Graphic Designer II, Merchandise Development: Original Merchandise (12-Month Fixed Term)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer II, Merchandise Development: Original Merchandise (12-Month Fixed Term)

Company: The Pokémon Company International

Location: Bellevue, Washington, United States

Job Type: Full-time, Temporary

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Manufacturing

Date Posted: September 08, 2026

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

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is focused on creating original graphic designs and visual assets for physical consumer products, including apparel, accessories, and home goods, within the renowned Pokémon brand.

• It requires a blend of creative concepting, understanding of manufacturing processes for physical goods, and adherence to strict brand and licensing guidelines.

• The Graphic Designer will manage multiple product sets concurrently, ensuring timely delivery of production-ready artwork that maintains brand integrity across diverse materials and scales.

• This position is a 12-month fixed-term contract, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to tangible product development for a global entertainment property.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is classified as "Graphic Designer II," indicating a mid-level position with growing independence. The "Original Merchandise" focus suggests a need for creative ideation beyond adapting existing assets. The fixed-term nature is crucial for candidates to understand.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and develop original graphics, illustrations, patterns, and layouts for a variety of physical consumer products, ensuring alignment with product briefs and overall product storytelling.

• Collaborate closely with the Merchandise Development team, cross-functional partners (e.g., Product Development, Marketing, Licensing), and external vendors to translate creative concepts into production-ready artwork.

• Adapt 2D artwork for diverse manufacturing processes, including screen printing, embroidery, heat transfer, sublimation, embossing, and specialty inks, while respecting product and production limitations.

• Ensure all design elements, character representations, and typography adhere to Pokémon brand standards and licensing requirements, maintaining character accuracy and consistency across all merchandise.

• Prepare and route design drafts and prototypes for internal review and cross-departmental sign-offs, incorporating feedback to achieve final approval and support on-time file deliveries.

• Research seasonal trends, new colors, fabrics, and silhouettes to inform conceptual development and enhance product storytelling opportunities for future collections.

• Partner with development and vendor teams to review strike-offs, proofs, and samples, providing clear, constructive feedback to guarantee quality and fidelity of the final product.

• Proactively identify and escalate potential risks to project timelines, deliverables, or approvals to management and project managers.

• Contribute to the design catalog by submitting 6-12 design concepts per season to expand the breadth of future product opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a strong connection to physical product manufacturing and brand compliance, which are critical for a merchandise development role. The requirement to manage multiple projects concurrently highlights the need for strong organizational and time management skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, or a related field is typically expected for a mid-level designer.

Experience: 3-5 years of experience in graphic design specifically for soft and/or hard goods, such as apparel, decor, or packaging.

Required Skills:

• Expert proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) on macOS.

• Strong illustration and advanced vector graphic creation skills.

• Demonstrated experience in preparing production-ready files for physical goods.

• Conceptual and practical knowledge of various print technologies for physical goods, including screen print, embroidery, heat setting, and sublimation.

• Ability to work with and understand product design constraints, manufacturing processes, and production templates.

• Proficiency in creating design work that aligns with established brand and licensing requirements.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present designs and articulate risks to stakeholders.

• Strong initiative, organization, and meticulous attention to detail.

• Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional environment and independently with minimal oversight.

• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and similar productivity tools. Preferred Skills:

• Basic knowledge of related areas such as marketing, merchandising, and licensing.

• Experience with trend research and application to product design.

• Familiarity with 3D design software or rendering for product visualization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Adobe Creative Suite, vector skills, and specific print technologies is paramount. The "mid-level" designation (II) coupled with 3-5 years of experience suggests a candidate ready to take on more complex projects with less supervision.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A strong portfolio showcasing graphic-focused product design for physical goods is mandatory.

• Examples should clearly demonstrate original graphic concepts, illustrations, and patterns applied to merchandise like apparel, accessories, or home decor.

• Include case studies or project examples that highlight the process from concept to production-ready artwork, detailing adaptations for manufacturing processes.

• Showcase how brand standards and licensing requirements were met within the design work.

• Demonstrate proficiency in preparing files for various production methods (e.g., screen print, embroidery, sublimation). Process Documentation:

• Portfolio pieces should ideally illustrate the workflow from initial brief and concepting through to final production file delivery.

• Highlight instances where design challenges were overcome due to manufacturing constraints or brand guidelines.

• Include examples of how artwork was adapted for different substrates, textures, and scales.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirement is critical and explicitly mentioned. Candidates must curate their submissions to directly address the "physical goods" and "original merchandise" aspects of the role, showcasing their ability to bridge creative design with manufacturing realities.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The provided base salary range for this role is $86,215 - $150,844 per year.

• New hires are generally expected to start between $86,215 - $102,285 per year, with the final figure determined by the candidate's unique qualifications and professional experience.

• This range is specific to the US labor market where the role is intended to be hired. Benefits:

• 100% employer-paid healthcare premiums for the employee.

• Generous paid family leave.

• Employer-paid life insurance.

• Employer-paid long and short-term income protection insurance.

• 401k Employer Matching for US Employees.

• Fitness reimbursement.

• Commuter benefit.

• Access to LinkedIn Learning for ongoing professional development.

• Comprehensive relocation package may be available for eligible candidates.

Working Hours: The typical working hours are based on a standard 40-hour work week, consistent with full-time employment. The role operates on a hybrid work environment, suggesting a balance between remote and in-office work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a mid-level graphic designer in the Bellevue, WA area. The extensive benefits package, particularly the 100% employer-paid healthcare, is a significant draw. The mention of a "hybrid work environment" is also key.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: The Pokémon Company International operates within the entertainment, licensing, and consumer products sectors, managing the globally recognized Pokémon franchise outside of Asia. This industry context means a strong emphasis on brand consistency, fan engagement, and high-quality merchandise that reflects the beloved characters and world of Pokémon.

Company Size: The Pokémon Company International is a significant global entity, with a substantial employee base. This size suggests a well-established corporate structure, robust processes, and opportunities for cross-functional collaboration across various departments.

Founded: Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996. The Pokémon Company International manages the brand's operations globally. This long history implies a deep-rooted brand identity and a mature approach to product development and fan engagement.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the Merchandise Development team, likely working under a Design Manager or Director.

• This team collaborates closely with other departments such as Product Development, Marketing, Licensing, and potentially Legal, to ensure all merchandise aligns with brand guidelines and business objectives.

• The structure encourages a collaborative approach, where designers contribute creative concepts and production expertise to a multidisciplinary team. Methodology:

• The company likely employs a structured product development lifecycle, involving concept ideation, design execution, prototyping, review, and production.

• Emphasis is placed on data-driven insights from market trends and fan engagement, alongside creative exploration, to inform merchandise design.

• Agile or iterative processes may be used for design reviews and feedback incorporation to ensure timely delivery within seasonal product cycles.

Company Website: https://corporate.pokemon.com/en-us/ and https://www.pokemon.com/us

📝 Enhancement Note: The Pokémon brand's immense popularity and dedicated fanbase are central to the company's culture. This means a high standard for quality and authenticity in all products. The global nature of the brand also implies adherence to international standards and diverse market needs.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a Graphic Designer II, signifying a mid-level position. It implies that the individual will be expected to work with a growing degree of independence, managing their own projects and contributing original creative concepts. They are past the entry-level stage and are expected to be proficient in core design skills and processes.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer II will report to a manager within the Merchandise Development department. They will also work closely with project managers and collaborate with stakeholders across various departments, including Product Development, Marketing, and Licensing.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the visual appeal, brand integrity, and marketability of physical Pokémon products. High-quality, brand-accurate designs are crucial for consumer engagement, sales performance, and maintaining the global appeal of the Pokémon franchise. Effective design translates directly to successful product launches and revenue generation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific product categories (apparel, home goods) or manufacturing techniques relevant to physical merchandise design.

• Career Advancement: Potential to progress to a Senior Graphic Designer role, taking on more complex projects, mentoring junior designers, and having a greater influence on design strategy.

• Cross-Functional Experience: Exposure to other areas of merchandise development, marketing, and licensing can broaden understanding of the business and open doors to related career paths.

• Brand Stewardship: Becoming a key contributor to the visual identity of the Pokémon brand on physical products, gaining valuable experience in brand management within a globally recognized IP.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fixed-term nature of this role might influence long-term career growth within the company. However, the experience gained in designing for a major global brand like Pokémon is highly valuable and transferable.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Bellevue, Washington, and operates within a hybrid work environment. This suggests a combination of in-office collaboration and remote work.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is Bellevue, Washington, United States. This area is known for its vibrant tech and creative industries.

Workspace Context:

• The hybrid model likely involves dedicated office days for team meetings, collaborative brainstorming sessions, and access to specific on-site resources.

• The workspace is expected to be equipped with industry-standard design tools and technology, including powerful workstations and access to necessary software licenses.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with cross-functional teams (Merchandise Development, Product Development, Marketing) will be present during in-office days, fostering a collaborative design culture.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is typical. The hybrid arrangement offers some flexibility in managing work-life balance, allowing for focused individual work remotely and collaborative engagement in the office.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should clarify the specific hybrid work expectations (e.g., number of days in office per week/month) with the hiring manager during the interview process.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of resumes and portfolios to assess suitability for the role, with a strong emphasis on the portfolio's relevance to physical product graphic design.

• First Round Interview: Typically with a hiring manager or senior team member, focusing on design philosophy, technical skills, experience with manufacturing constraints, and understanding of brand guidelines. Expect questions about past projects and problem-solving approaches.

• Portfolio Presentation/Creative Challenge: Candidates may be asked to present their portfolio in detail, discussing their creative process, design choices, and how they handled production challenges. A small creative exercise or case study related to Pokémon merchandise might be assigned.

• Final Round Interview: May involve meeting with additional stakeholders, HR, and potentially other team members. This stage often assesses cultural fit, communication skills, and alignment with company values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase 3-5 of your strongest projects that directly align with the job description, emphasizing physical product design (apparel, accessories, home goods).

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly explain the brief, your creative process, design challenges encountered (especially production-related), your solutions, and the final outcome.

• Highlight Adaptability: Show how you adapted artwork for different manufacturing methods and substrates. Include examples of preparing production-ready files.

• Demonstrate Brand Understanding: Include work that shows an understanding of brand integrity and how you applied it to your designs. If you have Pokémon-related fan art or personal projects, consider including them to showcase passion, but ensure professional work is prioritized.

• Be Ready to Discuss: Be prepared to talk in detail about your design choices, technical execution, and collaboration process for each piece.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with the Pokémon brand's aesthetic and current merchandise trends.

• Practice articulating your design process concisely and clearly, focusing on problem-solving and efficiency.

• Prepare to discuss how you would approach designing for specific product types (e.g., a t-shirt graphic vs. a pattern for a backpack) within brand constraints.

• Consider how you would balance creative originality with the need for production-ready artwork.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is explicitly stated as a requirement and will be heavily scrutinized. Candidates should tailor their portfolio to directly address the "physical goods" and "original merchandise" aspects, demonstrating their practical application of design skills in a manufacturing context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Expert proficiency is required, specifically:

  • Adobe Illustrator: For vector graphics, illustrations, and logo creation.
  • Adobe Photoshop: For image manipulation, texture creation, and mock-up generation.
  • Adobe InDesign: For layout, typography, and potentially preparing technical spec sheets or presentations.

• macOS: The operating system proficiency is specified.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Proficiency in Word (for documentation, communication), Excel (for tracking, data), and PowerPoint (for presentations) is expected.

Analytics & Reporting: While not explicitly listed, tools for trend analysis or competitor research might be indirectly utilized. Understanding how designs translate to sales data (via Product Development or Marketing) is beneficial.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to this design role, but understanding how design assets are managed and distributed within a company's digital asset management (DAM) system or project management tools could be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement is mastery of Adobe Creative Suite on macOS. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their proficiency in Illustrator and Photoshop for creating vector-based artwork and adapting it for various print methods.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Passion for Pokémon: A deep appreciation for the brand, its characters, and its impact on culture and fans is paramount. This passion should translate into authentic and high-quality design work.

• Challenging the Expected: Encourages curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to learn from failures. This involves innovative problem-solving and identifying unique design opportunities.

• Integrity and Respect: Emphasizes empathy, open listening, seeking diverse perspectives, and taking personal responsibility for outcomes. This applies to teamwork and stakeholder interactions.

• Dedicated to Quality: A commitment to maintaining high standards, continuous learning, seeking feedback, and embracing a growth mindset to improve design execution and processes.

• Building Relationships: Fosters a "team first" mentality, emphasizing collaboration and effective communication to solve problems and achieve shared goals with internal and external partners.

• Delighting Customers: Focuses on understanding and meeting the needs of fans and stakeholders, using feedback to enhance the unique Pokémon experience.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, requiring strong cross-functional partnerships with Merchandise Development, Product Development, Marketing, and Licensing teams.

• Emphasis on transparent communication and building strong internal relationships to drive efficient processes.

• A culture that values feedback exchange and constructive critique to refine designs and ensure successful product outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values are heavily focused on brand passion, innovation, integrity, quality, and teamwork. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate how their personal values and work style align with these principles, particularly in the context of a creative, brand-driven environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Integrity with Originality: Creating fresh, engaging designs that are true to the Pokémon brand while also being novel and appealing for new merchandise lines.

• Navigating Manufacturing Constraints: Translating creative vision into artwork that is technically feasible and cost-effective for various production methods (screen print, embroidery, sublimation, etc.).

• Managing Multiple Projects: Effectively juggling 2-4 product sets concurrently with staggered milestones, requiring strong time management and prioritization skills.

• Meeting Tight Deadlines: Delivering production-ready files within demanding seasonal schedules common in the consumer goods industry.

• Adapting to Evolving Trends: Keeping pace with both fashion and character-based merchandise trends while maintaining the core Pokémon aesthetic.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Design Skills: Deepening expertise in graphic design for specific product categories and manufacturing techniques.

• Brand Management Insights: Gaining a deeper understanding of global brand stewardship and licensing within a major intellectual property.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Learning about the broader product development lifecycle, from concept to retail, by working with diverse teams.

• Industry Trends: Staying abreast of emerging design trends, technologies, and consumer preferences in the toy and apparel markets.

• Networking: Building professional relationships within The Pokémon Company International and with external vendors and partners.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a designer working in branded consumer goods. The fixed-term nature may present a challenge for long-term career pathing within the company, but the experience itself is a significant growth opportunity.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to adapt a design concept to meet specific manufacturing constraints. What was the challenge, and how did you resolve it?" (Focus on process, problem-solving, and technical knowledge of print/production).

• "How do you ensure that your designs remain true to a brand's established identity while still bringing originality and freshness to new products?" (Focus on brand understanding, creative process, and balancing requirements).

• "Walk us through a project from your portfolio where you managed multiple design deliverables with staggered deadlines. How did you prioritize and ensure timely delivery?" (Focus on project management, organization, and time management skills).

• "How do you incorporate feedback from cross-functional teams and stakeholders into your design process, especially when there are differing opinions?" (Focus on collaboration, communication, and adaptability). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What specifically about the Pokémon brand excites you, and how do you see yourself contributing to its visual identity on merchandise?" (Focus on passion, brand connection, and role alignment).

• "How do you approach staying current with design trends in the apparel and consumer goods market?" (Focus on research habits and industry awareness).

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid environment. What strategies do you use to maintain productivity and collaboration?" (Focus on work style and hybrid effectiveness).

• "Which of our company values resonates most with you, and how do you embody it in your work?" (Focus on cultural fit and self-awareness). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with an overview of your portfolio's focus, then dive into 3-5 key projects. For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the process, challenges, solutions, and the final outcome.

• Visuals: Use high-quality mock-ups that clearly show the design on the intended product. Include close-ups of details if necessary.

• Technical Details: Be prepared to discuss the software used, file preparation techniques, and specific manufacturing considerations for each piece.

• Brand Compliance: Explicitly mention how you ensured brand and character accuracy.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time; practice your presentation to be engaging and informative without being overly lengthy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh a candidate's portfolio and their ability to articulate their design process, especially concerning physical product production and brand adherence. Candidates should prepare specific examples that showcase these skills.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

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

• Curate a targeted portfolio: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that directly showcase graphic design for physical consumer goods (apparel, accessories, home goods). Ensure these examples highlight your ability to create original artwork, adapt designs for manufacturing processes (screen print, embroidery, sublimation, etc.), and adhere to brand guidelines.

• Optimize your resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your 3-5 years of experience in graphic design for consumer products, your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite on macOS, and any specific experience with print technologies and production file preparation. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Designed graphics for X product lines contributing to Y% of sales").

• Prepare your portfolio presentation: Practice walking through your selected portfolio pieces. Be ready to discuss your creative process, technical execution, problem-solving for production challenges, and how you maintained brand integrity. Anticipate questions about your experience managing multiple projects and collaborating with cross-functional teams.

• Research The Pokémon Company International: Understand their brand, target audience, and current merchandise. Familiarize yourself with their company values and the specific requirements of this role to articulate your fit and enthusiasm during interviews.

⚠️ 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.