Graphic Designer & Photo Editor

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer & Photo Editor

Company: Lakeshirts

Location: Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Operations

Date Posted: 2026-04-28

Experience Level: Entry-Level to Junior (0-2 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Focuses on the creation, refinement, and elevation of visual content, with a strong emphasis on product photography and image editing for marketing channels.

• Involves hands-on execution of image preparation, clipping, color correction, and retouching to ensure high-quality, on-brand visual assets.

• Requires exploration and application of emerging AI tools to enhance content creation workflows, efficiency, and overall output.

• Supports broader marketing initiatives through the design and production of various marketing materials, including catalogs, digital assets, and sales collateral.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role sits within the Marketing department, likely supporting the Marketing Image Manager and Creative Directors. The emphasis on high-volume image production during peak seasons and AI integration suggests a need for efficiency and adaptability, aligning with core Revenue Operations principles of streamlining processes and leveraging technology for better GTM outcomes.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the preparation and execution support for photoshoots, including garment preparation, product coordination, and prop organization to ensure efficient and high-quality output.

• Execute precise image clipping, retouching, and color correction to maintain accurate, consistent product imagery across all platforms.

• Support and contribute to product photography and editing with a focus on lighting, color accuracy, and brand consistency.

• Manage the export, organization, and maintenance of image and video assets, adhering to established systems and standards for efficient asset management.

• Maintain and update visual assets within garment and image management systems, ensuring data accuracy and accessibility for the marketing team.

• Partner closely with the Marketing Image Manager and broader marketing team to ensure smooth workflows from shoot preparation through final asset delivery.

• Create effective, branded marketing materials in print, digital, and other formats, including catalogs, flyers, digital assets (web pages, images), email marketing, sales tools, postcards, newsletters, and advertising.

• Coordinate and design trade show booth layouts and miscellaneous signage requests in collaboration with other Marketing resources and Sales Managers.

• Work cross-functionally with Marketing and other departments to implement brand and marketing strategies, ensuring consistency across all divisions and communications.

• Explore and apply AI tools to improve content creation workflows, efficiency, and output quality, contributing to the team's technological advancement.

• Identify opportunities to streamline image production and content processes through new tools or approaches, driving operational efficiency.

• Adapt focus based on seasonal business needs, shifting between high-volume image production and broader content creation and creative support.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a blend of creative execution and operational process management. The emphasis on "owning" preparation, "executing" precise edits, and "managing" assets points to a requirement for accountability and systematic workflow adherence, which are critical in operations roles. The AI integration aspect highlights a forward-thinking approach to content production.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Photography, Visual Arts, Marketing, or a related field; OR 1-3 years of experience in a professional visual content, photography, or production-focused role.

Experience: 0-2 years of experience in graphic design, photo editing, or visual content creation. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain detailed asset workflows.

Required Skills:

• Strong proficiency in image editing software, with a focus on precise image clipping, detailed retouching, and accurate color correction.

• A keen creative eye for color, composition, perspective, and layout, ensuring visually appealing and on-brand aesthetics.

• Demonstrated ability to create and manage marketing materials across various formats (print, digital, email).

• High attention to detail and organizational skills to manage multiple priorities and maintain detailed asset workflows effectively.

• Clear and effective communication skills, both written and verbal, for collaboration with team members and stakeholders.

• Willingness to assist the Marketing Image Manager and the broader marketing team in a range of capacities, showcasing a team-player attitude.

• Comfortable working within a fast-paced, evolving environment and adapting to shifting priorities.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience or interest in creating content for social platforms, with an understanding of current visual trends.

• Creative capability in a variety of media such as photography, video, graphic design, and/or AI-driven content creation.

• Familiarity with project management tools such as Monday.com, Trello, Asana, or similar.

• Ability to contribute to and thrive within a collaborative, team-oriented culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "0-2 years" experience level suggests this is an entry-level to junior role. The emphasis on detail, organization, and workflow management, alongside creative skills, is a common requirement for operations-adjacent roles that bridge creative and process. Familiarity with project management tools is a strong indicator of operational process awareness.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a strong portfolio showcasing proficiency in image editing, including before-and-after examples of clipping, retouching, and color correction.

• Include examples of diverse marketing materials created, such as catalog layouts, digital assets, and print collateral, highlighting design versatility.

• Showcase an understanding of brand consistency through examples of how visual elements were maintained across different projects.

Process Documentation:

• Highlight any experience in documenting or streamlining visual content creation workflows, even if informal.

• Showcase projects where efficiency was a key consideration, such as meeting tight deadlines for high-volume image production.

• If applicable, include examples of how new tools or technologies (including AI explorations) were integrated to improve a process.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a creative role with operational undertones, a portfolio is crucial. The emphasis here is on demonstrating not just creative output but also the ability to manage processes, work efficiently, and adapt to new technologies, which are all key operational competencies.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $17.00 - $18.50 per hour.

Benefits:

• Health insurance (eligibility begins the first of the month following 60 days of full-time employment).

• Life insurance.

• Dental insurance.

• Vision insurance.

• Short-term disability coverage.

• Long-term disability coverage.

• Critical illness coverage.

• Accident coverage.

• Paid Time Off (up to 22 days in the first year).

• Profit Sharing program.

• 401(k) retirement plan with company contribution.

• Subsidized cafeteria offering hot breakfast, lunch, and snacks.

• Employee merchandise discount.

Working Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM or 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (40 hours per week).

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided hourly, which is common for production or execution-focused roles. The benefits package is comprehensive and aligns with standard full-time employment offerings, including health, retirement, and PTO. The mention of daily pay options is a unique perk.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Apparel Manufacturing & Decoration (Screenprinting, Embroidery, Promotional Products)

Company Size: Over 1,000 employees. This indicates a large, established organization with potentially structured departments and established processes, but also room for innovation.

Founded: Lakeshirts is one of the largest screenprinting manufacturers in the U.S., decorating garments and accessories for resort, licensed collegiate, and K-12 markets. This implies a significant operational scale and a diverse customer base.

Team Structure:

• The role is part of the broader Marketing team, likely supporting a Marketing Image Manager and Creative Directors.

• There will be cross-functional collaboration with other Marketing resources, Sales Managers, and various other departments within the company.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is implied through the focus on sales support, marketing channels, and ROI through compelling visual stories.

• Workflow planning and optimization are evident in the emphasis on efficient photoshoot support, asset management, and AI integration for process improvement.

• Automation and efficiency practices are being explored through AI tools to streamline content creation and production.

Company Website: https://lakeshirts.applicantpro.com (This is a career portal URL, the actual company website would be separate, likely lakeshirts.com, but not provided.)

📝 Enhancement Note: Lakeshirts positions itself as a large, established manufacturer with a strong emphasis on culture, creativity, and employee well-being. The "ah-mazing team members" and "pawsome" dog-friendly environment suggest a unique, engaging workplace culture that values fun alongside productivity. The scale of operations implies a need for robust processes, which this role contributes to within the marketing function.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an entry-level to junior position (0-2 years experience). It offers a foundational opportunity to develop skills in visual content creation, image production, and marketing material design within a large manufacturing company.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to the Marketing Image Manager and works under the direction of Project Managers and Creative Directors within the Marketing department. Collaboration extends across various departments.

Operations Impact: This role directly impacts the company's Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy by creating compelling visual content that supports engagement and sales. High-quality, on-brand imagery is crucial for product presentation, catalog effectiveness, digital presence, and overall brand perception, all of which drive revenue.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Develop core competencies in graphic design, advanced photo editing, workflow management, and AI-driven content creation.

• Specialization: Potential to specialize further in product photography, catalog design, digital asset management, or AI integration within creative workflows.

• Leadership Potential: With experience, could move into roles like Marketing Image Manager, Senior Graphic Designer, or Project Manager within the creative/marketing operations space.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain experience working with sales, marketing, and production teams, understanding the broader business impact of creative operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: While primarily a creative role, the emphasis on process, efficiency, and tool adoption (AI) provides a pathway for individuals interested in the operational aspects of marketing and creative departments. Growth would involve deepening creative expertise and potentially taking on more project management or process ownership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site at the company's headquarters in Detroit Lakes, MN. This is a manufacturing and corporate environment.

Office Location(s): 750 Randolph Rd, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501.

Workspace Context:

• The role is hands-on and requires physical presence for tasks related to photoshoots and general office work.

• Collaboration is key, with frequent interaction with the Marketing Image Manager, Creative Directors, and other marketing team members.

• Access to necessary design and photo editing software and potentially studio equipment will be provided.

• The environment is described as fast-paced and evolving, with a focus on continuous improvement and creativity.

• The office culture is notably dog-friendly, with employees encouraged to bring their pets to work.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time business hours, Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM or 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. The company also mentions flexible work schedules (Full Time, Part Time & Everything In Between) in its benefits section, though this specific role is listed as FULL_TIME.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is crucial for this role, given the hands-on nature of photo preparation and studio support. The description of the work environment emphasizes a blend of creative output and collaborative operations within a manufacturing setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of applications and portfolios to assess basic qualifications and creative aptitude.

• Skills Assessment/Portfolio Review: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, showcasing specific examples of image editing, design work, and any experience with workflow improvement or AI tools. This is where attention to detail and process understanding will be evaluated.

• Interviews: Expect interviews with the hiring manager (Marketing Image Manager), potentially Creative Directors, and possibly HR. These will focus on creative skills, problem-solving abilities, adaptability, cultural fit, and understanding of the role's responsibilities.

• Practical Exercise (Potential): A small design or editing task may be given to assess on-the-spot skills and approach to a typical work challenge.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best align with the job description, emphasizing image editing (clipping, color correction, retouching) and marketing material design.

• Showcase Process: For each project, briefly explain your role, the tools used, the challenges faced, and how you achieved the final result. If you implemented any efficiency improvements or explored AI, highlight that.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): While difficult for design, if your work contributed to a specific campaign goal (e.g., improved engagement on social, timely catalog production), mention it.

• Highlight Detail & Organization: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and free of errors, reflecting your attention to detail and organizational skills.

• Address AI Interest: If you have experimented with AI tools for content creation, include an example or be prepared to discuss your thoughts and explorations.

Challenge Preparation:

• Image Editing Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your techniques for high-volume image editing, color accuracy, and maintaining brand consistency.

• Workflow Optimization: Think about how you would streamline the process of preparing for a photoshoot, managing assets, or creating marketing collateral.

• AI Integration: Prepare to discuss your understanding of AI's role in creative workflows and how you might apply it at Lakeshirts.

• Company Research: Understand Lakeshirts' product lines, target markets (resort, collegiate, K-12), and their emphasis on culture and "Life's Better in a T-Shirt."

📝 Enhancement Note: The focus on portfolio review and practical skills is paramount. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate not only their creative output but also their understanding of process, efficiency, and adaptability – key operational traits.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Image Editing Software: Strong proficiency required in Adobe Photoshop for image clipping, retouching, and color correction.

• Graphic Design Software: Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and InDesign for creating marketing materials, catalogs, flyers, and digital assets.

• AI Tools: Experience or demonstrated interest in exploring and applying AI tools for content creation workflows (e.g., AI image generators, AI-assisted editing tools).

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Familiarity with digital asset management (DAM) systems or content management systems (CMS) for organizing and deploying visual assets.

• Experience with project management tools like Monday.com, Trello, or Asana is preferred for workflow tracking and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core tools are standard for graphic design and photo editing. The explicit mention of AI tools and preferred project management software highlights the operational aspect of this role, requiring candidates to be tech-savvy and process-oriented.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Continuous Improvement: A drive to identify opportunities for streamlining processes, enhancing output quality, and adopting new technologies like AI.

• Efficiency & Productivity: Focus on high-volume image production during peak seasons and optimizing workflows for timely delivery of marketing materials.

• Collaboration: Working effectively within the marketing team and cross-functionally with other departments to achieve shared goals.

• Creativity & Innovation: Encouraging new ideas and approaches to visual storytelling and content creation, including the exploration of AI.

• Attention to Detail: Ensuring accuracy, consistency, and high quality in all visual assets produced.

Collaboration Style:

• Team-oriented with a strong emphasis on working closely with the Marketing Image Manager, Creative Directors, and other marketing team members.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, requiring clear communication and coordination with various departments to implement marketing strategies.

• A culture that values feedback exchange and continuous learning is likely, given the mention of evolving environments and AI exploration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Lakeshirts emphasizes a culture that blends creativity with a strong sense of teamwork and continuous improvement. For this role, embracing a collaborative approach to executing creative tasks while also seeking efficiency gains through process and technology is key.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing High Volume with Quality: Managing the demands of high-volume image production during peak seasons while maintaining meticulous attention to detail and quality standards.

• Adapting to Evolving Tools: Staying current with and effectively integrating new AI tools and technologies into existing creative workflows.

• Cross-Departmental Coordination: Effectively collaborating with various departments that may have different priorities or communication styles.

• Seasonal Fluctuations: Adapting to shifting business needs and priorities throughout the year, moving between focused image production and broader creative tasks.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Tool Mastery: Opportunity to become proficient in leveraging AI for creative tasks, a valuable and growing skill set.

• Advanced Creative Skills: Deepen expertise in photography, image manipulation, and graphic design through hands-on experience with diverse projects.

• Process Improvement: Contribute to and learn about optimizing creative workflows, asset management systems, and production pipelines.

• Industry Exposure: Gain experience within a large-scale manufacturing and apparel decoration company, understanding how creative operations support broader business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges and growth opportunities highlight the dynamic nature of the role. It requires adaptability, a proactive approach to learning new technologies, and a commitment to process improvement, all of which are hallmarks of successful operations professionals.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to manage a high volume of image editing tasks under a tight deadline. How did you prioritize and ensure quality?" (Assesses workflow management and prioritization)

• "How do you approach color correction to ensure product accuracy and brand consistency across different media?" (Evaluates technical skills and brand awareness)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about Lakeshirts and our mission of 'Life's Better in a T-Shirt'?" (Assesses cultural fit and genuine interest)

• "Describe your ideal collaborative environment. How do you typically work with team members and stakeholders?" (Evaluates teamwork and communication style)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Lead with Impact: Start with 1-2 of your strongest projects that directly showcase your image editing and design skills.

• Tell the Story: For each project, explain the objective, your role, the tools and techniques used, any challenges overcome, and the outcome.

• Highlight Workflow & Efficiency: If applicable, discuss how you managed your time, organized assets, or improved a process during the project.

• Demonstrate Detail: Walk through specific examples of your meticulous work, such as precise clipping paths or nuanced color adjustments.

• Address AI Exploration: Be ready to discuss any personal projects or explorations you've done with AI in creative contexts.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only creative talent but also an understanding of operational efficiency, process management, and adaptability. The ability to articulate how your skills contribute to the business's GTM strategy is crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer & Photo Editor position:

• Submit your application directly through the provided link on the Lakeshirts career portal.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords from the job description, such as "graphic design," "photo editing," "image clipping," "color correction," "AI tools," and "asset management." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a digital portfolio showcasing your best work, with a strong emphasis on image editing examples and marketing material design. Ensure it's easily accessible and well-organized.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio, focusing on explaining your process, the tools used, problem-solving approaches, and any instances of workflow improvement or AI exploration.

• Research Lakeshirts: Familiarize yourself with the company's products, target markets, and culture. Understand their brand aesthetic and how your skills can contribute to their visual storytelling.

⚠️ 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.