Graphic Designer - Retail & Production

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer - Retail & Production

Company: CoCreativ (Industrial Color division)

Location: Los Angeles, California, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Creative Production / Graphic Design (Retail & Production Focus)

Date Posted: 2026-09-28

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is focused on the production and adaptation of creative assets specifically for major US retail chains, emphasizing a high volume of artwork for in-store displays, promotional graphics, and point-of-sale materials.

• The position requires advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, with a strong emphasis on Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, to manage resizing, adaptation, and meticulous file preparation for print-ready deliverables.

• A key aspect of the role involves maintaining brand consistency and accuracy across diverse retail formats, ensuring all artwork adheres to specific retailer specifications and production requirements.

• The Graphic Designer will be integral in managing multiple projects simultaneously, maintaining organized production files, and staying current with Gen Z beauty culture and evolving retail design trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Graphic Designer," the description clearly indicates a specialized focus on "Retail & Production." This means the role leans heavily into the technical execution and adaptation of existing creative campaigns for retail environments, rather than initial concept development. The emphasis on "high volume," "resizing," and "print-ready mechanical files" points to a production-centric workflow.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Produce and adapt creative assets for major US retail chains, including in-store displays, promotional graphics, signage, and point-of-sale materials, ensuring alignment with campaign objectives.

• Manage high-volume artwork production, including resizing and adapting existing creative assets across multiple retail formats and adhering to specific retailer specifications.

• Prepare accurate, print-ready mechanical files, meticulously ensuring artwork meets all technical requirements for production and retailer compliance.

• Execute artwork revisions, product updates, and campaign adaptations while rigorously maintaining brand consistency and visual integrity.

• Conduct thorough reviews and proof all artwork, ensuring absolute accuracy in typography, product imagery, dimensions, color, and layout.

• Collaborate closely with creative, marketing, and retail teams to ensure timely and effective delivery of projects within demanding production schedules.

• Manage multiple projects concurrently, employing robust organizational skills to maintain organized production files, templates, and version control.

• Stay informed about Gen Z beauty culture, emerging design trends, and the evolving retail landscape to inform creative execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a production-heavy workflow. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their ability to handle repetitive tasks with high accuracy and efficiency, rather than focusing solely on creative ideation. The mention of "retailer specifications" and "print-ready mechanical files" suggests a need for deep understanding of print production processes and technical file setup.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, or a related field is typically expected for roles with this experience level and focus. A strong portfolio demonstrating relevant experience can often substitute for formal education.

Experience: 2–5 years of professional graphic design experience, with a significant portion focused on retail production, beauty, cosmetics, fashion, consumer goods, or retail environments.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.

• Strong experience in retail production, including mechanical artwork creation and preparation of print-ready deliverables.

• Excellent understanding of typography, layout, and fundamental graphic design principles.

• Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational skills for managing high volumes of work.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines.

• Strong communication skills for effective collaboration with cross-functional teams.

• A genuine interest in beauty, cosmetics, pop culture, and Gen Z consumer trends. Preferred Skills:

• Prior experience producing artwork specifically for major US retailers.

• Experience in color correction and retouching for product imagery.

• Familiarity with asset management systems and version control best practices.

• Understanding of different printing processes and their technical requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "preferred skills" section, particularly "Experience producing artwork for major US retailers," is a strong indicator of what the hiring team values most. Candidates with this specific experience should highlight it prominently in their application. The emphasis on "Gen Z beauty culture" suggests a need for candidates who are not only technically skilled but also culturally attuned to the target demographic.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 projects demonstrating high-volume retail production work, including examples of adaptations across different retail formats (e.g., in-store displays, signage, POS).

• Include detailed case studies or explanations for at least two projects that highlight your process for preparing print-ready mechanical files, detailing the technical specifications and problem-solving involved.

• Provide examples of projects where you managed multiple revisions or updates while maintaining brand consistency and accuracy.

• Demonstrate proficiency in resizing and adapting existing creative assets for various retail applications, showcasing your understanding of scale and layout adjustments. Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your systematic approach to managing high-volume production workflows, including file organization, naming conventions, and version control strategies.

• Detail your process for ensuring accuracy and consistency across all artwork, including your personal proofing methods and quality assurance checks.

• Explain how you collaborate with creative and marketing teams to gather specifications, manage feedback, and deliver final artwork within production timelines.

• Outline your method for staying updated on retailer-specific artwork guidelines and production requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a production-focused role like this, the portfolio is crucial. It needs to clearly illustrate the candidate's ability to execute technically complex designs accurately and efficiently for retail environments. The emphasis should be on the process of production, not just the final aesthetic. Demonstrating a systematic approach to managing volume and detail is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The anticipated salary range for this role is $75,000 - $85,000 annually. This range is determined by various factors, including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. The exact offer will be calibrated based on work location, individual candidate experience, and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Benefits:

• Major medical insurance

• Dental insurance

• Vision insurance

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

• Health Savings Account (HSA)

• Employee discounts

Working Hours: The role is designated as full-time, with an expected 40 hours per week. Flexibility is required, as evening or weekend work may occasionally be necessary during major projects or critical deadlines. This is a hybrid role, balancing in-office and remote work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a Graphic Designer with 2-5 years of experience in a major metropolitan area like Los Angeles, especially for a specialized production role within the beauty/retail sector. The inclusion of medical, dental, vision, FSA, and HSA indicates a comprehensive benefits package typically offered by established companies. The mention of occasional evening/weekend work is standard for production-focused roles with tight deadlines.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: The company operates within the broader creative production and marketing services industry, specifically through its division, Industrial Color, which partners with top brands in beauty, cosmetics, fashion, and consumer goods. This industry is characterized by fast-paced environments, demanding deadlines, and a strong focus on delivering high-quality visual assets.

Company Size: Industrial Color is a division of CoCreativ, which is part of a family of integrated creative production companies. While the exact size of the Industrial Color division isn't specified, CoCreativ as a whole is a significant player, suggesting a robust organizational structure with ample resources and diverse client portfolios.

Founded: Industrial Color has been a leader in the industry for over 30 years, indicating a long-standing reputation, deep expertise, and a stable operational history. This longevity suggests a company that values innovation and client partnerships.

Team Structure:

• The role is part of the US creative team, specifically supporting a leading global cosmetics brand. This implies close collaboration within a dedicated team focused on a specific client's needs.

• The team structure likely involves designers, project managers, account managers, and potentially retouching artists, all working in tandem to deliver creative production services.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, involving close ties with creative, marketing, and retail teams within the client organization and potentially within Industrial Color itself. Methodology:

• The company's methodology centers on providing essential production services, leveraging state-of-the-art digital production and post-production solutions.

• There's an emphasis on translating creative campaigns into polished, production-ready retail materials, requiring a systematic approach to asset adaptation and file preparation.

• Data-driven insights might be less prominent for the designer role itself, but understanding client objectives and retail performance metrics will be crucial for effective asset creation.

Company Website: [CoCreativ Website: cocreativ.co]

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's history and focus on established brands like L'Oreal, Estee Lauder, and P&G suggest a professional, client-centric culture that demands high standards of quality and efficiency. The "family of integrated creative production companies" implies a collaborative ecosystem where different specializations can be leveraged.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Graphic Designer with a specialization in Retail & Production. It requires 2-5 years of experience, indicating a level beyond entry-level but not yet senior or lead. The focus is on executing production tasks accurately and efficiently within established creative frameworks.

Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report to a Creative Director, Art Director, or Production Manager within the Industrial Color division, who oversees the creative output for the specific cosmetics brand. Collaboration with creative and marketing teams within the client organization is also a key part of the reporting dynamic.

Operations Impact: While not a traditional "operations" role in the sense of RevOps or SalesOps, this Graphic Designer plays a critical role in the operational execution of marketing and retail strategies. Their ability to accurately produce and deliver high-quality, production-ready assets directly impacts the brand's retail presence, customer engagement, and ultimately, sales performance. Efficient production processes contribute to cost savings and faster time-to-market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Potential to deepen expertise in retail production, specific printing techniques, or advanced asset adaptation for various retail channels.

• Client Management: Opportunity to gain more direct client interaction and potentially manage smaller projects independently as experience grows.

• Creative Leadership: With significant experience and a proven track record, there could be pathways into Senior Designer, Art Director, or Production Lead roles, overseeing more complex projects or junior team members.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gaining experience with different brands and production types within the CoCreativ family of companies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "operations" aspect here refers to the efficient and systematic execution of design tasks, directly impacting business operations by ensuring timely and accurate retail collateral. Growth opportunities are likely within specialized design production or creative leadership within agencies that handle high-volume client work.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a hybrid role, requiring a balance of in-office presence and remote work. The in-office component is crucial for collaborative tasks, team meetings, and hands-on production work, especially when dealing with physical materials or in-person client consultations.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is Los Angeles, California. CoCreativ also has headquarters in Tribeca, NY, and studios in Brooklyn and Los Angeles, suggesting potential for cross-office collaboration or understanding of a wider operational footprint.

Workspace Context:

• The Los Angeles office likely provides a collaborative environment designed for creative production teams, equipped with the necessary hardware and software.

• Access to high-performance workstations, large monitors, and potentially specialized peripherals for design and production tasks will be standard.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with colleagues, creative directors, and project managers will be frequent, fostering a dynamic and responsive work culture.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is full-time (40 hours/week). However, the role demands flexibility, with the potential for occasional evening or weekend work during peak project periods or critical deadlines. This is common in production-heavy creative roles where timely delivery is paramount.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model suggests a modern work environment that values flexibility while recognizing the need for in-person collaboration and focused work in a dedicated creative studio setting. The emphasis on "production-focused position" and "high volumes" implies that the office environment is optimized for efficient workflow.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and relevant experience.

• Portfolio Review/Creative Challenge: This may involve a presentation of your portfolio where you'll discuss your process, technical skills, and approach to retail production. A specific creative challenge focused on adapting assets or preparing mechanical files for a retail scenario is also possible.

• Team/Hiring Manager Interview: Discussions about your experience, problem-solving abilities, collaboration style, and understanding of the beauty/retail industry.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to assess cultural fit and overall suitability for the role and company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Production Expertise: Showcase projects that clearly demonstrate your ability to manage high-volume artwork, resize and adapt creative assets, and prepare print-ready mechanical files.

• Detail Your Process: For each relevant project, explain your workflow, the tools used, how you ensured accuracy and brand consistency, and any challenges you overcame in production.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If you can quantify the volume of work completed (e.g., "produced over 50 unique display assets for a single campaign") or the efficiency gains you achieved, do so.

• Tailor to Retail: Emphasize any experience with specific US retailers, their unique specifications, or the nuances of in-store display design.

• Showcase Adobe Suite Proficiency: Ensure examples clearly reflect advanced skills in Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, particularly for technical tasks like file setup and pre-press checks.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to receive a brief that requires you to adapt an existing creative concept into a retail format (e.g., a banner ad into an in-store display graphic).

• Practice preparing a set of files for print, considering bleed, trim, color modes (CMYK), and resolution.

• Prepare to articulate your thought process for ensuring brand consistency and adhering to specific, potentially complex, retailer guidelines.

• Familiarize yourself with common retail collateral types (e.g., aisle fins, shelf talkers, floor graphics, window clings).

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely be highly practical, focusing on your ability to execute production tasks efficiently and accurately. A strong portfolio that directly addresses the "Retail & Production" aspect is non-negotiable. Be prepared to discuss technical details of file preparation and your workflow for managing high volumes.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Advanced proficiency required in Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. These are the core tools for all production and adaptation tasks.

• Adobe Acrobat Pro: Essential for reviewing, preparing, and proofing print-ready files, including preflight checks and adding annotations.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly responsible for analytics, understanding how creative assets perform in retail environments might be beneficial. Familiarity with reporting dashboards that track campaign success or retail foot traffic could provide context. CRM & Automation:

• Less relevant for this specific role, as the focus is on creative production rather than customer relationship management or sales process automation. However, understanding project management software used for task tracking and collaboration is important.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily centered on the Adobe Creative Suite. Candidates must demonstrate mastery of these tools for production-level work. Familiarity with print production workflows and specific software features for pre-press preparation (like preflight checks) is a significant advantage.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Precision & Accuracy: A core value, given the emphasis on detail-oriented work and error-free production for retail environments.

• Efficiency & Productivity: Essential for managing high volumes of artwork and meeting tight deadlines in a fast-paced industry.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Crucial for working effectively with creative, marketing, and retail teams to ensure seamless project execution.

• Brand Integrity: Upholding and accurately representing brand guidelines across all creative outputs.

• Adaptability & Agility: The ability to respond quickly to revisions, updates, and evolving market trends.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive Communication: Engaging with team members and stakeholders early and often to clarify requirements and provide updates.

• Feedback Integration: Openness to receiving and incorporating feedback from creative directors, marketing managers, and potentially client representatives.

• Solution-Oriented: Working collaboratively to find practical solutions to production challenges and creative constraints.

• Shared Ownership: Taking responsibility for the successful delivery of projects as part of a larger team effort.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely values a blend of creative execution and disciplined production. Team members are expected to be reliable, detail-oriented, and able to work effectively under pressure while maintaining positive working relationships. The focus on Gen Z and contemporary culture suggests an appreciation for innovation and relevance.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• High Volume Production: Consistently producing a large quantity of artwork accurately and efficiently under tight deadlines.

• Retailer Specification Complexity: Navigating and adhering to diverse and often complex technical specifications from various US retailers.

• Balancing Brand Vision with Production Constraints: Ensuring creative integrity while meeting strict production requirements and timelines.

• Staying Current: Keeping pace with rapidly evolving design trends, Gen Z culture, and new production technologies.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Production Techniques: Deepening expertise in specialized print production, material specifications, and pre-press workflows.

• Retail Design Strategy: Gaining a better understanding of how design impacts retail merchandising and consumer behavior.

• Software Proficiency: Exploring advanced features within Adobe Creative Suite or learning new design/production software.

• Client-Specific Knowledge: Developing in-depth knowledge of a specific brand's aesthetic, target audience, and retail presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges revolve around the demanding nature of high-volume production and the technical intricacies of retail-specific artwork. Growth opportunities are geared towards mastering these production challenges and potentially moving into more strategic or leadership roles within creative production.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for managing a high-volume production workflow for retail collateral. How do you ensure accuracy and efficiency?" (Focus on workflow, organization, tools, and quality checks).

• "Walk me through a project where you had to adapt an existing creative campaign for multiple retail formats. What were the key considerations and challenges?" (Highlight adaptation process, understanding of retail environments, and problem-solving).

• "How do you approach ensuring brand consistency when resizing or making revisions to artwork across different retail specifications?" (Emphasize attention to detail, brand guidelines, and technical execution). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working with beauty brands and the Gen Z consumer demographic?" (Show genuine enthusiasm and cultural awareness).

• "How do you stay updated on current design trends and the evolving retail landscape?" (Mention specific resources, blogs, social media, or industry publications).

• "Describe your experience collaborating with marketing and creative teams on production projects." (Focus on communication, feedback, and teamwork). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Production: Organize your portfolio to clearly showcase retail production examples first. Use clear titles and brief descriptions that highlight the role and your specific contributions.

• Detail the "How": For each production piece, be prepared to explain the technical steps: file setup, software used, challenges with retailer specs, how you ensured accuracy, and what you learned.

• Quantify if Possible: If you can mention the volume of work or the speed of delivery for certain projects, do so.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your presentation is clean, well-designed, and easy to follow, mirroring the quality you'd bring to client work.

• Enthusiasm for Beauty/Retail: Convey your passion for the industry and understanding of its unique demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to demonstrate not just creative talent, but a robust, systematic approach to production. Your ability to articulate your process for ensuring accuracy, managing volume, and meeting technical specifications will be paramount.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer - Retail & Production position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature at least 3-5 projects that specifically demonstrate your experience in retail production, artwork adaptation, and print-ready file preparation. Highlight projects for recognizable brands or retailers if possible.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly lists your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) and highlights your experience in retail production, mechanical artwork, and managing high volumes of design work. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "managed production of 100+ unique POS assets per quarter").

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, especially for production tasks. Be ready to discuss your methods for ensuring accuracy, managing deadlines, and collaborating with teams. Prepare a concise overview of your most relevant retail production projects.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with CoCreativ, Industrial Color, and the types of brands they work with (especially in the beauty and fashion sectors). Understand their focus on integrated creative production and their long-standing industry presence.

⚠️ 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.