Color and Graphic Designer – Bike Graphics

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Color and Graphic Designer – Bike Graphics

Company: Specialized Bicycle Components

Location: United States, CA, Morgan Hill (Office)

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Design (Graphic)

Date Posted: June 4, 2025

Experience Level: Entry-level (0-2 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🎨 Design Role Summary

• Focus on creating visually appealing and functional graphics for bikes, ensuring designs meet the needs of riders.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product designers, engineers, and marketers, to develop graphics that align with brand guidelines and product specifications.
• Contribute to the design process by providing creative ideas, sketching concepts, and preparing final artwork for production.
• Stay up-to-date with industry trends and competitor activities to ensure Specialized's graphics remain innovative and relevant.

🖼️ Primary Design Responsibilities

• Develop graphics for bike frames, components, and accessories, ensuring they align with Specialized's brand identity and product aesthetics.
• Create design concepts, sketches, and mockups to communicate ideas and gather feedback from stakeholders.
• Prepare final artwork for production, ensuring it meets the required technical specifications and quality standards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure graphics are integrated into product designs and meet functional requirements.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of Specialized's design system, ensuring consistency and quality across all graphics.

🎓 Design Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or a related field. Alternatively, a portfolio demonstrating equivalent skills and experience.

Experience: 0-2 years of professional experience in graphic design, with a focus on product or brand graphics. Relevant internships or personal projects will be considered.

Required Design Skills:

• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop) for creating and editing graphics.
• Strong understanding of color theory, typography, and layout principles.
• Ability to create and present design concepts, sketches, and mockups.
• Proficiency in 3D modeling software (e.g., Blender, Cinema 4D) for creating and manipulating 3D graphics.

Preferred Design Skills:

• Experience with design systems and style guides for maintaining brand consistency.
• Familiarity with the cycling industry and its design trends.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Include a variety of graphic design projects, with a focus on product or brand graphics, to demonstrate your range and versatility.
• Showcase your ability to create and present design concepts, sketches, and mockups.
• Demonstrate your understanding of color theory, typography, and layout principles through your design choices.
• Include examples of your work that showcase your ability to meet technical specifications and quality standards.

Design Process Documentation:

• Include case studies or project overviews that detail your research and discovery process, ideation and iteration methods, and validation and testing approaches.
• Demonstrate your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders throughout the design process.
• Showcase your understanding of design systems and style guides by including examples of how you've maintained brand consistency in your projects.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The salary range for this position is $55,000 - $70,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications. This range is based on market research for graphic designers in the United States, with a focus on the San Francisco Bay Area, where Specialized's headquarters is located.

Benefits:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their dependents.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Employee discounts on Specialized products and gear.
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth within the organization.

Working Hours: This role is expected to work standard business hours, Monday through Friday, with some flexibility for project demands. The working environment is generally collaborative and supportive, with a focus on open communication and teamwork.

🎯 Design Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Specialized operates in the bicycle industry, focusing on the design, manufacture, and distribution of high-performance bicycles and related products. The company's success is driven by its commitment to innovation, quality, and rider-focused design.

Company Size: Specialized is a mid-sized company with approximately 1,000-5,000 employees globally, providing a dynamic and collaborative work environment for its design team.

Founded: Specialized was founded in 1974 and has since grown to become one of the world's leading bicycle brands, with a strong commitment to sustainability and community involvement.

Design Team Structure:

• The design team at Specialized is composed of various disciplines, including product designers, graphic designers, and industrial designers, working together to create innovative and functional bicycle products.
• The team is organized into cross-functional groups, with each group responsible for a specific product category (e.g., road bikes, mountain bikes, etc.).
• The graphic designer role reports directly to the Design Manager and collaborates closely with product designers, engineers, and marketers within their respective product category groups.

Design Methodology:

• Specialized employs a user-centered design approach, focusing on the needs and preferences of riders to inform its design decisions.
• The design process involves research and discovery, ideation and concept development, prototyping and testing, and refinement and iteration.
• The team uses a variety of tools and software to facilitate collaboration and communication throughout the design process, including 3D modeling software, design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite), and project management tools (e.g., JIRA).

Company Website: http://www.specialized.com

📈 Design Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: This role is an entry-level position within Specialized's design team, providing an opportunity for a junior graphic designer to gain experience working on high-profile projects and collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Reporting Structure: The Color and Graphic Designer reports directly to the Design Manager and works closely with product designers, engineers, and marketers within their respective product category groups.

Design Impact: The graphics created for Specialized's bikes have a significant impact on the overall aesthetic and brand identity of the products. The work of the Color and Graphic Designer contributes to the company's ability to create visually appealing and functional bicycles that meet the needs of riders.

Growth Opportunities:

• As a junior graphic designer, this role provides an opportunity to gain experience working on a wide range of projects and collaborating with various teams. With strong performance and a demonstrated ability to take on additional responsibilities, there may be opportunities for advancement to mid-level or senior roles within the design team.
• Specialized offers opportunities for professional development and career growth through its internal training programs, workshops, and conferences. Employees are encouraged to pursue relevant certifications and continuing education to enhance their skills and advance their careers.
• As the company continues to expand its product offerings and enter new markets, there may be opportunities for designers to specialize in specific product categories or regions, taking on more strategic and leadership roles within the organization.

🌐 Design Work Environment

Studio Type: Specialized's design studio is a dynamic and collaborative workspace, with open-plan offices and dedicated design spaces for sketching, modeling, and prototyping. The environment is designed to facilitate cross-functional collaboration and communication.

Office Location(s): The primary office for this role is located in Morgan Hill, California, with additional offices in various locations around the world. The Morgan Hill office is conveniently located near major highways and public transportation, with on-site parking available for employees.

Design Workspace Context:

• The design workspace at Specialized is equipped with state-of-the-art design software, 3D modeling tools, and prototyping equipment to support the creation of innovative and functional bicycle products.
• The open-plan office layout encourages collaboration and communication between designers, engineers, and other stakeholders, with dedicated spaces for team meetings, workshops, and presentations.
• The design team at Specialized is composed of diverse and talented individuals, with a range of skills, experiences, and backgrounds. This diversity fosters a creative and inclusive work environment, with opportunities for learning and growth.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule for this role is Monday through Friday, from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, with a 30-minute lunch break. The work schedule is generally flexible, with opportunities for remote work or adjusted hours based on project demands and team needs.

📄 Design Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

• The design interview process at Specialized typically consists of four stages: an initial phone or video screen, a design challenge or case study presentation, a portfolio review, and a final interview with the Design Manager and other team members.
• Candidates are encouraged to prepare a portfolio that showcases their design process, creative thinking, and technical skills, with a focus on graphic design projects relevant to the role.
• During the design challenge or case study presentation, candidates will be asked to present their design process, explain their creative decisions, and demonstrate their ability to work with feedback and iterate on their designs.
• Throughout the interview process, candidates will have the opportunity to meet with various team members and learn about the company's culture, values, and design approach.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight your design process and creative thinking by including case studies or project overviews that detail your research and discovery process, ideation and iteration methods, and validation and testing approaches.
• Showcase your ability to work with 3D graphics and integrate them into your designs by including examples of your work that demonstrate your proficiency with 3D modeling software (e.g., Blender, Cinema 4D).
• Demonstrate your understanding of Specialized's brand identity and design guidelines by including examples of your work that showcase your ability to create graphics that align with the company's visual language and aesthetic.
• Include any cycling-related projects or designs in your portfolio to highlight your passion and understanding of the industry, and to demonstrate your ability to create graphics that resonate with riders.

Design Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with Specialized's brand identity, design guidelines, and product offerings to ensure your design challenge or case study presentation aligns with the company's visual language and aesthetic.
• Prepare a design process that demonstrates your ability to research and discover user needs, ideate and iterate on design concepts, and validate and test your designs with stakeholders.
• Practice presenting your design process and creative decisions clearly and concisely, with a focus on communicating the value of your design choices to a non-design audience.

Design ATS Keywords:

• Design Skills: Adobe Creative Suite, 3D modeling, graphic design, color theory, typography, layout principles, design systems, style guides, design thinking, user-centered design, design process, design challenge, case study presentation, portfolio review.
• Tools: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Blender, Cinema 4D, JIRA, 3D printing, prototyping.
• Methodologies: user research, design thinking, ideation, iteration, validation, testing, design system management, brand consistency.
• Soft Skills: collaboration, communication, problem-solving, creativity, adaptability, attention to detail, time management, project management, stakeholder management.
• Industry Terms: bicycle design, product graphics, brand graphics, cycling industry, rider-focused design, design for manufacture, design for assembly, design for disassembly, sustainability, user experience, user interface, human factors, ergonomics.

🛠 Design Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Adobe Illustrator: Used for creating and editing vector graphics, with a focus on logo design, branding, and product graphics. Illustrator is essential for creating and preparing final artwork for production.
• Adobe Photoshop: Used for editing raster graphics, with a focus on photo manipulation, compositing, and color correction. Photoshop is useful for creating and preparing graphics for web and digital applications.
• Blender: An open-source 3D modeling software used for creating and manipulating 3D graphics. Blender is essential for working with 3D models and creating graphics for bike frames, components, and accessories.
• Cinema 4D: A professional 3D modeling, animation, and rendering application used for creating and manipulating 3D graphics. Cinema 4D is an alternative to Blender and may be used for more complex 3D modeling tasks.

Design Collaboration & Handoff:

• JIRA: An issue tracking and project management tool used to facilitate collaboration and communication between designers, engineers, and other stakeholders. JIRA is essential for tracking design tasks, managing project timelines, and ensuring design consistency across all products.
• 3D printing: Specialized uses 3D printing technology to create prototypes and test design concepts. Designers work closely with engineers and prototyping specialists to ensure graphics are integrated into product designs and meet functional requirements.
• Prototyping: Specialized uses a variety of prototyping techniques, including 3D printing, CNC machining, and handcrafting, to create and test design concepts. Designers work closely with engineers and prototyping specialists to ensure graphics are integrated into product designs and meet functional requirements.

Design Research & Testing:

• User research: Specialized employs a user-centered design approach, focusing on the needs and preferences of riders to inform its design decisions. Designers conduct user research through surveys, interviews, and observations to gather insights and inform the design process.
• Design thinking: Specialized uses design thinking methodologies to facilitate collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving within the design team. Design thinking involves a human-centered approach to innovation that draws on empathy, experimentation, and iteration.
• Usability testing: Specialized conducts usability testing to evaluate the effectiveness and ease of use of its products. Designers work closely with engineers and human factors specialists to ensure graphics are integrated into product designs and meet user needs.

👥 Design Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

• Innovation: Specialized values innovation and encourages its design team to push the boundaries of what's possible in bicycle design. The company invests in research and development to ensure its products remain at the forefront of the industry.
• Quality: Specialized is committed to delivering the highest quality products to its customers. The design team works diligently to ensure that every detail of every product meets the company's exacting standards.
• Rider-focused design: Specialized prioritizes the needs and preferences of riders in its design decisions. The design team works closely with riders, athletes, and other stakeholders to ensure that the company's products meet the demands of the market and exceed customer expectations.
• Collaboration: Specialized values collaboration and encourages its design team to work closely with other departments, including product design, engineering, and marketing, to ensure that all aspects of the product development process are aligned and integrated.

Design Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional collaboration: Specialized's design team works closely with other departments, including product design, engineering, marketing, and sales, to ensure that all aspects of the product development process are aligned and integrated. This cross-functional collaboration ensures that the company's products meet the needs of riders and exceed customer expectations.
• Design critique culture: Specialized fosters a culture of design critique, with regular design reviews and feedback sessions to ensure that the design team's work is held to the highest standards. This culture of critique encourages designers to learn from one another and continually improve their skills and abilities.
• Design system contribution: Specialized maintains a design system that ensures consistency and quality across all of its products. The design team contributes to the design system by creating and maintaining design guidelines, component libraries, and style guides.

⚡ Design Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

• Design for manufacture: Specialized's design team must consider the manufacturing constraints and requirements of its products, ensuring that designs are feasible and cost-effective to produce. This challenge requires a strong understanding of materials, manufacturing processes, and supply chain management.
• Design for assembly and disassembly: Specialized is committed to creating products that are easy to assemble, use, and maintain. The design team must consider the assembly and disassembly requirements of the company's products, ensuring that designs are intuitive and user-friendly.
• Design for sustainability: Specialized is committed to creating products that are environmentally responsible and sustainable. The design team must consider the environmental impact of the company's products throughout their lifecycle, from materials sourcing and manufacturing to end-of-life disposal and recycling.
• Design for the global market: Specialized sells its products in markets around the world, with varying cultural, regional, and linguistic considerations. The design team must create graphics that are universally appealing and culturally appropriate, ensuring that the company's products resonate with riders in diverse markets.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Design skill advancement: Specialized offers opportunities for designers to advance their skills and specialize in specific areas of design, such as product graphics, brand graphics, or user interface design. The company provides training and development opportunities to support designers' career growth and progression.
• Industry conference and workshop participation: Specialized encourages its design team to attend industry conferences and workshops to stay up-to-date with the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in bicycle design. The company provides financial support and time off for designers to attend these events.
• Design mentorship and leadership development: Specialized offers mentorship and leadership development opportunities to support designers' career growth and progression. The company provides guidance and support to help designers develop the skills and abilities necessary to take on more strategic and leadership roles within the organization.

💡 Design Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

• Design process question: Can you walk us through your design process for creating graphics for a bike frame? Please explain how you gather and interpret user feedback, ideate and iterate on design concepts, and validate and refine your designs.
• Design collaboration question: Can you describe a time when you worked collaboratively with a cross-functional team to create graphics for a product? How did you ensure that your designs met the needs of all stakeholders and aligned with the company's brand identity and product specifications?
• Design problem-solving question: Can you describe a design challenge you faced and how you approached it? What steps did you take to research and understand the problem, ideate and iterate on potential solutions, and validate and refine your design based on feedback and testing?

Company & Design Culture Questions:

• Company culture question: How do you see yourself fitting into Specialized's company culture and design team dynamics? What aspects of our culture and values resonate with you, and how do you think you can contribute to our team's success?
• Design team dynamics question: Can you describe a time when you worked as part of a design team and how you contributed to the team's success? What steps did you take to foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment, and how did you support the growth and development of your teammates?
• Design impact question: How do you approach measuring the impact of your design decisions on the user experience and business outcomes? Can you provide an example of a design project where you tracked and analyzed design metrics to inform your design process and improve the user experience?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Case study structure: When presenting your portfolio, structure your case studies around the design process, with a clear narrative that explains your research and discovery process, ideation and iteration methods, and validation and testing approaches. This structure will help the hiring manager understand your design thinking and creative problem-solving skills.
• Visual presentation techniques: Use high-quality visuals to illustrate your design process and showcase your design skills. Include sketches, mockups, and final artwork to demonstrate your ability to create and refine design concepts throughout the design process.
• Interactive demonstration: If possible, include interactive demonstrations or prototypes to illustrate the functionality and user experience of your designs. This can help the hiring manager understand how your designs would translate into real-world products and user experiences.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

• Submit your application through the Specialized job application portal.
• Concrete preparation step 1: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your graphic design skills and experience, with a focus on product or brand graphics. Include any cycling-related projects or designs to demonstrate your passion and understanding of the industry.
• Concrete preparation step 2: Research Specialized's brand identity, design guidelines, and product offerings to ensure your application and portfolio align with the company's visual language and aesthetic. Familiarize yourself with the company's design process and methodology to demonstrate your understanding of the role and your ability to contribute to the team's success.
• Concrete preparation step 3: Prepare for the design interview process by practicing your design process presentation and portfolio review. Familiarize yourself with the company's design challenges and growth opportunities, and consider how your skills and experiences align with the role's requirements and the company's design culture.
• Concrete preparation step 4: Research Specialized's company culture, values, and design team dynamics to ensure a strong cultural fit and alignment with the company's mission and goals. Prepare questions to ask the hiring manager and other team members about the company's design approach, team structure, and growth opportunities.