Creative Designer – Community Content & Growth (US-based, globally operating)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Creative Designer – Community Content & Growth
Company: Neowiz
Location: Santa Monica, CA (US-based, globally operating)
Job Type: Regular (Full-Time)
Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Operations
Date Posted: December 19, 2025
Experience Level: 5-10 Years
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and produce high-quality, multi-disciplinary creative assets including apparel, merchandise, social media graphics, and digital/print collateral to enhance community engagement for NEOWIZ gaming titles.
• Translate game aesthetics and community sentiment into compelling visual content and tangible products that resonate with a global player base.
• Collaborate with brand management, game development, community, social media, and events teams to execute integrated marketing and community strategies.
• Drive player engagement and foster a sense of belonging through visually consistent and appealing brand experiences across all touchpoints.
• Analyze market trends and player behaviors to inform creative strategies and ensure cultural resonance with the US audience.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role title is "Creative Designer," the responsibilities heavily lean into aspects of Marketing Operations and Creative Operations, focusing on the strategic production and distribution of visual assets to support community growth and engagement. The emphasis on cross-functional collaboration and supporting marketing initiatives places it firmly within the operations sphere.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and produce visually striking merchandise concepts, from initial sketches to production-ready files, ensuring brand consistency and appeal for diverse player communities.
• Create compelling social media graphics, illustrations, and animations optimized for various platforms to drive engagement and reinforce brand identity.
• Design and format digital and print assets for community communications, including newsletters, website banners, event collateral, and promotional materials.
• Translate the unique spirit and aesthetics of NEOWIZ video games (e.g., Lies of P, Shape of Dreams) into tangible and engaging visual content and products.
• Collaborate with community managers to understand player preferences and feedback, incorporating insights into design iterations and product development.
• Support the creation of visual narratives that celebrate game communities and foster a sense of belonging and excitement.
• Partner with community/social teammates to create innovative and shareable content that drives organic reach and engagement.
• Provide impactful assets for announcements, campaigns, live events, and product launches.
• Support U.S.-based offline and community events (e.g., Anime Expo, PAX, Comic-Con, fan meetups, promotional activations) with relevant creative assets.
• Localize marketing creative, messaging, and social content for cultural and linguistic resonance with the U.S. audience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The listed responsibilities include a mix of core creative design tasks and operational support functions such as event collateral creation, localization for specific markets, and supporting community strategy through visual assets. This duality highlights the operations aspect of ensuring consistent and effective brand representation across diverse channels and events.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Product Design, Illustration, Fashion Design, or a related creative field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience:

• 5+ years of professional experience in creative design, with a strong portfolio showcasing expertise in apparel design, product creation, graphic design, and illustration.
• Proven ability to translate brand guidelines and creative briefs into effective visual solutions.
• Self-motivated and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated proficiency/fluency with industry-standard design software, including Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and potentially others like Maya, Fusion 360, After Effects.
• Strong understanding of current design trends, especially within the gaming, entertainment, or pop culture industries.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• A passion for video game culture and an interest in gaming communities.
• Ability to translate game aesthetics and player insights into compelling visual content and products.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with 3D rendering or modeling software (e.g., Blender, Cinema 4D, Maya, Fusion 360, SolidWorks) for merchandise mock-ups or asset conceptualization.
• Familiarity with animation principles and basic motion graphics.
• Experience working with international teams and understanding diverse cultural aesthetics.
• Previous experience in the video game industry, or entertainment or lifestyle adjacent industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "5+ years" experience aligns with a mid-level to senior individual contributor role within an operations function, where established process knowledge and independent project management are expected. The emphasis on specific software proficiency (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.) is critical for operational efficiency in asset creation.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 5 years of professional design experience with a strong emphasis on projects related to gaming, entertainment, or pop culture.
• Include diverse examples of apparel design, merchandise conceptualization, and production-ready files.
• Demonstrate proficiency in graphic design and illustration across digital and print mediums.
• Highlight case studies or project descriptions that explain the design process, challenges faced, and the impact of the creative solutions.
• Present work demonstrating an understanding of brand guidelines and the ability to translate them into effective visual strategies.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of experience in translating creative briefs into actionable design plans.
• Examples of how design feedback and player insights were incorporated into iterative design processes.
• Documentation or explanation of workflow for creating assets optimized for various platforms (social media, web, print, merchandise).
• Demonstration of understanding production workflows for physical goods (apparel, merchandise) from concept to final artwork.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a creative operations role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to demonstrate not just aesthetic skill but also the ability to manage a design process end-to-end, collaborate effectively, and deliver production-ready assets that meet strategic objectives. The focus on "production-ready files" and "workflow" indicates an operational expectation.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• $90,000 - $120,000 per year.
• Note: This range is specifically stated to apply to US-based candidates, particularly in compliance with California state law. Compensation for candidates in other regions will be aligned with competitive local market standards.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary.
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Health Insurance.
• Professional development opportunities and access to cutting-edge tools.

Working Hours:

• Assumed standard full-time working hours (approximately 40 hours per week), typical for a "Regular (Full-Time)" position. Flexibility may be available, but the role is listed as on-site.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific to the Santa Monica, CA location and reflects a mid-to-senior level designer role within a creative operations context. The note about regional salary adjustments is standard practice for globally operating companies and emphasizes the importance of local market data in compensation.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Video Game Development & Publishing. NEOWIZ is known for creating bold, memorable games across PC, console, and mobile platforms. Their focus is on strong ideas, sharp execution, and building games that players love and remember. Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the nature of a global operation with multiple game titles suggests a medium to large-sized company. Founded: The founding date is not provided, but the company has a history in game development.

Team Structure:

• The role sits within the "Community Content & Growth" team.
• This team collaborates closely with brand management, game development, merchandising, social media, community communications, and events departments.
• The Creative Designer will work with cross-functional teams, indicating a matrixed or project-based reporting structure for specific initiatives.

Methodology:

• Focus on building great games and iterating on them.
• Emphasis on sharp execution, ownership, and delivering real joy.
• Data-driven insights from market trends and player behavior are used to inform strategy.
• Collaboration and communication are key to translating game spirit into community experiences.

Company Website: http://neowiz.com/games

📝 Enhancement Note: The company description emphasizes a culture of innovation, quality, and player-centricity. For an operations role, this translates to a need for efficiency, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to supporting product and community goals. The global reach implies a need for cultural awareness in creative output.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a mid-to-senior individual contributor level within the creative operations domain. It requires significant autonomy in design execution and project management, with a focus on supporting broader community and growth strategies. The "5+ years" experience requirement supports this classification.

Reporting Structure: The Creative Designer reports into the Community Content & Growth team. They will likely have a direct manager within this team, while collaborating extensively with leads and members of other departments (Brand Management, Development, Merchandising, etc.).

Operations Impact: The Creative Designer's work directly impacts player engagement, brand perception, and community growth. High-quality visual assets and merchandise can increase player loyalty, drive social media buzz, and support the commercial success of game titles. The role is crucial for translating the artistic vision of games into tangible assets that connect with the player base.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific design disciplines like apparel, 3D rendering, or motion graphics.
• Leadership: Potentially move into a Senior Creative Designer role, leading design initiatives or mentoring junior designers.
• Cross-Functional Expertise: Gain deeper understanding of marketing operations, community management, and product development by working closely with these teams.
• Industry Exposure: Work on high-profile game titles, increasing visibility and portfolio value within the gaming industry.
• Global Perspective: Develop skills in designing for diverse international markets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for a creative operations role often involves increasing strategic input, project ownership, and potentially team leadership, rather than a purely technical design track. The emphasis on impact and cross-functional collaboration is key to career progression.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site. The job description explicitly states "US-based, globally operating" and the Santa Monica location implies a physical office presence. Office Location(s): Santa Monica, CA.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role requires close collaboration with multiple cross-functional teams (brand, development, community, social, events), suggesting an open or team-oriented workspace designed to facilitate communication and brainstorming.
• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite, potentially 3D modeling/rendering tools) and potentially advanced workstations to handle complex design projects.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities to interact with colleagues from diverse disciplines, fostering a dynamic and creative atmosphere.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours are implied. While not explicitly stated, on-site roles typically require adherence to a fixed schedule, though some flexibility might be offered depending on team needs and company policy. The focus on events may require occasional non-standard hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is significant. It implies a need for physical presence, likely for team collaboration, access to specific resources, and direct interaction with colleagues, which is common for creative roles that benefit from spontaneous ideation and in-person feedback loops.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Resume Screening: Initial review for experience, skills, and qualifications alignment.
• Job Function/Hiring Manager Interview: Assessment of core creative skills, design process, and fit with the immediate team. Expect discussions around portfolio pieces.
• Stakeholder/Leadership Interview: Evaluation of strategic thinking, cross-functional collaboration capabilities, understanding of gaming culture, and alignment with company values.
• Offer Discussion: Final negotiation and offer presentation.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prioritize those demonstrating apparel design, product conceptualization, graphic design for gaming/entertainment, and strong illustration.
• Showcase Process: For each project, briefly explain the brief, your role, the challenges, your design process, the tools used, and the outcome/impact. Use visual aids within your portfolio to illustrate this.
• Highlight Production Readiness: Clearly indicate which pieces are production-ready files and explain any considerations made for manufacturing or platform optimization.
• Tailor to NEOWIZ: If possible, include a piece or concept that shows understanding of NEOWIZ's games or aesthetic. Demonstrate your passion for gaming.
• Format for Clarity: Ensure your portfolio is easily navigable, visually appealing, and loads quickly. A PDF or a dedicated online portfolio website is recommended.

Challenge Preparation:

• While not explicitly mentioned, be prepared for a potential design challenge or portfolio presentation during the stakeholder interview.
• Practice articulating your design choices, rationale, and how your work supports business objectives (community growth, brand engagement, merchandise sales).
• Be ready to discuss your experience with different design software and your understanding of production workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is standard for creative roles. The emphasis on a portfolio review and potential design challenges highlights the practical, skill-based nature of this position, typical for operations roles where execution capability is critical.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign are explicitly mentioned as essential.
• 3D Rendering/Modeling Software (Preferred): Maya, Fusion 360, Blender, Cinema 4D, SolidWorks for merchandise mock-ups, asset conceptualization, and potentially 3D asset creation.
• Motion Graphics Software (Preferred): After Effects for animation and visual storytelling.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly listed for the designer, the role supports "Community Content & Growth," implying indirect use of analytics to understand content performance and player engagement. This might involve reviewing reports generated by social media managers or community managers.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this role, but the designer's assets will be used in campaigns managed through CRM or marketing automation platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The detailed listing of design software is crucial for an operations role. Proficiency in these tools directly impacts efficiency, quality, and the ability to deliver production-ready assets. The distinction between required and preferred software indicates areas for skill development.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: Driving bold, memorable game experiences and translating them into engaging visuals.
• Quality & Execution: Maintaining high standards in all creative outputs and ensuring sharp execution.
• Player-Centricity: Caring deeply about players and building games and communities they love.
• Ownership & Collaboration: Taking responsibility for projects and working effectively with diverse teams.
• Curiosity & Continuous Learning: Staying curious about trends and improving skills to deliver even better work.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Working closely with brand management, game development, merchandising, social media, community communications, and events teams.
• Feedback-Driven: Incorporating player preferences and feedback into design iterations.
• Solution-Oriented: Contributing design and production solutions to new content and product initiatives.
• Inspiring: Encouraging creative community members to share ideas.

📝 Enhancement Note: These values are crucial for understanding how operations are conducted within NEOWIZ. A creative operations professional needs to be adaptable, collaborative, and focused on delivering tangible results that align with these core principles.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Commercial Needs: Ensuring that designs are both artistically compelling and commercially viable for merchandise and community engagement.
• Global vs. Localized Appeal: Creating assets that resonate with a global player base while also catering to specific regional (e.g., US) cultural nuances and trends.
• Fast-Paced Gaming Industry: Keeping up with rapid changes in design trends, gaming culture, and platform requirements.
• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Effectively collaborating with multiple departments, each with potentially different priorities and feedback.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Expansion: Opportunity to learn and master preferred software (e.g., 3D modeling, animation) to broaden creative capabilities.
• Industry Insight: Gain deep knowledge of the video game industry, community dynamics, and go-to-market strategies for entertainment products.
• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Learn about brand management, product development lifecycles, and event execution.
• Mentorship: Potential to learn from experienced professionals in design, marketing, and community management.

📝 Enhancement Note: Identifying these challenges and growth opportunities helps candidates understand the strategic demands of the role and how it contributes to their professional development within the operations and creative fields.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you translated a complex brand identity (like a video game) into a cohesive set of visual assets for different platforms. What was your process?" (Focus on process, adaptation, and output)
• "How do you balance creative vision with production constraints or commercial objectives in your design work?" (Focus on problem-solving and operational efficiency)
• "Walk us through a project in your portfolio that involved significant cross-functional collaboration. What were the challenges, and how did you ensure successful outcomes?" (Focus on communication and teamwork)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about NEOWIZ and our games, like Lies of P or Shape of Dreams?" (Demonstrate genuine interest and understanding of their portfolio)
• "How do you stay current with design trends, especially within gaming and pop culture?" (Show proactive learning)
• "How would you approach designing merchandise that appeals to both hardcore fans and a broader audience?" (Assess strategic thinking and audience awareness)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame your portfolio as a narrative of your problem-solving abilities and creative impact.
• Quantify Impact: Where possible, mention metrics or outcomes related to your designs (e.g., increased engagement, successful product launch).
• Show Process: For each piece, briefly explain your thought process, challenges, and solutions.
• Be Ready for Questions: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, software proficiency, and your ability to adapt to feedback.
• Enthusiasm: Convey your passion for design and the gaming industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: These tailored interview questions and preparation tips are designed to help candidates showcase their operational capabilities, creative problem-solving skills, and cultural fit for a role that bridges creative execution with strategic community growth.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Creative Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Lever job portal.
• Curate a strong portfolio: Ensure it highlights your best work in apparel design, merchandise concepts, graphic design, and illustration, with a focus on gaming or entertainment. Include production-ready examples and process insights.
• Tailor your resume: Emphasize your 5+ years of relevant experience, proficiency in industry-standard design software (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.), and any experience with 3D rendering or animation.
• Research NEOWIZ: Familiarize yourself with their game portfolio (Lies of P, Shape of Dreams, etc.) and understand their brand aesthetic and community engagement strategies.
• Prepare to discuss your portfolio: Be ready to articulate your design process, rationale behind your choices, and how your work aligns with NEOWIZ's goals for community content and growth during interviews.

⚠️ 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.

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