Creative Product Designer

The Creative Product Designer creates visual concepts to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. This individual understands consumer and retailer needs and uses that information to create products that will be successful in the marketplace. This role is a blend of highly conceptual and technical functions, and is responsible for design trend research, new product concepting, design execution and refinement, and preparation of art for reproduction. The Creative Product Designer role requires a high level of creativity, skilled application of art knowledge and aesthetics, graphic design proficiency, typography expertise, and understanding of print manufacturing processes to deliver consistently innovative and relevant products. This individual will collaborate effectively with the Creative, Product Development, and Marketing and Sales teams to understand client needs and develop product that is aesthetically appealing within established graphic and brand parameters.   

This is a full-time, on-site position based at our corporate headquarters in Grand Rapids, MI.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assists with the design of in-house projects from inception to production.
• Illustrates concepts by designing rough layout of art and copy regarding arrangement, size, type size and style, and related aesthetic concepts.
• Illustrates concepts by designing rough art layouts and applies strong layout, color, and finishing solutions when creating product design concepts, effectively integrating hand lettering and typography when applicable.
• Designs a variety of product categories, including cards, paper tableware, gift packaging, home, giftware, and packaging.
• Concepts and mocks up design ideas and layouts based on knowledge of layout principles and artistic design concepts.
• Participates in brainstorms to develop innovative, brand right products that support creative strategies and meet retailer and consumer needs.
• Understands and supports corporate pricing strategies by designing innovative product with appropriate attributes and perceived value that align with specified price and cost targets.
• Keeps a finger on the pulse of what is happening in the world of design by researching market and design trends, product innovations, vendors and other departmental topics.
• Stays current with trends in graphic design techniques and software.
• Proactively communicates and collaborates with the creative team and other stakeholders to plan, conceptualize, create, analyze, organize, and execute assigned projects.
• Works as part of the creative team to develop and maintain effective and consistent graphics that support brand strategy.
• Acts as a versatile, flexible team player with the ability to collaborate cross functionally.
• Provides strong conceptual/aesthetic direction, either through written or verbal communication, to team members and outside resources.
• Consistently meets all project and task deadlines assigned by VP of Brand & Product and/or Art Director and/or Creative Director.
• Adapts to changes in the work environment in ways that help other members keep projects on course.
• Exhibits full responsibility for one’s own work achievements and consistently maintains a high level of self-management that contributes to sustained high performance.
• Uses time available effectively to complete work tasks and activities that lead to the achievement of expected work objectives.
• Digitally manipulates artwork for desired look to ensure colors are optimized for reproduction processes.
• Builds digital files to meet Convivial Brands’ manufacturing standards.
• Maintains ongoing and thorough knowledge of manufacturing processes and finishing applications.
• Makes various formats of supplied artwork production-ready and resolves any artwork issues that arise during production. This includes image retouching, clipping paths, and additional image manipulation.
• Participates in additional special projects as needed as well as all other duties assigned by direct supervisor.

Convivial Brands Expectations of all Employees:

• Adheres to all Convivial Brands Policies and Procedures.
• Always conducts self in a manner consistent with Convivial Brands’ Core Values.
• Maintains a positive and respectful attitude with all contacts.
• Consistently reports to work on time and prepared to perform the duties of the position.
• Meets productivity standards and performs duties as workload necessitates.
• Maintains the privacy of all company proprietary information.
• Treats visitors, vendors, customers, and team members with respect and dignity.
• Able to safely perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Required/Desired Qualifications:

Education, Training, and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Illustration, Fine Arts, or another related field.
• 2 – 5 years of related work experience obtained through employment and/or internship.
• Demonstrates graphic design skills with a strong portfolio.
• Experience in social expression, stationery, or gift industry, or a closely related category is preferred but not required.  
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office programs such as Work and Excel.
• A strong grasp of design software programs, such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign.
• Strong aesthetic sensibility.
• Up-to-date knowledge of current and forecasted trends.

Specific skills, knowledge, and abilities:

• Must be a self-starter and problem solver, capable of functioning in a dynamic, fast paced, change oriented environment.
• Ability to prioritize assignments with little or no supervision, coordinating deadlines with manager and team members, manufacturing, sourcing, and freelance studios.

• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to producing high-quality design products.
• Collaborative team player with the ability to connect and work with team members at all levels, interacting effectively with senior management and staff to carry out the organization’s mission and objectives.
• Ability to give and receive constructive feedback from other team members with an open mind.
• Ability to effectively build relationships that establish trust, respect, competence, and confidence.
• Understands color management standards.
• Superb interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.