SEASONAL - Sr. Graphic Designer & Illustrator

JOB OVERVIEW

Unrivaled is seeking a Sr. Graphic Designer and Illustrator who can help define the organization's look and feel across social media platforms during the 2026–2027 season. The engagement is expected to begin December 1, 2026, and continue through March 30, 2027, subject to completion of the agreed scope of services. The services are expected to be performed remotely, except as otherwise agreed by the parties.

This role is for a designer who is equally comfortable executing against an established brand system and creating something completely original from a blank canvas. We are asking all applicants to provide us with work from their professional portfolio. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Social & Real-Time Sports Graphics

• Design high-volume, high-quality graphics for Unrivaled's social platforms.
• Create game-day graphics, matchups, starting lineups, scores, statistics, standings, player milestones, breaking news, transactions, schedules, and results.
• Develop graphics around cultural moments, player performances, rivalries, and emerging storylines.
• Work quickly during live events while maintaining a high creative standard.
• Build adaptable templates that allow the creative and social teams to move quickly without making the brand feel repetitive.

Illustration & Original Creative

• Create original illustrations of Unrivaled players, teams, moments, and league stories.
• Develop poster-style artwork, editorial illustrations, player portraits, typography treatments, and campaign artwork.
• Translate player personalities and basketball culture into distinctive visual concepts.
• Create artwork that can extend beyond social into merchandise, apparel, posters, arena environments, and physical installations.
• Bring an identifiable artistic point of view while still working within the larger Unrivaled brand.

Brand & Marketing

• Support major league campaigns including player announcements, schedules, ticketing, tune-in, playoffs, special events, and league initiatives.
• Help evolve Unrivaled's visual identity while maintaining consistency across platforms.
• Create key art that can become the foundation for larger integrated campaigns.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Content to translate strategic ideas into strong visual concepts.
• Help establish design systems and templates that can scale across a fast-growing organization.

Players & Clubs

• Develop distinctive creative treatments for Unrivaled players and clubs.
• Create graphics that celebrate player personalities, achievements, fashion, culture, and interests beyond basketball.
• Help differentiate the visual identity of individual teams while ensuring they remain connected to the overall Unrivaled brand.
• Create player-focused artwork that athletes are excited to share on their own platforms.

Partnerships

• Collaborate with the Brand Partnerships team to create sponsor-integrated graphics and campaigns.
• Find creative ways to incorporate partner brands without compromising the quality or authenticity of Unrivaled creative.
• Develop original visual concepts that can elevate partnership pitches and existing sponsorship programs.
• Adapt league creative into partner-specific deliverables across social, digital, broadcast, and live events.

Live Events & Arena

• Design graphics for arena video boards, LED displays, signage, concourses, player areas, and fan experiences.
• Support creative needs for Unrivaled road events and special events.
• Think beyond the phone screen and understand how artwork translates into physical environments.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• 3-7+ years of professional design experience
• Strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional graphic design and illustration skills.
• Experience creating sports, entertainment, fashion, music, gaming, or culturally relevant creative.
• Strong command of typography, composition, color, photography, and visual hierarchy.
• Ability to create original illustration—not simply manipulate photography or existing assets.
• Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
• Experience with motion design, After Effects, 3D, or animation is a significant plus.
• Familiarity with emerging AI-assisted creative tools is a plus, particularly when used to accelerate ideation and production rather than replace original creative thinking.
• Strong understanding of Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, and evolving social formats.
• Ability to work quickly in a live sports environment.
• Comfortable receiving creative direction while also bringing original ideas to the table.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to craft.

COMPENSATION

• Employment Type: 1099 
• Monthly Rate: $6,000–$7,000 (rate is determined based on level of experience) 
• Contract Duration: December 1, 2026 to March 30, 2027