Graphic Designer II

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer II

Company: Fanatics Collectibles

Location: New York, NY, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Design (Graphic Design)

Date Posted: 2026-04-16T15:39:18

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the creation of high-quality visual designs for trading card products, encompassing branding and marketing initiatives.

• Develop compelling visual assets that enhance product differentiation and collector engagement within the collectibles market.

• Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure design excellence, contributing to creative direction and problem-solving efforts.

• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, balancing production needs with creative innovation in a fast-paced environment.

• Maintain brand consistency and elevate overall creative output through strategic design insights and trend-forward concepts.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is situated within Fanatics Collectibles, a division focused on the collectibles market, leveraging a broad digital sports platform. The Graphic Designer II will be instrumental in shaping the visual identity and product aesthetics of trading cards and related marketing materials, requiring a blend of creative execution and strategic input. The "II" in the title suggests a mid-level position with expectations of both individual contribution and potential mentorship.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and develop visually compelling layouts and graphics for trading card products, adhering to brand guidelines and product specifications.

• Create high-quality visual assets for marketing campaigns, social media, digital advertising, and promotional materials, ensuring brand consistency.

• Refine typography, color palettes, and overall layout design to enhance storytelling, product appeal, and collector engagement.

• Produce production-ready files for both print and digital mediums, demonstrating a strong understanding of technical specifications and best practices.

• Contribute design insights and strategic input during creative brainstorming sessions to inform and elevate brand aesthetics and product positioning.

• Collaborate closely with Art Directors, Senior Designers, Product Development, Marketing, and Licensing teams to translate concepts into impactful visual designs.

• Present design concepts and rationale to internal stakeholders, actively incorporating feedback to achieve optimal results.

• Stay abreast of current trends in sports, pop culture, collectibles, and graphic design to infuse innovative and relevant ideas into creative strategies.

• Manage multiple design projects concurrently, prioritizing tasks and meeting tight deadlines while upholding design integrity and quality standards.

• Provide creative mentorship and guidance to junior designers, fostering team growth and elevating overall design output.

• Conduct thorough quality control checks on all design assets, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and adherence to brand standards before final production.

• Implement and maintain efficient file organization, asset management, and workflow best practices to streamline the design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a focus on both individual creative execution and collaborative input. The role demands not only artistic skill but also the ability to translate business objectives into visual narratives that resonate with sports and collectibles enthusiasts. The emphasis on "problem-solving" and "workflow improvements" suggests an expectation for the designer to proactively contribute to process optimization within the creative team.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• 3-5 years of progressive experience in graphic design, with a proven track record of delivering high-quality creative work.

Required Skills:

• Portfolio Excellence: A strong and diverse portfolio showcasing exceptional creativity, typography, color theory, layout design, branding, and storytelling capabilities.

• Adobe Creative Suite Proficiency: Advanced mastery of Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is essential for daily design tasks and production.

• Design Principles: Solid understanding of fundamental design principles, including layout, composition, visual hierarchy, and aesthetic balance.

• Brand Identity Development: Experience in creating and maintaining consistent brand visuals across various platforms and applications.

• Production Readiness: Ability to produce print-ready and digital-ready files, understanding specifications for different output methods.

• Problem-Solving Acumen: Demonstrated ability to analyze design challenges and develop effective, creative solutions.

• Time Management & Multi-tasking: Proven skill in managing multiple projects simultaneously, prioritizing effectively, and meeting demanding deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to design execution, ensuring accuracy, quality, and consistency in all deliverables.

• Communication & Collaboration: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a strong ability to articulate design concepts and work effectively within a cross-functional team.

Preferred Skills:

• Sports/Collectibles Passion: A genuine interest in and knowledge of sports, pop culture, and the collectibles market to inform design decisions and connect with the target audience.

• Typography Expertise: Advanced skills in typographic selection, hierarchy, and application to enhance visual communication.

• Color Theory Application: Deep understanding and practical application of color theory to evoke specific moods and brand messaging.

• Print Production Knowledge: In-depth understanding of print processes, paper stocks, color separations, and pre-press requirements.

• Digital Design Principles: Familiarity with UI/UX principles, web design best practices, and digital asset optimization for various online platforms.

• Motion Graphics Basics: Exposure to or basic skills in motion graphics (e.g., After Effects) for dynamic visual content creation.

• Mentorship Experience: Prior experience providing guidance or mentorship to junior designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a strong portfolio is paramount for this role, serving as the primary validation of design skills. The "3-5 years" experience level, combined with the "II" designation, suggests the candidate should be capable of independent work and contribute to the team's creative direction, moving beyond purely execution-focused tasks. Passion for the industry is noted as a preference, indicating that cultural fit and genuine interest will be valued.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Diverse Project Showcase: Include 3-5 distinct projects that highlight your skills in branding, typography, layout, and storytelling relevant to product design and marketing collateral.

• Trading Card/Product Design Examples: Showcase any work related to product packaging, card design, or visually driven consumer goods that demonstrates an understanding of product appeal and marketability.

• Brand Consistency Examples: Present projects that illustrate your ability to maintain brand integrity across multiple touchpoints and applications.

• Technical Proficiency Demonstration: Include examples that clearly show your command of Adobe Creative Suite tools (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and your ability to deliver print-ready and digital-ready files.

• Conceptual Thinking: Highlight projects where you developed unique concepts and provided creative solutions to specific design challenges.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Clarity: Be prepared to discuss your typical design workflow, from initial brief and concept development through to final file delivery and production.

• Collaboration Integration: Demonstrate how you incorporate feedback from stakeholders and collaborate with cross-functional teams throughout the design process.

• Problem-Solving Approach: Be ready to articulate how you tackle design challenges, optimize processes, and ensure the successful execution of projects under tight deadlines.

• Asset Management Practices: Discuss your methods for organizing design files, managing assets, and ensuring version control for efficient workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a mid-level designer, the portfolio should not only showcase finished work but also provide insight into the candidate's process, problem-solving abilities, and collaborative approach. Demonstrating an understanding of the end-to-end design lifecycle, including production readiness and asset management, is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $70,000 - $85,000 USD annually.

• This range reflects base pay only and does not include any short-term or long-term incentive compensation.

• The specified range is particular to the New York City location and may differ for other geographic areas.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance plans (medical, dental, vision).

• Retirement savings plan (e.g., 401(k)) with potential company match.

• Paid time off, including vacation days, sick leave, and holidays.

• Opportunities for professional development and continuing education.

• Employee discounts on Fanatics merchandise and collectibles.

• Access to the broader Fanatics ecosystem and its benefits.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time workweek is approximately 40 hours.

• While the role is on-site, flexibility may be available depending on project needs and team agreements.

• Overtime may be required during peak periods or critical project phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific to New York City, a high-cost-of-living area. This range is typical for a mid-level Graphic Designer with 3-5 years of experience in a major metropolitan market, especially within a well-established company like Fanatics. The benefits are standard for a full-time position at a company of this size and industry.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce, Sports, Collectibles, Technology, Digital Platform Development.

Company Size: Over 2,000 employees (Fanatics overall). Fanatics Collectibles is a newer entity within this larger organization, likely operating with a blend of startup agility and corporate structure.

Founded: Fanatics was founded in 1995, with Fanatics Collectibles operating as a more recent strategic expansion. This indicates a company with established market presence and a forward-thinking approach to growth.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer II will be part of the Creative team within Fanatics Collectibles.

• This team likely includes Art Directors, Senior Designers, and potentially other specialized creative roles (e.g., illustrators, motion designers).

• Close collaboration is expected with Marketing, Product Development, Licensing, and potentially data analytics teams.

Methodology:

• Data-Informed Creativity: Leveraging fan data and market insights to inform design strategies and product development.

• Agile Development: Employing flexible and iterative processes to adapt to market trends and project demands.

• Cross-Functional Synergy: Emphasizing strong communication and collaboration between creative, product, marketing, and business teams.

• Fan-Centric Design: Prioritizing the collector's experience and engagement in all visual design decisions.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Fanatics is a major player in the sports merchandise and digital platform space. Fanatics Collectibles represents a significant investment in the growing trading card and digital asset market. The culture is likely dynamic, fast-paced, and driven by innovation, with a strong emphasis on leveraging technology and data to enhance the fan experience.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level Graphic Designer (Graphic Designer II). This position is positioned as a key individual contributor with the potential for growth into more senior design roles or specialized creative leadership.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to a Senior Designer or Art Director within the Fanatics Collectibles creative department. This provides a clear line of guidance and mentorship.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the visual appeal and marketability of trading card products and associated marketing campaigns. High-quality design drives collector engagement, brand perception, and ultimately, sales and revenue for the Collectibles division.

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior Graphic Designer: Advancement to a Senior role, taking on more complex projects, leading design initiatives, and providing advanced mentorship.

• Art Director: Progression into leadership, overseeing creative projects, defining visual strategies, and managing design teams.

• Specialization: Development of expertise in specific areas such as brand identity, packaging design, digital illustration, or motion graphics within the collectibles space.

• Cross-Functional Transition: Potential to move into related roles within Product Development, Brand Management, or Marketing, leveraging design expertise.

• Continuous Learning: Opportunities to attend industry conferences, workshops, and training to stay updated on design trends and software advancements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "II" designation strongly suggests a career path towards more senior or leadership roles. The company's investment in the collectibles market indicates a growth trajectory for this division, offering ample opportunities for designers who can contribute to its visual success.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site position within a professional office environment. This suggests a structured workplace conducive to collaboration and focused work.

Office Location(s): New York, NY. This places the role in a major urban center with access to a vibrant creative community and industry networks.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Access to meeting rooms and common areas designed for team collaboration and brainstorming sessions.

• Creative Resources: Availability of industry-standard design software and hardware.

• Team Integration: Opportunities for regular face-to-face interaction with colleagues, fostering a strong team dynamic and facilitating quick feedback loops.

• Dynamic Atmosphere: The environment is likely fast-paced, reflecting the nature of the e-commerce and collectibles industries.

Work Schedule: The standard 40-hour workweek is expected, but the fast-paced nature of the industry may necessitate occasional flexibility to meet project deadlines and launch schedules.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in New York City suggests an environment that values in-person collaboration and the dynamic exchange of ideas, crucial for creative roles. The company's size and industry imply a professional yet potentially energetic and fast-moving workspace.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and creative fit.

• Portfolio Presentation: A likely presentation of your portfolio to the hiring team, focusing on key projects, design process, and problem-solving approaches. Be prepared to articulate your rationale and contributions.

• Skills Assessment: Potential for a design exercise or challenge, either pre-interview or during the interview process, to evaluate your technical skills and creative thinking under pressure.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with potential collaborators from Marketing, Product Development, or Licensing teams to gauge communication and teamwork abilities.

• Cultural Fit Interview: Discussion with hiring managers and team members to assess alignment with Fanatics Collectibles' values and work environment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that demonstrate the skills listed in the job description (branding, typography, layout, storytelling, product design).

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the challenges faced, your design process, the solutions you developed, and the impact of your work. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Technical Skills: Ensure your portfolio demonstrates proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and your ability to produce production-ready files.

• Showcase Relevance: If possible, include work related to sports, collectibles, or fast-moving consumer goods to demonstrate industry understanding.

• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, how you handle feedback, your workflow, and how you stay current with trends.

• PDF or Online Platform: Present your portfolio in a clean, easily navigable format, either as a well-designed PDF or through a professional online portfolio platform.

Challenge Preparation:

• Analyze the Brief: If given a design challenge, carefully read and understand the objectives, target audience, and constraints.

• Rapid Ideation: Practice quick brainstorming and sketching to generate multiple concepts.

• Focus on Problem-Solving: Demonstrate how your design addresses the core problem outlined in the brief.

• Visual Communication: Ensure your presentation of the solution is clear, concise, and visually compelling.

• Time Management: Practice completing design tasks within a set timeframe.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a creative role like this will heavily emphasize the portfolio. Candidates should be prepared to not only show their work but also to discuss their process, rationale, and problem-solving skills in detail. A design challenge is highly probable.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Photoshop: Essential for image manipulation, photo editing, and creating high-fidelity mockups and digital assets.

• Adobe Illustrator: Crucial for vector graphics, logo design, illustration, and creating scalable assets for print and digital.

• Adobe InDesign: Necessary for page layout, creating multi-page documents, and preparing files for print production (e.g., trading card sets, brochures).

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design function, but an understanding of how marketing campaigns are executed and tracked might provide context for design requests.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the core Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable for this role. The emphasis is on design execution and production, requiring deep technical skill in these applications.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: A commitment to pushing creative boundaries and developing trend-forward designs that capture attention.

• Fan-Centricity: Designing with the end-user (the collector) in mind, ensuring products and campaigns resonate with their passions.

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

• Quality & Excellence: A dedication to high standards in all design output, ensuring accuracy, polish, and brand integrity.

• Passion for Sports & Collectibles: An underlying enthusiasm for the industry that fuels creativity and understanding of the target market.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Active participation in collaborative sessions with marketing, product, and licensing teams to ensure design aligns with broader business objectives.

• Open Feedback Culture: Encouraging constructive critiques and open communication to refine designs and foster mutual learning.

• Shared Vision: Working towards a unified creative vision for the Fanatics Collectibles brand and its product lines.

• Proactive Communication: Maintaining clear and consistent communication regarding project status, challenges, and creative input.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at Fanatics, particularly within its newer divisions like Collectibles, is likely to be energetic, results-oriented, and deeply connected to the sports and fan experience. A collaborative and passionate approach will be key to success.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Innovation: Maintaining the core Fanatics brand identity while introducing fresh, exciting designs for the collectibles market.

• Fast-Paced Production Demands: Meeting tight deadlines for product launches and marketing campaigns in a highly competitive industry.

• Evolving Market Trends: Staying ahead of rapidly changing trends in sports, pop culture, and digital collectibles to keep designs relevant.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Effectively translating diverse stakeholder needs and feedback into cohesive design solutions.

• Technical Constraints: Adapting creative visions to meet the technical requirements of print production and digital platforms.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Exposure: Gaining deep insights into the sports collectibles market and the broader Fanatics ecosystem.

• Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to refine skills in typography, branding, and digital design through project work and potential training.

• Mentorship: Learning from experienced Art Directors and Senior Designers to advance creative and strategic thinking.

• Networking: Building connections within the vibrant sports and collectibles industries.

• Exposure to New Technologies: Potential to work with emerging digital collectible formats or design tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a creative role in a dynamic, consumer-facing industry. The growth opportunities are directly tied to the expansion of Fanatics Collectibles and the candidate's ability to contribute to its success.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Portfolio Deep Dive: Be prepared to walk through 2-3 key projects in your portfolio, detailing the brief, your specific role, the design process, challenges overcome, solutions implemented, and the measurable impact or outcomes. Focus on how your design decisions supported the project's goals.

• Design Philosophy: Articulate your personal design philosophy, emphasizing how you approach concept development, visual problem-solving, and client/stakeholder collaboration.

• Trend Awareness: Discuss current design trends relevant to sports, pop culture, and collectibles, and how you would incorporate them into Fanatics Collectibles' visual identity.

• Handling Feedback: Describe your process for receiving and incorporating critical feedback from Art Directors, stakeholders, and cross-functional teams. Provide specific examples.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Brand Understanding: Discuss your understanding of the Fanatics brand and its presence in the sports and collectibles markets. How would you contribute to the visual identity of Fanatics Collectibles?

• Industry Passion: Explain your interest in sports and collectibles and how that passion informs your design work.

• Teamwork Approach: Describe your ideal collaborative environment and how you contribute to a positive and productive team dynamic.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Be ready for hypothetical scenarios where you might face conflicting design requests or tight deadlines. Explain your strategic approach to resolving these issues.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Concise Storytelling: For each project, aim for a 2-3 minute explanation that covers the objective, your role, the challenge, your solution, and the outcome.

• Visual Clarity: Use high-quality images and clear layouts to showcase your work. Ensure graphics are easily visible and understandable.

• Focus on Process: Emphasize your thought process, design decisions, and problem-solving steps, not just the final output. This is crucial for assessing your mid-level capabilities.

• Technical Detail: Be ready to discuss the technical aspects of your work, such as file preparation for print or digital, and your proficiency with the Adobe Creative Suite.

• Engagement: Make your presentation interactive by pausing for questions and engaging the interviewers in discussion about your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview will heavily scrutinize the candidate's portfolio and their ability to articulate their design process and strategic thinking. Demonstrating an understanding of the collectibles market and Fanatics' brand will be key differentiators.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer II position:

• Submit your resume and a link to your online portfolio (or a well-organized PDF portfolio) through the application portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features work demonstrating expertise in typography, branding, layout design, and visual storytelling, with a preference for projects relevant to product design or marketing collateral. Highlight any experience with trading cards or similar collectibles.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your 3-5 years of experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), and any experience within the sports, collectibles, or e-commerce industries. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale behind your creative choices, and how you handle feedback. Prepare to present your portfolio effectively, focusing on storytelling and problem-solving. Research Fanatics Collectibles and its market position.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Fanatics' overall business, its expansion into collectibles, and its brand identity. Understand the competitive landscape for trading cards and digital collectibles.

⚠️ 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.