Application Guide

How to Apply for Graphic Designer

at The Midas Project

🏢 About The Midas Project

The Midas Project is a watchdog nonprofit that investigates and reports on the practices of leading AI companies, holding them accountable for transparency, privacy, and ethical standards. Working here means your design work directly supports investigative journalism and policy advocacy that can influence how AI companies operate. It's a rare chance to combine creative visual storytelling with a mission-driven focus on tech ethics.

About This Role

As the Graphic Designer, you'll be the visual voice of The Midas Project's investigations, creating everything from article headers and social cards to data visualizations that make complex AI policy findings accessible to partners and policymakers. You'll also design YouTube thumbnails and social assets optimized for engagement, often on tight deadlines for breaking stories. Your work will directly amplify the impact of their watchdog reporting.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve creating a set of social cards for a breaking investigation in the morning, then collaborating with the editorial team to refine a data visualization for an upcoming report in the afternoon. You'll also review engagement metrics on recent YouTube thumbnails and iterate on designs for better performance, all while ensuring every asset aligns with The Midas Project's brand and mission.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who The Midas Project Is Looking For

  • Proven experience designing for digital media, with a portfolio that includes article headers, social graphics, and YouTube thumbnails that drove measurable engagement.
  • Strong data visualization skills—able to turn dense reports and datasets into clear, compelling charts and infographics for non-expert audiences.
  • Ability to work fast without sacrificing quality, maintaining brand consistency across multiple projects under tight deadlines.
  • Interest in or knowledge of AI ethics, tech policy, or nonprofit advocacy, and a desire to use design for social impact.

📝 Tips for Applying to The Midas Project

1

Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects where design supported storytelling or advocacy—especially any work related to tech, policy, or social issues.

2

In your cover letter, mention specific AI companies or investigations The Midas Project has covered to show you understand their mission and audience.

3

Include examples of data visualizations you've created, and explain how you made complex information accessible to a general audience.

4

Demonstrate your ability to work quickly by sharing case studies of fast-turnaround designs, such as breaking news graphics or real-time social media assets.

5

If you have experience with YouTube thumbnails, include metrics like click-through rates or engagement improvements to prove your impact.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your passion for AI ethics and how your design skills can advance The Midas Project's watchdog mission.", "Specific examples of data visualizations you've created that simplified complex topics for policymakers or partners.", 'Your experience designing for fast-paced environments, such as newsrooms or advocacy campaigns, where quick turnaround is essential.', "How you've maintained brand consistency across multiple platforms while adapting designs for different audiences and formats."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read recent investigations and reports published on The Midas Project's website to understand their tone, visual style, and key issues.
  • → Follow The Midas Project on social media (Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn) to analyze their current graphics and identify opportunities for improvement.
  • → Research the AI companies they monitor (e.g., OpenAI, Google, Meta) and recent news about their practices to grasp the context of the stories you'd be visualizing.
  • → Look into the backgrounds of the team members, especially the communications or editorial leads, to understand their priorities and workflows.
Visit The Midas Project's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How you would approach designing a data visualization for a report on AI company privacy violations, ensuring clarity for policymakers.
2 Your process for creating a YouTube thumbnail that maximizes engagement while accurately representing an investigative story.
3 How you balance maintaining brand guidelines with the need for fast-turnaround graphics during breaking news.
4 Your familiarity with AI ethics and which AI companies or practices you think deserve more scrutiny.
5 A walkthrough of a past project where you had to explain complex information visually—what challenges you faced and how you solved them.
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic portfolio that doesn't include social media graphics, data visualizations, or fast-turnaround work relevant to the role.
  • Ignoring the nonprofit context—applicants who focus only on corporate design experience without showing interest in mission-driven work may be overlooked.
  • Failing to demonstrate an understanding of The Midas Project's audience (policymakers, partners, general public) and how design can cater to each.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to The Midas Project!

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