How to apply for Graphic Designer

About Earthtrust

Earthtrust is a public platform for companies and organizations to verify their claims through radical transparency. Unlike traditional sustainability or impact reporting, Earthtrust focuses on verifiable, public-facing proof, making it a unique player in the trust and accountability space. Volunteering here means contributing directly to a mission that challenges greenwashing and builds credible trust between organizations and the public.

About the role

As a volunteer Graphic Designer, you'll create one-pagers, presentations, and branded assets that translate Earthtrust's mission of radical transparency into clear, compelling visuals. You'll work directly with founders to iterate on designs, owning the visual storytelling that helps stakeholders and the public understand why verified claims matter. Your work will be instrumental in shaping how Earthtrust communicates its value and grows its platform.

A typical day

You might start your day by reviewing feedback from the founders on a draft one-pager, then spend a few hours iterating on the layout and copy to make the verification process clearer. Later, you could join a quick video call to discuss a new pitch deck for potential partners, and end the day by creating a few social media graphics to promote a recent transparency report. The work is flexible and remote, but you're directly contributing to materials that help Earthtrust grow its impact.

Who Earthtrust is looking for

• Has a portfolio demonstrating strong skills in creating one-pagers, pitch decks, and marketing materials, ideally with a clean, modern aesthetic suitable for a tech/transparency platform.
• Is passionate about visual communication and can translate complex ideas (like verification processes and radical transparency) into simple, engaging designs.
• Thrives in a collaborative, startup-like environment, comfortable iterating based on feedback and evolving needs.
• Is eager to grow with the organization, potentially taking on more design leadership as Earthtrust scales.

Tips for this application

• Tailor your portfolio to highlight one-pagers and pitch decks specifically—Earthtrust needs assets that explain their platform to companies and the public, so include work that shows you can simplify complex information.
• In your application, explicitly mention why Earthtrust's mission of radical transparency resonates with you; they value authenticity and will look for genuine interest in their cause.
• Since this is a volunteer role, emphasize your availability and commitment level clearly—founders will want to know you can reliably contribute to ongoing projects.
• Show you can work remotely and independently by referencing past remote design collaborations or your process for managing feedback asynchronously.
• Consider creating a mock one-pager or presentation slide for Earthtrust as a speculative piece to include with your application—this demonstrates initiative and directly shows how you'd approach their visual needs.

What to cover in your cover letter

["Your specific interest in Earthtrust's mission of radical transparency and how design can make verification processes more accessible and trustworthy.", "Examples of one-pagers or pitch decks you've designed that simplified complex information for a broad audience.", 'Your ability to collaborate closely with founders and iterate quickly based on feedback, highlighting any startup or fast-paced environment experience.', 'Your eagerness to grow with the organization and potentially take on more design responsibilities as Earthtrust expands.']

Research before applying

• Explore Earthtrust's website and any public materials to understand their current branding, tone, and how they present verification to users.
• Research the concept of radical transparency and similar platforms (e.g., B Corp certification, public benefit corporations) to grasp the landscape Earthtrust operates in.
• Look up the founders and team on LinkedIn to understand their backgrounds and communication styles, which can inform how you tailor your designs.
• Review Earthtrust's social media or blog for recent initiatives or campaigns, so you can propose design ideas that align with their current focus.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you design a one-pager to explain Earthtrust's verification process to a skeptical company?
• Walk us through a time you received critical feedback on a design and how you iterated to improve it.
• What visual elements or design principles do you think are essential for conveying transparency and trust?
• How do you prioritize multiple design requests when working with a small, fast-moving team?
• Why are you interested in volunteering for Earthtrust specifically, and how do you see design contributing to our mission?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a generic portfolio that doesn't include one-pagers or pitch decks—Earthtrust specifically needs these assets, so not showing them suggests you haven't read the requirements.
• Focusing only on aesthetics without explaining the strategic thinking behind your designs—Earthtrust values clear communication, so show how your visuals solve problems.
• Ignoring the volunteer nature of the role and not addressing your motivation or availability—founders want to know you're genuinely committed to the mission, not just looking for any design gig.