Job brief
We are looking for a highly skilled Email Designer to join our marketing team and elevate our customer communication strategy. You will take ownership of our email design system, crafting visually compelling and responsive campaigns that resonate with our diverse subscriber base. By working closely with marketing analysts and developers, you will implement innovative design solutions that drive growth and brand consistency. If you have a passion for typography, layout optimization, and the technical intricacies of email development, we want to hear from you.
Key highlights
- Design and code responsive, mobile-first email templates using HTML and inline CSS to ensure seamless rendering across all major ESPs.
- Utilize Litmus or Email on Acid to rigorously test email campaigns for layout consistency, link functionality, and accessibility standards.
- Develop and maintain a modular email design system in Figma to streamline production and ensure brand visual consistency across all touchpoints.
- Manage the end-to-end email production lifecycle, from initial design mockups to final deployment through platforms like Klaviyo, Mailchimp, or Salesforce Marketing Cloud.
What is a Email Designer?
An Email Designer is a specialized digital creative who conceptualizes, builds, and optimizes high-performing email marketing assets. By blending visual design principles with technical HTML/CSS coding, an Email Designer creates responsive layouts that render perfectly across all major email clients like Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail. Their role is critical in bridging the gap between brand aesthetics and technical deliverability, ensuring that every subscriber interaction is both visually engaging and optimized for conversion.
What does a Email Designer do?
On a daily basis, an Email Designer develops pixel-perfect templates using modular design systems and inline CSS to ensure consistent cross-platform performance. They manage the end-to-end production of email campaigns, from initial wireframing in Figma to final testing in Litmus or Email on Acid to identify and resolve rendering issues. Additionally, they collaborate with CRM managers and copywriters to implement A/B testing strategies, analyze click-through rate data, and iterate on visual elements to maximize user engagement and campaign ROI.
Key responsibilities
- Design and code responsive, mobile-first email templates using HTML and inline CSS to ensure seamless rendering across all major ESPs.
- Utilize Litmus or Email on Acid to rigorously test email campaigns for layout consistency, link functionality, and accessibility standards.
- Develop and maintain a modular email design system in Figma to streamline production and ensure brand visual consistency across all touchpoints.
- Collaborate with CRM and automation managers to build dynamic email content that leverages personalization tokens and conditional logic.
- Analyze email performance metrics, including click-to-open rates and conversion data, to inform iterative design improvements and A/B test hypotheses.
- Partner with the editorial team to translate brand marketing strategies into compelling visual storytelling and high-impact email layouts.
- Manage the end-to-end email production lifecycle, from initial design mockups to final deployment through platforms like Klaviyo, Mailchimp, or Salesforce Marketing Cloud.
- Optimize visual assets and imagery for fast load times without compromising resolution or impact in desktop and mobile inboxes.
Requirements and skills
- Expert-level proficiency in hand-coding responsive HTML and inline CSS specifically for email environments, including table-based layouts.
- 3+ years of experience in email design and development, with a portfolio showcasing high-performing campaigns for diverse audiences.
- Advanced skills in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator) and Figma for creating high-fidelity design mockups and prototypes.
- Proven experience working with enterprise-level ESPs such as Salesforce Marketing Cloud, Braze, Klaviyo, or Iterable.
- Solid understanding of email deliverability best practices, including image-to-text ratios, file size optimization, and spam filter avoidance.
- Deep knowledge of UI/UX principles, including color theory, typography, and hierarchy as applied to limited-screen-space digital communication.
- Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Web Development, or a related creative discipline, or equivalent professional design experience.
- Certified professional in email marketing or digital design methodologies is highly preferred, demonstrating a commitment to industry best practices.
FAQs
What does an Email Designer do?
An Email Designer is responsible for creating, coding, and testing the visual components of email marketing campaigns. They combine artistic design skills with technical knowledge of HTML and CSS to ensure that emails appear correctly on diverse devices and mail clients. Their ultimate goal is to craft emails that are not only visually appealing but also optimized to drive subscriber interaction and conversion.
What technical skills does an Email Designer need?
An Email Designer must be proficient in hand-coding HTML and CSS, specifically tailored for the constraints of email clients. Familiarity with design tools like Figma or Adobe Creative Suite is essential for creating layouts, while experience with email-specific testing platforms like Litmus is required to catch rendering errors. Additionally, understanding ESPs like Salesforce Marketing Cloud or Klaviyo is necessary for implementing the final designs.
How does an Email Designer work with marketing teams?
An Email Designer typically partners with CRM managers, copywriters, and data analysts to align email visuals with broader marketing goals. They receive campaign briefs, create mockups, and then build the code required to bring those concepts to life for thousands of subscribers. By analyzing A/B test results, they provide feedback to the marketing team on what design elements drive higher engagement.
Why is a dedicated Email Designer important for a brand?
Because email remains one of the highest ROI channels for businesses, an Email Designer is vital to ensure that every message reflects the brand's premium quality and is technically sound. Poor design or broken code can lead to low open rates and spam reports, whereas a dedicated designer ensures consistency and performance. Investing in this role translates directly to better user retention and increased revenue through optimized email communication.