Designer, Freelance

Understory; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 69,000 - 117,000; Part time

Job summary

Understory, an independent creative agency in Denver, is seeking a freelance designer to lead creative work from brief to delivery. Start with 5–10 hours weekly, with potential to grow into a larger role as the agency scales.

You'll collaborate with strategists, designers, and art directors on branding, campaigns, and digital experiences, using Figma as the primary tool and Adobe Creative Cloud as needed. Remote-friendly, local presence helpful.

Qualifications

• Strong portfolio of design work for brands, campaigns, or digital projects.
• Excellent design fundamentals: typography, composition, visual storytelling.
• Proficient in Figma and comfortable with Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Experience with branding, campaign design, and digital/web design.
• Able to take a project from brief to delivery with ownership and independence.
• Conceptual thinker with an understanding of strategy behind the work.
• Curious, resourceful, and collaborative.

Responsibilities

• Lead design projects from initial concept through final execution.
• Develop brand identities, visual systems, campaigns, and digital experiences.
• Translate briefs and strategy into thoughtful, distinctive design.
• Work primarily in Figma, with Adobe Creative Cloud as needed.
• Bring fresh ideas and strong creative thinking to the work.
• Collaborate with strategists, designers, art directors, and partners.
• Present thinking, incorporate feedback, and refine work.
• Prepare organized, production-ready files and deliverables.

Skills

Portfolio

Typography

Composition

Visual storytelling

Figma proficiency

Adobe Creative Cloud

Branding

Campaign design

Digital/web design

Take project from brief to delivery

Conceptual thinking

Ownership

Collaboration

Curiosity / adaptability

Tools

Figma

Adobe Creative Cloud

Job description

Understory is an independent creative agency building a different kind of agency model. One that’s leaner, more collaborative, more culturally connected, and focused on making work that drives impact.

We bring together strategy, design, and creative thinking to help brands grow. We're small by design, growing intentionally, and looking for people who are excited to help shape the next phase of the company.

the opportunity

We're looking for a freelance designer with a strong portfolio, great taste, and the ability to lead creative work from brief to delivery.

You’ll collaborate with our team of strategists, designers, and art directors on branding, campaigns, digital experiences, and other creative projects. We're looking for someone who brings fresh thinking, takes ownership, and enjoys figuring things out.

This starts as a small, recurring freelance engagement, with potential to grow into a larger role as Understory grows. For the right person, that could eventually mean helping lead design across the agency.

what you’ll do

• Lead design projects from initial concept through final execution.
• Develop brand identities, visual systems, campaigns, and digital experiences.
• Translate creative briefs and strategy into thoughtful, distinctive design.
• Work primarily in Figma, with Adobe Creative Cloud and other tools as needed.
• Bring fresh ideas and strong creative thinking to the work.
• Collaborate with our strategists, designers, art directors, and creative partners.
• Present your thinking, incorporate feedback, and refine creative work.
• Prepare organized, production-ready files and deliverables.

what we’re looking for

Great design and strong creative instincts. We care more about what you’ve made than your résumé, degree, or years of experience. We're looking for someone who:

• Has a strong portfolio of design work, whether for brands, clients, or personal projects.
• Has excellent design fundamentals, including typography, composition, and visual storytelling.
• Is highly proficient in Figma and comfortable with Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Has experience with branding, campaign design, and digital or web design.
• Can confidently take a project from brief to delivery.
• Thinks conceptually and understands the strategy behind the work.
• Takes ownership, communicates well, and works independently.
• Brings curiosity, resourcefulness, and a collaborative mindset.

You don't need agency experience or a particular degree. If your work is strong and you understand what makes it work, we want to see it.

Bonus points if you have experience with motion design, video editing, web development, or emerging creative tools like Claude Code. We're also interested in people who enjoy sharing their work and documenting the creative process. You won't be asked to do everything. We have talented partners across these disciplines, but we value people who are curious, adaptable, and excited to learn new skills.

how we work

We're building Understory around a few beliefs:

• Impact over awards. We pursue what drives our clients' businesses forward.
• Culture over commercials. We're interested in creating work that is talked about.
• Courage over convention. Good ideas don't always follow the usual playbook.
• Progress over paralysis. We'd rather quickly make, learn, and improve than overthink.
• Brains over bloat. Small, thoughtful teams can do exceptional things.

the details

• Engagement: Freelance, with recurring and project-based opportunities.
• Initial commitment: Approximately 5–10 hours per week, with opportunities for additional work as needed.
• Location: Denver preferred. We're remote‑friendly and open to working with great people elsewhere, but local availability is a plus for in‑person collaboration and occasional shoots.
• Tools: Figma is our primary design tool, with Adobe Creative Cloud and other creative tools used as needed.
• Long‑term potential: Opportunities for a larger role, potentially including full‑time employment and design leadership, as the agency grows. Any future role depends on mutual fit and business needs.

compensation

$50–$85/hour, depending on experience and scope.