Graphic Designer - Assembly Instruction Writer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer - Assembly Instruction Writer

Company: Great Northern

Location: Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Creative & Media / Manufacturing / Marketing / Art & Design

Date Posted: 2026-08-12T06:00:00

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Develop and execute comprehensive assembly instructions through written content, technical illustrations, photography, and video production.

• Drive packaging innovation and support graphic design initiatives by collaborating cross-functionally with sales, marketing, and product development teams.

• Ensure all design and instruction materials meet Great Northern's rigorous service, quality, and efficiency standards.

• Contribute to the creation of impactful sales and marketing collateral, enhancing brand presentation and customer understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within the manufacturing sector, focusing on the creation of clear, concise assembly instructions. While the job title includes "Graphic Designer," the core responsibilities lean heavily towards technical communication and visual instruction design, requiring a blend of creative and practical skills. The emphasis on "assembly instruction writer" and "technical illustrations" suggests a strong need for understanding product mechanics and user experience in a manufacturing context.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Create detailed written and/or video step-by-step assembly instructions for in-house fulfillment, customer, or retailer product assembly.

• Prepare precise technical illustrations, diagrams, and visual aids for inclusion in assembly instructions and display order guides.

• Shoot, edit, and produce high-quality photography and video content for assembly instructions, marketing collateral, and other company needs.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including sales, marketing, and engineering, to resolve packaging challenges and support graphic design projects.

• Manage and prioritize multiple design requests, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to project specifications and deadlines.

• Translate complex product structures and assembly processes into easily understandable visual and written guides.

• Maintain brand consistency and quality standards across all created instructional and graphic design materials.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on technical instruction creation and broader graphic design support. The emphasis on "technical illustrations," "photography," and "video" for "assembly instructions" indicates a need for practical, hands-on content creation skills beyond traditional graphic design. The collaboration with "sales and marketing materials" suggests an integration of creative design principles with practical application in a manufacturing environment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Arts, Design, Communications, or a related field is preferred.

Experience: A minimum of three years of progressive experience in graphic design, technical writing, or a related visual communication role.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and InDesign for creating technical illustrations and layout designs.

• Strong understanding of visual communication principles and the ability to translate complex information into clear instructions.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a keen eye for detail and accuracy.

• Competency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook for documentation, data management, and communication.

• Ability to follow and interpret verbal, written, and diagrammatic instructions accurately.

• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Skill in shooting and editing photography and basic video content. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with basic video editing software.

• Knowledge of 3D structures, CAD software, or technical drawing principles.

• Copywriting experience, particularly for technical or instructional content.

• Familiarity with packaging design principles and manufacturing processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of graphic design software proficiency and practical content creation skills (photography, video). The "preferred skills" like CAD and copywriting suggest that candidates with a broader technical or writing background will be highly competitive. The experience level aligns with a mid-level contributor role, expected to be largely independent in task execution.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a range of graphic design projects, with a strong emphasis on technical illustrations and instructional materials (e.g., assembly guides, user manuals).

• Include examples of visual storytelling through photography and video, demonstrating ability to convey process or product usage.

• Provide evidence of ability to translate complex technical information into clear, concise, and user-friendly instructions.

• Demonstrate proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Illustrator and InDesign, through the quality and complexity of design work.

• Highlight any projects involving 3D visualization, CAD integration, or copywriting for instructional purposes. Process Documentation:

• Examples of how you have documented and optimized design or instruction creation workflows.

• Case studies illustrating how your visual content has improved user comprehension or reduced assembly errors.

• Evidence of collaboration with cross-functional teams to refine instructions or design elements.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is crucial for this role, specifically highlighting the ability to create clear, visual instructions. Candidates should focus on demonstrating their technical illustration skills and any experience with creating user-friendly guides. The inclusion of photography and video examples is also highly recommended given the explicit responsibilities.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $54,000 - $59,000 per year. This range reflects the mid-level experience requirement and location-specific compensation benchmarks for graphic design and technical writing roles in Wisconsin.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans.

• Life and Disability insurance coverage.

• 401k retirement plan with a company match of up to 4%.

• Generous Profit Sharing program, reflecting the company's commitment to employee success.

• 15 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) annually, plus 10 paid holidays.

• Referral Bonuses to incentivize team growth.

• Health Fitness Reimbursement program to support employee well-being.

• Employee Loan Program for financial assistance.

Working Hours: Monday through Friday, with flexible standard business hours. The role is expected to require approximately 40 hours per week, with potential for occasional overtime based on project demands and deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific to the Chippewa Falls, WI area for a role requiring 3+ years of experience and a degree, aligning with industry standards for graphic design and technical communication. The comprehensive benefits package is typical for a stable, privately-owned manufacturing company.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Packaging, Shipping, Merchandising, and Distribution Solutions. Great Northern operates within a dynamic industrial manufacturing sector, providing essential B2B solutions that impact national brands across various commercial and retail markets.

Company Size: Great Northern is a privately owned company with a history dating back to 1962. While specific employee numbers aren't detailed, its description as a "leading developer and manufacturer" with national reach suggests a significant operational footprint, likely employing several hundred to a few thousand individuals across its facilities.

Founded: Established in 1962, Great Northern has a long-standing reputation for stability and providing meaningful career positions. This history indicates a company culture that values experience, long-term employee relationships, and consistent growth.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer - Assembly Instruction Writer will likely be part of a broader Marketing or Creative Services department. This team is expected to be of moderate size, housing specialists in graphic design, content creation, and potentially project management.

• Reporting structure likely leads to a Creative Director, Marketing Manager, or similar leadership role, with direct interaction with project stakeholders.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a key element, involving close work with sales, marketing, product development, and potentially manufacturing or operations teams to ensure accuracy and effectiveness of instructions and designs. Methodology:

• Data analysis and insights are likely applied to understanding customer needs and optimizing instruction clarity for maximum user comprehension and minimal error.

• Workflow planning and optimization strategies are crucial for managing design requests efficiently and ensuring timely delivery of accurate assembly instructions.

• Automation and efficiency practices are encouraged, particularly in content creation and asset management, to streamline processes and maintain high output.

Company Website: https://www.greatnortherncorp.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's long history and private ownership suggest a stable work environment that may prioritize employee well-being and long-term career development. The emphasis on "sustainable and eco-friendly products" indicates a potential focus on corporate social responsibility within its operations.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level contributor, suitable for individuals with 2-5 years of experience. It requires a solid foundation in graphic design principles and the ability to independently produce technical instructional content. The role is integral to ensuring product usability and customer satisfaction post-purchase.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer - Assembly Instruction Writer will likely report to a Creative Manager, Marketing Manager, or a similar lead responsible for creative output and content development. This position will also involve significant collaboration with project managers, product teams, and sales representatives.

Operations Impact: The work of this role directly impacts operational efficiency and customer experience by ensuring products are assembled correctly and efficiently. Clear instructions reduce support calls, minimize product assembly errors, and enhance overall customer satisfaction, contributing indirectly to revenue through improved brand perception and customer retention.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations skill advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in technical illustration, advanced video editing, and potentially explore 3D modeling or CAD software.

• Industry-specific learning: Exposure to packaging design, manufacturing processes, and B2B marketing strategies.

• Leadership potential: With proven performance and expanded skill sets, potential to move into senior designer roles, lead specific project initiatives, or specialize in technical documentation.

• Cross-functional exposure: Develop a broader understanding of business operations by working closely with sales, marketing, and product development teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operations Impact" section has been tailored to reflect how a design and instruction role contributes to the broader operational goals of a manufacturing company, emphasizing efficiency and customer experience. Growth opportunities are framed within the context of specialized design skills and potential leadership within a creative or technical team.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site position located at the Swedesboro, NJ office. The environment is likely a professional office setting within a manufacturing facility, fostering collaboration between creative teams and operational departments.

Office Location(s): Swedesboro, New Jersey. This location provides access to the company's operational hub, facilitating direct interaction with product samples, manufacturing processes, and cross-functional teams.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be equipped with standard office amenities and design software.

• Opportunities for collaboration exist through in-person meetings, brainstorming sessions, and direct feedback loops with colleagues in marketing, sales, and product development.

• Access to product samples and potentially manufacturing floor tours may be available, providing essential context for creating accurate assembly instructions.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is Monday through Friday, with flexible hours between standard business hours. This arrangement allows for work-life balance while ensuring consistent availability for team collaboration and project completion.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the initial input listed Chippewa Falls, WI as the location, the job description explicitly states "This position will work out of the Swedesboro, NJ Office." This discrepancy has been addressed by prioritizing the explicit location mentioned in the job description for this section. This highlights the importance of carefully reading all parts of the job description for accurate details.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and experience alignment. Prepare to highlight relevant projects that showcase your technical illustration, instructional design, and content creation skills.

• Technical Assessment/Portfolio Review: This stage will likely involve a deeper dive into your portfolio. Be ready to discuss your design process, the challenges you faced, and how you arrived at your solutions, particularly for instructional materials. A practical exercise or skills test (e.g., creating a sample illustration or instruction step) may be administered.

• Cross-functional Interview: An interview with team members from sales, marketing, or product development to assess your collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to understand diverse project requirements. Focus on examples of how you've worked with non-designers.

• Final Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager or department head to evaluate cultural fit, long-term potential, and alignment with Great Northern's values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate your portfolio to prominently feature your strongest work in technical illustration, assembly instructions, and visual guides.

• For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the tools used, your process, and the measurable outcome or impact (e.g., improved clarity, reduced errors).

• Include examples of photography and video if relevant to your experience, demonstrating your ability to create multi-format instructional content.

• Be prepared to walk through a complex project, explaining your decision-making process step-by-step.

• Ensure your portfolio reflects your proficiency with Adobe Illustrator and InDesign, as these are critical tools for this role. Challenge Preparation:

• If a practical exercise is given, focus on clear, concise visual communication. Prioritize readability and accuracy over aesthetic flair for technical instructions.

• Prepare to discuss how you would approach creating instructions for a new or complex product, considering different user skill levels.

• Be ready to articulate your understanding of Great Northern's business and how your role contributes to their success in the packaging and manufacturing industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process is structured to evaluate both creative and technical skills, as well as collaborative abilities. The portfolio review is emphasized as a critical component, requiring candidates to showcase specific types of work relevant to instructional design and technical communication.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Illustrator: Essential for creating vector-based technical illustrations, diagrams, and graphic elements for assembly instructions.

• Adobe InDesign: Crucial for page layout, document design, and integrating text and graphics into comprehensive instruction manuals and marketing materials.

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook): Used for documentation, data management, project tracking, and internal communication.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly a data analysis role, understanding how to use data to inform instruction design (e.g., analyzing common assembly errors from customer feedback) may be beneficial. Proficiency in tools that support this indirect analysis is a plus. CRM & Automation:

• Experience with any project management or content management systems (CMS) that streamline the creation and distribution of instructional content would be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily focused on the Adobe Creative Suite, which is standard for graphic design roles. The inclusion of Microsoft Office is also typical. Emphasis is placed on the specific applications required for technical illustration and layout.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Quality: A commitment to producing accurate, clear, and high-quality instructional materials and designs that reflect positively on Great Northern's brand.

• Efficiency: Striving for streamlined processes in content creation and project management to meet deadlines and optimize resource utilization.

• Collaboration: Fostering a team-oriented environment where cross-functional input is valued and integrated to achieve the best project outcomes.

• Innovation: Encouraging creative solutions to packaging challenges and finding new ways to present information effectively.

• Customer Focus: Ensuring that all work directly supports customer understanding and satisfaction with Great Northern's products.

Collaboration Style:

• Open communication and active listening are key to understanding requirements from various departments.

• A willingness to provide and receive constructive feedback on designs and instructions is essential for continuous improvement.

• Proactive engagement with stakeholders to clarify project scope, gather necessary information, and ensure alignment on deliverables.

• Team members are expected to be proactive in sharing knowledge and best practices within the creative team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture values are inferred from the company's description as a stable, long-standing manufacturer focused on "creative solutions" and "eco-friendly products." The emphasis on collaboration and efficiency is standard for operations-oriented roles within such organizations.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complexity: The primary challenge will be to distill complex product assembly processes into simple, easily understandable instructions for a diverse user base.

• Balancing Creative and Technical: Effectively merging creative design aesthetics with the strict requirements of technical accuracy and clarity in instructional content.

• Managing Multiple Projects: Juggling diverse design requests and instruction writing tasks with varying deadlines and stakeholder expectations.

• Staying Current: Keeping pace with evolving design software, instructional design best practices, and emerging media formats (e.g., interactive video).

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in advanced technical illustration, 3D modeling, or specific video production techniques.

• Instructional Design Principles: Gain formal knowledge in instructional design methodologies to create even more effective learning experiences.

• Industry Exposure: Learn about the broader packaging and manufacturing industry, understanding how design and documentation support business objectives.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from senior designers or managers within the creative team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges identified are typical for roles that bridge creative design with technical communication and operational needs. Growth opportunities focus on skill enhancement and industry knowledge acquisition within the manufacturing and design sectors.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to create assembly instructions for a complex product. What was your process, and what challenges did you face?" (Focus on process, problem-solving, and clarity of instruction.)

• "How do you ensure technical accuracy in your illustrations and written content, especially when collaborating with engineers or product teams?" (Highlight attention to detail, verification processes, and communication.)

• "Walk us through a graphic design project where you had to balance aesthetic appeal with functional requirements. How did you achieve this balance?" (Demonstrate understanding of design constraints and user needs.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Great Northern and our role in the packaging industry?" (Research the company's products, sustainability initiatives, and market position.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with non-design team members, such as sales or manufacturing staff?" (Provide examples of successful cross-functional teamwork.)

• "How do you prioritize tasks when faced with multiple urgent design requests?" (Showcase organizational skills and ability to manage deadlines.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure your presentation logically: Introduction, Project Overview, Your Role & Process, Challenges & Solutions, Outcome & Impact.

• For instructional design examples, clearly explain the target audience, the complexity of the product, and how your design simplified the assembly process.

• Be prepared to discuss your proficiency with specific software and any unique techniques you employed.

• Highlight projects that demonstrate your ability to create clear, concise, and visually appealing content across different media (illustrations, photos, video).

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation advice focuses on showcasing problem-solving skills, technical proficiency, collaborative abilities, and a clear understanding of how design contributes to operational success and customer satisfaction. Emphasizing the portfolio's relevance to instructional design is key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer - Assembly Instruction Writer position:

• Submit your application through the Great Northern careers portal (link provided via the source).

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your experience in technical illustration, assembly instructions, photography, and video creation. Showcase projects that demonstrate clarity, accuracy, and user-friendliness.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your years of experience, proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign), and any experience with CAD, video editing, or technical writing. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "reduced assembly errors by X%").

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving strategies, and collaborative experiences. Prepare specific examples for behavioral and situational interview questions.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Great Northern's products, services, history, and commitment to sustainability. Understand their market position and how your role contributes to their overall success.

⚠️ 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.