Senior Visual Designer

Zypsy; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Zypsy in San Francisco seeks a Senior Visual Designer to partner with early-growth startups across multiple industries, shaping visual identities through research-driven mood boards, creative directions, and high-quality deliverables that help brands scale their presence quickly and effectively.

The ideal candidate blends big-picture brand vision with executional excellence, has 8+ years in visual design or branding, strong typography and storytelling, and the ability to translate insights into

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in visual design, branding, or digital design.
• Proven ability to adapt visual identities for early-growth startups.
• Strong research and storytelling skills.

Responsibilities

• Research client industries, audiences, and competitors to inform design strategy.
• Create mood boards, visual directions, and brand systems tailored to each client’s stage and goals.
• Conceptualize and execute visual design across digital and print mediums (websites, marketing collateral, presentations, events, and campaigns).
• Maintain consistency and scalability of visual identities across channels while adapting to diverse industries.
• Develop design assets such as typography, iconography, illustrations, infographics, and motion graphics.
• Present design concepts and recommendations to clients, clearly communicating rationale and trade-offs.
• Work quickly and effectively in a startup-like environment, balancing high-quality standards with fast timelines.
• Stay current on creative trends, technologies, and competitive landscapes to bring fresh perspectives to client work.

Skills

Research skills

Storytelling

Typography

Visual systems

Client communication

Collaboration

Fast-paced

Branding experience

Education

BA/BFA in Visual Design

Tools

Motion graphics

AI tools

3D visualization

Job description

Job Description As a Senior Visual Designer, you will partner with early-growth stage startups across multiple industries to shape and expand their visual identities. This role goes beyond execution – it requires curiosity, research, and the ability to deeply understand each client’s business, industry, and competitive landscape. You’ll translate insights into mood boards, creative directions, and high-quality deliverables that help startups scale their brand presence quickly and effectively.

As a Senior Visual Designer, you will partner with early-growth stage startups across multiple industries to shape and expand their visual identities. This role goes beyond execution – it requires curiosity, research, and the ability to deeply understand each client’s business, industry, and competitive landscape. You’ll translate insights into mood boards, creative directions, and high-quality deliverables that help startups scale their brand presence quickly and effectively. The ideal candidate balances big-picture brand vision with executional excellence, transforming insights into high-quality designs that resonate across every touchpoint.

Responsibilities

• Research client industries, audiences, and competitors to inform design strategy.
• Create mood boards, visual directions, and brand systems tailored to each client’s stage and goals.
• Conceptualize and execute visual design across digital and occasionally print mediums (websites, marketing collateral, presentations, events, and campaigns).
• Maintain consistency and scalability of visual identities across channels while adapting to diverse industries.
• Develop design assets such as typography, iconography, illustrations, infographics, and motion graphics.
• Present design concepts and recommendations to clients, clearly communicating rationale and trade-offs.
• Work quickly and effectively in a startup-like environment, balancing high-quality standards with fast timelines.
• Stay current on creative trends, technologies, and competitive landscapes to bring fresh perspectives to client work.

What we’re looking for

Basic Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in visual design, branding, or digital design.
• Proven ability to adapt visual identities for early-growth startups in diverse industries.
• Strong research and storytelling skills: able to analyze competitors and synthesize insights into design direction.
• Exceptional craft in layout, typography, and visual systems
• High agency: self-starter who takes ownership and pushes work forward without waiting for direction.
• Ability to collaborate deeply with clients and teammates, balancing creative vision with business needs.
• Strong communication and client-facing presentation skills.
• Comfortable moving quickly without sacrificing quality.

Preferred Requirements

• BA/BFA in Visual Design, Graphic Design, or related field.
• Experience with motion graphics or simple animations.
• Familiarity with AI-powered creative tools to accelerate workflows and explore new creative directions.
• Familiarity with 3D visualization tools, illustration, photography, or other creative disciplines.