Graphic Designer - Board Games & Tabletop

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer - Board Games & Tabletop

Company: Goliath

Location: United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Graphic Design / Creative Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-26

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Design visually compelling graphics for board games, tabletop games, and related consumer products, focusing on packaging, components, and marketing collateral.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with Art Directors, Brand Management, and Product Development teams to translate concepts into production-ready artwork.

• Manage the end-to-end design process for multiple projects, ensuring adherence to brand guidelines, manufacturing specifications, and project deadlines.

• Leverage advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop) to create high-quality, print-ready assets for a global market.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title specifies "Graphic Designer," the detailed responsibilities and required experience point towards a specialized role within Product Development or GTM Operations, focusing on the visual execution of consumer products. The emphasis on packaging, components, and production-ready files suggests a strong connection to manufacturing and Go-To-Market readiness.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and develop artwork for game packaging, including dieline creation and modification, ensuring all visual elements and copy are accurately represented.

• Create engaging layouts for game boards, cards, components, instruction manuals, and rulebooks, maintaining a strong sense of visual hierarchy and brand consistency.

• Develop and refine logos, icons, patterns, and other supporting graphic elements that align with game themes and target audience appeal.

• Prepare and preflight production-ready artwork files, meticulously verifying imagery, product details, legal copy, and manufacturing specifications before release to ensure a smooth production workflow.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Art Directors, Brand Managers, and Product Developers, to conceptualize and execute designs that meet project objectives and timelines.

• Conduct thorough research on current trends in board games, toys, packaging, and pop culture to inform creative concepts and maintain a competitive edge.

• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, adapting to changing priorities and project requirements while consistently delivering high-quality output.

• Ensure organized file management and version control throughout the design lifecycle, facilitating efficient collaboration and asset retrieval.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a critical link between creative output and operational execution. The emphasis on "production-ready artwork," "manufacturing specifications," and "preflighting" indicates a need for a designer who understands the downstream implications of their work within a product lifecycle and supply chain context.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design or equivalent professional experience preferred.

Experience: 5+ years of professional graphic design and production experience in an agency, studio, or in-house creative environment, with a strong emphasis on physical consumer products.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop.

• Proven experience in designing for board games, tabletop games, toys, or closely related physical consumer product categories.

• Demonstrated portfolio showcasing strong packaging and product-focused graphic design, with board game or tabletop work being strongly preferred.

• Solid understanding of layout principles, typography, color theory, and visual hierarchy.

• Expertise in preparing production-ready files and pre-press artwork for commercial printing.

• Experience with consumer packaging design and understanding of dielines.

• Exceptional attention to detail and strong organizational skills.

• Proven ability to manage multiple projects concurrently and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.

• Comfort and proficiency working on a Mac platform. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with game boards, cards, components, and rulebook design.

• Familiarity with licensed brands and the ability to adapt designs to existing intellectual property.

• Skills in illustration, logo design, or 3D rendering.

• Experience with large-format graphics or retail display design.

• Proficiency in photo editing and image manipulation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "board game or tabletop work being strongly preferred" is a key differentiator. This signals that candidates with direct experience in this niche will have a significant advantage, as they will require less ramp-up time and possess a deeper understanding of the specific design nuances and market expectations within this industry.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio is mandatory, showcasing a minimum of 5 years of professional graphic design and production experience.

• Highlight specific projects related to board games, tabletop games, toys, or physical consumer product packaging.

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of packaging dielines and the ability to design within complex structural constraints.

• Include examples of game components, instruction manuals, and other product-related collateral to illustrate versatility.

• Showcase clear examples of production-ready artwork, demonstrating attention to detail in file preparation for manufacturing. Process Documentation:

• Articulate your design process, from initial concept development and mood boarding to final artwork delivery.

• Explain your methodology for incorporating feedback from Art Directors, Brand Management, and Product Development teams.

• Detail your approach to file organization, version control, and pre-press checks to ensure seamless handover to manufacturing.

• Be prepared to discuss how you ensure brand consistency and adherence to manufacturing specifications across multiple product lines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio demonstrating "packaging and product-focused graphic design" with a strong preference for board game or tabletop work is crucial. Candidates should curate their portfolios to prominently feature relevant projects, clearly articulating their role, the design challenges, and the final production outcomes. This is less about typical RevOps/SalesOps process documentation and more about showcasing a tangible design process and output relevant to product realization.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: While not explicitly provided, for a Graphic Designer with 5-10 years of experience in a fully remote, US-based role, the estimated annual salary range is between $70,000 and $95,000. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for experienced creative professionals in the US, considering the specialization in consumer product and game design, and the fully remote work arrangement.

Benefits:

• 401(k) with company matching: Provides retirement savings support with employer contributions.

• Health, dental, and vision insurance: Comprehensive medical coverage for employees and potentially their dependents.

• Life insurance: Financial protection for beneficiaries in the event of the employee's death.

• Flexible spending and health savings accounts: Tax-advantaged accounts for healthcare expenses.

• Paid time off: Includes vacation days, sick leave, and holidays to promote work-life balance.

• Opportunity to work in a creative, collaborative toy and game environment: A unique perk for individuals passionate about the industry.

Working Hours: The role is expected to require approximately 40 hours per week, aligning with a standard full-time work schedule. Flexibility may be available, but core hours will likely be determined by team collaboration needs and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on general US market data for experienced graphic designers in a remote capacity. The specific compensation for this specialized role at Goliath could vary based on the exact scope of responsibilities, the candidate's portfolio strength, and internal compensation bands. The benefits package is standard for a US-based full-time employee.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Toys and Games Manufacturing & Distribution. Goliath operates globally, emphasizing fun, innovation, and teamwork. This context suggests a dynamic, creative, and fast-paced environment focused on bringing engaging products to households worldwide.

Company Size: Goliath operates in 15 countries and reaches over 100 countries, indicating a significant international presence and a medium to large-sized organization. This scale suggests established processes but also room for impactful individual contributions.

Founded: The founding date is not specified, but the company's international reach implies a history of growth and established market presence.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of a creative team, likely reporting to an Art Director.

• Close collaboration is expected with Brand Management, Project Management, and Product Development teams, indicating a cross-functional and matrixed team environment.

• The role is fully remote, suggesting a reliance on digital collaboration tools and asynchronous communication. Methodology:

• Emphasis on creativity, innovation, and teamwork to bring fun products to market.

• A structured approach to product development, from concept to final production, involving multiple stakeholders.

• A focus on understanding market trends and consumer appeal in the toy and game industry.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission "to bring fun to every household through teamwork, creativity, and collaboration" suggests a culture that values both individual creative contributions and cohesive team efforts. For a remote role, understanding this collaborative spirit is key to successful integration.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an experienced Graphic Designer, likely mid-level to senior, given the 5+ years of experience requirement and the breadth of responsibilities including production-readiness and cross-functional collaboration. It bridges creative execution with product realization.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will likely report to an Art Director or a Creative Lead within the design department. Close collaboration with Project Managers and Brand Management indicates interaction with various functional areas.

Operations Impact: The visual design of products is a critical component of Go-To-Market strategy. This role directly impacts product appeal, brand recognition, and consumer purchasing decisions. High-quality, on-brand graphics are essential for successful product launches, retail presence, and overall revenue generation. The designer's work is integral to the product's commercial viability.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in board game and tabletop design, becoming a go-to expert for this product category.

• Leadership: Potential to move into a Senior Graphic Designer role, mentoring junior designers, or an Art Director position, overseeing creative direction for product lines.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain deeper understanding of product development, brand strategy, and manufacturing processes, potentially leading to roles in Product Marketing or Brand Management.

• Skill Expansion: Develop new skills in areas like illustration, 3D rendering, or motion graphics as the company's needs evolve.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not a traditional "operations" role (like RevOps or SalesOps), this position is critical to the operational execution of bringing products to market. The growth opportunities focus on deepening creative expertise within the product domain and potentially moving into leadership or adjacent functional areas that support the GTM process.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position, meaning the "office" is the employee's home workspace. This arrangement offers significant flexibility but requires strong self-discipline and effective remote communication skills.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote, it is specified for the United States. This implies that candidates must be legally authorized to work in the US and may need to align with US time zones for collaborative meetings.

Workspace Context:

• Collaboration: Expect to use digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Teams, Asana, Jira) for communication and project management. Regular video calls with team members will be essential.

• Tools & Technology: Access to a reliable internet connection, a Mac computer (as specified), and the necessary Adobe Creative Suite software will be required.

• Team Interaction: While remote, opportunities for virtual team-building activities, brainstorming sessions, and project reviews will be part of the work experience.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, approximately 40 hours per week. While remote, maintaining consistent availability during core business hours for the US team will be important for effective collaboration and project management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature of this role means that successful candidates must be adept at self-management, proactive communication, and leveraging digital tools to stay connected and productive. Understanding how to effectively contribute to a collaborative environment without physical proximity is key.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and alignment with the role's requirements, particularly the board game/tabletop experience.

• Portfolio Review & Interview: A dedicated session with the hiring manager and potentially an Art Director to discuss your portfolio in detail. Expect questions about your design process, decision-making, and how you've handled specific design challenges.

• Skills Assessment/Creative Challenge: You may be given a short design exercise or asked to present a case study on a past project that demonstrates your ability to meet the role's requirements. This could involve creating mock-ups or redesigning a component.

• Cross-functional Interview: An interview with members from Brand Management or Product Development to assess collaboration skills, understanding of product lifecycle, and ability to work with diverse teams.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss cultural fit and overall alignment with Goliath's mission and values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Feature your strongest, most relevant work prominently. Prioritize board game, tabletop, toy, or packaging design projects.

• Tell a Story: For each project, briefly explain the objective, your role, the design process, key challenges, and the final outcome/impact. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Production Skills: Include examples that showcase your print production knowledge, dieline understanding, and ability to deliver production-ready files.

• Be Prepared to Discuss: Know your portfolio inside and out. Be ready to answer detailed questions about your creative choices, technical execution, and collaboration experience.

• Tailor to Goliath: If possible, subtly incorporate elements or themes that resonate with Goliath's product lines or brand.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: If given a design challenge, carefully read and understand all requirements, constraints, and objectives.

• Think Strategically: Consider the target audience, brand guidelines, and manufacturing limitations.

• Focus on Process: Be prepared to articulate your thought process, even if you don't complete the entire design. Showing your strategic approach is often as important as the final output.

• Time Management: Practice working within time constraints if a timed exercise is anticipated.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role. Candidates should treat it as their primary application tool and be prepared to defend their design choices and demonstrate practical production skills during the interview process. The "operations" aspect here relates to the efficient and effective production of visual assets that support the broader GTM operations.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Illustrator: Essential for vector graphics, logo creation, icon design, and detailed component artwork.

• Adobe InDesign: Critical for layout design, page-specific elements like instruction manuals, rulebooks, and packaging spreads.

• Adobe Photoshop: Used for image manipulation, photo editing, texture creation, and preparing raster-based assets.

Analytics & Reporting: While not directly using analytics tools for design decisions, designers may interact with reports or dashboards that highlight product performance or market trends, indirectly influencing design considerations.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to the core design function, but understanding how product information is managed or how marketing assets are deployed might be beneficial.

Other Potential Tools:

• Project Management Software: (e.g., Asana, Jira, Trello) for tracking project progress and managing deadlines.

• Collaboration Platforms: (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams) for team communication.

• File Sharing/Storage: (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive) for asset management and version control.

• Dieline Software/Templates: Potentially specialized software or templates for creating and modifying packaging dielines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. The emphasis on production-ready files implies a need for a deep understanding of print specifications, color modes (CMYK), resolution, and file formats. Familiarity with digital collaboration tools is also key for a remote role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: A core value driving the creation of engaging and novel game experiences.

• Teamwork & Collaboration: Essential for bringing complex products to market, requiring seamless interaction across departments.

• Fun & Playfulness: Reflecting the nature of the products, the company likely fosters a positive and enjoyable work environment.

• Quality & Detail: Crucial for ensuring products meet high standards, from design execution to manufacturing accuracy.

• Customer Focus: Bringing fun to households implies a strong understanding and consideration of the end-user experience.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers will work closely with Brand Management, Product Development, and Project Management, requiring clear communication and a shared understanding of project goals.

• Feedback-Driven: Expect to receive and incorporate feedback from various stakeholders, necessitating an adaptable and open approach to design revisions.

• Remote Communication: A proactive and clear communication style is vital, leveraging digital tools effectively to maintain alignment and transparency.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a remote role, understanding and embodying the company's collaborative values is paramount. Demonstrating an ability to be a team player, communicate effectively, and contribute positively to a creative environment, even from a distance, will be key to success.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Production Constraints: Ensuring designs are both aesthetically appealing and feasible for mass production within budget and material limitations.

• Managing Multiple Projects and Priorities: Juggling various game titles, components, and packaging designs simultaneously while meeting diverse deadlines.

• Adapting to Licensed IP: Working with established characters or brands requires adherence to strict guidelines while still injecting creative flair.

• Remote Collaboration Effectiveness: Maintaining strong communication, alignment, and creative synergy with a distributed team.

• Staying Ahead of Trends: Continuously monitoring and integrating emerging trends in game design, art, and consumer product aesthetics.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Game Design: Gain unparalleled insight into the mechanics, aesthetics, and market dynamics of board and tabletop games.

• Advanced Production Techniques: Further refine skills in print production, packaging engineering, and digital asset management for manufacturing.

• Cross-Functional Skill Development: Learn about brand strategy, product management, and marketing from colleagues in those departments.

• Industry Exposure: Potential opportunities to attend industry events or trade shows (virtually or in-person) to stay abreast of the latest trends and network.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the practical, execution-oriented nature of the role, blending creative artistry with industrial design principles. The growth opportunities are geared towards specialization within a niche industry and broadening understanding of the product lifecycle.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a game concept from initial brief to final, production-ready packaging artwork." (Focus on your workflow, stakeholder involvement, and how you ensure all requirements are met.)

• "How do you balance creative artistic expression with strict manufacturing specifications and brand guidelines, especially for licensed properties?" (Highlight your problem-solving approach and attention to detail.)

• "Walk us through a challenging board game or toy packaging project from your portfolio. What were the key challenges, how did you overcome them, and what was the outcome?" (Use the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Goliath, and specifically about designing for board games and tabletop products?" (Show genuine enthusiasm for the industry and the company's mission.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with remote teams, and what tools do you use to stay connected and organized?" (Demonstrate your remote work readiness and communication skills.)

• "How do you stay current with trends in board game art, packaging design, and pop culture?" (Showcase your proactive learning and industry awareness.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or chronologically. For each project, provide a brief overview, your specific contributions, challenges, and solutions.

• Visuals: Use high-quality images or mock-ups. If possible, show the final product in context (e.g., on a shelf, in use).

• Process Emphasis: Be ready to discuss your workflow, the software you used, and how you prepared files for production. This is critical for demonstrating your technical capabilities.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time during the interview. Present key information clearly and efficiently.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily focus on the portfolio and the specific requirements of designing for physical products in the game industry. Candidates should be ready to articulate their design process, problem-solving skills, and technical proficiency in print production.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link, ensuring all required fields are completed.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature your strongest work in board game, tabletop game, toy, or physical consumer product packaging design. Clearly label your contributions and highlight your production-ready file preparation skills.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly states your years of experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, and any specific experience with dielines, print production, and consumer packaging. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, discussing your portfolio projects in detail, and preparing for potential creative challenges. Research Goliath's product lines and recent releases.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Goliath's mission, brands, and market presence. Understand their commitment to fun and innovation, and how your design skills can contribute to their success.

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