Graphic Designer for Youth Sports | Paid Test + Long-Term Work

I'm looking for a talented graphic designer with **advanced Adobe Photoshop skills** who can potentially become a long-term part of my creative workflow. I work primarily with youth sports organizations and regularly create social media graphics, event and tryout promotions, website graphics, and other marketing materials. **This will start with a $50 paid test project** to create one event/tryout graphic. I'm hiring multiple designers for the same test and will continue working with the person who provides the best combination of design quality, communication, ability to follow direction, and efficiency. ## The Test Project I'll provide: * Existing branding and logos * Examples of previous graphics to use as creative direction * Photography/assets * Event information * Creative direction I'm **not** looking for you to reinvent the brand. I want someone who can study an established visual style and create something new that looks like it belongs within that brand. You'll need to deliver the final graphic along with the **original, editable Photoshop PSD file with organized layers**. Please also track the approximate amount of **active working time** you spend on the project and include that with your final delivery. There is no target time. I want to understand your normal process and efficiency. ## Requirements **Advanced Adobe Photoshop skills are required.** You should be very comfortable with photo manipulation, masking, adjustment layers, typography, effects, compositing, and creating clean, organized PSD files. Adobe Illustrator experience is a plus, but **not required**. I'm also looking for someone who: * Speaks and writes excellent English * Communicates clearly and reliably * Takes creative direction well * Understands and executes feedback * Has a strong eye for typography, hierarchy, spacing, photography, and composition * Can match different established brands rather than applying the same style to everything * Works efficiently without sacrificing quality Experience creating sports graphics is a major plus. ## Long-Term Opportunity I'm looking for someone I can work with consistently, not just for this one project. The right person will have the opportunity for **ongoing hourly graphic design work across multiple clients**. Over time, there may also be opportunities to help with basic WordPress website updates. WordPress experience is a plus, but it is not required. Design ability, Photoshop expertise, communication, reliability, and efficiency are more important. The $50 budget is specifically for this paid test and **should not be considered the fixed rate for future graphics**. Ongoing work will likely be hourly. ## To Apply Please send **3–5 examples of your strongest Photoshop-based design work**. Sports-related work is preferred if you have it. Please don't send a huge portfolio or a generic copy-and-paste proposal. I'd rather see a few pieces you personally think represent your best work. **Start your proposal with the word LACROSSE so I know you read the full description.** I'm looking for a strong Photoshop designer who communicates well, works efficiently, follows creative direction, and is interested in building a long-term working relationship.