Temporary Brand Identity Designer Jobs in Michigan

Metric Marketing is looking for a versatile Graphic Designer & Illustrator to join our team on a contract basis. The core of this role is brand identity, merchandise and packaging, illustration, and web and digital design, across our clients and our own growing brands. If you also bring photography, social media, or a hands-on creative streak, there is plenty of room for that here. It suits someone who works well across varied projects, takes ownership without close supervision, and communicates clearly about progress and priorities.

A Little About Metric Marketing

We're a growing agency where every day looks a little different, fueled by coffee and camaraderie. We serve clients across legal, biotech, software, and manufacturing, and alongside that work we are building several brands of our own, including a retail market and a podcast platform. As part of a small team, you'll learn well beyond your job title.

This isn't a corporate environment. We're driven by joy, impact, and relationships built on trust and transparency. We only move forward if we're all heading in the same direction, and we rise by lifting each other up.

We trust our team from day one. There's no micromanagement here. You'll be expected to take initiative, follow through, and shape your own success.

Core Scope of Work

Work spans Metric's clients as well as our internal and emerging brands. The examples below illustrate the kinds of projects in scope. They are not an exhaustive list, and priorities shift as client work and brand launches move.

Brand & Identity

•     Build and maintain brand guidelines across client and internal brands.

•     Develop brand identity systems, including logos, color palettes, typography, and asset libraries.

•     Extend established brand systems into new products, channels, and applications.

Merchandise, Packaging & Print

•     Design merchandise and apparel, such as branded goods and event pieces.

•     Design packaging, labeling, and product presentation.

•     Produce print collateral, such as brochures, signage, in-store materials, and letterhead.

Illustration

•     Create original illustration for campaigns, products, packaging, and brand storytelling.

•     Translate creative direction and rough concepts into finished visuals.

Web & Digital

•     Design websites in Figma, from homepage through supporting page templates.

•     Design landing pages, email templates, and digital campaign assets.

•     Maintain visual consistency across every client and brand touchpoint.

Complementary Skills

These aren't required, but they're the skills that make a candidate stand out. If you bring any of them, there is real work here for them.

Photography

•     Shoot product photography for e-commerce, on-location, and marketing use.

•     Shoot lifestyle and location photography, including properties and physical spaces.

•     Edit and retouch imagery for digital and print delivery.

Social Media & Content

•     Establish and maintain social profiles across brands.

•     Build social presence from the ground up, including strategy and content calendars.

•     Design social content and campaign assets.

•     Edit and publish video and podcast content in coordination with our podcast producer.

Hands-On Creative

•     Style and set up in-store displays, merchandising, and physical brand spaces.

•     Bring creative ideas into physical form, not just on screen.

Who We're Looking For

•     Self-aware and humble. You're skilled in your craft, but stay open to feedback and know when to ask for help.

•     An initiative-taker who goes past "good enough" and finds ways to improve quality and efficiency.

•     Solution-oriented. You bring ideas forward instead of only flagging problems.

•     Adaptable, and steady when priorities shift.

•     A clear communicator who surfaces questions and roadblocks early rather than late.

Qualifications

•     3+ years of professional graphic design and illustration experience, with a portfolio spanning branding, print, and digital work.

•     Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, including Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.

•     Experience designing in Figma, or a demonstrated ability to pick up new design tools quickly.

•     A track record of building or maintaining brand identity systems.

•     Local candidates only. This is a hybrid role, and on-site collaboration in Saline is part of how we work.

Bonus Points

•     Product or lifestyle photography, including editing and retouching.

•     Social media design and management across platforms.

•     Video or podcast editing.

•     A knack for physical creative work, such as styling displays or merchandising a space.

•     Experience using AI tools in a design workflow.

Technology & AI

Metric is actively developing how AI supports our work. Our approach is to use it to strengthen the team rather than replace it, so that more time goes toward creative and strategic work and less toward repetitive tasks. Curiosity about new tools and willingness to adopt improved processes are expected in every role here.

Training & Skill Development

We do not expect candidates to arrive with every skill this role touches. Where gaps exist, we set aside dedicated paid time for training before that work reaches clients.

Structure

This is an ongoing contract role, engaged as an independent contractor on a 1099 basis. Every hire at Metric starts this way. For contractors who prove to be a strong fit, there is potential to move into a full-time position, which includes eligibility for health insurance, dental and vision, and 401(k) participation.

Contractors provide their own computer, software, and equipment. Shared equipment is available for use in the office.

Compensation

Commensurate with experience and portfolio strength.

How to Apply

Share your resume and portfolio. We want to see your work, but we also want to know who you are. Be sure to answer the screening questions without the use of AI and tell us about your interests, what draws you to this kind of work, and why you'd be a great fit here.