Associate Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Associate Graphic Designer

Company: 686 Technical Apparel

Location: Gardena, CA

Job Type: Full-Time, Contractor

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: April 09, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 Days In-Office)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is integral to translating raw creative assets into polished, on-brand static and animated visuals across all marketing channels, with a strong emphasis on digital platforms and emerging technologies.

• The Associate Graphic Designer will support the Art Director and SVP Marketing in executing the creative vision, ensuring brand consistency and adherence to visual identity guidelines across diverse marketing materials.

• A key aspect involves collaborating cross-functionally with marketing, e-commerce, sales, and product teams to deliver cohesive and timely creative assets that align with campaign objectives and product launches.

• This position requires a proactive and independent contributor who can manage multiple projects efficiently, maintain a high bar for craft, and contribute to a dynamic, team-driven creative environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job description strongly emphasizes a digital-first approach and the need to stay current with emerging technologies, including AI tools. This suggests the role will involve creating assets for dynamic online campaigns, social media, and potentially interactive digital experiences, requiring adaptability and a forward-thinking design mindset.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and produce high-quality, on-brand visual assets for a wide array of marketing channels, including web (product detail pages - PDP), email newsletters, paid media advertisements, social media content, event collateral, out-of-home advertising, and catalog layouts.

• Support the conceptualization and execution of seasonal marketing campaigns by developing layouts, resizing assets for various platforms, and performing production design tasks to ensure visual consistency.

• Create and maintain visually appealing and functional PDP layouts and other marketing graphics that strictly adhere to established brand style guides and visual identity standards.

• Perform light video editing tasks, including the creation of GIFs, short promotional clips (3-8 seconds) for banners and ads, and social media video snippets.

• Retouch and prepare photography for both digital (web) and print applications, ensuring optimal quality and brand alignment.

• Contribute to the development and evolution of the brand's identity and guidelines, including typography, color palettes, layout systems, and overall visual tone.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including marketing, e-commerce, sales, and product development, to ensure all creative assets are accurate, cohesive, and delivered according to project timelines.

• Act as a self-starter with a strong grasp of the brand's vision, capable of leading design efforts and elevating the work of others when required.

• Proactively research and stay updated on emerging design tools, technologies, and trends, with a particular focus on incorporating AI tools into the design workflow.

• Assist with photoshoot logistics by providing design preparation, post-production support, and meticulous organization of creative assets.

• Contribute to the creation of mood boards and participate in creative exploration sessions under the guidance of the Art Director.

• Manage a high volume of diverse projects with speed, precision, and stylistic integrity, consistently balancing efficiency with a commitment to high-quality craft and brand consistency.

• Actively participate in team ideation sessions, share creative concepts, and support teammates to foster a strong, collaborative creative flow.

• Demonstrate a willingness to assist in any capacity needed to support the team's collective success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for versatility, covering everything from static digital assets and print production to light video editing and photography retouching. The emphasis on "translating raw assets" and "production design" indicates a strong focus on execution and refinement within established brand parameters, rather than pure concept generation, though contributions to mood boards and creative exploration are also valued.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While specific degree requirements are not listed, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is typically expected for roles with this experience level and responsibility scope.

Experience: 2-5 years of relevant professional experience in graphic design, preferably within a brand or agency setting, with a proven track record in producing high-quality creative assets.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Lightroom, and Adobe Premiere.

• Expertise in Figma for design and collaboration.

• Familiarity and practical application of emerging AI design tools (e.g., nano banana, higgsfield, freepik, or similar).

• Strong understanding of outdoor, snow sports, or fashion culture and aesthetics.

• Solid grasp of fundamental design principles, including typography, layout, and visual hierarchy.

• Experience in preparing design files for both digital production (web, social media, paid media) and print production.

• Ability to receive and interpret direction effectively, executing designs within established brand guidelines.

• Excellent attention to detail and strong organizational skills for managing multiple projects and assets.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects concurrently and meet tight deadlines.

• Basic video editing skills for creating short-form content.

• Competency in photo retouching techniques to enhance and prepare imagery.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with project management tools such as Asana, Slack, and Microsoft Teams.

• Familiarity with e-commerce platforms and best practices for online visual merchandising.

• Experience in developing and maintaining brand identity guidelines.

• Basic understanding of web design principles and UI/UX considerations.

• Experience supporting photoshoots through pre-production design and post-production asset management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for proficiency in both Adobe Creative Suite and Figma, alongside emerging AI tools, indicates a modern design workflow. The emphasis on specific industry knowledge (outdoor, snow, fashion) suggests candidates with relevant background will have a distinct advantage. The portfolio is explicitly called out as a critical requirement.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-5 years of professional graphic design and production work.

• Include examples demonstrating proficiency across diverse marketing channels: digital (web, social, paid media) and print.

• Feature projects that highlight adherence to brand guidelines and successful execution of a creative vision, particularly within the outdoor, snow, or fashion industries.

• Present case studies or project breakdowns that illustrate the design process, problem-solving approach, and final output.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the end-to-end design process, from brief interpretation to final asset delivery.

• Provide examples of how you manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines using project management tools or methodologies.

• Illustrate your approach to asset resizing and adaptation for various platforms and formats.

• Showcase your workflow for photo retouching and preparation for digital and print use.

• Include examples of how you incorporate feedback and revisions into your design work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is expected to reflect not just aesthetic skill but also a practical understanding of production workflows, brand adherence, and cross-channel application. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their process for managing projects and incorporating feedback, demonstrating efficiency and organization.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $95,000 - $120,000 per year. This range is competitive for an Associate Graphic Designer role with 2-5 years of experience in the Gardena, CA area, reflecting the required technical proficiencies and industry knowledge.

Benefits: Specific benefits are not detailed in the provided listing. However, typical benefits for full-time employees at companies of this size and industry often include:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance

• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Holidays

• 401(k) Retirement Plan with potential company match

• Employee Discounts on 686 products

• Opportunities for professional development and training

• Potential for performance-based bonuses (for full-time roles)

Working Hours: The standard workweek is 40 hours. The role is designated as hybrid, requiring 3 days per week in the Gardena, CA office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided and appears competitive for the Los Angeles metropolitan area, considering the experience level and specialized skills required. For contract roles, compensation would be negotiated on an hourly or project basis, likely aligning with the upper end of this annual range when prorated.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Outdoor Apparel and Technical Outerwear. 686 Technical Apparel has a long-standing history in the industry, focusing on innovation, performance, and community engagement within the action sports (snowboarding, skiing) and broader outdoor lifestyle markets.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the mention of a "creative team" and "cross-functional collaboration" suggests a mid-sized company with established departments. The company has a significant online presence and history, indicating a structured organization.

Founded: Founded nearly three decades ago, suggesting a mature brand with established processes, a strong heritage, and a deep understanding of its market.

Team Structure:

• The Associate Graphic Designer will be part of the creative team, reporting to an Art Director and working closely with the SVP Marketing.

• This role requires significant cross-functional collaboration with e-commerce, marketing, sales, and product teams, indicating an integrated and communicative organizational structure.

Methodology:

• Creative execution is guided by an established Art Director vision and brand identity guidelines.

• A strong emphasis is placed on translating raw assets into polished, on-brand visuals for diverse marketing channels.

• The team is expected to stay current with emerging tools and technologies, including AI, suggesting an openness to innovation and efficiency improvements.

• Project management is likely supported by tools like Slack, Teams, and Asana, indicating a structured approach to workflow and communication.

Company Website: https://www.686.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: 686 Technical Apparel has a strong brand identity rooted in the snow and outdoor sports community. The company culture appears to value collaboration, innovation, and a hands-on, team-oriented approach. Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of and passion for this lifestyle market.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an "Associate" level, typically indicating an entry to mid-level position for someone with 2-5 years of experience. It involves executing designs under direction but also offers opportunities for independent contribution and ownership of specific creative tasks.

Reporting Structure: The Associate Graphic Designer reports to the Art Director and works closely with the SVP Marketing. This structure allows for clear creative direction and alignment with broader marketing strategies.

Operations Impact: The role directly impacts the visual presentation and brand perception across all marketing channels. High-quality, on-brand assets are crucial for driving engagement, conversions (especially on e-commerce PDPs), and reinforcing brand identity in a competitive market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific design areas like digital asset creation, motion graphics, or advanced photo retouching.

• Brand Guideline Development: Potential to contribute more significantly to evolving brand identity and guidelines as experience grows.

• Project Leadership: With demonstrated success, opportunities may arise to lead smaller creative projects or specific campaign elements.

• Industry Exposure: Exposure to the dynamic outdoor apparel industry, fostering knowledge of market trends, consumer behavior, and product development cycles.

• Cross-Functional Acumen: Developing a strong understanding of how design integrates with e-commerce, marketing, and sales strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not a traditional "operations" role, the emphasis on process, efficiency, and cross-functional collaboration aligns with operations principles. Growth potential lies in deepening design expertise, taking on more responsibility within the creative function, and understanding the business impact of design decisions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid model, requiring 3 days per week in the Gardena, CA office. This suggests a blend of in-person collaboration and remote work flexibility.

Office Location(s): Gardena, CA. The office address provided is 227 E. Compton Blvd., Gardena, CA 90248. This location is within Los Angeles County.

Workspace Context:

• The office environment is expected to be collaborative, given the emphasis on teamwork and cross-functional interaction.

• Access to necessary design tools (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, etc.) and potentially updated hardware is implied.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with the Art Director, marketing teams, and potentially product teams will be available during in-office days.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour workweek, with a hybrid arrangement. This implies a need for efficient time management to balance in-office collaboration with remote productivity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role requires candidates to be comfortable working both independently and collaboratively in a shared office space. The Gardena location serves as the primary hub for team interaction and creative direction.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process: Typically involves several stages:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and fit.

• Creative Assessment/Design Test: Candidates may be asked to complete a design exercise or provide a more in-depth portfolio walkthrough addressing specific challenges.

• Interviews: Discussions with the Art Director, SVP Marketing, and potentially other team members to evaluate skills, cultural fit, and understanding of the brand.

• Reference Checks: Verification of past employment and performance.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your skills relevant to the job description – digital assets, campaign work, brand adherence, and potentially light video/retouching.

• Highlight Brand Alignment: Include work that demonstrates your understanding of the outdoor/snow/fashion aesthetic and your ability to work within established brand guidelines. If you have relevant work for similar brands, feature it prominently.

• Showcase Process: For key projects, briefly explain your role, the challenge, your approach, and the outcome. This demonstrates your problem-solving skills and design thinking.

• Quality over Quantity: Ensure all presented work is polished and meets a high standard. Fewer, stronger pieces are better than many weaker ones.

• Digital Focus: Since the role is heavily digital, ensure your digital portfolio examples are easily accessible and visually impactful online.

• AI Tool Integration: If you have examples of using AI tools in your workflow, consider including them and be prepared to discuss how you leverage them.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your experience with Adobe Creative Suite and Figma in detail, including specific features or workflows you utilize.

• Familiarize yourself with 686's current marketing campaigns, website, and social media presence. Understand their brand voice and visual style.

• Practice articulating your design process and decision-making for hypothetical scenarios relevant to the role (e.g., designing an ad for a new product launch, adapting assets for social media).

• Be ready to discuss your experience with emerging AI tools and how you see them impacting the design industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is critical. Candidates should tailor their presentation to highlight skills directly applicable to 686's needs, particularly digital asset creation, brand consistency, and an understanding of the target market. Be ready to discuss your process and adaptability.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Lightroom (essential for asset creation, manipulation, and print preparation).

• Adobe Premiere: For light video editing tasks (GIFs, short social clips).

• Figma: A key requirement for collaborative design, prototyping, and potentially UI/UX elements.

• Emerging AI Tools: Proficiency or familiarity with tools like nano banana, higgsfield, freepik, or similar AI-powered design assistants is expected.

Analytics & Reporting: While not explicitly mentioned, understanding how design impacts metrics (e.g., click-through rates on ads, engagement on social media) would be beneficial.

CRM & Automation: Familiarity with how marketing assets are deployed through CRM or marketing automation platforms (e.g., email marketing systems) would be advantageous. Project management tools like Asana, Slack, and Teams are also mentioned.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Figma is non-negotiable. The specific mention of AI tools indicates a forward-looking approach and a desire for candidates who are exploring or utilizing these technologies to enhance their workflow and creative output.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Community & Independence: Reflecting the company's roots in action sports and self-expression.

• Innovation: Dedication to developing and testing new products and embracing new technologies (like AI).

• Performance: Commitment to creating high-performing technical apparel.

• Collaboration: Emphasis on teamwork, mutual support, and cross-functional synergy.

• Craftsmanship: A high bar for quality, precision, and aesthetic appeal in all creative output.

Collaboration Style:

• Team-Driven: The culture is described as team-driven, emphasizing shared effort and mutual support.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Strong collaboration with marketing, e-commerce, sales, and product teams is essential for cohesive campaign execution.

• Open Communication: Tools like Slack and Teams suggest an environment that values prompt and effective communication.

• Feedback Exchange: Implicit in a creative team environment is the expectation of constructive feedback and iterative design processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of and appreciation for the outdoor/snow sports lifestyle and culture. A collaborative spirit, a proactive approach to problem-solving, and a commitment to high-quality design execution are key cultural attributes.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Speed and Quality: Executing a high volume of diverse creative assets efficiently while maintaining a high standard of craft and brand consistency.

• Staying Ahead of Trends: Keeping pace with rapidly evolving digital design trends, marketing technologies, and emerging AI tools within the fast-paced apparel industry.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring all creative outputs meet the diverse requirements and objectives of multiple departments (marketing, e-commerce, sales, product).

• Brand Evolution: Contributing to the continuous evolution of brand identity and guidelines while maintaining core brand integrity.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Tool Proficiency: Deepening expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and exploring advanced applications of AI in design.

• Industry Insights: Gaining in-depth knowledge of the outdoor apparel market, consumer behavior, and seasonal campaign planning.

• Cross-Departmental Understanding: Learning how design impacts e-commerce performance, marketing ROI, and product development.

• Creative Direction Exposure: Working closely with an Art Director and SVP Marketing provides valuable mentorship and exposure to strategic creative decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents opportunities to grow not just as a designer but also as a strategic creative partner. Overcoming the challenge of balancing high-volume output with quality, and adapting to new technologies, will be key to professional development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: "Walk me through your process for creating a digital ad campaign from concept to final delivery, highlighting how you ensure brand consistency and meet deadlines." (Focus on your workflow, tools, and problem-solving).

• Brand Adaptation: "How would you approach designing assets for a new product launch in the snowboarding category, considering 686's existing brand identity?" (Demonstrate understanding of brand aesthetic and industry).

• AI Integration: "How have you used or how do you envision using AI tools in your graphic design workflow to improve efficiency or creativity?" (Showcase awareness and practical application).

• Collaboration Scenarios: "Describe a time you had to collaborate with a non-design team (e.g., marketing, product) to achieve a creative goal. What were the challenges and how did you overcome them?" (Highlight communication and teamwork skills).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about 686 Technical Apparel and our brand?" (Research the company's mission, products, and recent campaigns).

• "How do you stay current with design trends, especially those relevant to the outdoor and fashion industries?" (Show initiative and passion for the field).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the problem you solved, your design solution, and the results (if quantifiable).

• Highlight Key Skills: Ensure your portfolio presentation directly addresses the requirements: Adobe Suite, Figma, AI tools, digital asset creation, brand adherence, and industry relevance.

• Be Concise: Present your strongest work efficiently. Be prepared to dive deeper into specific pieces if asked.

• Showcase Versatility: Demonstrate your ability to work across different mediums and styles, while maintaining a cohesive brand voice.

• Prepare for Technical Questions: Be ready to discuss the technical aspects of your files, software usage, and production processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not only design skill but also a strategic understanding of brand, market, and effective collaboration. Be ready to articulate your process, justify your design decisions, and show enthusiasm for the 686 brand and its community.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Associate Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your resume and portfolio through the provided application link on Paylocity.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features work that aligns with 686's brand identity (outdoor, snow, fashion) and showcases your proficiency in digital asset creation, campaign design, and production work. Highlight examples using Adobe Creative Suite and Figma.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight 2-5 years of relevant experience, specific software proficiencies (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Premiere, AI tools), and any experience within the outdoor, action sports, or fashion industries. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, brand understanding, and collaborative approach. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions and be ready to present your portfolio effectively, explaining your creative decisions and project outcomes.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research 686 Technical Apparel's brand, mission, target audience, and recent marketing initiatives. Understand their position in the market and their commitment to community and innovation.

⚠️ 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. The "Associate Graphic Designer" title is interpreted through the lens of operations job description enhancement guidelines, focusing on process, collaboration, and efficiency in creative production.