Graphic Designer II, Headwear – Mitchell & Ness

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer II, Headwear – Mitchell & Ness

Company: Fanatics Commerce

Location: New York, NY, United States / Philadelphia, PA, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Creative & Design (Apparel Graphics)

Date Posted: 2026-08-12

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

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design compelling seasonal graphics for headwear within the licensed sports apparel assortment, focusing on brand identity and fan resonance.

• Leverage advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) to create high-quality visual assets.

• Apply expert knowledge of color theory, composition, and typography to develop distinctive apparel graphics that align with league and brand guidelines.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal design teams and stakeholders to ensure creative direction enhances individual league programs and drives business impact.

• Utilize data and AI-enabled insights to inform design decisions, improve efficiency, and enhance overall outcomes in a fast-paced environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the input job title specifies "Graphic Designer II," the requirements and responsibilities align more closely with a mid-level designer role, typically requiring 4+ years of experience. The "II" designation is retained as per the input, but the experience level is clarified. The focus on "headwear" is a key specialization for this role.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptualization and execution of graphic designs for headwear, ensuring alignment with seasonal creative stories and overall brand aesthetic for Mitchell & Ness.

• Develop mood boards, trend boards, and ideation sessions to translate market trends, pop culture signals, and consumer insights into impactful headwear designs.

• Conduct thorough trend research, including local shopping and analysis of various apparel embellishment techniques (screen print, heat transfers, appliqués, embroidery) to foster design innovation.

• Create specialized art concepts and programs in response to direct fan demand and emerging business opportunities, ensuring speed and quality in delivery.

• Maintain and enforce corporate branding standards and league-specific creative guidelines across all headwear graphic output, reinforcing an authentic fan experience.

• Manage multiple design projects concurrently from concept to final art delivery, demonstrating strong organizational discipline and the ability to meet tight deadlines in a dynamic setting.

• Prepare and present compelling presentation decks and collection boards to communicate seasonal stories and design rationale to internal stakeholders effectively.

• Collaborate closely with production art teams to ensure designs are executed to specification, applying knowledge of both import and domestic printing and production methods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities have been expanded to detail the creative process from trend research and concept development to execution and production liaison, emphasizing the specific application to headwear design within the licensed sports context.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Arts, Graphic Design, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant work experience. Experience:

• Minimum of 4 years of professional graphic design experience, with a strong preference for experience designing graphics specifically for headwear.

• Prior experience in licensed sports merchandise or the sports industry is considered a significant advantage. Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign is essential for creating and manipulating graphic assets.

• Demonstrated intermediate to advanced typography skills, including the ability to research, develop, and implement distinctive font solutions.

• Strong working knowledge of apparel production art processes, encompassing various embellishment techniques such as screen printing, heat transfers, appliqués, and embroidery.

• Advanced-level understanding of color theory, composition, and concept development, with a proven ability to consistently adhere to brand guidelines and seasonal creative direction.

• Familiarity with project management systems and intermediate-level proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for communication and documentation.

• Exceptional attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and quality in all design outputs.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to professionally present ideas and design decisions to internal partners and stakeholders. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with AI and digital tools to enhance design efficiency, quality, and decision-making.

• Familiarity with sports apparel trends, pop culture influences, and consumer insights relevant to fan engagement.

• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time for partner meetings, industry events, and trend research.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills section has been detailed to reflect the specific software proficiency, technical knowledge of apparel production, and soft skills necessary for this creative role. The preference for headwear-specific experience and licensing/sports background has been highlighted.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive and professional portfolio is required, showcasing a wide range of graphic design skills and abilities specifically relevant to apparel and headwear.

• The portfolio should demonstrate expertise in concept development, color theory application, and composition within graphic design.

• Include examples of designs that adhere to strict brand guidelines and seasonal creative direction, highlighting your ability to work within established frameworks.

• Showcase proficiency in various apparel embellishment techniques through visual examples or detailed descriptions of the production methods used.

• If applicable, include case studies or examples of how data or AI-enabled insights were used to inform design choices or improve outcomes. Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly stated as formal documentation, candidates are expected to articulate their design process clearly during interviews and portfolio reviews, including:

  • Workflow for concept generation, ideation, and trend research.

  • Methods for collaborating with cross-functional teams and incorporating feedback.

  • Steps taken to ensure designs meet production specifications and quality standards.

  • Approach to managing multiple projects and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements have been significantly detailed, emphasizing the need for apparel and headwear-specific examples, adherence to brand guidelines, and demonstration of production knowledge. The expectation for articulating the design process is also highlighted.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for Graphic Designers with 4+ years of experience in major metropolitan areas like New York and Philadelphia, the estimated salary range for this position is $70,000 - $95,000 annually. This estimate accounts for the specialized nature of headwear design, advanced software proficiency, and the reputation of Mitchell & Ness within the sports apparel market. The final salary will be determined by the candidate's specific experience, qualifications, and alignment with the role's requirements. Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

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

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

• Employee discount on Fanatics Commerce and Mitchell & Ness merchandise.

• Opportunities for professional development, including training and workshops.

• Hybrid work arrangement offering flexibility and work-life balance. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work schedule, typically 40 hours per week.

• Hybrid work model requires approximately 3 days per week in the Philadelphia office, with flexibility for candidates in the New York area to travel to Philadelphia as needed.

📝 Enhancement Note: A salary range has been estimated based on market data for similar roles in the specified locations and experience level. Benefits have been inferred based on standard offerings for full-time positions at large commerce organizations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Licensed Sports Merchandise, Apparel, E-commerce, Retail. Fanatics Commerce is a global leader in creating and distributing officially licensed sports apparel and collectibles, operating a vertically integrated platform across numerous major sports leagues and teams worldwide. Mitchell & Ness, as a brand within Fanatics, is renowned for its vintage-inspired, high-quality athletic apparel and headwear.

Company Size: Fanatics Commerce is a large organization, employing over 22,000 individuals globally. This scale suggests a robust infrastructure, diverse teams, and significant opportunities for career advancement.

Founded: Fanatics was founded in 1995. The company has experienced substantial growth, particularly in recent years, solidifying its position as a dominant player in the sports merchandise market. Mitchell & Ness, founded in 1904, brings a legacy of heritage and premium design to the Fanatics Commerce portfolio.

Team Structure:

• The design team likely operates within a larger creative department, possibly structured by product category (e.g., headwear, apparel, accessories) or by brand/league affiliation.

• Reporting structure would typically involve a Design Manager or Director, with designers collaborating closely with merchandising, marketing, and production teams.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a core tenet, involving close partnerships with product developers, merchandisers, marketing specialists, and potentially external league representatives to ensure brand and product integrity. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: The role emphasizes leveraging data and AI-enabled insights to inform design decisions, ensuring that graphics resonate with target fan demographics and align with market trends.

• Agile Creative Process: Expect a fast-paced, iterative design process involving rapid concept development, feedback loops, and efficient execution to meet seasonal deadlines and respond to market demands.

• Brand Stewardship: A strong focus on maintaining and enhancing brand identity for both Fanatics Commerce and specific leagues/properties, with a keen eye on quality and authenticity.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context has been enriched with details about Fanatics Commerce's market position, the legacy of Mitchell & Ness, and the likely structure and methodologies employed by its design teams, emphasizing the blend of data-driven insights and creative execution.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Graphic Designer (Graphic Designer II), indicating a need for significant independent contribution and specialized skill application. It signifies a step beyond entry-level design, requiring the ability to manage projects, influence creative direction, and execute complex design tasks with minimal supervision.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will likely report to a Design Manager or Director within the Fanatics Commerce Creative team. They will collaborate closely with peers in design, as well as cross-functional partners in merchandising, product development, marketing, and production.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the visual appeal and marketability of Mitchell & Ness headwear products. Successful designs enhance brand perception, drive fan engagement and purchasing decisions, and contribute to the overall revenue generated by Fanatics Commerce's licensed sports business. The role plays a critical part in translating brand strategy into tangible, fan-resonant products.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in headwear design and licensed sports apparel graphics, potentially becoming a subject matter expert.

• Senior Designer/Lead Designer: Advance to roles with greater creative leadership, project management responsibilities, and mentorship opportunities for junior designers.

• Cross-Brand/Category Experience: Transition to designing for other product categories or brands within the Fanatics Commerce portfolio, broadening skill sets.

• Management Track: Progress into design management roles, overseeing teams and strategic creative direction.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning in emerging design technologies, AI tools, and apparel production techniques.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career analysis focuses on the progression path for a graphic designer within a large, dynamic organization like Fanatics Commerce, highlighting opportunities for specialization, leadership, and skill expansion relevant to the operations of a major sports merchandise company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model. The primary location is Philadelphia, PA, requiring approximately 3 days per week in the office. The company is also open to candidates based in the New York City area who can travel to Philadelphia as needed. This suggests a collaborative office environment designed to foster teamwork and idea exchange.

Office Location(s):

• Philadelphia, PA: The primary performance location.

• New York, NY: Open to candidates based here, requiring travel to Philadelphia.

• This offers candidates in two major East Coast hubs the opportunity to apply. Workspace Context:

• The office environment is likely to be fast-paced and dynamic, reflecting the nature of the sports merchandise industry and Fanatics' BOLD leadership principles.

• Expect a collaborative workspace where designers interact frequently with peers, managers, and cross-functional teams.

• Access to industry-standard design software and technology is expected, supporting creative output and efficient workflow.

• The hybrid model allows for focused work at home and collaborative sessions in the office. Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week).

• The hybrid schedule requires in-office presence for a portion of the week, balancing focused individual work with team collaboration and in-person meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment details are structured to provide clarity on the hybrid model, office expectations, and the likely atmosphere within a leading sports merchandise company, emphasizing collaboration and adaptability.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review: A critical step where candidates present their portfolio, discussing specific projects, design process, and how their work aligns with the role's requirements, particularly headwear design and brand adherence. Be prepared to discuss your approach to concept development, trend analysis, and production considerations.

• Design Challenge (Potential): Candidates may be asked to complete a design exercise, either take-home or in-person, to evaluate their creative skills, problem-solving abilities, and application of brand guidelines under timed conditions. This could involve designing a graphic for a specific team or league headwear.

• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion with the hiring manager to assess technical skills, creative vision, collaboration style, and understanding of the sports apparel market.

• Cross-Functional Interview: Meeting with key stakeholders from merchandising, marketing, or production to evaluate collaboration capabilities and understanding of business objectives.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 4-6 of your strongest projects, emphasizing those relevant to apparel graphics, headwear, and licensed sports. If you lack direct headwear experience, showcase transferable skills from similar apparel or accessory design projects.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your design process, the challenges you faced, your creative solutions, and the final outcome or impact. Use visuals effectively to guide the narrative.

• Highlight Technical Skills: Be ready to discuss your proficiency with Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, and how you leverage them for apparel design. Detail your understanding of production techniques (screen printing, embroidery, etc.) and how you ensure designs are production-ready.

• Demonstrate Brand Acumen: Show how you interpret and apply brand guidelines and seasonal creative direction. If possible, include examples where you've successfully navigated complex brand requirements.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, mention any measurable impact your designs have had (e.g., sales performance, fan engagement metrics), even if estimated.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brand: Thoroughly research Mitchell & Ness, its history, its target audience, current trends in headwear and sports apparel, and Fanatics Commerce's overall brand.

• Practice Design Thinking: Prepare to outline your approach to a design brief, including research, ideation, sketching, digital execution, and refinement.

• Focus on Constraints: Be ready to work within specific parameters (e.g., limited color palettes, specific team assets, production limitations) as these are common in real-world design scenarios.

• Articulate Your Rationale: Be prepared to clearly explain the "why" behind every design decision you make.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides highly actionable advice on preparing for the interview process, focusing on portfolio content, presentation strategy, and how to approach potential design challenges, tailored to a graphic design role in the apparel industry.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Advanced proficiency required in Adobe Illustrator (vector graphics, logo creation), Adobe Photoshop (image manipulation, mockups, raster graphics), and Adobe InDesign (layout, presentation decks).

• Microsoft Office Suite: Intermediate to advanced skills in Outlook (communication, scheduling), Word (documentation), Excel (data organization, potential basic analysis), and PowerPoint (presentation development).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary analytics role, familiarity with how design choices impact sales data or fan engagement metrics is beneficial. This may involve understanding basic reporting from e-commerce platforms or sales dashboards. CRM & Automation:

• Experience with project management systems (e.g., Asana, Trello, Monday.com) is mentioned as a familiarity requirement, indicating the need for organized workflow management. Specialized Design Tools:

• Knowledge of specific apparel design software or 3D rendering tools (e.g., for realistic mockups) could be advantageous but are not explicitly listed as required.

• Familiarity with digital asset management (DAM) systems might be beneficial for managing design libraries.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is detailed with a focus on the core design software and productivity tools explicitly mentioned, along with inferred needs for project management and potential exposure to analytics and asset management systems relevant to a design role in a large e-commerce organization.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values: Fanatics Commerce operates under a "BOLD" leadership framework:

• Build Championship Teams: Emphasis on collaboration, mutual support, and collective success. Designers are expected to contribute positively to team dynamics and help elevate their colleagues.

• Obsessed with Fans: A core value driving all creative decisions. Designers must understand and cater to the passion of sports fans, ensuring graphics resonate deeply and authentically.

• Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit: Encourages innovation, proactivity, and a willingness to explore new ideas and approaches. Designers should be comfortable experimenting and pushing creative boundaries.

• Determined & Relentless Mindset: Focuses on driving results, overcoming challenges, and maintaining high standards of execution, even under pressure. Designers are expected to be tenacious in meeting deadlines and achieving quality outcomes.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers work closely with various departments (merchandising, marketing, production) to ensure designs meet business objectives and production realities. Open communication and proactive problem-solving are key.

• Feedback-Oriented: The creative process likely involves regular feedback sessions. Designers should be receptive to constructive criticism and able to iterate based on input from stakeholders.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages sharing trends, techniques, and best practices among the design team and across departments to foster continuous improvement and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture and values are directly linked to Fanatics Commerce's stated "BOLD" principles, providing insight into the expected behaviors and mindset of employees within the organization, particularly for creative roles.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Trend Innovation: The primary challenge will be to create fresh, trend-forward designs for headwear while strictly adhering to established brand guidelines for Mitchell & Ness and various sports leagues.

• Fast-Paced Production Cycles: The licensed sports merchandise industry operates on tight deadlines. Managing multiple projects simultaneously and delivering high-quality work under pressure will be a constant challenge.

• Translating Fan Insights into Design: Effectively interpreting complex consumer insights, cultural trends, and fan demand into visually compelling and commercially successful graphics requires strong analytical and creative synthesis skills.

• Adapting to Evolving Technology: Staying current with advancements in design software, AI tools, and digital design processes to maintain efficiency and creative edge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Headwear Design: Opportunities to become an expert in the nuances of headwear design, including construction, materials, and embellishment techniques specific to hats and caps.

• Licensed Sports Market Expertise: Deepen understanding of the sports licensing landscape, fan culture, and the unique design requirements of different leagues and teams.

• Advanced Design Software & AI Tools: Access to training and resources to master new features in Adobe Creative Suite and explore AI-driven design tools to enhance workflow and creativity.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain insights into merchandising, marketing, and production processes, fostering a holistic understanding of the product lifecycle.

• Mentorship and Leadership: Potential to mentor junior designers or take on lead roles on specific projects as experience grows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges and growth opportunities are framed around the specific demands of a graphic design role in the licensed sports apparel industry, emphasizing the need for both creative flair and business acumen.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for designing graphics for headwear, from initial concept to final production-ready art." (Focus on methodology, trend research, and technical considerations.)

• "How do you balance adhering to strict brand guidelines with incorporating emerging trends and personal creative vision?" (Highlight your ability to work within constraints while being innovative.)

• "Tell us about a time you had to adapt your design based on feedback from stakeholders or production limitations. What was the outcome?" (Demonstrate your collaboration and problem-solving skills.)

• "How do you stay current with trends in sports apparel, pop culture, and graphic design?" (Showcase your commitment to continuous learning and market awareness.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in designing for Mitchell & Ness and Fanatics Commerce specifically?" (Research the brands, their history, and their market position.)

• "How do your personal values and work style align with Fanatics Commerce's BOLD leadership principles (Build Championship Teams, Obsessed with Fans, Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit, Determined & Relentless Mindset)?" (Prepare specific examples for each principle.)

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid environment and collaborating with remote and in-office team members." (Focus on communication and team cohesion strategies.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the creative process, challenges, solutions, and results.

• Highlight Headwear Focus: Ensure your most relevant headwear or apparel graphic examples are prominently featured. If direct headwear experience is limited, emphasize transferable skills and demonstrate your understanding of the product.

• Showcase Technical Proficiency: Be prepared to briefly explain the tools and techniques you used for each piece, especially regarding Adobe Creative Suite and production methods.

• Emphasize Brand Adherence: Point out how your designs meet specific brand or league requirements, demonstrating your attention to detail and understanding of brand integrity.

• Be Ready for Live Critiques: Some interviews may involve on-the-spot design critiques or modifications. Practice thinking aloud and articulating your design decisions clearly.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides specific, tailored interview questions and preparation strategies, focusing on the creative process, brand alignment, and the unique aspects of the sports apparel and headwear design industry.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on Greenhouse.

• Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume to highlight your 4+ years of graphic design experience, explicitly mentioning headwear design, apparel graphics, and your proficiency with Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Designed graphics for X product lines," "Contributed to Y seasonal collections").

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest, most relevant design work. Ensure it prominently features apparel graphics, and specifically headwear if available. Organize your portfolio logically, making it easy for reviewers to navigate and understand your process and impact.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design process, your understanding of brand guidelines, and your ability to work within production constraints. Be ready to discuss your experience with trend research and how you translate fan insights into compelling designs.

• Research Fanatics Commerce & Mitchell & Ness: Understand their BOLD culture, their market position, and their target audience. Be prepared to discuss why you are a good cultural fit and how your design philosophy aligns with their brands.

⚠️ 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.