Junior Visual Designer — Print & Digital
Hybrid | Western Suburbs of Chicago
Full-time | 3 days per week in office
Salary: based on experience and portfolio
About Jak Creative Design
Jak Creative Design is a woman-owned, independent creative agency based in the western suburbs of Chicago.
For nearly three decades, we’ve partnered with startups, nonprofits, and Fortune 100 brands to create thoughtful, design-driven work across print, digital, branding, and campaign systems.
We’re a small, experienced team that values strong relationships, smart thinking, collaboration, and creative that performs in the real world.
Our work often moves quickly and includes a high volume of detailed deliverables, so accuracy, organization, and follow-through matter just as much as creative thinking.
The Role
We’re looking for a motivated, detail-oriented Junior Visual Designer who is early in their career and ready to grow through hands-on agency experience.
This role is designed for a recent graduate or designer with up to two years of professional experience. We will also consider candidates with less than one year of experience who demonstrate strong design fundamentals, a thoughtful portfolio, and a willingness to learn.
You’ll work closely with senior creative leadership and the broader team to develop and execute marketing materials across print and digital, with a strong emphasis on direct mail, campaign creative, presentations, email, and production-ready design.
You do not need to know everything on day one. You should, however, have strong fundamentals, good judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to take feedback and apply it thoughtfully.
This role includes working within:
- Established brand guidelines
- Campaign and layout systems
- Direct mail and print production requirements
- Digital design specifications
- Multiple timelines and changing priorities
What You’ll Do
- Design and update materials across print and digital, including direct mail, email, web, presentations, social media, and display advertising
- Translate creative direction into clear, polished, on-brand work
- Develop concepts and layouts with guidance from senior team members
- Adapt existing campaign systems across formats, audiences, offers, and versions
- Prepare accurate, production-ready files for print and digital use
- Build and revise direct mail pieces, including envelopes, letters, inserts, and supporting campaign materials
- Make revisions based on internal and client feedback
- Collaborate with designers, project managers, account teams, copywriters, and production partners
- Manage multiple assignments while staying organized and meeting deadlines
- Participate in brainstorms, creative reviews, and internal presentations
- Ask thoughtful questions, communicate clearly, and take ownership of assigned work
What You Bring
- Zero to two years of professional design experience, including internships, freelance work, or relevant in-house or agency experience
- A portfolio that demonstrates strong typography, layout, visual hierarchy, and attention to detail
- Foundational experience designing for both print and digital
- Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, particularly InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop
- An understanding of basic print production and file preparation
- The ability to follow brand guidelines while still bringing thoughtful design ideas to the work
- Strong organizational and time-management skills
- Openness to feedback and a genuine desire to improve
- Clear communication skills and a collaborative mindset
Bonus Points
Experience in any of the following is helpful, but not required:
- Agency or high-volume in-house creative environments
- Direct mail, versioned campaigns, or variable content
- Print production and vendor file preparation
- HTML email design
- Figma
- Motion graphics or light animation
- Presentation design
- Financial services, utilities, healthcare, or other regulated industries
Who You Are
- Curious, motivated, and eager to learn
- Detail-oriented and proud of producing accurate work
- Comfortable receiving direction and constructive feedback
- Reliable, accountable, and willing to ask questions
- Able to stay organized when priorities shift
- Interested in both creative thinking and strong execution
- A supportive teammate who values communication and follow-through
Why Jak
At Jak, you won’t disappear into layers of process or hierarchy.
You’ll:
- Work directly with experienced creative leaders
- Contribute to real client work from the start
- Gain experience across a wide variety of print and digital assignments
- Develop meaningful experience in direct mail and integrated campaign work
- Learn how creative moves from concept through production
- Receive guidance, feedback, and opportunities to build your skills
- Have visibility into client needs, creative decisions, and agency operations
This is a place for an early-career designer who wants to learn quickly, contribute meaningfully, and grow into greater creative responsibility over time.
Apply
Please submit your résumé and portfolio. Applications without a portfolio will not be considered.
This is an early-career position. Candidates seeking a more senior-level role or compensation above the stated range may not be the right fit.
