Application Guide

How to Apply for Designer - Thinkingbox

at Thinkingbox

๐Ÿข About Thinkingbox

Thinkingbox is a creative studio that blends design, technology, and strategy to create immersive brand experiences. They are known for pushing boundaries in digital and experiential design, working with top-tier clients on innovative projects. If you thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment where craft and creativity are paramount, this is the place for you.

About This Role

As a Designer at Thinkingbox, you will be at the heart of translating big ideas into tangible visual systems and brand identities. Your work will span digital and experiential projects, directly impacting how audiences interact with brands. This role is pivotal in ensuring that every project is not only visually stunning but also strategically sound.

๐Ÿ’ก A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a stand-up meeting with your project team to align on milestones. You'll spend time sketching and iterating on brand identity concepts, then collaborate with developers to ensure your designs translate well into digital experiences. After lunch, you might present visual directions to a client, then refine assets based on feedback, ending the day by reviewing your work with a senior designer.

๐ŸŽฏ Who Thinkingbox Is Looking For

  • An intermediate-level designer with a strong portfolio showcasing expertise in brand identity, visual systems, and graphic design for both digital and experiential contexts.
  • A strategic thinker who can balance creative vision with client goals, demonstrating the ability to translate abstract ideas into cohesive, engaging experiences.
  • A collaborative team player who thrives in multidisciplinary environments, working seamlessly with producers, creatives, strategists, developers, and senior designers.
  • Proficient in industry-standard design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Sketch) and has a keen eye for detail, typography, and composition.

๐Ÿ“ Tips for Applying to Thinkingbox

1

Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects that blend digital and experiential design, especially those where you contributed to brand identity or visual systems from concept to execution.

2

In your resume, emphasize collaborative projects and your role in working with cross-functional teams, as Thinkingbox values teamwork across disciplines.

3

Write a cover letter that demonstrates your understanding of Thinkingbox's workโ€”mention specific projects or case studies from their website that resonate with your design philosophy.

4

Showcase your strategic thinking by including a brief case study in your portfolio that explains the 'why' behind your design decisions, not just the final output.

5

Prepare a digital presentation of your work that can be easily shared, and consider including a short video introduction to stand out.

โœ‰๏ธ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Express your passion for creating brand identities and visual systems that tell compelling stories across digital and physical touchpoints.', 'Highlight your experience collaborating with diverse teams (producers, developers, strategists) and your ability to adapt to different project workflows.', 'Mention specific Thinkingbox projects that inspire you and explain how your skills align with their approach to design and strategy.', 'Emphasize your commitment to design craft and strategic thinking, showing that you can balance creativity with client objectives.']

Generate Cover Letter โ†’

๐Ÿ” Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • โ†’ Explore Thinkingbox's portfolio on their website, paying close attention to their brand identity and experiential projects, such as work for clients like Google or Nike.
  • โ†’ Read their blog or news section to understand their design philosophy and recent industry recognitions.
  • โ†’ Look up interviews or talks by Thinkingbox's leadership (e.g., founders or creative directors) to grasp their vision and culture.
  • โ†’ Research the Canadian design scene, especially in experiential and digital design, to contextualize Thinkingbox's position in the market.

๐Ÿ’ฌ Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through your design process for a recent brand identity projectโ€”how did you balance creativity with client goals?
2 How do you approach designing for both digital and experiential environments? Can you give an example?
3 Describe a time when you had to collaborate with developers or strategists to bring a design to life. What challenges did you face?
4 How do you stay updated on design trends, and how do you decide which trends to incorporate into your work?
5 Tell us about a project where you had to pivot based on feedback. How did you handle it?
Practice Interview Questions โ†’

โš ๏ธ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic portfolio that doesn't highlight brand identity or experiential workโ€”Thinkingbox looks for specialization in these areas.
  • Focusing only on aesthetics without showing strategic thinking or the 'why' behind your designs.
  • Neglecting to mention collaboration or team experience, as this role requires constant interaction with multiple departments.

๐Ÿ“… 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

โœ“

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Thinkingbox!