Graphic Designer (Contract)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer (Contract)

Company: LCBO

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Job Type: Hybrid, Contract (up to 18 months)

Category: Graphic Design

Date Posted: June 4, 2025

Experience Level: 2-5 years

Remote Status: On-site

🎨 Design Role Summary

• Create engaging and impactful designs for in-store signage, promotional materials, and advertising campaigns
• Collaborate with marketing teams to understand project goals and deliver effective design solutions
• Conceptualize, design, and produce marketing materials aligned with LCBO brand guidelines and industry standards
• Plan and direct photography sessions, ensuring visual storytelling and brand consistency

🖼️ Primary Design Responsibilities

• Develop creative concepts for thematic point-of-purchase (POP) displays, shopping guides, catalogues, flyers/brochures, advertisements, corporate signage, and event branding
• Build presentation mock-ups for stakeholder review and approval
• Oversee digital signage applications of print signage to ensure consistency and visual impact
• Collaborate with in-house production artists to provide design oversight and experience for visual design solutions, layout, imagery, illustration, and typography
• Participate in brainstorming sessions and contribute to the creative development process

🎓 Design Skills & Qualifications

Education: A bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, or a related field is preferred

Experience: 2-5 years of experience in graphic design, with a focus on retail or marketing design

Required Design Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator)
• Strong understanding of both print-production and digital design best practices
• Experience in photography planning and art direction
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Strong attention to detail and a keen eye for visual storytelling

Preferred Design Skills:

• Experience working with brand guidelines and industry standards
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects
• Familiarity with LCBO brand guidelines and visual identity

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Include a variety of design projects, showcasing your ability to create visually appealing and on-brand marketing materials
• Highlight your experience with in-store signage, promotional materials, and advertising campaigns
• Demonstrate your understanding of print-production and digital design best practices
• Showcase your photography planning and art direction skills through case studies or before-and-after examples

Design Process Documentation:

• Include sketches, mood boards, and other early-stage design concepts to demonstrate your creative thinking and problem-solving skills
• Showcase your ability to iterate and refine designs based on feedback and stakeholder input
• Demonstrate your understanding of the design approval process and any relevant design system or style guide considerations

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $63,457 - $108,105 CAD per year (based on LCBO's salary ranges for similar roles)

Benefits:

• Employee & Family Assistance Program
• Defined Benefit Pension
• Discounts on products and services via Workperks

Working Hours: 36.25 hours per week (based on a 37.5-hour workweek)

🎯 Design Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Retail (Liquor Retail)

Company Size: 5,001-10,000 employees

Founded: 1927

Design Team Structure:

• Centralized creative studio with dedicated graphic designers, production artists, and photography specialists
• Collaborative structure with marketing teams, including directors, managers, and coordinators
• Cross-functional collaboration with various departments, such as product development, category management, and event planning

Design Methodology:

• User-centered design approach, focusing on customer needs and preferences
• Iterative design process, with regular stakeholder feedback and refinement
• Consistent application of LCBO brand guidelines and visual identity

Company Website: lcbo.com

📈 Design Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: Mid-level graphic designer with a focus on retail and marketing design

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Graphic Design Manager, Creative Studio

Design Impact: Designs have a direct impact on in-store customer experience, driving sales and brand awareness

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to take on more complex projects and lead junior designers as experience grows
• Opportunities to contribute to LCBO's digital transformation and expand design skills into emerging channels
• Potential for full-time employment or permanent contract extensions based on performance and organizational needs

🌐 Design Work Environment

Studio Type: On-site, collaborative creative studio with dedicated design spaces and shared work areas

Office Location(s): 100 Queens Quay East, 9th Floor, Toronto

Design Workspace Context:

• Access to dedicated design software and hardware, including Adobe Creative Suite and high-resolution printers
• Collaborative workspaces with shared resources and easy access to photography studios and production facilities
• Opportunities for cross-functional collaboration and knowledge-sharing with marketing, product, and event teams

Work Schedule: Flexible work schedule with core hours between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, with some flexibility for project demands

📄 Design Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

• Initial phone or video screen with HR to discuss qualifications and portfolio
• In-person or virtual design challenge, focusing on in-store signage and promotional materials
• Final in-person or virtual interview with the Graphic Design Manager, Creative Studio, to discuss fit, culture, and career aspirations

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight your ability to create visually appealing and on-brand marketing materials
• Showcase your understanding of print-production and digital design best practices
• Demonstrate your photography planning and art direction skills through case studies or before-and-after examples
• Include any relevant experience working with brand guidelines and industry standards

Design Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with LCBO's brand guidelines and visual identity
• Prepare a variety of design concepts, showcasing your ability to create engaging and impactful marketing materials
• Practice presenting your design process and rationale, focusing on visual storytelling and stakeholder communication

Design ATS Keywords:

• Design Skills: Adobe Creative Suite, Print Production, Digital Design, Art Direction, Visual Storytelling, Brand Guidelines, Typography
• Tools: Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Photography Software (e.g., Adobe Lightroom, Capture One)
• Methodologies: User-centered Design, Iterative Design, Collaborative Design, Brand Management
• Soft Skills: Communication, Presentation, Project Management, Attention to Detail, Creativity, Problem-solving
• Industry Terms: In-store Signage, Promotional Materials, Advertising Campaigns, Brand Consistency, Retail Design

🛠 Design Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for creating visually appealing and on-brand marketing materials
• Photoshop: Used for image editing, manipulation, and compositing
• Illustrator: Used for vector-based graphics and illustrations
• InDesign: Used for layout, typography, and design of marketing materials

Design Collaboration & Handoff:

• Shared drives and cloud storage: Facilitate collaboration and access to design files and assets
• Version control systems: Ensure consistency and track changes across design projects
• Design handoff tools: Streamline the transfer of design files to production teams and external vendors

Design Research & Testing:

• Photography software: Capture, edit, and manage high-quality images for use in marketing materials
• Analytics tools: Monitor and optimize design performance based on customer feedback and sales data

👥 Design Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

• Customer focus: Prioritize customer needs and preferences in design decisions
• Collaboration: Work closely with marketing teams and cross-functional departments to deliver effective design solutions
• Creativity: Encourage innovative and impactful design concepts that drive engagement and sales
• Brand consistency: Ensure adherence to LCBO brand guidelines and visual identity across all marketing materials

Design Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional teams: Work closely with marketing, product, and event teams to deliver integrated design solutions
• Stakeholder communication: Effectively communicate design concepts, rationale, and progress to stakeholders
• Design critique and feedback: Foster a culture of open communication, constructive feedback, and continuous learning

⚡ Design Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

• Tight deadlines: Manage multiple projects and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Brand consistency: Maintain visual consistency and adherence to brand guidelines across various marketing materials
• Adaptability: Quickly understand and adapt to new brand guidelines, design systems, or project requirements

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• On-the-job training: Gain experience working with LCBO's brand guidelines and design systems
• Workshops and seminars: Attend industry events, workshops, and seminars to expand design skills and knowledge
• Mentorship opportunities: Collaborate with senior designers and industry professionals to develop design expertise

💡 Design Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

• Design process and methodology: Describe your design process, focusing on visual storytelling, stakeholder communication, and brand consistency
• Design collaboration and stakeholder management: Discuss your experience working with cross-functional teams and managing stakeholder expectations
• Design problem-solving: Present case studies or examples showcasing your ability to create engaging and impactful marketing materials in response to specific design challenges

Company & Design Culture Questions:

• LCBO design culture: Demonstrate your understanding of LCBO's design culture, focusing on collaboration, customer focus, and adherence to brand guidelines
• Design team dynamics: Show your ability to work effectively within a collaborative design team and contribute to a positive work environment
• Design impact measurement: Discuss your experience measuring and optimizing design performance based on customer feedback and sales data

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Case study structure: Organize your portfolio around specific design projects, highlighting your design process, rationale, and impact
• Visual presentation techniques: Use high-quality images, clear typography, and consistent layout to showcase your design skills and aesthetic
• Interactive demonstration: Prepare interactive presentations or prototypes to engage interviewers and demonstrate your design thinking and problem-solving skills

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this graphic designer (contract) position:

• Submit your resume and portfolio via the LCBO Careers website
• Tailor your portfolio to showcase your ability to create visually appealing and on-brand marketing materials, with a focus on in-store signage and promotional campaigns
• Optimize your resume for design roles, highlighting your design skills, experience, and relevant keywords
• Prepare for design interviews by practicing your design process, rationale, and presentation skills, focusing on visual storytelling and stakeholder communication
• Research LCBO's design culture, brand guidelines, and industry trends to demonstrate your understanding and enthusiasm for the role