Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Kent Outdoors (BOTE Brand)

Location: Destin, FL

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design

Date Posted: May 22, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 years professional experience

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Execute a broad spectrum of visual design projects, including product packaging, marketing campaign assets, retail signage, and digital content, ensuring adherence to brand guidelines and campaign objectives.

• Collaborate closely with the Design Manager and Director of Marketing to translate creative briefs into impactful design solutions that align with strategic marketing goals and brand identity.

• Support product styling and visual aesthetics, contributing to the overall look and feel of products through graphics, colorways, and patterns.

• Prepare production-ready files for both print and digital applications, meticulously ensuring accuracy, consistency, and adherence to technical specifications.

• Contribute to a fast-paced, collaborative environment within the outdoor and lifestyle industry, demonstrating a passion for adventure and a strong understanding of brand storytelling.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically within the BOTE brand, which is part of Kent Outdoors. The emphasis on "outdoor industry," "lifestyle," and "adventure" is a key differentiator for this role and should be highlighted in the candidate's application. The role is execution-focused but encourages strategic thinking.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and develop a diverse range of creative assets including but not limited to: product packaging, product graphics and styling elements, marketing campaign visuals, retail signage, Point-of-Purchase (POP) displays, email marketing graphics, print collateral, and digital advertising creative.

• Contribute to the visual conceptualization and execution of marketing campaigns, ensuring designs are on-brand, compelling, and effectively communicate campaign messages and goals.

• Translate campaign direction and creative briefs into clear, thoughtful, and visually engaging design solutions, working within established brand and campaign guardrails.

• Take full ownership of assigned design projects from initial concept and layout through to final production-ready file delivery.

• Support product design initiatives by providing visual and stylistic input, including graphics, color palettes, patterns, and overall aesthetic direction for non-functional design elements.

• Execute creative assets for social media advertising and paid marketing channels, with an openness to contributing to creator-style content production.

• Partner with the Design Manager to receive creative direction, mentorship, and feedback, ensuring continuous improvement and alignment with design quality standards.

• Collaborate with the Director of Marketing to gain a deep understanding of campaign objectives, core messaging, and the strategic intent behind all design requests.

• Work cross-functionally with marketing, e-commerce, product development, and retail teams to fulfill ongoing creative needs and ensure visual consistency across all touchpoints.

• Provide design input and asset requirements for photography and video production planning, and actively assist on set during shoots to ensure final visuals align with campaign execution and brand aesthetics.

• Respond to design feedback constructively and iteratively, refining work to meet both creative quality and strategic objectives.

• Ensure all design output strictly adheres to BOTE brand standards, visual identity guidelines, and all relevant production requirements.

• Prepare and deliver clean, organized, and technically accurate production-ready files for both print and digital applications.

• Meticulously review and double-check layouts, packaging specifications, and technical details for accuracy and consistency before final delivery.

• Maintain organized working files, templates, and shared brand assets to ensure efficient workflow and easy access for the team.

• Proactively contribute to maintaining brand consistency across all campaigns, products, and customer touchpoints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of creative execution and strategic collaboration, with a strong focus on product and campaign visual development within the outdoor lifestyle sector. Candidates should be prepared to showcase versatility in design applications and a proactive approach to project ownership.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is typically expected for roles with this level of responsibility and experience.

Experience: Minimum of 2 years of professional graphic design experience, preferably within an in-house creative team or a design agency environment. Experience in the outdoor, lifestyle, or product-driven brand sector is highly advantageous.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite: Expert-level skills in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign are essential for creating and manipulating graphics, photos, and layouts.

• Strong Design Fundamentals: Demonstrated understanding of layout principles, typography, color theory, composition, and visual hierarchy.

• Digital Asset Creation: Ability to design and optimize assets for various digital platforms, including social media, web, and email marketing.

• Print Production Knowledge: Solid understanding of print production processes, including file setup, color modes (CMYK), resolution, bleed, and pre-press requirements.

• Brand Guideline Adherence: Proven ability to interpret and apply brand guidelines consistently across all design outputs.

• Project Management: Capability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Feedback Integration: Ability to receive, interpret, and constructively apply feedback from managers and cross-functional teams to improve design work.

• File Organization: Meticulous attention to detail in organizing and maintaining digital files and project assets.

Preferred Skills:

• Figma or Similar Tools: Experience with collaborative design tools like Figma is a plus, indicating adaptability to modern design workflows.

• Packaging Design: Specific experience in designing product packaging, understanding dielines, and preparing files for manufacturing.

• Retail Signage & POP: Experience designing effective retail signage and Point-of-Purchase displays that drive consumer engagement.

• Social Media Creative: Familiarity with creating engaging visuals for social media advertising and organic content.

• Video Editing/Motion Graphics: Basic understanding or interest in contributing to video editing or motion graphics for social content is a bonus.

• Outdoor Industry Passion: A genuine interest in and understanding of the outdoor, watersports, or lifestyle brand landscape.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements highlight a strong technical foundation in design software and principles, coupled with practical experience in delivering production-ready assets. The preference for Figma and industry-specific experience indicates a desire for candidates who can hit the ground running and contribute to a specialized market.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Diverse Project Showcase: A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating a strong range of design work across print and digital mediums, including examples of marketing campaigns, product graphics, packaging, and social media assets.

• Brand Consistency Examples: Specific pieces that illustrate the ability to maintain brand identity and visual consistency across various applications and campaigns.

• Process & Problem-Solving: Showcase projects that demonstrate the design process, from initial concept to final execution, highlighting how design challenges were approached and resolved.

• Production-Ready Files: While not typically submitted initially, be prepared to discuss the process of preparing production-ready files and showcase examples if requested.

• Impact & Strategy: Include examples where design directly supported marketing goals or product launches, demonstrating an understanding of how design contributes to business objectives.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Be prepared to discuss your typical design workflow, including stages for concept development, feedback incorporation, revisions, and final file preparation.

• Collaboration Protocols: Demonstrate understanding of how to collaborate effectively with marketing managers, product teams, and other stakeholders to gather requirements and integrate feedback.

• Asset Management: Discuss methods for organizing and managing design files, templates, and brand assets to ensure efficiency and consistency.

• Quality Assurance: Explain your approach to quality assurance for design projects, ensuring accuracy in technical details, copy, and brand compliance.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a graphic design role, the portfolio is paramount. It should not only showcase aesthetic talent but also the ability to execute effectively for marketing and product goals. Candidates should be ready to articulate their process and demonstrate how their design thinking aligns with brand strategy and production realities.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the location (Destin, FL), experience level (2-5 years), and the industry (outdoor/lifestyle brand), a competitive salary range for a Graphic Designer is estimated to be between $55,000 - $70,000 annually. This range can fluctuate based on the candidate's specific qualifications, portfolio strength, and the company's compensation structure.

Benefits:

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement Savings Plan: 401(k) or similar retirement savings plan, potentially with company match.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous vacation days, sick leave, and paid holidays.

• Employee Discounts: Significant discounts on Kent Outdoors brands and products, aligning with the company's outdoor and lifestyle focus.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, workshops, and conferences to enhance design skills and stay current with industry trends.

• Team Events & Activities: Involvement in company-sponsored events, outings, and team-building activities, fostering a strong community.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are typically 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, there may be occasional flexibility required for project deadlines or company events, with communication and planning being key.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on general market data for graphic designers in similar locations and experience levels, adjusted for the specialized outdoor industry. Benefits are typical for full-time roles and are enhanced by relevant employee discounts.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Sports & Recreation, Retail, Manufacturing (Outdoor Equipment & Lifestyle Products). Kent Outdoors, through its brands like BOTE, operates in a dynamic market driven by consumer passion for outdoor activities, watersports, and adventure. This industry context means a culture that values innovation, performance, and a connection to nature.

Company Size: Kent Outdoors is a collection of multiple brands, suggesting a mid-to-large-sized organization with a significant operational footprint. The BOTE brand, specifically, likely operates as a distinct unit within this larger structure, offering a balance between the agility of a focused brand and the resources of a larger parent company. This size can mean more structured processes but also opportunities for impact.

Founded: Kent Outdoors has a history of "over 50 years," indicating a stable and established presence in the market. The BOTE brand, while not given a founding date here, is known for its innovative approach to paddleboards and watersports equipment, suggesting a culture that balances heritage with modern product development and design.

Team Structure:

• Operations Team: The Graphic Designer will likely be part of a broader Marketing or Creative department. This team is expected to be specialized, with roles potentially including Design Manager, Director of Marketing, copywriters, social media managers, and e-commerce specialists.

• Reporting Structure: The role reports to the Design Manager, with close collaboration and guidance from the Director of Marketing. This indicates a clear hierarchy within the creative function.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The Graphic Designer will work closely with marketing, e-commerce, product development, and retail teams, requiring strong communication and teamwork skills to ensure cohesive brand messaging and product presentation.

Methodology:

• Data-Informed Design: While primarily creative, the role requires understanding marketing goals and customer insights to inform design decisions, suggesting a data-informed approach to creative output.

• Agile Creative Process: The emphasis on collaboration, feedback, and iterative refinement points towards an agile methodology in the creative process, allowing for quick adaptation to market needs and campaign adjustments.

• Brand-Centric Execution: A core methodology will be a relentless focus on brand consistency and storytelling, ensuring all creative output reinforces the BOTE and Kent Outdoors brand identity and values.

Company Website: https://kentoutdoors.com/ (and implicitly, BOTE's website for brand-specific details).

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context highlights a strong brand identity rooted in outdoor adventure. The Graphic Designer will operate within a structured creative team that collaborates broadly, emphasizing the importance of both creative execution and strategic alignment with marketing objectives.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This Graphic Designer role is positioned at an entry-to-mid-level. It requires professional experience (2+ years) and the ability to execute independently on assigned tasks, while still being guided by a Design Manager. The role focuses on design execution and contribution rather than leading creative strategy or managing a team.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports directly to the Design Manager. This implies a mentorship and guidance relationship, where the manager provides creative direction, feedback, and oversight. Collaboration with the Director of Marketing suggests exposure to higher-level strategic discussions and cross-functional alignment.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's impact is primarily through visual communication that supports marketing campaigns, product launches, and brand perception. Effective design directly influences customer engagement, brand recognition, and ultimately, sales by enhancing product appeal and campaign effectiveness across all channels (digital, retail, packaging).

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific design areas such as packaging design, digital advertising creative, or even dabble in motion graphics or social media content creation, based on project needs and personal interest.

• Increased Responsibility: As experience grows and performance is demonstrated, there could be opportunities to take on more complex projects, lead design for specific campaigns or product lines, and potentially move towards a Senior Graphic Designer or Art Director role.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Continued collaboration with marketing, product, and e-commerce teams can broaden understanding of business operations and marketing strategy, potentially leading to roles with more strategic creative input or even a transition into marketing roles.

• Brand Expansion: As Kent Outdoors is a collection of brands, there could be opportunities to contribute to other brands within the portfolio as experience and capabilities grow.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a solid foundation in brand-focused design execution within a thriving industry. Growth will likely involve mastering design craft, demonstrating strategic thinking through design, and expanding responsibilities within the BOTE brand or potentially across the Kent Outdoors portfolio.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is on-site in Destin, FL, suggesting a physical office environment. Given the company's industry and brand (BOTE), the office environment is likely to be dynamic, potentially embracing an outdoor-inspired aesthetic and fostering a collaborative, energetic atmosphere.

Office Location(s): Destin, Florida. This location is known for its coastal environment, which aligns perfectly with BOTE's watersports and outdoor lifestyle focus. Accessibility will depend on local transportation options.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Atmosphere: Expect an environment where teamwork and open communication are encouraged, facilitating collaboration with the Design Manager, marketing teams, and other departments.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and potentially other collaborative tools (like Figma). The company likely provides the necessary hardware and software to perform design tasks effectively.

• Creative Inspiration: Being part of an outdoor and watersports brand, the workspace may offer opportunities for inspiration drawn from the surrounding environment and the active lifestyle the brand promotes. This could include team events or access to company products.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are 40 hours per week, with an on-site presence required. While a consistent schedule is expected, occasional flexibility might be needed to meet project deadlines or support specific events, common in creative and marketing-driven environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Destin, FL, is a significant factor. Candidates should consider the lifestyle and logistical aspects of working in this location. The work environment is likely to be energetic and collaborative, reflecting the brand's active and adventurous ethos.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application Review: Your resume and cover letter will be assessed for relevant experience and qualifications.

• Portfolio Submission/Link: A link to your online portfolio is critical and will be the primary tool for evaluating your design skills, creativity, and alignment with the brand's aesthetic. This is often the first significant filter.

• First Interview (Hiring Manager/Recruiter): This typically covers your experience, motivation for applying, understanding of the brand, and basic fit. It may include questions about your portfolio pieces.

• Design Challenge/Project: You may be asked to complete a small design exercise or present a specific case study from your portfolio that addresses a hypothetical challenge relevant to BOTE's needs (e.g., designing a social media ad, a POP display concept).

• Final Interview (Design Manager/Director of Marketing): This interview focuses on deeper discussion of your portfolio, design process, collaboration style, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit. Be prepared to articulate your strategic thinking behind your design choices.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 6-10 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prioritize work that showcases versatility across print and digital, and ideally, aligns with the BOTE brand's aesthetic (outdoor, lifestyle, action-oriented).

• Showcase Process: For each project, briefly explain the brief/objective, your role, the design process (sketches, iterations, tools used), and the final outcome. Highlight any challenges overcome and the impact of your design.

• Highlight Brand Alignment: If you have experience with similar brands or can demonstrate an understanding of BOTE's visual language, emphasize this. Create a mock-up or concept piece if you feel it strongly represents your fit.

• Production Readiness: Be prepared to discuss how you prepare files for print and digital, demonstrating your understanding of specifications, color modes, and resolution.

• Clear Navigation: Ensure your online portfolio is easy to navigate, loads quickly, and is mobile-responsive.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brand: Thoroughly research BOTE and Kent Outdoors. Understand their product lines, target audience, marketing campaigns, and overall brand voice.

• Analyze Existing Creative: Study BOTE's current marketing materials, social media, website, and packaging. Identify what works well and potential areas for enhancement.

• Practice Design Thinking: Think about how you would approach a brief for a new product launch, a seasonal campaign, or a retail promotion. Focus on translating marketing objectives into visual concepts.

• Prepare Presentation: If given a design challenge, practice presenting your work concisely, focusing on your rationale, process, and how the design meets the brief's objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process heavily relies on the portfolio. Candidates must present a curated selection of work that not only demonstrates technical skill but also strategic thinking and strong brand alignment with Kent Outdoors/BOTE.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Adobe Illustrator: Essential for vector graphics, logos, product graphics, and complex illustrations.
  • Adobe Photoshop: Crucial for image editing, retouching, digital asset creation, and mock-ups.
  • Adobe InDesign: Necessary for layout design of print collateral, retail signage, and packaging dielines.

• Collaborative Design Tools (Preferred):

  • Figma: Increasingly popular for collaborative design, prototyping, and handoff to developers. Experience here is a significant plus.

Analytics & Reporting: While not a primary tool for the designer, understanding how creative assets perform (e.g., click-through rates on ads, engagement on social media) can inform future design decisions. Familiarity with basic analytics dashboards may be beneficial.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to the designer's core function, but understanding how marketing automation platforms are used for email campaigns could be helpful for designing effective email graphics.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. Experience with Figma is a strong differentiator, indicating adaptability to modern collaborative design workflows.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• "All Out" Mentality: This core value encourages a high level of commitment, speed, and dedication to every task, from creative projects to personal adventures. It implies a proactive and energetic approach.

• Velocity, Direction, Ethics, Forethought: These principles guide how work is approached – efficiently, with clear purpose, integrity, and careful planning.

• Goal-Oriented & Outcome-Focused: Emphasis on achieving specific results and objectives, ensuring that design efforts contribute tangible value to marketing and business goals.

• Collaborative Problem-Solving: A strong belief in teamwork and shared responsibility for success. Challenges are seen as opportunities for collective solutions, with team achievements celebrated over individual accolades.

• Constructive Debate & Synthesis: Encouragement to share perspectives rooted in experience and thoughtful analysis, fostering healthy debate that leads to better decision-making.

• Humility & Empathy: Despite accomplishments, maintaining a humble attitude and communicating honestly, forthrightly, yet empathetically with colleagues.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires working seamlessly with marketing, e-commerce, product, and retail teams, fostering a collaborative environment where design is integrated into broader business strategies.

• Feedback Culture: An open exchange of feedback is expected, with designers encouraged to provide input and respond constructively to critiques to refine creative output.

• Shared Success: The emphasis on team achievements suggests a culture where collective wins are prioritized, promoting a supportive and cooperative working dynamic.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture strongly emphasizes a proactive, collaborative, and results-driven approach, deeply intertwined with an outdoor adventure lifestyle. Candidates should demonstrate alignment with these values in their application and interview responses.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

**Challenges