Graphic Designer II - Topps Trading Card, China
π Job Overview
Job Title: Graphic Designer II - Topps Trading Card
Company: Fanatics
Location: Shanghai, China
Job Type: Full time
Category: Graphic Design / Creative
Date Posted: 2026-08-06
Experience Level: 2-5 years
Remote Status: On-site
π Role Summary
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Develops high-quality visual designs for various trading card product lines, emphasizing speed to market and collector engagement.
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Collaborates closely with Art Directors, Designers, Product Managers, and cross-functional teams to enhance creative output and drive design direction.
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Produces production-ready files with a deep understanding of both print and digital specifications for trading card products.
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Manages multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment, adapting quickly to project shifts and feedback while maintaining design integrity.
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Contributes to innovative and trend-forward design concepts by staying current with sports, pop culture, collectibles, and industry trends.
π Enhancement Note: This role is for a Graphic Designer II specifically focused on Topps Trading Cards within Fanatics Collectibles, requiring a blend of production-level design skills and creative problem-solving for a dynamic product portfolio. The emphasis on "speed to market" and "collector engagement" suggests a need for designers who can balance creative vision with efficient execution.
π Primary Responsibilities
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Design and develop visually compelling graphics for trading card products, ensuring alignment with brand aesthetics and collector appeal.
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Create production-ready files, meticulously adhering to print and digital specifications for seamless manufacturing and distribution.
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Propose and implement creative solutions that elevate product differentiation and foster deeper collector engagement.
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Collaborate cross-functionally with Art Directors, Designers, Product Development, Marketing, and Project Management teams to ensure design excellence and project success.
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Present design concepts and rationale to internal stakeholders, effectively incorporating feedback to refine creative output.
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Actively participate in brainstorming sessions, contributing innovative and trend-forward design ideas for trading card products.
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Manage a portfolio of multiple projects concurrently, consistently meeting tight deadlines while upholding the highest standards of design integrity.
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Balance immediate production needs with long-term creative strategy and innovation initiatives.
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Demonstrate adaptability and agility in responding to project shifts, evolving feedback, and rapid workflow changes.
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Maintain up-to-date knowledge of sports, pop culture, collectibles, and relevant industry trends to inform and enhance creative strategies.
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Ensure all design assets meet rigorous standards for quality, accuracy, and brand consistency across all product lines.
π Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer who is not only skilled in execution but also a proactive problem-solver and collaborator, capable of contributing to the strategic direction of product design within a fast-paced collectibles market.
π Skills & Qualifications
Education: Bachelorβs degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
Experience: 3-5 years of professional experience in graphic design, with a proven track record of delivering high-quality creative work, particularly in product design or related fields.
Required Skills:
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Demonstrated proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
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Strong portfolio showcasing creativity, advanced typography, color theory, layout design, and narrative storytelling through visuals.
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Solid understanding of print production processes, digital design principles, and brand identity development.
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Exceptional problem-solving abilities, with a keen eye for detail and a commitment to producing high-quality work.
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Excellent time management and multi-tasking skills, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
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Strong communication and interpersonal skills, enabling effective collaboration within a team setting.
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Passion for sports, pop culture, collectibles, and a keen interest in design trends. Preferred Skills:
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Experience specifically within the trading card or collectibles industry.
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Familiarity with 3D rendering or motion graphics software.
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Experience working with international markets or diverse cultural aesthetics.
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Basic understanding of UX/UI principles for digital product interfaces.
π Enhancement Note: The requirement for a "strong portfolio demonstrating branding, typography, layout, and storytelling" is critical. Candidates should curate their portfolio to explicitly showcase projects that align with these aspects, ideally including examples relevant to product design or consumer goods.
π Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
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Showcase a minimum of 3-5 diverse projects that highlight branding, typography, layout, and storytelling capabilities.
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Include examples of production-ready files and the creative process leading to them, demonstrating an understanding of print and digital specifications.
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Present case studies that detail problem-solving approaches and how design solutions contributed to product differentiation or collector engagement.
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Demonstrate ability to adapt design to specific product lines and target audiences, such as trading card collectors.
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Highlight projects that involved cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder feedback integration. Process Documentation:
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Be prepared to discuss your design workflow from concept ideation through to final production-ready asset delivery.
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Articulate how you manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet tight deadlines in a dynamic environment.
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Explain your approach to incorporating feedback from Art Directors, Product Managers, and other stakeholders.
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Detail your methods for staying current with industry trends and integrating them into your design process.
π Enhancement Note: For this role, the portfolio should not just be a collection of pretty pictures but a demonstration of a structured design process, problem-solving skills, and the ability to deliver commercially viable design solutions for a specific product category like trading cards.
π΅ Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Based on industry standards for a Graphic Designer II role with 3-5 years of experience in a major metropolitan area like Shanghai, the estimated annual salary range is Β₯180,000 - Β₯280,000 CNY. This range accounts for the specialized nature of trading card design and Fanatics' position in the collectibles market.
Benefits:
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Comprehensive health insurance coverage (medical, dental, vision).
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Paid time off, including vacation days, sick leave, and public holidays.
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Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning, including workshops and potential training on new design software.
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Employee discounts on Fanatics merchandise and collectibles.
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Potential for performance-based bonuses or incentives.
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Retirement savings plan contributions.
Working Hours: The standard working hours are 40 hours per week, typically Monday to Friday. However, given the fast-paced nature of the industry and the need for speed to market, occasional overtime or flexible scheduling may be required to meet project deadlines.
π Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on industry benchmarks for Graphic Designer II roles in Shanghai, China, considering experience level (2-5 years) and the specialized nature of the collectibles/trading card industry. Benefits are typical for a large, international company like Fanatics and are tailored to attract and retain creative talent.
π― Team & Company Context
π’ Company Culture
Industry: Fanatics operates within the dynamic and rapidly growing sports and collectibles industry, specifically focusing on licensed sports merchandise, trading cards, and NFTs. This industry is characterized by passionate fan bases, evolving trends, and a strong emphasis on product authenticity and collector value.
Company Size: Fanatics is a large, global enterprise with thousands of employees. This scale offers significant resources, opportunities for cross-functional collaboration, and exposure to diverse business units and markets. For operations professionals, this means established processes, robust infrastructure, and potential for career advancement within a structured environment.
Founded: Fanatics was founded in 1995. Its growth from an e-commerce retailer to a comprehensive sports merchandise and collectibles powerhouse highlights a culture of innovation, rapid expansion
Application Requirements
Candidates must have a bachelor's degree in Graphic Design or a related field and 3-5 years of professional experience. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and a strong portfolio demonstrating branding, typography, and layout skills are required.