Senior Graphic Designer Toy Branding & Packaging

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer Toy Branding & Packaging

Company: Spin Master

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Packaging Design, Graphic Design, Branding

Date Posted: 2025-06-13T00:00:00

Experience Level: Senior (10+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🎨 Role Summary

• Lead the development of innovative branding and packaging design concepts for the Early Learning toy category, aligning with strategic brand objectives.
• Collaborate closely with the Director, Brand Design, Sr. Creative, and Brand Management to define and execute creative strategy for key brands and individual products.
• Ensure the integrity of design through the production process, working with cross-functional teams including Production, Structural Engineering, Marketing, and Quality Control.
• Manage and mentor 1-2 freelance designers, providing guidance and feedback on their creative work.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

• Create compelling branding and packaging design concepts under the art direction of the Director, Brand Design, ensuring alignment with overall brand strategies and market positioning.
• Translate marketing objectives and product features into visually engaging and effective packaging solutions that resonate with the target audience (early learners and parents).
• Work collaboratively with the production team to oversee the design implementation process, ensuring that final deliverables maintain the intended design quality and specifications.
• Proactively communicate project progress, potential issues, and concerns to the Director, Brand Design, and Project Management, maintaining transparency and facilitating timely decision-making.
• Seek and integrate creative direction and feedback from key stakeholders across product development and marketing teams throughout the design lifecycle.
• Develop and prepare presentation materials, including creative boards and layout presentations, for new and existing business development initiatives and internal reviews.
• Design and adapt packaging assets for digital marketing channels as required, ensuring brand consistency across online platforms.
• Engage with Production, Structural Engineering, Marketing, Quality Control, and Product Development teams, as well as overseas agents, to navigate the package development and approval process efficiently.
• Plan, direct, and manage photoshoots for packaging development, coordinating with the photo studio team to capture necessary imagery.
• Provide mentorship, guidance, and project management support to 1-2 freelance designers, overseeing their contributions to projects.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Undergraduate degree in Graphic Design or a related field, or equivalent practical experience demonstrating a strong foundation in design principles, typography, color theory, and visual communication.

Experience: Minimum of 10 years of professional graphic design experience, with a significant portion focused on consumer products, preferably in the toy industry. A strong portfolio showcasing successful toy branding and packaging projects is essential.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, and Acrobat, for creating complex packaging layouts, illustrations, and marketing materials.
• Proven experience in consumer products packaging design, demonstrating an understanding of retail environments, printing processes, and structural packaging considerations.
• Strong understanding of branding principles and the ability to translate brand strategy into compelling visual identities and packaging systems that resonate with target demographics.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and collaboration skills to effectively interact with internal teams, stakeholders, and external partners.

Preferred Skills:

• Working knowledge of 3D rendering software (e.g., Keyshot) to create realistic product visualizations for packaging concepts and presentations.
• Experience with Esko software or similar packaging pre-press and workflow tools is a significant advantage for managing packaging production files and ensuring print readiness.
• Experience directing or managing photoshoots for product and packaging imagery, including collaborating with photographers and stylists.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Your portfolio should prominently feature examples of toy branding and packaging design projects, showcasing your ability to develop creative concepts from initial ideation to final execution.
• Include case studies that clearly articulate your design process, problem-solving approach, and the strategic thinking behind your packaging solutions.
• Demonstrate strong visual design skills, including typography, color application, illustration, and layout, tailored for the target audience of early learners.
• If applicable, include examples of 3D renderings or visualizations of your packaging designs.

Process Documentation:

• For each relevant project, provide context on the initial design brief, target audience, and strategic objectives.
• Illustrate your ideation process, including sketches, mood boards, and early concepts.
• Detail your approach to structural packaging collaboration and how you addressed production considerations.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry data for Senior Graphic Designers in Toronto with 10+ years of experience and specialization in packaging for consumer goods, particularly toys, the estimated salary range is typically CAD $75,000 - $110,000 annually. This range accounts for the senior level of expertise, specialized industry knowledge, and the cost of living in Toronto. Actual compensation may vary based on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and portfolio quality.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health & Dental Coverage: Access to a robust benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Flexible Work Hours: Opportunities for flexible scheduling to support work-life balance and accommodate creative workflows.
• Retirement Savings Plan: Company-supported retirement savings options.
• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation and paid time off policies.
• Other Fun Perks: Additional benefits and employee programs that contribute to a positive and engaging work environment, potentially including product discounts, company events, or wellness initiatives.

Working Hours: This is a full-time position, typically requiring approximately 40 hours per week. The hybrid work model allows for flexibility in managing your schedule while ensuring necessary collaboration with on-site teams.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Manufacturing - Specifically, the global children's toy, entertainment, and digital gaming industry. This involves a dynamic market with rapid trends and a strong focus on innovation and engaging the target audience.

Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees globally. This indicates a large, established company with structured departments and processes, offering opportunities for collaboration across various disciplines.

Founded: Information not provided, but Spin Master has a significant history as a leading player in the toy industry since 1994, suggesting a mature company with established brands and operational experience.

Team Structure:

• You will be working within the Brand Design team, reporting directly to the Director, Brand Design.
• The role involves close collaboration with Sr. Creative leadership and Brand Management, indicating a structured creative hierarchy.
• Significant cross-functional interaction is required with Production, Structural Engineering, Marketing, Quality Control, and Product Development teams, highlighting a collaborative project environment.

Methodology:

• The design process involves working under art direction and collaborating with multiple internal teams, suggesting a structured, project-based workflow.
• Emphasis on creating concepts that support brand strategies indicates a data-informed and strategically aligned design approach.
• The need to work with production teams and overseas agents points to a process that includes design handoff and manufacturing considerations.

Company Website: https://www.spinmaster.com

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: This is a Senior-level Graphic Designer role, signifying a position with significant responsibility, requiring a high degree of autonomy, strategic input, and the ability to mentor junior/freelance staff. It is a key role in shaping the visual identity of products within a specific category.

Reporting Structure: The position reports to the Director, Brand Design, indicating a clear path for guidance and strategic alignment within the design leadership structure.

Design Impact: As a Senior Graphic Designer in toy packaging, your designs will directly influence consumer perception, purchase decisions, and the overall success of products in the Early Learning category. Your work will have a tangible impact on brand recognition and market performance.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential for advancement within the Brand Design team, potentially to a Lead or Managerial role, overseeing larger projects or teams.
• Opportunities to specialize further in specific areas of toy design, branding, or packaging innovation.
• Exposure to diverse projects across different brands and product lines within Spin Master's portfolio.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: The job is based in Toronto and described as Hybrid, suggesting a blend of on-site work at the office/studio and remote work. This implies a need for a physical workspace equipped for creative work when on-site.

Office Location(s): Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The primary office is located in Toronto, which is a major hub for the creative and business industries in Canada.

Design Workspace Context:

• The hybrid model suggests access to a dedicated creative workspace at the Toronto office, likely equipped with necessary hardware, software, and collaboration tools for design work.
• On-site days will facilitate direct collaboration with the design team, marketing, product development, and other relevant departments, which is crucial for packaging design.
• The work environment is likely to be dynamic and fast-paced, reflecting the nature of the toy industry.

Work Schedule: Full-time with flexible work hours, indicating a degree of autonomy in managing your daily schedule while ensuring project deadlines are met and collaboration needs are addressed.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Expect a review of your resume and portfolio to assess your experience and suitability for the role's requirements.
• Portfolio Presentation: You will likely be asked to present and discuss your portfolio, focusing on your toy branding and packaging projects, design process, and strategic thinking. Be prepared to walk through specific case studies.
• Technical Assessment/Design Challenge: A design exercise or challenge may be part of the process to evaluate your practical skills in software like Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, and your ability to solve design problems relevant to toy packaging.
• Team and Stakeholder Interviews: You will interview with members of the design team, the hiring manager (Director, Brand Design), and potentially stakeholders from marketing or product development to assess your communication skills, collaboration style, and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate your portfolio to prominently feature your strongest toy branding and packaging projects, specifically those relevant to the Early Learning category if possible.
• For each project, clearly outline the problem you solved, your design process, the rationale behind your creative decisions, and the impact of your design.
• Demonstrate your proficiency in the required software through the quality and complexity of your deliverables.
• Be prepared to discuss the technical aspects of packaging design, such as die lines, printing processes, and material considerations.

Challenge Preparation:

• If a design challenge is required, carefully read and understand the brief. Ask clarifying questions if needed.
• Manage your time effectively during the challenge, focusing on demonstrating your design process and problem-solving skills, not just the final output.
• Be prepared to articulate your design decisions and rationale during the presentation of your solution.

ATS Keywords: Branding, Packaging Design, Graphic Design, Toy Industry, Consumer Products, Early Learning, Adobe Creative Suite, Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat, 3D, Keyshot, Esko Software, Creative Strategy, Art Direction, Production, Structural Engineering, Marketing, Quality Control, Product Development, Photoshoot Direction, Freelance Management, Portfolio, Case Study, Design Process, Visual Communication, Typography, Color Theory, Layout, Die Line, Printing Process, Retail Display, Brand Identity, Collaboration, Communication, Problem-Solving, Mentorship.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Adobe Illustrator: Essential for creating vector-based illustrations, logos, and complex packaging die lines. Advanced proficiency is expected.
• Adobe Photoshop: Used for image editing, retouching, and creating visual assets for packaging and marketing materials. Advanced proficiency is expected.
• Adobe InDesign: Crucial for creating packaging layouts, marketing collateral, and presentations. Advanced proficiency is expected.
• Adobe Acrobat: Primarily used for reviewing and preparing files for print production and collaboration.

Collaboration & Handoff:

• Email and likely project management software (e.g., Workday, as indicated by the source ATS) for communication and task tracking.
• Tools for sharing design files and specifications with internal teams and external vendors (e.g., file sharing platforms, potentially Esko for pre-press).

Research & Testing:

• While not explicitly mentioned, familiarity with market research insights and potentially tools for reviewing packaging prototypes or mockups would be beneficial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

• Innovation and Creativity: Spin Master emphasizes pushing the boundaries of innovation and creativity in their products, which likely extends to their design team's values.
• Open-mindedness and Integrity: These are stated as core values for the company, suggesting a culture that values diverse perspectives and ethical practices in design and collaboration.
• Making Life More Fun: The company's mission directly influences the design approach, requiring a focus on creating visually appealing and engaging packaging that enhances the play experience.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative: The role requires working closely with multiple cross-functional teams (Production, Marketing, Product Development, etc.), indicating a collaborative and integrated approach to design.
• Feedback-driven: Collaboration with Sr. Creative and Brand Management suggests a feedback-driven process where design decisions are refined through input from various stakeholders.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

• Balancing creative vision with production constraints and cost considerations inherent in packaging design.
• Designing packaging that is both visually appealing and functional for retail display, shipping, and consumer interaction, while also adhering to safety regulations for children's products.
• Staying updated on the latest packaging materials, printing technologies, and sustainable design practices.
• Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously in a fast-paced industry.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Opportunities to work on a diverse range of toy brands and product lines, expanding your portfolio and expertise.
• Exposure to global markets and different cultural considerations in packaging design.
• Potential for professional development through training on new software, packaging technologies, or design trends.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

• Describe your end-to-end design process for a packaging project, from receiving the brief to final production files. Be specific about your steps and considerations.
• Walk me through a challenging packaging design problem you faced and how you approached solving it. Highlight your problem-solving skills and creative thinking.
• How do you incorporate user feedback and market insights into your packaging design decisions? Provide examples from your portfolio.

Company Culture Questions:

• What aspects of working in the toy industry appeal to you, and how does your passion for design align with creating products for children?
• Describe your experience collaborating with cross-functional teams (e.g., marketing, engineering) on design projects. How do you ensure effective communication and alignment?
• How do you stay current with design trends, particularly in the toy and packaging industries? What inspires your creative work?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Begin by providing context for each project: the brand, the product, the target audience, and the design challenge.
• Focus on showcasing your design process and strategic thinking through case studies. Don't just show the final output; explain the "why" behind your decisions.
• Highlight your technical skills by discussing your use of design software and your understanding of packaging production.
• Be prepared to discuss the impact of your designs, such as how they contributed to brand recognition or product sales (if applicable).

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

• Submit your application through this link on the Spin Master careers site.
• Ensure your resume highlights your relevant experience in graphic design, particularly in consumer products and packaging, and includes specific examples of your accomplishments.
• Prepare a strong online portfolio showcasing your best toy branding and packaging design projects, with detailed case studies illustrating your design process and impact.
• Tailor your application and cover letter to specifically address the requirements and responsibilities outlined in this job description, demonstrating your understanding of the role and your enthusiasm for working in the toy industry.