Application Guide
How to Apply for Designer - Thinkingbox
at Thinkingbox
🏢 About Thinkingbox
Thinkingbox is a 'brief to built' agency that doesn't just concept—they execute. They work with top-tier brands in sports, gaming, entertainment, and technology, and their culture is built on collaboration, creativity, and a healthy dose of fun (think office dogs and Thursday happy hours). With a unique 'work from anywhere for a month' perk, they truly invest in their people's inspiration and growth.
About This Role
As an intermediate Designer at Thinkingbox, you'll be a key player in bringing brand identities to life across digital and experiential touchpoints. You'll design everything from visual systems and microsites to large-scale digital platforms and multimedia activations, blending strategic thinking with impeccable craft. This role is perfect for a designer who loves variety and wants to see their work come to life in innovative, impactful ways.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve brainstorming with the creative team on a new brand identity, then diving into Figma to design a microsite for a sports client. Later, you might review 3D renderings for an experiential activation with the production team, ensuring the design translates seamlessly from screen to physical space. You'll end the day with a quick team huddle to align on next steps, maybe followed by a happy hour with colleagues.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Thinkingbox Is Looking For
- 3–5 years of experience in brand identity, visual systems, and graphic design, with a portfolio that showcases a strong foundation in both digital and experiential design.
- A strategic thinker who can translate client goals into compelling creative concepts and then execute them flawlessly across multiple mediums.
- Proficiency in industry-standard design tools (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, etc.) and a keen eye for typography, layout, color, and motion.
- A collaborative spirit who thrives in a fast-paced, idea-driven environment and is excited to work with cross-functional teams to push creative boundaries.
📝 Tips for Applying to Thinkingbox
Showcase your ability to design for both digital and experiential: include case studies that demonstrate how your design work translated into immersive brand experiences, not just static graphics.
Highlight your experience with brand identity systems: Thinkingbox emphasizes visual systems, so detail how you've built or evolved brand guidelines and applied them across touchpoints.
Demonstrate strategic thinking: in your portfolio or cover letter, explain the 'why' behind your design decisions—how did your work solve a client's problem or achieve a business goal?
Emphasize your proficiency with tools like Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, but also mention any experience with motion design, prototyping, or 3D software, as these are valuable for experiential projects.
Align with their culture: mention your enthusiasm for collaborative, fun work environments and your desire to bring fresh inspiration from diverse experiences (e.g., travel, side projects) to your design work.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your passion for crafting brand experiences that span digital and physical spaces, with specific examples of projects where you did this.', 'Your ability to think strategically and creatively simultaneously—how you balance client goals with innovative design solutions.', "Your collaborative nature and how you've thrived in team environments, ideally referencing experiences where you worked closely with developers, strategists, or other creatives.", "Your excitement about Thinkingbox's culture and unique perks (like the month of remote work), and how you'd contribute to their vibrant, idea-driven team."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore Thinkingbox's portfolio on their website, paying close attention to projects that blend digital and experiential elements, especially in sports, gaming, entertainment, and technology.
- → Read about their 'brief to built' philosophy and how they differentiate themselves from traditional agencies—be prepared to discuss how you embody that maker mindset.
- → Check out their social media (Instagram, LinkedIn) to get a sense of their office culture, team events, and the types of projects they celebrate.
- → Look up recent news or case studies about Thinkingbox to understand their growth, key clients, and any awards or recognitions they've received.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic portfolio that doesn't demonstrate versatility across digital and experiential design—they want to see range and depth in brand systems.
- Focusing only on aesthetics without explaining the strategic thinking behind your work—Thinkingbox values designers who can articulate the 'why'.
- Ignoring their culture in your application—they're proud of their collaborative, fun environment, so showing you're a cultural fit matters.
📅 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:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!