Digital Creative Designer

Bass Pro Shops
Full_timeUnited States

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Digital Creative Designer Company: Bass Pro Shops Location: Springfield, MO (Bass Pro Shops Base Camp) Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Digital Marketing Operations / Creative Operations Date Posted: 2025-07-24 Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

  • Design and develop visually compelling digital creative assets for a variety of channels including homepages, emails, paid social, and display advertisements.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to conceptualize and execute digital campaigns, ensuring brand consistency across all platforms.
  • Utilize expertise in digital design principles, including layout, typography, color theory, and imagery selection, to create engaging user experiences.
  • Assist in the technical implementation of digital assets, including basic HTML and CSS within content management systems (CMS).
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of digital design trends, best practices, and emerging technologies to drive innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is categorized under Digital Marketing Operations and Creative Operations due to its focus on creating and implementing digital assets across marketing channels, requiring a blend of creative talent and technical understanding of digital platforms and content management systems. The emphasis on collaboration, brand consistency, and campaign execution aligns with operational efficiency in a marketing context.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Design engaging promotional creative for digital channels, including but not limited to homepages, emails, paid social media, and display advertisements.
  • Collaborate in the development of digital concepts and campaigns for multiple digital channels, ensuring alignment with marketing objectives.
  • Maintain and enforce brand aesthetic and guidelines for consistent look and feel across all digital touchpoints, focusing on layout, typography, color, and graphics.
  • Assist in the preparation of necessary mock-ups and prototypes for creative reviews, incorporating feedback effectively throughout the creative process.
  • Present creative concepts to the Creative Manager and implement approved creative, ensuring timely delivery and high-quality execution.
  • Stay current with ongoing digital trends, industry best practices, and emerging technologies to inform and enhance creative output.
  • Provide internal digital creative support for various departments and projects as needed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on design role with a significant focus on campaign execution and brand adherence. The inclusion of "Assisting in site coding 35%" indicates a need for technical proficiency beyond pure graphic design, bridging the gap between creative concepts and their digital implementation, which is common in digital marketing operations roles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

  • Associate Degree in Web Design, Graphic Design, or a related field.
  • Bachelor's Degree in Web Design, Graphic Design, or a related field is preferred.

Experience:

  • 2 to 4+ years of professional experience in digital design, with a strong portfolio showcasing relevant work.
  • Experience working within the digital space, demonstrating a solid understanding of online platforms and user engagement.

Required Skills:

  • Proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud suite, specifically Photoshop, Illustrator, and Adobe XD.
  • Strong understanding of digital design principles, including layout, typography, color theory, and imagery selection.
  • Ability to develop and present creative concepts while adhering to established brand style guides.
  • Exceptional collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
  • Experience with responsive web design principles and best practices.
  • Ability to multi-task and manage time effectively in a fast-paced environment.
  • Must be able to receive creative direction and feedback positively.
  • Must possess a team-first mentality.

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience with Figma for design and prototyping.
  • Working knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is considered a plus.
  • Experience with Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) for content management.
  • Familiarity with visual storytelling through photography and graphic elements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for Adobe Cloud proficiency, particularly Photoshop, Illustrator, and XD, is standard for digital design roles. The preference for Figma and familiarity with HTML/CSS and AEM suggests a need for a designer who can contribute to the technical implementation and content management aspects of digital assets, indicating a role that bridges creative execution with operational deployment.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • A comprehensive online portfolio showcasing a strong sense of design knowledge, typography, layout, use of color, and photography.
  • Demonstrations of digital creative assets for various channels (e.g., homepages, emails, social media ads).
  • Case studies or examples illustrating the design process from concept to final execution.
  • Examples of adherence to brand style guides and maintaining brand consistency.
  • Work that highlights problem-solving skills and effective visual communication.

Process Documentation:

  • While not explicitly requested as formal documentation, the portfolio should implicitly demonstrate an understanding of design workflows, including concept development, iteration based on feedback, and final asset preparation.
  • Examples of how the candidate has managed feedback and revisions to refine creative output are beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on an online portfolio with specific elements like design knowledge, typography, layout, color, and photography is crucial. It implies that the company values a candidate who can not only create visually appealing assets but also demonstrate a structured design process and a keen eye for detail that supports brand integrity and effective communication.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry standards for a Digital Creative Designer with 2-5 years of experience in Springfield, MO, the estimated salary range is $55,000 - $75,000 annually. This range accounts for the required skills in Adobe Cloud, digital design principles, and the hybrid responsibilities involving HTML/CSS.

Benefits:

  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  • Voluntary benefits
  • 401k Retirement Savings Plan
  • Paid Holidays
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Sick Time
  • Bass Pro Cares Fund
  • Retail merchandise discounts
  • Discounts on restaurant dining
  • Discounts at world-class resorts and conservation attractions

Working Hours: The role is full-time, typically involving approximately 40 hours per week. While not explicitly stated as flexible, a creative role often allows for some degree of workflow management within standard business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on general U.S. market data for similar roles and locations. The comprehensive benefits package offered by Bass Pro Shops is a significant draw for employees, including typical health and retirement plans, alongside unique company-specific perks that enhance the employee value proposition.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Outdoor Recreation Retail. Bass Pro Shops is a leading retailer of outdoor recreational merchandise, known for its immersive store experiences and strong brand identity. Company Size: Large. Bass Pro Shops is a significant employer with a national presence, indicating a structured corporate environment with established processes and a large employee base. Founded: 1972. With a long history, the company has a well-established brand and culture, likely emphasizing values related to the outdoors, conservation, and customer service.

Team Structure: The role reports to a Creative Manager and will likely collaborate with other designers, marketing specialists, copywriters, and web developers. The team structure is probably integrated within a larger marketing or digital department.

Methodology: The team likely employs a mix of agile and waterfall methodologies for project management, balancing creative ideation with structured campaign execution. Data-driven insights from website analytics and campaign performance will inform design decisions.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Bass Pro Shops' industry focus suggests a culture that values the outdoors, nature, and active lifestyles. As a large, established company, it likely offers a stable work environment with opportunities for professional development within its extensive marketing and creative departments. The "Bass Pro Shops Base Camp" location hints at a central hub for operations and creative work.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position is considered a Mid-Level role, suitable for professionals with 2-5 years of experience. It offers a solid foundation in digital design within a corporate marketing structure.

Reporting Structure: The Digital Creative Designer will report to a Creative Manager. This provides a clear line of management and opportunities for mentorship and guidance. The role also involves significant collaboration with other members of the marketing and digital teams.

Operations Impact: The work of the Digital Creative Designer directly impacts customer engagement, brand perception, and conversion rates across digital channels. High-quality creative assets are crucial for driving traffic, promoting products, and achieving marketing campaign objectives, thus contributing significantly to revenue generation.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in digital design tools (e.g., Figma, AEM), explore animation or motion graphics, and gain proficiency in more advanced HTML/CSS.
  • Specialization: Potential to specialize in specific areas like email design, social media creative, or user interface (UI) design for web platforms.
  • Leadership Track: With proven performance, candidates may progress into Senior Digital Designer roles, team lead positions, or management within the creative department.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within a large organization, allowing for both skill enhancement and specialization within the digital marketing and creative operations domain. The direct impact on customer engagement and revenue makes it a valuable position for career advancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job location is specified as "Springfield, MO (Bass Pro Shops Base Camp)," suggesting a primary corporate office or headquarters. This implies a professional office setting.

Office Location(s): Springfield, MO. This is the main base of operations for Bass Pro Shops.

Workspace Context:

  • The environment is likely collaborative, with designers working alongside marketing professionals, content creators, and web developers.
  • Access to necessary design software and hardware will be provided.
  • Opportunities for team interaction and knowledge sharing are expected within the marketing department.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, with standard working hours expected. As it's an on-site position, adherence to the office schedule is required.

📝 Enhancement Note: Working on-site at the "Bass Pro Shops Base Camp" suggests a professional, potentially dynamic office environment where collaboration and team integration are key. The focus is on a shared work experience rather than remote flexibility.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: Likely reviewed by HR or a recruiter to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.
  • Portfolio Review: A critical step where candidates present their online portfolio to the Creative Manager and potentially other design team members. Expect discussions about specific projects, design choices, and problem-solving approaches.
  • Skills Assessment/Challenge: May involve a practical design exercise or a case study to evaluate design skills, adherence to brand guidelines, and ability to work with given constraints.
  • Team/Manager Interview: Further discussion focused on experience, collaboration style, understanding of digital marketing, and how the candidate fits within the team and company culture.
  • Final Interview: Potentially with a higher-level marketing executive or department head.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate your best and most relevant work, focusing on digital campaigns and brand consistency.
  • Clearly articulate your role in each project, the challenges faced, and the solutions implemented.
  • Highlight your proficiency with Adobe Cloud tools and any experience with HTML/CSS or CMS platforms.
  • Showcase your understanding of typography, layout, and color theory, explaining your design rationale.
  • Be prepared to discuss how you handle feedback and revisions.

Challenge Preparation:

  • If a design challenge is given, focus on understanding the brief thoroughly.
  • Apply Bass Pro Shops' brand guidelines and aesthetic to your solution.
  • Prioritize clear communication and efficient use of time.
  • Be ready to present your thought process and justify your design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh the candidate's portfolio. Demonstrating not just creative talent but also an understanding of marketing objectives, brand integrity, and the practicalities of digital asset implementation (including basic coding) will be key. Preparation should focus on showcasing these aspects.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Adobe Creative Cloud: Photoshop, Illustrator, Adobe XD (essential).
  • Figma: Preferred for design and prototyping.
  • Adobe Experience Manager (AEM): Familiarity is a plus for content management.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • While not direct responsibilities, understanding how creative assets perform using analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) and how to interpret basic reports will be beneficial for optimizing future designs.

CRM & Automation:

  • No direct CRM or marketing automation tool interaction is specified for this role, but an awareness of how digital assets are deployed through these systems is advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud is a baseline requirement. Experience with Figma and AEM are valuable additions that indicate a candidate's adaptability and readiness to engage with the company's existing technology stack. Understanding the link between creative output and performance metrics is a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Creativity & Innovation: Valuing novel ideas and pushing creative boundaries within brand guidelines.
  • Brand Stewardship: Commitment to maintaining and enhancing the Bass Pro Shops brand identity across all digital touchpoints.
  • Collaboration & Teamwork: Emphasis on working effectively with colleagues and contributing to a positive team dynamic.
  • Detail-Oriented Execution: A focus on precision and quality in all design deliverables.
  • Efficiency & Adaptability: Ability to manage multiple projects and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Collaboration Style:

  • Expect a collaborative environment where designers work closely with marketing managers, copywriters, and other creative professionals.
  • Open communication and the ability to give and receive constructive feedback are important.
  • Cross-functional collaboration with web development and e-commerce teams is likely to ensure seamless asset implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values likely reflect a blend of creative excellence and a results-oriented approach, aligned with a large retail organization. A strong emphasis on teamwork and brand consistency is expected.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing Brand Consistency with Campaign Objectives: Creating fresh, engaging content while strictly adhering to established brand guidelines and diverse campaign needs.
  • Fast-Paced Environment: Managing multiple projects with varying deadlines and priorities, requiring strong organizational and time-management skills.
  • Technical Implementation: Bridging the gap between creative vision and technical execution, particularly with HTML/CSS within CMS platforms.
  • Feedback Integration: Effectively incorporating feedback from multiple stakeholders while maintaining design integrity.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Skill Enhancement: Continuous learning in digital design software, UX/UI best practices, and emerging design technologies.
  • Industry Exposure: Gaining insights into the outdoor recreation retail sector and its unique marketing challenges.
  • Cross-Functional Exposure: Understanding the broader marketing and e-commerce operations of a large retail company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a creative role in a large corporation, requiring adaptability and strong project management. The growth opportunities are significant for someone looking to build a career in digital marketing and creative operations within the retail industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • Design Process: Expect questions about your design process, from initial concept to final delivery, and how you incorporate feedback. Be ready to walk through a project from your portfolio.
  • Brand Adherence: Questions about how you ensure brand consistency across different digital platforms and campaigns.
  • Problem-Solving: Scenarios testing how you would approach designing for specific marketing objectives or overcoming creative challenges.
  • Technical Skills: Questions regarding your experience with Adobe Cloud, Figma, and any HTML/CSS knowledge.

Company & Culture Questions:

  • How do you stay updated on digital design trends?
  • How would you contribute to a collaborative team environment?
  • What interests you about Bass Pro Shops and the outdoor industry?
  • How do you handle constructive criticism on your designs?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant digital design projects.
  • For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the tools used, the process, and the outcome.
  • Be prepared to discuss your design choices, particularly regarding layout, typography, and color.
  • If possible, show examples that demonstrate your ability to work with brand guidelines and potentially include any coded assets or CMS experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on showcasing both creative talent and an understanding of marketing objectives and brand stewardship. Demonstrating a structured approach to design and a collaborative spirit will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Digital Creative Designer position:

  • Submit your application through the provided link on the Bass Pro Shops careers portal.
  • Portfolio Customization: Ensure your online portfolio is up-to-date, easily accessible, and highlights your strongest digital design work relevant to retail and e-commerce marketing. Tailor the selection to showcase examples similar to those used by Bass Pro Shops.
  • Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly list your proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, XD), any Figma or AEM experience, and quantify your achievements where possible (e.g., "Increased engagement by X% with Y campaign creative"). Emphasize relevant keywords from the job description.
  • Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, your approach to brand consistency, and your ability to collaborate. Prepare specific examples from your portfolio to illustrate these points.
  • Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Bass Pro Shops' current digital marketing efforts, website design, and overall brand aesthetic to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding during the interview process.

⚠️ 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.

Application Requirements

Candidates should have an Associate or Bachelor's Degree in Web or Graphic Design and 2 to 4+ years of experience in the digital space. Strong knowledge of Adobe Cloud and a passion for digital design are essential.