Brand Designer Needed for Premium E-Comm Supplement Launch (AI Skills a Plus) - Contract to Hire

I'm an 8+ year DTC veteran who's built and scaled multiple brands to 6 and 7 figures. I know what works, what doesn't, and how to build brands that actually sell - not just look pretty. I'm launching a 1 SKU supplement brand - a clean, Ayurvedic-inspired pre-workout that's breaking away from the typical aggressive supplement aesthetic. Think premium wellness brand, not 'gym bro' energy drink. WHAT I AM LOOKING FOR I'm looking for a brand designer who can bring this vision to life across: ✅ Product rendering & lifestyle imagery (PDP hero shots, ingredient photography, lifestyle scenes) ✅ Branding assets (logo refinement, label design, packaging mockups) ✅ Website design assets (homepage graphics, product page layouts, mobile-optimized visuals) ✅ Marketing collateral (social assets, email headers, ad creative) WHAT MAKES THIS DIFFERENT This isn't a one-off logo project. I'm looking for someone who: ✅ Wants to own the visual identity of a brand from day one ✅ Can work fast and iteratively (I move quickly and need someone who can keep up) ✅ Communicates clearly - I don't want to chase updates or guess what's happening ✅ Is hands-on and collaborative - you'll have creative freedom, but I know what converts and will give direct feedback ✅ Sees this as more than a gig - if we work well together, there's opportunity to grow into a long-term role as the brand scales BONUS POINTS IF YOU HAVE ✅ Experience with AI image generation (Midjourney, DALL-E, Stable Diffusion, etc.) for concept development and asset creation ✅ Background in CPG/supplement branding or premium wellness brands (E-Commerce) ✅ Portfolio showing clean, modern, elevated design (not overly busy or trend-chasing) ✅ Experience designing for DTC/ecommerce (understanding of conversion-focused design, not just aesthetics) What This Looks Like: PHASE 1 (Project Basis - Upwork): - Finalize logo and label design (will be 1 SKU) - Create product renders and lifestyle imagery for launch - Design homepage and PDP assets - Build out initial brand guidelines PHASE 2 (Long-Term Growth): If we work well together, I'm looking to bring the right person into a long-term retainer or in-house role as we scale. I'm building a team ultimately, not just hiring contractors. This is an opportunity to grow with a brand from day one and have real ownership over the creative direction. What I'm NOT Looking For: - Template designers who recycle the same concepts - People who need constant hand-holding or disappear for days - Designers who can't take direct feedback without taking it personally - Anyone who just wants a quick paycheck and won't invest in the vision TO APPLY: - Show me your best work - Share 2-3 projects that demonstrate clean, modern, premium branding (bonus if CPG/wellness/supplements) - Tell me why you're a fit - What excites you about this project? What's your design process? - AI experience? - If you use AI tools in your workflow, tell me how you integrate them - Availability - Can you start within the next week and commit to fast turnarounds during launch phase? Let's build something that actually stands out in a crowded market. If you're tired of boring projects and want to be part of something from the ground up, let's talk. Goal is to have fun of course and create something great! Apply tot his job Apply To this Job