

Communication is Our Compass

Clear communication is our guide. We’re open with our thoughts and open‑minded towards others. We’re always respectful—but we don’t sugarco­at s**t.

Quality is our Course

Our people and our work are our greatest assets. That’s why we don’t compromise when it comes to our crew, our clients, and our work. We deliver the best—every damn time.

All Hands on Deck

We know how to solve problems together by staying focused on creative solutions. We aren’t fazed by challenges or risk‑taking. In fact, that’s where we thrive.

Up Spirits!

We’re a tight‑knit group—we celebrate our wins and have fun along the way. Each crew member contributes to our collective success. “Up Spirits!” is our rally cry when the grog starts flowing.

• Compensation: $50‑$60/hour, depending on experience.
• Environment: A dynamic, fast‑paced, and collaborative atmosphere where your expertise is valued and your work has immediate, measurable impact.

VSSL strongly promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

PLEASE NOTE: We take hiring very seriously. Although we are unable to follow up with every applicant, we do our best to run a thorough process for candidates to identify potential fits.

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Contract

Job function

Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology

Industries

Advertising Services

Location: San Diego, CA