Athlete Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Athlete Graphic Designer

Company: Revelyst Outdoor

Location: Irvine, CA

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Sports & Recreation

Date Posted: May 20, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Executes athlete-specific graphic designs across performance apparel, racewear, and hardgoods, ensuring adherence to established visual direction and brand standards.

• Develops and prepares comprehensive production tech packs, including detailed artwork layouts, precise callouts, and CADs (Computer-Aided Designs) for manufacturing.

• Applies graphics with meticulous accuracy and consistency across diverse garment patterns, trims, and hardgood surfaces, meeting specific production requirements.

• Collaborates closely with product development teams to troubleshoot and resolve design and production-related issues, maintaining high-quality output.

• Manages and organizes project files, assets, and line plans efficiently to support seasonal timelines and facilitate smooth workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is firmly rooted in production and execution, with a significant emphasis on translating creative concepts into manufacturable assets. The "Athlete" component suggests a focus on high-visibility designs for sponsored individuals or teams, requiring a keen understanding of brand aesthetics within the sports and action sports industries.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Translate established creative direction and athlete briefs into production-ready graphic assets for racewear, apparel, and hardgoods.

• Prepare detailed production tech packs that include 100% artwork layout, precise callouts for color, material, and placement, and relevant CADs.

• Ensure accurate application of graphics across various garment patterns, material substrates, trims, and hardgood shapes, maintaining visual integrity and brand consistency.

• Verify that all artwork adheres to specific production requirements, including print techniques (e.g., screen printing, sublimation, embroidery), material compatibility, and factory specifications.

• Partner with product managers, developers, and potentially marketing teams to resolve technical design challenges and ensure the quality and feasibility of graphic applications.

• Proactively manage workload to meet strict seasonal timelines, delivering accurate and production-ready assets on schedule for multiple product lines and collections.

• Maintain a meticulously organized digital asset management system, including project files, artwork archives, and line plans, for efficient retrieval and reference.

• Support the broader design team in concept development by exploring layout options and applying established visual themes and brand guidelines to new product ideas.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for strong technical design skills and a deep understanding of the manufacturing process for apparel and hardgoods. The emphasis on "production tech packs" and "factory standards" indicates a critical role in bridging the gap between creative vision and tangible product realization, demanding precision and a methodical approach.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Apparel Design, Visual Communications, or a closely related creative field.

Experience: 2–4 years of professional experience in graphic design or apparel design, with a strong preference for experience within the sports, action sports, or outdoor recreation industries.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop for vector and raster graphic creation, manipulation, and layout.

• Solid understanding of garment construction principles, including pattern making and how graphics interact with different fabric types and silhouettes.

• Knowledge of various print methods (e.g., screen printing, sublimation, heat transfer, embroidery) and their technical requirements for artwork setup.

• Exceptional attention to detail, with a proven ability to maintain accuracy and consistency in complex artwork and documentation.

• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet demanding deadlines in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

• Strong organizational skills with experience in file management, asset organization, and maintaining clear project documentation.

• Ability to receive and integrate creative direction and feedback effectively, executing revisions with speed and precision.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective collaboration with internal teams and external partners.

Preferred Skills:

• Prior experience designing graphics for or working directly with professional or collegiate athletes.

• Familiarity with CAD software beyond Adobe Suite for product design applications.

• Experience with digital asset management (DAM) systems.

• Understanding of color theory and its application in textile and hardgoods design.

• Ability to adapt to flexible work schedules, including potential evening and weekend availability during critical event periods or seasonal peaks.

• Possession of a valid passport and willingness to undertake international travel for production or event support.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of creative talent and technical execution. The preference for sports industry experience and athlete collaboration suggests that understanding the culture, aesthetics, and demands of this sector is highly valued. The "You might have" section indicates potential areas for growth or specialized needs that could set a candidate apart.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase at least 2-3 distinct projects that demonstrate the application of graphics across apparel or hardgoods, highlighting the transition from concept to final production-ready artwork.

• Include examples of detailed tech packs or production artwork that illustrate understanding of callouts, color specifications, and placement accuracy.

• Present case studies or project descriptions that explain your role in the design process, problem-solving, and collaboration with cross-functional teams (e.g., product development, manufacturing).

• Demonstrate proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop through the quality and complexity of the designs presented, particularly those adapted for various product applications.

Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your personal workflow for managing design projects from brief to final delivery, including file organization and version control strategies.

• Be ready to articulate your process for creating and interpreting production tech packs, ensuring all necessary information is conveyed clearly to manufacturing partners.

• Have examples of how you have collaborated with product development or manufacturing teams to resolve technical challenges related to graphic application or production methods.

• Be able to explain your approach to ensuring color consistency and accuracy across different materials and printing techniques.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a production-focused graphic design role, the portfolio must go beyond aesthetic appeal to demonstrate technical capability and process understanding. Applicants should prepare to defend their design choices with respect to manufacturability, brand consistency, and adherence to production standards.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $77,000 - $85,000 annually.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance plans.

• Vision insurance coverage.

• Disability and life insurance policies.

• 401K retirement savings plan.

• Paid Time Off (PTO) for vacation, personal days, and sick leave.

• Paid holidays throughout the year.

• Employee discounts on company gear and products.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week. The role may require flexibility for occasional evenings and weekends, particularly during peak seasons or company events, as noted in the preferred qualifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is competitive for a Graphic Designer role with 2-4 years of experience in the Irvine, CA area, particularly within the action sports industry. The benefits package is standard and robust, offering good coverage and retirement savings options. The mention of flexible hours indicates that while a standard schedule is typical, adaptability is a key expectation for this role.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: The company operates within the Outdoor and Action Sports industry, focusing on performance apparel, racewear, and hardgoods. This sector is characterized by a passion for sports, innovation, and a dynamic, often fast-paced, market environment.

Company Size: Revelyst Outdoor is part of a larger entity (Revelyst), implying a structure with potential for both established corporate processes and a focused, agile operational unit for its outdoor brands. The exact size of the specific Outdoor division or brand within Revelyst would influence the day-to-day operational dynamics.

Founded: Information on the founding date of Revelyst Outdoor specifically is not provided, but the parent company, Revelyst, was formed more recently through the acquisition of Vista Outdoor's action sports division. This suggests a company with a strong heritage in its constituent brands, now operating under a unified structure with a forward-looking strategy.

Team Structure:

• This role reports to the Athlete Design Manager, indicating a specialized sub-team within a larger design or marketing department. This structure likely involves close collaboration with other graphic designers, apparel designers, and potentially product developers.

• The team's focus is on supporting athlete initiatives, which suggests a close connection to marketing, brand partnerships, and potentially professional sports leagues or events.

Methodology:

• Design execution will likely follow established brand guidelines and creative briefs, with a strong emphasis on production readiness and accuracy.

• Workflow management will be crucial, utilizing project management tools and clear documentation to meet seasonal deadlines for apparel and hardgoods launches.

• Collaboration and feedback loops are integral, ensuring designs are technically sound and meet the aesthetic expectations of athletes and the target market.

• A data-driven approach may be less direct for this design role, but understanding market trends and athlete feedback will inform design execution.

Company Website: https://www.revelyst.com/ (Note: This is the parent company; specific brand sites may also exist.)

📝 Enhancement Note: Revelyst's formation suggests a company that is consolidating and optimizing its portfolio of outdoor and action sports brands. For an operations professional, this implies an environment that might be undergoing integration and process refinement, offering opportunities to contribute to building more streamlined GTM operations. The focus on "athlete graphics" points to a high-stakes marketing and product development environment where visual execution is paramount.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an individual contributor, likely at an early to mid-career stage for a specialized graphic designer. It requires 2-4 years of experience, suggesting a need for foundational skills and the ability to work semi-autonomously on production tasks. The title "Athlete Graphic Designer" implies a focus on a specific application area within a larger design function.

Reporting Structure: The role reports directly to the Athlete Design Manager. This implies a clear hierarchy within the design team, with the manager providing creative direction, feedback, and workload management. Opportunities for interaction with other design disciplines (e.g., apparel, hardgoods) and cross-functional teams (product development, marketing) are expected.

Operations Impact: While primarily a creative role, the Athlete Graphic Designer has a significant impact on the Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy by ensuring that athlete-endorsed products are visually compelling and accurately represented. Consistent and high-quality graphics directly influence brand perception, product appeal to consumers, and the effectiveness of athlete marketing campaigns. Accurate production files are critical for cost control and timely product launches.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Develop deeper expertise in athlete-specific design, performance apparel graphics, or hardgoods application within the action sports sector.

• Technical Skill Advancement: Become a subject matter expert in advanced graphic production techniques, specific printing technologies, or digital asset management.

• Creative Leadership: Progress to a Senior Graphic Designer role, taking on more complex creative challenges, mentoring junior designers, or leading smaller projects.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain broader experience by collaborating more closely with product development, marketing, or brand management teams, potentially leading to roles in those areas.

• Process Improvement: Contribute to refining design workflow processes, asset management systems, or tech pack standardization, enhancing overall team efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for this role likely involves deepening technical design skills and expanding expertise within the action sports niche. While not a direct "operations" role in the traditional sense, its success is dependent on efficient processes and strong collaboration with GTM functions. Advancement could lead to more senior design positions or roles that bridge design and product management.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This position is based in the Irvine office, indicating an on-site work environment. This setup is typical for roles requiring close collaboration, access to specific equipment, and direct interaction with other departments.

Office Location(s): Irvine, California, USA. This is a well-established hub for various industries, including sports, technology, and consumer goods, offering a good professional infrastructure and talent pool.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is likely designed to foster collaboration, with shared design studios or open-plan areas that facilitate easy communication between designers and with product development teams.

• Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and potentially specialized hardware or proofing equipment is expected.

• Opportunities for informal check-ins and formal review sessions with the Athlete Design Manager and peers will be part of the daily routine.

• The environment is likely energetic and fast-paced, reflecting the nature of the action sports industry, with a focus on creativity and timely execution.

Work Schedule: The standard work week is expected to be approximately 40 hours. However, the role's connection to athletes and events may necessitate occasional flexibility, including potential evening or weekend work during critical periods like product launches, major sports events, or trade shows.

📝 Enhancement Note: An on-site role in Irvine suggests a structured work environment with readily available resources and direct team interaction. The potential need for flexible hours highlights the demands of the action sports calendar and the importance of being adaptable to meet business needs, especially those tied to athlete schedules and event timelines.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications, relevant experience, and technical skills.

• Portfolio Presentation & Technical Assessment: You will likely be asked to present your portfolio, discussing specific projects, your design process, and how you approach technical challenges. Expect questions about your proficiency in Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop and your understanding of production processes.

• Cultural Fit & Behavioral Interview: Discussions with the hiring manager (Athlete Design Manager) and potentially other team members to evaluate your communication skills, problem-solving approach, ability to take direction, and fit with the team and company culture. Questions may focus on your passion for sports and how you handle feedback.

• Potential Practical Exercise: A small design challenge or a review of existing work to assess your ability to interpret a brief, apply brand guidelines, and execute graphics accurately under a time constraint.

• Final Interview: May involve meeting with higher-level management or HR to discuss compensation, benefits, and final terms.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 4-6 projects that best showcase your skills in graphic design for apparel and hardgoods, with a focus on production-ready assets and athlete-specific work if possible.

• Highlight Process: For each project, be prepared to walk through your thought process, from understanding the brief to execution, problem-solving, and final output. Emphasize your technical approach and attention to detail.

• Showcase Production Skills: Include examples of tech packs, detailed artwork layouts, or instances where you adapted designs for different print methods or materials. Clearly explain the technical considerations.

• Demonstrate Brand Adherence: If showcasing athlete work, explain how you maintained the brand's identity while incorporating athlete-specific elements.

• Be Ready for Technical Questions: Anticipate questions about specific software functions, print techniques, and garment construction as they relate to your designs.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: If given a design challenge, carefully read and understand all requirements, constraints, and objectives. Ask clarifying questions if needed.

• Focus on Production: For this role, prioritize accuracy, clarity, and adherence to brand guidelines over purely conceptual or artistic expression. Demonstrate an understanding of how your design will be manufactured.

• Time Management: Allocate your time effectively between ideation, execution, and final presentation.

• Articulate Your Decisions: Be prepared to explain the reasoning behind your design choices, particularly how they address the prompt and align with the company's brand and typical product applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh technical proficiency and the ability to execute production-ready designs. A strong portfolio that clearly demonstrates these capabilities, alongside an understanding of the sports/action sports market, will be critical for success. Be ready to defend your technical choices and process.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Illustrator: Essential for vector-based graphic creation, logo work, and detailed layout preparation for print and manufacturing. Proficiency in advanced features like Pathfinder, Pen Tool, and artboards will be critical.

• Adobe Photoshop: Crucial for raster image editing, photo manipulation, texture creation, and preparing artwork for specific printing processes (e.g., color separations).

• Adobe Creative Suite: Overall proficiency across the suite is expected, potentially including InDesign for layout work or

Bridge for asset management.

Analytics & Reporting: While not directly responsible for analytics, understanding how graphics perform in market and how to access product sales data could be beneficial. Tools might include:

• Internal Sales/Product Databases: For understanding product performance.

• Basic Data Visualization Tools: If tasked with reporting on design trends or project status.

CRM & Automation: Not typically a primary tool for a graphic designer, but familiarity with project management or Digital Asset Management (DAM) systems is likely.

• Project Management Software: Tools like Asana, Trello, or Jira for task tracking and workflow management.

• Digital Asset Management (DAM) Systems: For organizing, storing, and retrieving design assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technology stack is centered around the Adobe Creative Suite, with a strong emphasis on Illustrator and Photoshop for production-level design. Experience with project management and DAM systems is highly beneficial for managing workflow and assets in a structured environment.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Precision & Accuracy: A fundamental value, ensuring that all artwork and documentation are correct, meeting stringent production requirements and minimizing errors.

• Collaboration & Communication: Fostering a team environment where ideas are shared, feedback is constructive, and cross-functional partnerships are strong.

• Efficiency & Timeliness: A commitment to meeting deadlines and optimizing workflows to ensure products are ready for market launch on schedule.

• Brand Integrity: Upholding and enhancing the company's brand identity and visual standards across all athlete-related graphics and products.

• Passion for Sport: A shared enthusiasm for the action sports and outdoor industry, driving motivation and understanding of the target audience.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers will work closely with product developers, marketing teams, and potentially sales to ensure designs are feasible, aligned with brand strategy, and meet market needs.

• Feedback-Driven: An environment where constructive criticism is welcomed and used to refine designs, leading to better final products.

• Knowledge Sharing: Team members are encouraged to share insights on design trends, production techniques, and best practices to elevate the collective skill set.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely values both individual creative contribution and collective execution. Success will hinge on an individual's ability to collaborate effectively, communicate clearly, and maintain a high standard of accuracy and efficiency within a dynamic industry context.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity with Production Constraints: The primary challenge will be translating creative concepts into technically feasible and manufacturable graphics that meet strict production requirements and brand guidelines.

• Managing Multiple Athlete & Product Lines: Juggling diverse design needs for various athletes, product categories (apparel, hardgoods), and seasonal collections simultaneously requires strong organizational and prioritization skills.

• Adapting to Evolving Trends and Athlete Needs: Staying current with graphic design trends, action sports culture, and the specific visual preferences of sponsored athletes while maintaining brand consistency.

• Ensuring Color and Material Accuracy: Achieving consistent and accurate color reproduction across different materials and printing techniques can be technically challenging.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Production Techniques: Opportunities to learn and master specialized printing methods, material applications, or advanced digital asset management strategies.

• Industry Trend Immersion: Staying ahead of design trends in the action sports and apparel industry through market research, competitor analysis, and attending relevant events or webinars.

• Cross-Functional Skill Building: Gaining deeper understanding of product development, manufacturing processes, and marketing strategies through collaboration.

• Mentorship: Learning from experienced designers and managers within the Athlete Design team and potentially across other creative disciplines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents a significant opportunity to hone technical design skills within a specialized and exciting industry. Overcoming the challenges will directly contribute to professional development, particularly in areas of production graphics and workflow efficiency.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for creating a production-ready tech pack for an apparel graphic. What key information must be included?" (Focus on detail, clarity, and manufacturing considerations.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency when designing graphics for multiple athletes or product lines with different aesthetic requirements?" (Emphasize brand guidelines, adaptability, and strategic application.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about designing graphics specifically for athletes in the action sports industry?" (Show passion for the industry and understanding of athlete branding.)

• "How do you handle constructive criticism or feedback on your designs, especially from a manager or athlete?" (Demonstrate openness to feedback and a collaborative spirit.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrate Your Process: For each portfolio piece, explain the objective, your creative approach, technical execution, and the final outcome.

• Highlight Technical Details: Point out specific elements that demonstrate your understanding of print techniques, material applications, and production file preparation. Use examples of callouts or detailed layouts.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): While difficult for design, if a design was part of a successful product launch or athlete campaign, mention it. Focus on accuracy and meeting production specs as key successes.

• Be Prepared for Live Tasks: Have your design software open and be ready to demonstrate specific techniques or make minor adjustments if asked, showcasing your real-time skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a candidate who is not only creatively skilled but also technically proficient, highly organized, and able to collaborate effectively within the fast-paced demands of the action sports industry. Your portfolio and interview responses should clearly demonstrate these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Athlete Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Revelyst careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating graphic application on apparel and hardgoods, technical production skills (e.g., tech packs, detailed artwork), and any experience with athlete branding or sports-related design.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly lists your proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, relevant years of experience in graphic/apparel design, and any experience within the sports or action sports industry. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your design process, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of production requirements during interviews. Practice presenting your portfolio.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Revelyst's brands, their visual identity, and the general landscape of the action sports industry to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural fit.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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