Social Media Graphic Designer (Contract, Remote)

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Social Media Graphic Designer (Contract, Remote)

🔹 Company: Fragment Media Group

🔹 Location: United States

🔹 Job Type: Contract

🔹 Category: Graphic Design

🔹 Date Posted: April 9, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: Mid-Senior level

🔹 Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Creating quick-turnaround social assets for news stories
• Collaborating with the social media team to translate editorial angles into engaging visuals
• Maintaining consistent branding across platforms
• Contributing creative ideas aligned with the brand's voice
• Working in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong background in media or news and the ability to respond rapidly to editorial needs, ensuring the production of high-quality visual content under tight deadlines.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Create quick-turnaround assets for social to accompany breaking news, features, and trending stories and respond to design requests as they come through on Slack during daily 4-hour shift.

✅ Collaborate with the social media team to translate editorial angles into engaging visual content (e.g. carousel posts, video thumbnails).

✅ Support the team in experimenting with new design formats, templates, and workflows to optimize performance.

✅ Maintain consistent visual branding across all platforms while adapting stories to each platform’s unique needs.

✅ Contribute creative ideas that align with our brand’s voice, platform trends, and audience interests.

✅ Maintain and organize files and applications, ensuring that all assets are current and easily accessible.

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of multitasking and requires the ability to prioritize tasks effectively while maintaining a strong attention to detail.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: A degree in graphic design or a related field is preferred but not required.

Experience: Proven experience as a graphic designer with a strong portfolio showcasing social-first content (news, media, or editorial design experience is a plus).

Required Skills:

• Expertise in social platform-specific design best practices and visual storytelling
• Ability to work quickly while maintaining strong attention to detail in all aspects of design work
• Proficiency in design software (Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, etc.)
• Strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with a remote team
• Adaptability and creativity in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment
• Familiarity with copyright and image risk issues

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with copyright and image risk issues
• Familiarity with the news industry or similar fast-paced environments

ASSUMPTION: Given the remote nature of the role, strong communication skills and the ability to work independently are crucial for success in this position.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $40,000 - $60,000 USD per year (full-time equivalent, based on industry standards for a mid-senior level graphic designer with remote work experience)

Benefits:

• Flexible, fully remote working conditions
• Opportunity to collaborate on a diverse range of editorial projects that reach a wide audience
• Work with a talented and supportive social and art team at The Daily Dot, part of Fragment Media Group
• Contribute to a platform that values creative input and impactful storytelling

Working Hours: Monday-Friday, ~4 hours/day ET

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a mid-senior level graphic designer with remote work experience. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's skills, experience, and market conditions.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Online Audio and Video Media

Company Size: Small (11-50 employees) - This size allows for a more intimate work environment with closer collaboration among team members. However, it may also mean less job security and fewer resources compared to larger companies.

Founded: 2020 - As a relatively new company, Fragment Media Group may offer opportunities for growth and advancement as it expands.

Company Description:

• Fragment Media Group is a pioneer of the member media model, providing intentional content to underserved audiences
• The company's brands, including the Daily Dot and Nautilus, focus on identifying and serving these audiences
• Intentional content leads readers to intentional action in their personal, cultural, and political lives, as well as with the brands they embrace and support

Company Specialties:

• Online media
• Science
• Internet news
• And agency

Company Website: http://fragmnt.com

ASSUMPTION: Fragment Media Group's focus on underserved audiences and intentional content may appeal to candidates who are passionate about reaching niche communities and driving meaningful engagement.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-Senior level - This role requires a significant amount of experience and expertise in graphic design, with a focus on social media and news content.

Reporting Structure: The graphic designer will report directly to the social media team and collaborate closely with Art Desk.

Work Arrangement: This is a fully remote, contract position with an expectation for a consistent Monday-Friday schedule in the morning/afternoon, e.g. 4 hours/day from 10am-2pm ET.

Growth Opportunities:

• As the company grows, there may be opportunities for the graphic designer to take on more responsibilities or move into a full-time position
• The role's focus on collaboration and experimentation may also present opportunities for professional development and skill expansion

ASSUMPTION: Given the company's focus on creative input and impactful storytelling, there may be opportunities for the graphic designer to contribute to the company's growth and success beyond their core responsibilities.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote - This role does not require a physical office presence, allowing for greater flexibility and work-life balance.

Office Location(s): Austin, Texas - While the company is based in Austin, Texas, this role can be performed from anywhere in the United States.

Geographic Context:

• Austin, Texas is known for its vibrant tech industry and creative culture, which may appeal to candidates interested in networking and professional development opportunities
• The city's cost of living is generally lower than in other major tech hubs, which may make it an attractive option for candidates looking to maximize their income

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, ~4 hours/day ET - This schedule allows for a consistent work routine while still providing flexibility for personal commitments and errands during the week.

ASSUMPTION: The fully remote nature of this role may require strong self-motivation and time management skills to ensure productivity and engagement with the team.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screening with the hiring manager
• Design challenge or portfolio review
• Final interview with the social media team and Art Desk

Key Assessment Areas:

• Design skills and portfolio quality
• Communication and collaboration skills
• Adaptability and creativity in a fast-paced environment
• Familiarity with social media platforms and design best practices

Application Tips:

• Highlight relevant experience in social media or news content design
• Include a link to your design portfolio and a brief cover letter explaining your approach to quick-turnaround projects and collaborating with a team under deadline pressures
• Prepare examples of your work that demonstrate your ability to adapt to different platforms and maintain consistent branding

ATS Keywords: Social media graphic design, quick turnaround, news content, editorial design, Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, collaboration, remote work, fast-paced environment

ASSUMPTION: Given the remote nature of the role, candidates should emphasize their ability to work independently and effectively communicate with a remote team in their application materials.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Figma
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Slack
• Microsoft Office Suite (for file management and collaboration)

ASSUMPTION: The graphic designer should be comfortable learning and adapting to new tools and technologies as needed to optimize their workflow and performance.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Intentionality - Providing meaningful content to underserved audiences
• Creativity - Encouraging innovative ideas and approaches
• Collaboration - Working together to achieve common goals
• Adaptability - Embracing change and continuous learning

Work Style:

• Fast-paced and dynamic - Requiring quick turnaround and multitasking
• Remote and independent - Allowing for flexible scheduling and self-management
• Creative and experimental - Encouraging new ideas and approaches
• Collaborative - Fostering teamwork and shared goals

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you approach maintaining consistent branding across multiple platforms while still adapting content to each platform's unique needs?
• Can you describe a time when you had to quickly turnaround a design project, and how did you ensure the quality of your work under tight deadlines?
• How do you stay organized and manage your time effectively when working remotely on multiple projects simultaneously?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should consider how their personal work style and values align with the company's culture and expectations for this role.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• The fast-paced nature of the role may require long hours or weekend work during peak news cycles
• The remote work environment may present challenges in maintaining productivity and engagement with the team
• The role's focus on quick turnaround may limit the graphic designer's ability to explore more complex or experimental design projects
• The company's small size may result in limited resources or growth opportunities compared to larger organizations

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should carefully consider these potential challenges and assess whether they are willing and able to adapt to the unique demands of this role.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role differs from traditional in-house graphic designer positions in its focus on quick turnaround and remote collaboration with a social media team
• Compared to agency or freelance work, this role offers greater job security and the opportunity to work on a diverse range of editorial projects
• Career paths for this role may include transitioning to a full-time position, taking on more responsibilities, or moving into a management or art direction role

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should research similar roles in the industry to better understand the unique aspects of this position and how it may fit with their long-term career goals.

📝 Sample Projects

• Creating a series of social media graphics for a breaking news story, including a main image, carousel posts, and video thumbnails
• Designing a set of templates for a recurring feature, such as an interview series or weekly roundup, that can be quickly adapted for each new installment
• Developing a visual style guide for a new brand or campaign, ensuring consistency across all platforms and formats

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to provide examples of their work that demonstrate their ability to handle a variety of projects and adapt to different platforms and formats.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the team structure and how this role fits within the social media and art teams?
• How does the company support the professional development and growth of its graphic designers?
• What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how does the company help its employees manage these challenges?
• How does the company ensure consistent branding and quality control across its social media platforms?
• What are the most exciting or innovative projects the graphic design team has worked on recently?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should use the interview process to gain a deeper understanding of the role's responsibilities, the company's culture, and the opportunities for growth and development.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Customize your resume to highlight relevant experience in social media or news content design
• Prepare a cover letter explaining your approach to quick-turnaround projects and collaborating with a team under deadline pressures
• Include a link to your design portfolio, showcasing your best work and demonstrating your ability to adapt to different platforms and maintain consistent branding
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submission to inquire about the status of your application

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.