Grafiker / Brand Designer (m/w/d) - Teilzeit 20-30h

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Grafiker / Brand Designer (m/w/d) - Teilzeit 20-30h

Company: Bearpaw GmbH

Location: Bamberg, Bavaria, Germany

Job Type: Full-time (Teilzeit 20-30h)

Category: Brand Design & Creative Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-11T22:20:10.724

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (Remote Work Possible)

🚀 Role Summary

• Develop and architect a comprehensive Corporate Identity (CI) system, encompassing color palettes, typography, imagery, and layout grids, ensuring consistent application across all brand touchpoints.

• Drive visual branding initiatives by creating compelling product imagery, impactful catalogs, and engaging print media, with a strong emphasis on professional image editing and composition.

• Establish standardized templates for diverse communication channels, including social media, newsletters, presentations, and internal documents, designed for user-friendly application by non-designers.

• Spearhead product photography, conceptualizing and executing shoots to define the visual appeal of Bearpaw products, from e-commerce shots to lifestyle and detail imagery.

• Contribute strategically to the evolution of the Bearpaw brand, influencing visual positioning for new markets, product categories, and collaborations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "Brand Architect" rather than an "Executor," emphasizing strategic input and system development. The expectation is for the candidate to not just follow but to define and build the brand's visual language and operational guidelines for its consistent application. The "Teilzeit" (part-time) nature, with a range of 20-30 hours, suggests a focus on high-impact, strategic tasks rather than extensive volume execution, common in roles that bridge creative design with operational system building.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• CI System Development & Maintenance: Architect and meticulously maintain Bearpaw's Corporate Identity system, defining and documenting rules for colors, typography, imagery, layout grids, tone of voice, and application guidelines for internal teams and external partners.

• Product Visuals & Print Media: Design and refine product images for the e-commerce shop, dealer materials, and trade shows. Develop and update catalogs, flyers, and other print collateral, collaborating with the "Storyteller" (likely a content or marketing role) to enhance product photography through professional editing and composition.

• Cross-Channel Template Creation: Create and implement user-friendly templates for social media platforms (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube), newsletters, presentations, and internal documentation, ensuring they can be accurately applied by individuals without extensive design expertise, thereby maintaining brand consistency.

• In-House Product Photography: Independently execute product photography, both in-studio and on-location, to define the visual presentation of Bearpaw products. This includes creating professional cut-outs for the shop, lifestyle shots for campaigns, and detailed images for dealer use, understanding the critical impact of photography on product perception.

• Brand Strategy Contribution: Actively participate in the strategic development of the Bearpaw brand, advising on visual positioning for expansion into new markets, product categories, or partnerships, acting as a brand developer rather than a mere service provider.

• New Brand Development: Lead the conceptualization and design of visual systems for new brand extensions or sub-brands (e.g., Bearpaw X, Bearpaw Kids) from initial positioning and imagery development to the creation of foundational assets.

• Trade Show & Event Design: Oversee the visual design elements for Bearpaw's presence at trade shows and events, including stand design concepts, roll-ups, giveaways, and presentation materials, ensuring strict adherence to CI and timely delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a need for an individual who can operate at both a strategic and hands-on level. The emphasis on "building a living system" and creating templates for non-designers points to a strong operational component within the creative role, focusing on scalability and process efficiency for brand asset creation and distribution. The requirement to "shoot our product photos ourselves" highlights a need for practical, in-house creative capabilities.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Marketing, or a related field is preferred, though equivalent practical experience demonstrating strong design acumen and system development capabilities will be highly valued.

Experience: Minimum of 2-5 years of professional experience in graphic design, with a significant focus on brand development, CI system creation, and visual asset management. Experience in a role that required building design systems from the ground up is highly desirable.

Required Skills:

• Portfolio: Proven track record of developing and implementing comprehensive CI systems or cohesive brand worlds, not just isolated design projects. A strong portfolio showcasing this capability is mandatory.

• Adobe Creative Suite Proficiency: Expert-level skills in Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop, with the ability to work independently and efficiently on standard design tasks without needing tutorials.

• Systemic Design Thinking: Demonstrated ability to think in terms of scalable design systems, ensuring that created assets and guidelines are practical and can be effectively utilized by others.

• Briefing & Presentation Skills: Competence in translating vague briefs into clear, compelling visual directions and presenting these concepts persuasively to stakeholders.

• Print Production Expertise: Solid understanding of print production requirements, including color modes (CMYK), bleed, trim, and pre-press considerations, to ensure flawless output.

• Product Photography Execution: Hands-on experience in conceptualizing and executing product photography, understanding composition, lighting, and styling to showcase products effectively.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Figma for building template systems and design handoffs.

• Familiarity with the sports, outdoor, or premium product sectors.

• Basic knowledge of packaging design principles.

• Experience with international marketing, including understanding cultural nuances and localization needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Must Haves" section strongly emphasizes practical, demonstrable skills and a system-oriented mindset. The portfolio requirement is central, specifically asking for evidence of building "cohesive brand worlds" rather than disparate projects. This implies a need for candidates who understand brand architecture and consistency. The "Nice to Have" skills suggest areas where additional value can be brought, particularly in cross-functional collaboration and international market adaptation.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• CI System Case Studies: Detailed examples showcasing the development and implementation of comprehensive Corporate Identity systems, illustrating the thought process, design rules, and application across various touchpoints.

• Brand World Development: Demonstrations of how you've built and maintained cohesive visual brand worlds, including mood boards, style guides, and examples of consistent application across different media.

• System Scalability: Evidence of designing systems (e.g., templates, grids, component libraries) that are scalable and easily adoptable by non-designers or across different teams.

• Process Documentation: Examples of how you document design processes, guidelines, or asset usage to ensure consistency and facilitate collaboration.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Showcase instances where you've designed or optimized workflows for creative asset production, ensuring efficiency and quality control.

• System Implementation & Automation: Provide examples of how you've implemented design systems or templates that automate repetitive tasks or streamline creative processes.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: If applicable, include examples of how you've measured the effectiveness or impact of design systems or brand implementations, even if qualitative.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are heavily geared towards demonstrating strategic brand building and operationalizing design. The emphasis is on "systems" and "cohesive brand worlds," indicating that candidates should present their work not just as individual pieces but as part of a larger, integrated brand strategy. This aligns with the role's "architect" positioning.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the regional standards for a Brand Designer with 2-5 years of experience in Bamberg, Germany, and considering the role's responsibilities and part-time nature (20-30 hours), a gross annual salary range of €35,000 - €50,000 (pro-rated for part-time hours) is estimated. For 20-30 hours per week, this translates to approximately €18 - €26 per hour.

Benefits:

• Product Vouchers: Monthly value vouchers for Bearpaw and Buckle & Seam products.

• Employee Discounts: Exclusive discounts with numerous well-known companies.

• Flexible Working Hours: Trust-based working time, focusing on results over hours logged.

• Remote Work Options: Up to 100% home office is possible, with occasional mandatory on-site presence for key events.

• Permanent Employment: Unbefristeter Arbeitsvertrag (permanent employment contract).

• Generous Vacation: Up to 30 days of paid vacation per year.

• Professional Development: Monthly coaching sessions with the Team Lead for skill enhancement.

• Scale Up Coaching: Access to a framework for working "on" the company, fostering continuous improvement.

• Team & Company Events: Regular events to foster community and collaboration.

• Global Network Access: Opportunity to leverage the CEO's EO network for business insights and connections.

• Social Impact Contribution: Direct involvement with Bearpaw's and Buckle & Seam's social initiatives (DOA Stiftung, AMN School).

Working Hours: The role is advertised as Teilzeit (part-time) with 20-30 hours per week. The company operates on a trust-based working time model, emphasizing flexibility and autonomy in scheduling, with remote work options available.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on typical German market rates for graphic and brand designers with 2-5 years of experience in a medium-sized city like Bamberg. The part-time nature is factored into the hourly rate and pro-rated annual estimate. The benefits are extensive, highlighting a strong focus on employee well-being, professional growth, and social impact, which are key selling points for this role.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Bearpaw GmbH operates in the Sports & Recreation industry, specifically as a leading global brand in traditional archery (B2B and B2C). They also have a significant presence in the Fashion/Accessories sector through their social impact brand, Buckle & Seam, which produces leather goods. The company emphasizes inspiring potential and fostering community.

Company Size: Bearpaw is described as a "Scale Up Company" and one of the "fastest-growing archery brands worldwide." While an exact employee count isn't provided, "Scale Up" suggests a company that has moved beyond startup phase and is experiencing rapid growth, likely employing a significant team that is still agile and adaptable. This implies opportunities for impact but also a dynamic, evolving work environment.

Founded: The founding date isn't explicitly stated, but the description points to Bearpaw as an established brand with global distribution and a strong community, while also being in a growth phase. Buckle & Seam is presented as a distinct social impact brand under the Bearpaw umbrella, highlighting a multi-faceted business model.

Team Structure:

• Operations Team: The role likely sits within a marketing or brand department, collaborating closely with roles like "Storyteller" (content/marketing), e-commerce managers, and potentially product development teams.

• Reporting: The candidate will report to a Team Lead and participate in monthly coaching sessions, indicating a structured, yet supportive, reporting hierarchy.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Significant collaboration is expected with internal teams managing e-commerce, marketing, and product, as well as external agency partners. The role is designed to enable these teams to work effectively within the brand guidelines.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Brand Evolution: While not explicitly stated as a core methodology, the emphasis on strategic brand development and market positioning suggests that data and market insights will inform design decisions.

• Systemic Design & Process Optimization: The core methodology for this role is building and maintaining systematic design frameworks (CI, templates) that enable efficient and consistent brand application across all channels, emphasizing process optimization for creative output.

• Social Impact Integration: A key operating principle is the integration of social impact through the DOA Stiftung and AMN School, influencing brand messaging and company ethos.

Company Website: https://bearpaw-products.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The description paints a picture of a company that is ambitious, growing rapidly, and has a strong sense of purpose beyond profit. The dual focus on high-performance products (archery) and social impact (education, ethical production) creates a unique company culture. The "Scale Up" nature suggests a dynamic, possibly fast-paced environment where initiative is rewarded.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Brand Designer with significant strategic responsibility. It's not merely an execution-focused graphic designer role; it requires the candidate to act as a "Brand Architect" and "developer." The scope includes building foundational brand systems and contributing to brand strategy, indicating a path towards senior design or brand management roles. The part-time nature (20-30h) suggests a focus on core strategic contributions rather than full-time operational bandwidth.

Reporting Structure: The candidate will report to a Team Lead, suggesting a clear line of management. The mention of monthly coaching sessions indicates a structured approach to performance feedback and professional development, fostering a supportive growth environment.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is substantial. By architecting and maintaining the CI system, the designer ensures brand consistency, which directly influences customer perception, market positioning, and sales effectiveness across all channels (e-commerce, print, events). By creating templates for non-designers, they empower other teams to execute marketing initiatives effectively, indirectly boosting overall GTM efficiency. Their strategic input into new brand development can shape future revenue streams.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in CI development, brand system architecture, and potentially explore areas like digital design systems or advanced brand strategy.

• Learning & Development: Benefit from monthly coaching sessions with the Team Lead and participation in the "Scale Up Coaching" framework, which focuses on improving both individual and organizational processes.

• Leadership Potential: The opportunity to independently develop visual systems for new brands and contribute to strategic brand evolution could pave the way for leadership roles in design, brand management, or marketing within a growing company. The company's global network and diverse brand portfolio also offer exposure to broader business challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "architect" and "developer" framing is key. This isn't just about executing design briefs; it's about defining the visual framework. The growth path likely involves taking on more complex brand projects, potentially leading design initiatives for new ventures, and solidifying expertise in brand strategy and operationalizing creative assets. The part-time nature might mean growth is focused on depth of contribution rather than breadth of immediate responsibilities.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Bearpaw GmbH offers a hybrid work environment. While remote work is a significant possibility (up to 100% for some positions), the role implies that "mandatory on-site presence for key events" will be required. This suggests a modern office setup designed for collaboration, likely equipped for creative work, and potentially with facilities for product photography.

Office Location(s): The primary location is Bamberg, Bavaria, Germany. Specifics about office proximity to public transport or amenities are not detailed, but Bamberg is a well-connected city.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The emphasis on building systems for others and the mention of team events suggest a collaborative atmosphere where sharing knowledge and feedback is encouraged.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite is essential, with Figma being a preferred skill. The role will likely involve using digital asset management tools or shared cloud storage for templates and brand guidelines.

• Team Interaction: Even with remote options, there will be opportunities for interaction through monthly coaching, team events, and project-specific collaborations, ensuring connection and alignment with the brand's vision.

Work Schedule: The company operates on "Trust-based working hours" and flexibility, with the role being part-time (20-30 hours per week). This allows for significant autonomy in managing one's schedule, balancing personal and professional commitments, while ensuring core responsibilities and deadlines are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "trust-based working hours" and remote options signal a modern, results-oriented work culture that values employee autonomy. The need for on-site presence for "key events" and potentially for product photography indicates that while flexibility is high, there are still requirements for in-person collaboration and hands-on execution.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of the resume and portfolio to assess foundational skills and alignment with the "architect" role.

• Portfolio Presentation & Case Study: A key stage will involve presenting their portfolio, focusing on examples of CI systems and cohesive brand worlds. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their design process, strategic decisions, and how they ensure system usability.

• Skills Assessment: Practical exercises or discussions to evaluate proficiency in Adobe Suite, system thinking, and print production knowledge. The ability to translate vague briefs into clear visual directions will be tested.

• Cultural Fit & Team Interaction: Discussions to gauge alignment with Bearpaw's values (growth, social impact, community) and assess collaborative potential with the team lead and other stakeholders.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Systemic Design: Prioritize showcasing projects where you built comprehensive CI systems or brand architectures, not just individual design assets. Explain the "why" behind your design decisions and how the system was designed for scalability and ease of use.

• Demonstrate Process & Impact: Structure your case studies to clearly articulate the problem, your approach (including system development), the solutions you implemented, and the tangible outcomes or benefits (even if qualitative, like improved brand consistency or usability for other teams).

• Showcase Versatility: Include examples of work across different media (digital, print, photography) to demonstrate your range and ability to maintain brand consistency across all channels.

• Tailor to Bearpaw: Research Bearpaw's existing brand and its market. Be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with their specific needs and future vision, particularly their growth ambitions and social impact mission.

Challenge Preparation:

• CI System Design Challenge: Be ready for a potential task to outline the development of a CI system for a hypothetical new brand extension or to critique and improve an existing brand element. Focus on structure, rules, and application.

• Visual Briefing Exercise: Prepare to receive a vague brief and articulate a strategic visual direction, explaining your rationale and how you'd translate it into actionable design elements.

• Photography Concept: If product photography is a significant part of the role, be ready to discuss your approach to product photography for different contexts (e-commerce, lifestyle).

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process heavily emphasizes the portfolio as proof of system-building capabilities. Candidates should prepare to articulate their strategic thinking behind design choices and demonstrate how they create scalable, usable brand frameworks, aligning with the "architect" persona of the role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Illustrator: Essential for vector graphics, logo design, and creating scalable brand assets.

• Adobe InDesign: Critical for layout design, catalog production, print collateral, and template creation.

• Adobe Photoshop: Required for image editing, product retouching, and preparing visuals for various channels.

• Figma: A preferred tool for creating template systems, collaborative design, and prototyping, especially for digital assets and handoffs.

Analytics & Reporting: While not a primary focus for this creative role, an understanding of how design impacts performance metrics (e.g., conversion rates influenced by product imagery, engagement on social media templates) would be beneficial. The role may indirectly contribute to reporting by providing assets for analytics.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to the core design responsibilities, but understanding how brand assets are used within CRM or marketing automation platforms (e.g., email templates) could be an advantage. The creation of templates that non-designers can use contributes to workflow automation within the marketing department.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirements are firmly within the Adobe Creative Suite. Figma's inclusion as a "nice to have" signifies a move towards more modern, collaborative design workflows, particularly for digital-first assets and templating.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Brand Stewardship: A deep commitment to building and protecting the integrity and visual consistency of the Bearpaw brand and its extensions.

• Systemic Approach: A preference for creating organized, scalable, and maintainable design systems and processes that empower others.

• Growth Mindset: An eagerness to learn, adapt, and contribute to the company's rapid growth and evolution, embracing new challenges and opportunities.

• Purpose-Driven Impact: A value placed on contributing to a company that has a positive social mission, aligning personal work with broader societal benefits.

• Efficiency & Autonomy: A culture that trusts individuals to manage their work effectively and efficiently, focusing on results and leveraging flexible work arrangements.

Collaboration Style:

• Empowering Others: Designing systems and templates that enable non-designers to execute brand-compliant materials effectively.

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Working closely with marketing, e-commerce, and product teams to ensure creative output aligns with business objectives.

• Feedback Integration: Openness to feedback and iterative design processes, facilitated by regular coaching and team interactions.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages sharing best practices and insights, particularly regarding brand application and creative processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to blend ambitious business growth with a strong social conscience and a modern, trust-based work environment. The emphasis on "building systems" and "empowering others" highlights a collaborative approach where the designer's role is to create frameworks that enable broader team success.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Vision with Operational Needs: Ensuring the strategic brand vision is translated into practical, usable systems and templates for diverse user groups and evolving market demands.

• Managing Diverse Brand Extensions: Developing and maintaining visual consistency across multiple brands (Bearpaw, Buckle & Seam, potential new ventures) with distinct identities but a shared ethos.

• Remote Collaboration Effectiveness: Maintaining strong creative output and team cohesion while working in a hybrid or remote capacity, requiring proactive communication and digital collaboration.

• Adapting to Scale-Up Dynamics: Thriving in a fast-paced, evolving "Scale Up" environment where processes and priorities may shift, requiring agility and resilience.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen Brand Architecture Expertise: Gain extensive experience in structuring and scaling brand systems for a growing international company.

• Explore Digital Design Systems: Develop skills in creating and managing digital-first design systems, potentially leveraging Figma further.

• Strategic Brand Development: Contribute to high-level brand strategy discussions for new product lines and market entries.

• Cross-Industry Exposure: Gain insights from both the sports/outdoor industry and the social impact/fashion accessory sector.

• Leadership Shadowing: Benefit from the CEO's extensive global network and Scale Up Coaching framework, offering exposure to high-level business strategy and entrepreneurship.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to a growing, multi-faceted brand. The opportunities lean into strategic brand development, operationalizing creative processes, and gaining broad business exposure within a dynamic company.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Brand System Development: "Describe a time you built a CI system or brand architecture from the ground up. What were the key components, your process, and how did you ensure its adoption and consistency?" (Focus on your "architect" role and system thinking.)

• Visual Strategy for Growth: "How would you approach developing the visual identity for a new Bearpaw sub-brand targeting a younger demographic, considering our existing brand values and global reach?" (Demonstrate strategic thinking and understanding of brand extension.)

• Photography Vision: "If tasked with photographing a new product line, what would be your creative approach to capture its essence and appeal to our target audience, considering both e-commerce and lifestyle needs?" (Highlight your product photography skills and strategic vision.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Mission Alignment: "What resonates with you most about Bearpaw's mission, its growth as a scale-up, and its social impact initiatives through the DOA Stiftung and Buckle & Seam?" (Show research and genuine interest.)

• Collaboration & Autonomy: "This role involves significant autonomy and hybrid work. How do you ensure effective collaboration and communication in such an environment, and how do you manage your workload to meet deadlines?" (Address trust-based work and remote collaboration.)

• Brand Evolution: "How do you see the role of a Brand Designer evolving in a fast-paced, growing company, and what are your strategies for staying ahead of design trends while maintaining brand integrity?" (Show forward-thinking and adaptability.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Structure: For each key project (especially CI systems), tell a story: the challenge, your strategic approach, the design solutions (highlighting system components), and the impact.

• System Focus: Emphasize how your designs are part of a larger, cohesive system. Show how rules are applied consistently across different examples.

• Usability Demonstration: If possible, show how your templates or guidelines are designed to be user-friendly for non-designers.

• Conciseness & Clarity: Be prepared to walk through your portfolio efficiently, focusing on the most relevant projects for this specific role. Highlight your "Must Haves" and how your preferred skills add value.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, system-building capabilities, and a proactive approach to brand development. Candidates should be ready to articulate their process and impact, aligning their skills with Bearpaw's growth ambitions and unique company culture.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Grafiker / Brand Designer position:

• Submit your application, including your resume and a compelling portfolio, through the provided application link on join.com.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features examples of CI system development and cohesive brand world creation. Tailor your presentation to highlight how your skills align with Bearpaw's specific needs in brand architecture and operationalizing design.

• Resume Optimization: Craft your resume to emphasize your experience in brand system design, Adobe Suite proficiency, and any relevant experience in product photography or international marketing. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly research Bearpaw GmbH, its brands (Bearpaw, Buckle & Seam), and its social impact initiatives. Prepare to discuss your design philosophy, system-building approach, and how you can contribute to their growth. Practice presenting your portfolio with a focus on strategic rationale and impact.

• Company Research & Value Alignment: Understand Bearpaw's "Scale Up" methodology and its commitment to social responsibility. Be ready to articulate how your personal values and professional aspirations align with the company's mission and culture.

⚠️ 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.