Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Native Shoes

Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Job Type: Permanent Full-Time

Category: Creative & Design / Marketing Operations

Date Posted: July 27, 2026

Experience Level: 3-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Responsible for conceptualizing, designing, and executing production-ready creative assets across digital and print touchpoints for a consumer footwear brand.

• Ensures brand consistency and visual craft through meticulous attention to detail in production, quality control, and adherence to brand standards.

• Manages design workflows for multiple concurrent projects, balancing timelines and priorities in collaboration with marketing and commercial teams.

• Contributes fresh design perspectives, staying attuned to trends in footwear, culture, and digital platforms to maintain relevant creative output.

• Partners closely with the Senior Graphic Designer to bridge brand vision with actionable, visually compelling execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a consumer brand, specifically footwear, emphasizing the need for a designer who understands brand storytelling and customer experience. The hybrid nature with 3 days in-office suggests a requirement for collaborative work and integration within the marketing and commercial teams, crucial for GTM operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, layout, and resize campaign and product photography for both digital and print platforms, ensuring visual cohesion.

• Design and produce a wide array of digital assets, including advertisements, email creative, and website graphics, with iterative resizing as needed.

• Develop and produce print assets such as packaging, campaign collateral, and community materials, adapting designs for various formats and sizes.

• Build standardized layouts and integrate design elements into templates to maintain consistent brand execution across all deliverables.

• Proactively research and incorporate current design trends from the footwear industry, broader culture, and digital spaces to enhance creative relevance and impact.

• Accurately assemble all components of production design and copy, meticulously verifying brand consistency throughout the entire process.

• Construct digital mechanical assemblies that meet industry prepress and web standards, ensuring technical accuracy for production.

• Manage color calibration, display settings, and proofing procedures to guarantee consistent visual outcomes across different media.

• Apply stringent quality control measures against established brand filters and standards before releasing final assets.

• Prepare digital files for release, conducting thorough pre-flighting and resolving any artwork issues that emerge during the production phase.

• Provide essential image retouching, create clipping paths, and perform additional image manipulation tasks as required to meet project specifications.

• Effectively manage design workflows for multiple concurrent projects, adeptly balancing deadlines and adapting to shifting priorities.

• Collaborate closely with Marketing and Commercial teams to ensure creative output aligns perfectly with campaign objectives and product launch timelines.

• Develop, communicate, and uphold best practices for design processes and workflows, fostering efficiency and standardization.

• Proactively identify and flag potential risks to delivery timelines, and efficiently resolve production bottlenecks as they arise.

• Ensure all design files are meticulously saved, archived, and named according to current server standards and organizational practices.

• Upload finalized files to the server, maintaining strict adherence to proper file naming and organization protocols.

• Generate guideline files for use by partners and international teams, ensuring consistent brand application globally.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on production-level design and workflow management, crucial for GTM operations that rely on timely and consistent asset delivery. The need to "resize and iterate" across various touchpoints suggests a dynamic environment where adaptability and efficiency in asset creation are paramount.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fashion Design, Visual Communication, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 3-5 years of professional experience specifically in graphic design.

Required Skills:

• Proficient in Graphic Design principles, including layout, typography, and color theory.

• Expertise in designing and producing Digital Assets for various online platforms (web, social media, digital ads).

• Strong skills in Print Design and production, including understanding of print specifications and pre-press requirements.

• Proven ability in Campaign Execution, translating creative concepts into cohesive visual narratives across multiple channels.

• Solid understanding of Production Design workflows and best practices for delivering print-ready and web-ready files.

• Skilled in Image Retouching and manipulation using industry-standard software.

• Excellent Project Management capabilities, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.

• Strong Visual Communication skills, effectively conveying brand messages and ideas through design.

• Familiarity with Layout Design and building designs within standardized templates.

• Experience with Pre-flighting digital files to ensure print readiness and identify potential issues.

• Knowledge of Color Management principles to ensure consistent visual output.

• Demonstrated ability to maintain Brand Consistency across all design deliverables.

• Experience in Packaging Design, understanding its unique requirements from concept to production.

• Proficient in creating and managing Digital Asset workflows.

• Strong Workflow Management skills to optimize design processes and team efficiency. Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the Footwear or Apparel industry.

• Familiarity with motion graphics or video editing software.

• Understanding of User Interface (UI) or User Experience (UX) design principles.

• Experience with A/B testing creative assets for performance optimization.

• Knowledge of marketing automation platforms and their creative integration.

• Experience working in a hybrid or remote team environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills list is extensive and directly maps to the complex responsibilities of a production-focused graphic designer supporting GTM initiatives. The emphasis on "resizing and iterating" and "standardized templates" points towards a need for efficiency and scalability in design operations, a key concern for revenue operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a diverse range of design projects demonstrating proficiency in both digital and print media.

• Include examples of campaign collateral and packaging design, highlighting creative concept development and execution.

• Present case studies that illustrate your process for resizing and adapting designs for various touchpoints and channels.

• Demonstrate experience with production workflows, including pre-flighting and file preparation for print and web.

• Highlight projects where you maintained brand consistency and applied quality control measures. Process Documentation:

• Examples of how you've documented design processes or workflows to improve efficiency.

• Demonstrations of your approach to managing multiple concurrent design projects and shifting priorities.

• Evidence of collaboration with marketing or commercial teams to align creative output with GTM timelines.

• Case studies or examples of how you've contributed to maintaining brand standards and visual consistency.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role involving production and campaign execution, a portfolio should not only showcase aesthetic capabilities but also the process, efficiency, and attention to detail required for a GTM environment. Documenting workflows and demonstrating collaborative alignment with marketing are key indicators of operational readiness.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: CAD $55,000 - $75,000 per year.

Explanation: This estimated salary range is based on industry benchmarks for Graphic Designers with 3-5 years of experience in Vancouver, BC, considering the hybrid work model and the specific responsibilities outlined. The range accounts for variations in experience, skill specialization, and the dynamic nature of the consumer brand sector.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Generous paid time off (PTO) including vacation days, sick leave, and personal days.

• Employee discount on Native Shoes products.

• Opportunities for professional development and training.

• Hybrid work model offering flexibility between office collaboration and remote work.

• Contribution to a retirement savings plan (e.g., RRSP matching).

• Potential for performance-based bonuses.

Working Hours: Standard 40-hour work week, with flexibility for peak content moments, launches, and events as noted in the hybrid work policy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is estimated based on regional data for Graphic Designers with 3-5 years of experience in Vancouver, BC. Benefits are standard for a permanent full-time role in Canada, with specific additions like employee discounts relevant to a retail/consumer goods company.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Footwear & Apparel Retail. Native Shoes operates within the competitive consumer goods market, focusing on innovation and sustainability in footwear design.

Company Size: Approximately 50-200 employees, indicating a mid-sized company where roles often have significant impact and require cross-functional collaboration.

Founded: Native Shoes was founded with a mission to make everyday life easier to step into, emphasizing lightweight, comfortable, and sustainable footwear. This founding principle likely permeates the company culture, valuing simplicity, innovation, and a positive impact.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will likely be part of a Marketing or Creative team, reporting to a Senior Graphic Designer.

• This team collaborates closely with Product Development, Sales, E-commerce, and potentially Operations teams to ensure cohesive brand messaging and product representation.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, especially with Marketing and Commercial teams, to support campaign execution and product launches. Methodology:

• Data-driven creative development, using insights from market trends and consumer feedback to inform design decisions.

• Agile approach to campaign execution and content creation, allowing for flexibility and rapid iteration in response to market dynamics.

• Emphasis on visual storytelling and brand narrative to connect with consumers on an emotional level.

• Commitment to sustainability and "Living Lightly," which likely influences design choices and brand messaging.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is built around a clear mission ("Live Lightly") and product innovation. For a designer, this means understanding how to translate these values into visual assets that resonate with consumers who appreciate sustainability and comfort. The mid-size company structure suggests opportunities for broader exposure and influence.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is an intermediate-level position, focusing on execution and production within the creative spectrum. It's a hands-on role designed for designers who excel at bringing concepts to life with precision and efficiency.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports to the Senior Graphic Designer, who provides mentorship and oversight. This structure allows for skill development under experienced guidance while contributing directly to team output.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the company's Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy by creating compelling visual assets that drive brand awareness, customer engagement, and ultimately, sales. Their ability to produce high-quality, on-brand materials efficiently is crucial for successful product launches and marketing campaigns.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific design areas (e.g., digital, packaging) and learn new design software or techniques.

• Creative Leadership: Potential to grow into a Senior Graphic Designer role, taking on more strategic design responsibilities, leading projects, and mentoring junior designers.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain exposure to other marketing functions, understanding how creative assets fit into broader GTM and sales strategies, potentially leading to roles in brand management or marketing coordination.

• Specialization: Develop expertise in a particular niche, such as footwear design, sustainable branding, or digital campaign creative.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path from Graphic Designer to Senior Graphic Designer is a natural progression. The hybrid environment and emphasis on collaboration also present opportunities to develop skills in marketing operations and GTM strategy, broadening career horizons beyond pure design execution.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model. Employees are expected to be in the office 3 days a week, fostering a blend of in-person collaboration and remote flexibility.

Office Location(s): Vancouver, BC (Greater Vancouver Area). The specific office location within Vancouver would need to be confirmed, but it's expected to be accessible for local commuters.

Workspace Context:

• The office environment likely supports collaboration, with spaces for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and individual focused work.

• Access to necessary design software and hardware is expected, along with a supportive IT infrastructure.

• Opportunities for informal interactions with colleagues from various departments, facilitating a holistic understanding of the business and its operations.

• The hybrid model allows for focused design work at home while leveraging office time for strategic discussions, team alignment, and creative reviews.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is typical, with some flexibility anticipated during critical periods such as product launches, major content pushes, or events, aligning with the hybrid policy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model signifies a modern work environment that balances in-person synergy with individual autonomy. For a designer, this means being able to collaborate effectively on creative briefs and reviews while having dedicated time for focused design execution.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest in the role and company.

• Portfolio Review & Skills Assessment: A detailed review of your portfolio with the Hiring Manager (Senior Graphic Designer or Marketing Lead). This will likely involve discussing your past projects, design process, and problem-solving approaches. You may be asked to present specific pieces that align with Native Shoes' brand and needs.

• Design Challenge (Potential): A small, timed design exercise or a take-home assignment to evaluate your design skills, speed, and ability to interpret a brief. This might involve creating a digital ad or adapting an existing asset.

• Team/Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with other members of the marketing or creative team, and potentially individuals from commercial or product teams, to assess collaboration style and understanding of GTM objectives.

• Final Interview: A discussion with a senior leader to confirm fit and discuss overall expectations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 projects that best showcase your abilities relevant to Native Shoes' brand and the job description (digital assets, print production, campaign execution, packaging).

• Tell a Story: For each project, explain the brief, your creative process, the challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and the results or impact of your design. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

• Highlight Production Skills: Specifically point out examples where you handled resizing, pre-flighting, color management, and ensured brand consistency.

• Showcase Brand Adaptability: Include examples demonstrating your ability to work within established brand guidelines and also to bring fresh, trend-aware perspectives.

• Be Prepared for "Why Native Shoes?": Articulate your interest in the brand, its mission, and how your skills align with their aesthetic and values.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brand: Thoroughly review Native Shoes' website, social media, and current marketing campaigns to grasp their visual identity, tone, and target audience.

• Focus on Core Responsibilities: If given a design challenge, consider how it relates to producing digital ads, resizing assets, or maintaining brand consistency.

• Time Management: Practice completing design tasks within a limited timeframe, simulating a real-world challenge scenario.

• Presentation Clarity: Be prepared to clearly articulate your design decisions and rationale, even for a brief exercise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes practical design skills and brand alignment. A strong portfolio that demonstrates an understanding of production workflows and GTM needs, coupled with clear communication of process and brand awareness, will be key to success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Photoshop: Essential for image retouching, manipulation, and digital asset creation.
  • Illustrator: Crucial for vector graphics, logos, layout design, and print production.
  • InDesign: Key for layout design of print collateral, packaging, and template-based work.
  • Acrobat Pro: For file preparation, pre-flighting, and PDF management.

• Project Management Software: Tools like Asana, Trello, or Monday.com may be used for workflow and task management.

• File Management Systems: Server-based storage with established naming conventions (e.g., Dropbox, Google Drive, internal servers).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly a design tool, understanding how assets perform through analytics (e.g., Google Analytics, social media insights) can inform future creative decisions. CRM & Automation:

• Familiarity with how design assets are used within marketing automation platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, HubSpot) or CRMs for email campaigns and digital advertising would be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. Experience with project management and file management tools is critical for efficient workflow, especially in a hybrid setting. Understanding the downstream use of assets in marketing automation and CRM systems demonstrates a GTM-oriented mindset.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Live Lightly: This core value likely translates into a company culture that prioritizes efficiency, sustainability in output, and a mindful approach to work.

• Creativity & Innovation: A drive to constantly explore new design trends and bring fresh perspectives to the brand's visual identity.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on teamwork and cross-functional communication to achieve shared goals.

• Attention to Detail: A commitment to quality and precision in all deliverables, ensuring brand integrity and professional execution.

• Customer Focus: Designing with the end-user experience in mind, creating compelling visuals that resonate with Native Shoes' target audience.

Collaboration Style:

• Hybrid Integration: Active participation in both in-office and remote collaborative sessions, ensuring seamless communication regardless of location.

• Cross-functional Partnership: Working closely with Marketing, Commercial, and potentially Product teams to ensure design efforts are aligned with business objectives and GTM strategies.

• Feedback Culture: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback on design work to foster continuous improvement and shared learning.

• Process-Oriented: A structured approach to design workflows, ensuring clarity, efficiency, and accountability throughout project lifecycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Native Shoes' core value of "Live Lightly" is crucial. It suggests a culture that values thoughtful execution, sustainability, and a positive impact, which can inform design choices and how work is approached. A collaborative spirit is essential given the hybrid model and cross-functional interactions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Production Demands: Juggling the need for innovative design with the practicalities of production timelines, budgets, and technical constraints.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency Across Diverse Channels: Ensuring a unified brand voice and visual identity across a wide range of digital and print touchpoints, especially as the brand scales.

• Adapting to Evolving Digital Trends: Staying ahead of rapid changes in digital design, social media platforms, and consumer expectations to keep creative output relevant.

• Managing Multiple Stakeholder Needs: Effectively translating diverse requests from marketing, sales, and product teams into cohesive design solutions.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software Training: Opportunities to become proficient in more specialized areas of the Adobe Creative Suite or emerging design tools.

• Brand Strategy Workshops: Learning more about Native Shoes' overall brand strategy, target audience, and GTM planning to better inform creative output.

• Industry Trend Seminars: Participating in webinars or conferences focused on design, footwear, or consumer marketing trends.

• Mentorship from Senior Designer: Gaining insights and guidance from an experienced professional on design excellence, career progression, and industry best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a designer in a fast-paced consumer brand environment. The opportunities for growth are focused on deepening design expertise and understanding the broader business context, which is valuable for career advancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance creative ambition with strict production deadlines. How did you manage it?" (Assesses project management and problem-solving skills)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across different digital and print materials? Can you give an example?" (Evaluates attention to detail and brand adherence)

• "Walk us through your process for adapting a campaign concept across various touchpoints, from social media ads to print collateral." (Tests workflow management and creative execution)

• "How do you stay updated on design trends, particularly within the footwear or lifestyle industries, and how do you incorporate them into your work?" (Assesses industry awareness and creative thinking) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Native Shoes and our mission to 'Live Lightly'?" (Tests brand alignment and research)

• "How do you approach collaboration in a hybrid work environment? What are your expectations for working with the Senior Graphic Designer and other teams?" (Evaluates teamwork and adaptability)

• "Describe a situation where you received critical feedback on your design. How did you respond and what was the outcome?" (Assesses receptiveness to feedback and professional maturity) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Presentation: Begin with an overview of your portfolio, highlighting key projects that align with the job description. For each project, use the STAR method and clearly explain your role, process, and the impact.

• Focus on Production & Efficiency: When discussing projects, emphasize your ability to deliver production-ready files, manage resizing, and maintain brand standards efficiently.

• Demonstrate Brand Understanding: Show how your work reflects an understanding of Native Shoes' aesthetic, values, and target audience. If you have relevant work, highlight it.

• Be Ready for Design Challenges: Prepare to discuss your approach to hypothetical design scenarios or present a brief response to a quick design prompt.

• Ask Insightful Questions: Prepare questions about the team structure, design workflow, upcoming projects, and opportunities for growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design talent, but also operational efficiency, brand understanding, and collaborative skills essential for a GTM-focused role. The portfolio is the primary tool to showcase these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your resume and a link to your online portfolio through the provided application portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature projects that align with Native Shoes' brand aesthetic, target audience, and the responsibilities outlined (digital assets, print production, campaign execution). Highlight examples of efficient resizing and brand consistency.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 3-5 years of graphic design experience, emphasizing skills in Adobe Creative Suite, production design, project management, and any relevant industry experience. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Designed assets for X campaigns that resulted in Y engagement").

• Prepare for Portfolio Presentation: Practice walking through your selected portfolio pieces, focusing on your design process, problem-solving, and ability to deliver production-ready assets. Be ready to discuss how your work aligns with Native Shoes' mission.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Native Shoes' brand, mission, values, and recent marketing efforts. Be prepared to discuss why you are a good fit for their culture and how you can contribute to their "Live Lightly" ethos through design.

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

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