Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Spartina LLC

Location: Bluffton, SC, US

Job Type: Full Time

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

Date Posted: 2026-05-22T15:54:00

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on the creation and execution of compelling visual assets that embody the Spartina 449 brand across diverse customer touchpoints, including both digital and print mediums.

• The Graphic Designer will be instrumental in translating brand messaging and aesthetic into visually engaging content for e-commerce, retail, and wholesale channels.

• A key aspect of this position involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams, including Marketing, E-Commerce, and Photography, to ensure cohesive and impactful brand storytelling.

• This role requires a blend of creative design expertise, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines within a fast-paced creative environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is explicitly stated as an "In-Office position, non-remote" and is based in Bluffton, SC, indicating a strong emphasis on in-person collaboration and team synergy within a specific geographical location. The "2-5 years" experience level suggested by AI indicates a mid-level position, requiring established skills but also offering room for growth.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with marketing and creative leads to conceptualize and design omnichannel creative assets, including wholesale print catalogs, retail signage, email campaigns, web graphics, and digital marketing materials.

• Assist in photography and content creation initiatives to support seasonal campaigns, product launches, and overarching brand storytelling efforts.

• Prepare and optimize design files for both print production (e.g., ensuring proper bleed, resolution, color profiles) and digital deployment (e.g., web-optimized images, responsive design considerations).

• Contribute innovative ideas and creative solutions that align with and advance brand objectives, marketing strategies, and business goals.

• Participate actively in brainstorming sessions, creative reviews, and design research activities, providing constructive feedback and incorporating insights from cross-functional teams.

• Maintain a keen awareness of current design trends, fashion, retail marketing, and digital best practices to ensure Spartina 449's creative output remains fresh and relevant.

• Effectively manage multiple design projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines in a dynamic, fast-paced creative workflow.

• Deliver high-quality, visually compelling design work that consistently reflects and elevates the Spartina 449 brand aesthetic and values.

• Continuously enhance creative and technical skill sets through ongoing learning, professional development, and collaboration with an experienced, supportive team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize "omnichannel creative assets," "brand storytelling," and "cross-functional collaboration," which are core to effective GTM and marketing operations. The need to prepare files for "print production and digital deployment" signifies a practical, execution-focused role within the creative process. The AI-derived "Content Creation" skill further reinforces the hands-on nature of this design position.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Communications, or a related field is typically expected for roles of this nature.

Experience: 2-5 years of professional experience in graphic design, with a focus on digital and print collateral for consumer brands, particularly in fashion, lifestyle, or retail sectors.

Required Skills:

• Exceptional portfolio showcasing thoughtful, elevated design work across editorial, marketing, and/or brand spaces, demonstrating a strong visual aesthetic and conceptual thinking.

• Strong understanding of fundamental design principles, including typography, color theory, composition, and grid systems.

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, with a primary focus on Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop for design creation and manipulation.

• Solid understanding of digital design best practices across email, web, and social platforms, including an awareness of user experience (UX) principles.

• Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail, ensuring accuracy in all design outputs.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with After Effects or other motion graphics software, demonstrating an understanding of animation and dynamic visual content.

• Familiarity with photography principles and experience assisting with content creation or art direction.

• Knowledge of print production processes and pre-press requirements.

• Passion for fashion, accessories, lifestyle branding, and visual storytelling.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a strong "portfolio showcasing thoughtful, elevated design work" is critical for design roles. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop) is a non-negotiable technical requirement. The AI-identified skills like "Typography," "Color Theory," "Composition," and "Grid Systems" are foundational to graphic design, while "Omnichannel Marketing" and "Brand Storytelling" highlight the strategic application of design within a marketing context. The preference for "After Effects or motion graphics" suggests a forward-thinking approach to content creation.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio that clearly demonstrates a range of design skills, showcasing projects with clear objectives, creative solutions, and successful outcomes.

• Examples of executed digital assets (e.g., email campaigns, web banners, social media graphics) that highlight an understanding of platform-specific best practices and engagement metrics.

• Demonstrations of print design work (e.g., catalog spreads, signage layouts) that exhibit strong typography, layout, and production-readiness.

• Projects that illustrate the ability to interpret and apply brand guidelines consistently across various applications, maintaining brand integrity.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate understanding of the design workflow from brief to final delivery, including stages for concept development, feedback incorporation, revisions, and final file preparation.

• Ability to outline the process for preparing design files for both digital deployment (considering file types, optimization, and platform requirements) and print production (addressing color modes, resolution, bleed, and printer specifications).

• Showcase experience in collaborating with cross-functional teams, outlining how design input is integrated into broader marketing or product launch strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a graphic design role, the portfolio is paramount. The requirements here focus on demonstrating not just aesthetic skill but also process, problem-solving, and brand alignment. The emphasis on "executed digital assets" and "print production-readiness" points to a need for practical application of design skills, aligning with the operational aspects of creative production.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Graphic Designer with 2-5 years of experience in the Bluffton, SC area, a competitive salary range would likely be between $50,000 and $70,000 annually. This estimate considers the cost of living in the region, the required skill set, and the full-time nature of the role.

Benefits:

• Medical Insurance: Comprehensive coverage for healthcare needs.

• Dental Insurance: Plans to support oral health.

• Vision Insurance: Coverage for eye care and eyewear.

• 401k with Company Match: Retirement savings plan with employer contributions.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Accrued leave for vacation, personal time, and sick days.

• Excellent Employee Discount Program: Significant discounts on Spartina 449 products.

Working Hours: The role is full-time, typically equating to 40 hours per week. While specific hours may vary slightly, standard business hours are expected, with potential for occasional overtime during peak campaign periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on typical mid-level graphic designer compensation in a South Carolina location, factoring in the AI-derived experience level and the explicit on-site requirement. The listed benefits are directly from the provided text, highlighting key components that attract and retain talent in creative roles. The "40 hours per week" aligns with standard full-time employment expectations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Fashion Accessories & Apparel Retail, with a strong emphasis on lifestyle branding inspired by coastal South Carolina. Spartina 449 operates within a competitive retail landscape, differentiating itself through unique design, heritage-inspired storytelling, and a focus on "laid-back luxury and casual elegance."

Company Size: Spartina 449 is likely a medium-sized company, given the need for a dedicated marketing team with specialized roles like a Graphic Designer, and the presence of benefits like a 401k with company match. This size often allows for a close-knit team environment while providing sufficient resources and structure.

Founded: While the founding date isn't provided, the company's inspiration from Daufuskie Island and the Lowcountry suggests a history rooted in the region, likely established to capture the essence of coastal Carolina lifestyle.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the Marketing team, reporting directly to the Creative Director of Marketing.

• This role requires close collaboration with E-Commerce, Photography, and potentially Product Development teams, indicating a cross-functional structure.

Methodology:

• Design decisions are expected to be data-informed and brand-aligned, considering customer engagement metrics for digital assets and brand recognition for print materials.

• Workflow planning emphasizes a collaborative approach, with brainstorming sessions and creative reviews to ensure alignment and quality.

• Automation and efficiency practices are likely employed in file preparation and digital asset management, though the primary focus is on creative execution.

Company Website: https://www.spartina449.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as "fun, motivated creative team" focused on delivering a "joyful Lowcountry experience." The location in Old Town Bluffton, surrounded by local shops and restaurants, suggests a vibrant, community-oriented atmosphere. The "laid-back luxury and casual elegance" branding is a key cultural indicator. The AI-derived "Retail" and "Marketing" taxonomies are directly relevant to Spartina's business model.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This Graphic Designer role is positioned at a mid-level, typically requiring 2-5 years of experience. It offers significant responsibility in executing brand visuals and collaborating on campaign development, serving as a crucial contributor within the creative department.

Reporting Structure: The role reports directly to the Creative Director of Marketing, providing a clear line of communication and guidance. This structure allows for direct mentorship and feedback within the creative and marketing functions.

Operations Impact: As a Graphic Designer, the impact is primarily on brand perception, customer engagement, and sales conversion through compelling visual communication. High-quality, on-brand creative assets directly influence customer acquisition, retention, and overall brand loyalty, contributing significantly to marketing and sales objectives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization & Leadership: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific design areas (e.g., digital, motion graphics, editorial design) or potentially move into a Senior Graphic Designer role with greater project leadership.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning in new design software, digital marketing trends, and brand strategy through team collaboration, creative reviews, and potentially industry workshops or courses.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Potential to gain broader marketing experience by working closely with e-commerce, social media, and content teams, opening doors to roles with more strategic marketing responsibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities are framed within the context of a creative career path. The "Operations Career Level" is defined as mid-level, with potential for advancement to Senior Designer or greater strategic involvement in marketing initiatives. The "Operations Impact" focuses on how visual communication drives business results, a key metric in any operations-focused role.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Spartina 449's "newly opened workplace in Old Town Bluffton, SC," described as an "open-concept office and photo studio." This suggests a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster interaction and creativity.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is Bluffton, SC, specifically in a "vibrant small-town marketplace surrounded by local shops, restaurants, bars, and a weekly farmers market." This location offers a unique work-life blend and access to local amenities.

Workspace Context:

• The open-concept design promotes collaboration and easy communication between team members, including designers, marketers, and photography staff.

• The presence of a photo studio on-site suggests integrated creative production capabilities, allowing for hands-on involvement in content creation.

• Proximity to local businesses and amenities in Old Town Bluffton provides a pleasant and engaging work environment.

Work Schedule: The position is full-time (40 hours/week) and on-site. While standard business hours are expected, the creative industry often requires flexibility, with potential for occasional extended hours during critical campaign launches or project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "open-concept office and photo studio" description directly addresses the physical workspace, highlighting its collaborative nature and integrated creative functions. The location in Old Town Bluffton is also emphasized as a desirable aspect of the work environment, contributing to the company's lifestyle brand.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Application review focusing on resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and creative fit.

• Portfolio Review & Interview: Candidates will likely present their portfolio to the Creative Director of Marketing and potentially other team members, discussing their design process, project rationale, and how their skills align with Spartina 449's brand.

• Skills Assessment: A potential take-home design challenge or in-person exercise may be administered to evaluate practical design skills, problem-solving abilities, and adherence to brand guidelines under timed conditions.

• Culture Fit Interview: Discussion focused on collaboration style, work ethic, passion for the brand, and ability to thrive in a team-oriented, fast-paced environment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate your portfolio to showcase your best work relevant to Spartina 449's brand aesthetic (coastal, relaxed luxury, fashion/lifestyle).

• For each project, be prepared to articulate your role, the design brief, your creative process, challenges faced, and the impact of your design.

• Include a variety of work demonstrating proficiency in digital (email, web, social) and print (catalogs, signage) design.

• Highlight projects that showcase strong typography, composition, and brand storytelling capabilities.

Challenge Preparation:

• If a design challenge is given, carefully read and understand the brief. Identify key objectives and constraints.

• Allocate your time effectively, prioritizing core design elements and ensuring a polished final output.

• Be prepared to present your rationale and design choices, similar to a portfolio review, explaining how your solution meets the brief's requirements.

• Focus on delivering a solution that is on-brand for Spartina 449.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice tailored to a design role, emphasizing the portfolio's importance and the need to demonstrate brand alignment. The "process optimization challenge" is adapted to a "design challenge" relevant to the role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop for all design tasks.

• Adobe After Effects (Preferred): For motion graphics, animation, and video editing, if applicable to future projects.

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

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics (Basic Understanding): Familiarity with how web graphics and email designs perform using tools like Google Analytics or e-commerce platform analytics.

• Email Marketing Platform Analytics: Understanding of metrics related to email campaign design performance.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how designs are deployed through e-commerce platforms and email marketing systems is beneficial.

• Content Management Systems (CMS): Familiarity with platforms like Shopify or similar for website content updates.

📝 Enhancement Note: The AI-derived "Tools & Technology Stack" is heavily focused on design software. The "Primary Tools" section explicitly lists Adobe Creative Suite as critical. "Analytics & Reporting" and "CRM & Automation" are included to acknowledge the operational context of design deployment and performance tracking, even if the role isn't hands-on with these systems.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: A commitment to generating fresh, compelling design ideas that push creative boundaries while staying true to the brand.

• Brand Authenticity: Upholding and enhancing the Spartina 449 brand aesthetic, ensuring all visual communications are cohesive, elegant, and reflective of the Lowcountry inspiration.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering a supportive environment where ideas are shared openly, feedback is constructive, and collective success is prioritized.

• Detail-Orientation & Quality: A dedication to meticulous execution, ensuring all design outputs are polished, accurate, and of the highest visual standard.

• Passion for Lifestyle: A genuine appreciation for fashion, accessories, and the coastal lifestyle that Spartina 449 embodies, contributing to authentic brand representation.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively working with Marketing, E-Commerce, and Photography teams to align visual strategies and campaign execution.

• Feedback Exchange: Engaging in open dialogue during creative reviews, receptive to constructive criticism and able to iterate on designs effectively.

• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to a learning environment by sharing design insights, trends, and best practices with team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operations Values" are interpreted through the lens of a creative team, emphasizing aspects like creativity, brand authenticity, and collaboration, which are critical for maintaining a consistent brand identity and fostering a productive work environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Innovation: The challenge of evolving the brand's visual identity while maintaining its core aesthetic and appeal across diverse campaigns and platforms.

• Managing Multiple Project Demands: Effectively prioritizing and executing design tasks for various channels (print, digital, retail) under tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Translating Brand Story into Visuals: The ongoing challenge of capturing the essence of the Spartina 449 lifestyle and Lowcountry inspiration in a compelling and unique visual manner.

• Adapting to Digital Trends: Staying current with rapidly evolving digital design trends and platform requirements to ensure marketing assets are effective and engaging.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Techniques: Opportunities to learn and apply new design software features, animation principles, or advanced layout strategies.

• Brand Strategy Exposure: Gaining deeper insight into marketing strategies and how design contributes to broader business objectives, potentially leading to more strategic creative roles.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Collaborating with e-commerce and photography teams to understand different aspects of content creation and digital marketing.

• Industry Trends Research: Dedicated time or encouragement to research and present on emerging design and retail marketing trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are framed around the core tasks of a graphic designer within a retail brand, focusing on creative execution, project management, and staying current with trends. Growth opportunities are linked to skill enhancement and broader exposure within the marketing function.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Walk us through your portfolio and a project you're most proud of. What was the brief, your process, and the outcome?" (Focus on demonstrating creative thinking, problem-solving, and results.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across different media (print vs. digital)?" (Highlight your understanding of brand guidelines and adaptability.)

• "Describe a time you had to manage multiple design projects with competing deadlines. How did you prioritize?" (Showcase organizational and time-management skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Spartina 449 and our brand aesthetic? How does your design style align?" (Research the brand thoroughly – visit their website, social media, and look at their products.)

• "Describe your ideal collaborative environment. How do you work with marketing and other teams?" (Emphasize teamwork, communication, and a positive attitude.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame your portfolio projects as stories, detailing the problem, your solution, and the impact.

• Brand Focus: Tailor your presentation to highlight work that aligns with Spartina 449's "laid-back luxury" and coastal aesthetic.

• Process Explanation: Clearly articulate your design process, from initial concept to final execution, demonstrating your problem-solving approach.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your presentation is visually clean, well-designed, and easy to follow, reflecting your own design capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: These interview questions and preparation tips are specific to a graphic design role, focusing on portfolio review, brand alignment, and creative process. The "operations strategy" questions are adapted to assess how a designer's work contributes to business objectives.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided ADP link.

• Tailor your resume to highlight experience in graphic design, digital asset creation, print production, and proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, using keywords from the job description.

• Curate your portfolio to prominently feature work that aligns with Spartina 449's brand aesthetic (coastal, relaxed luxury, fashion/lifestyle) and demonstrates expertise in both digital and print design.

• Prepare to discuss your design process and the rationale behind your creative decisions for key portfolio projects during the interview.

• Research Spartina 449 extensively – understand their brand story, target audience, and current marketing efforts to articulate your alignment and enthusiasm.

⚠️ 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.

---