(S) Seasonal Visual Designer

Sxsw.; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

SXSW is seeking a Visual Designer to create brand-cohesive, multi-platform assets for sxsw.com and social channels. You will develop concepts, templates, and motion graphics, working with Editors to translate brand strategy into engaging visuals.

This on-site, full-time seasonal role in Austin involves extended event hours in March, real-time media curation, and collaboration across Brand and Content teams. A strong portfolio and Adobe suite proficiency are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• Fluent in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Illustrator, After Effects, and Photoshop.
• Proficiency in Premiere Pro is a plus.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Passion for design, social media, and creativity is a must.
• Ability to work under pressure in a high-stress environment to meet deadlines.
• Works well within a team and independently on projects.
• Self-starter who can multitask and solve problems quickly and accurately.
• Experience at festivals/publications/social media teams is preferred.
• Basic knowledge of WordPress, Hootsuite, Airtable, and Google Drive is a plus.
• Must have a portfolio of previous work to be considered.

Responsibilities

• Generate strong visual assets for sxsw.com and social media platforms.
• Support Brand and business goals through content creation and editorial curation.
• Turn brand strategy into compelling design experiences adhering to Brand Guidelines.
• Assist with templates and motion graphics for videos.
• Propose ideas backed by data to improve reach and engagement.
• Curate and edit photos and videos in real-time during events.
• Coordinate with Photography team for galleries and assets.
• Create visual assets for announcements and event updates.
• Publish content across platforms for sessions, festival, and coverage.
• Capture vertical video for Instagram and TikTok when needed.

Skills

Adobe Creative Suite

Illustrator

After Effects

Photoshop

Premiere Pro

Communication

Multitask

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

WordPress

Hootsuite

Airtable

Google Drive

Job description

Job Purpose

SXSW is seeking a Visual Designer who is responsible for developing creative concepts and art assets for Content Department campaigns across sxsw.com and social media channels managed by SXSW, LLC. This role is for a highly skilled designer with attention to detail and brand cohesiveness. In this fast-paced, constantly evolving ownership role, the Visual Designer evaluates content needs to generate creative, multi-platform content that supports marketing and editorial efforts.

Duties & Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Generate strong visual assets for sxsw.com and various social media platforms, including Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, YouTube, and Threads.
• Contribute to the monthly Content Department needs to support Brand and business goals, including brand awareness, editorial curation, and audience engagement.
• Work with the Content Team to turn brand strategy and creative ideas into compelling design experiences that adhere to the Brand Guidelines. Includes coordinating the collection of data points and campaign ideas with Editors to generate assets (i.e., graphics, vertical templates, static/animated).
• Assist with templates and deliverables related to motion graphics for videos.
• Propose big ideas, backed by audience data, on how design elements can better support audience reach and engagement across digital platforms.

On-Site Event Responsibilities

• Extended hours during the event (i.e., on-site) in March
• Curate and edit photos and videos in real-time, adhering to the SXSW style guide, which will be used on the website and social media
• Coordinate with the Photography team to create Photo Galleries and other visual assets as needed
• Create visual assets to support late-breaking announcements and important event updates.
• Help create and publish content across platforms, from daytime Conference sessions to nightly festival and awards coverage.
• Occasionally, help capture vertical video for Instagram and TikTok in real-time

Qualifications & Skills

Qualifications include:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• Fluent in the Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Illustrator, After Effects, and Photoshop.
• Proficiency in Premiere Pro is a plus
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Passion for design, social media, and creativity is a must.
• Ability to work under pressure in a high-stress environment to meet deadlines.
• Works well within a team and independently on projects.
• Self-starter who can multitask and solve problems quickly and accurately.
• Experience working at past festivals, publications, and/or social media teams is preferred but not required.
• Basic knowledge of WordPress, Hootsuite, Airtable, and Google Drive is a plus
• Must have a portfolio of previous work to be considered

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting or standing at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to lift to 15+ pounds occasionally, as needed.
• Operation of standard office equipment, including computers, phones, and printers.
• May require occasional bending, reaching, kneeling, or climbing stairs.
• Ability to work outdoors, including exposure to varying temperatures or noise levels.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Location & Schedule

This is a full-time seasonal position located in the Austin, Texas office. You must be available to work additional hours from January through March, including evenings and weekends. You must also be available for the March event, which will have extended on-site working hours.