Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Caleres

Location: Clayton, Missouri, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Retail

Date Posted: October 29, 2025

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is crucial for developing and executing visually compelling creative assets across digital and print channels, supporting the overall brand strategy for Famous Footwear and other Caleres brands.

• The Graphic Designer will collaborate closely with creative leadership and internal teams to ensure brand consistency and high-quality design output.

• Responsibilities include conceptualizing and producing designs for a wide range of marketing materials, from email campaigns to in-store signage.

• The position requires a strong understanding of design principles, market trends, and the ability to translate brand strategy into impactful visual communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the company's focus on footwear and fashion retail, this role will likely involve a significant amount of work related to product visuals, seasonal campaigns, and e-commerce creative. A strong portfolio showcasing diverse design applications within a retail context will be highly advantageous.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and design a variety of marketing collateral for both digital and print platforms, including but not limited to:

  • Email marketing campaigns and newsletters
  • Website design elements and landing pages
  • Social media graphics and ad creatives
  • Animated GIFs and short video assets
  • Direct mail pieces and print advertisements
  • In-store signage, point-of-sale (POS) materials, and promotional displays
  • Trade show booth graphics and event collateral

• Ensure all creative output is thoughtfully designed, relevant, and consistently aligned with the overall brand strategy and aesthetic guidelines of Famous Footwear and other Caleres brands.

• Collaborate effectively with the Creative Director and Design Manager to clarify project requirements, provide creative input, and ensure designs meet the highest standards of quality and brand integrity.

• Conduct ongoing research into market trends, competitive landscape, and emerging design styles to keep creative strategies fresh and relevant.

• Participate actively in strategy meetings, preparing necessary visual materials and contributing creative perspectives to discussions.

• Partner with broader creative teams on styling, wardrobe selection for shoots, brand identity refinement, and art direction for both internal and external photo shoots.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mention of "video assets" and "gif animation" suggests a need for dynamic content creation skills beyond static design. The role likely involves working with motion graphics software or collaborating with specialists in this area.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in the Mac platform and a strong command of the Adobe Creative Suite, specifically InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator (version 5 or above).

• Demonstrated ability to develop design solutions for both digital (web, email, social media, animation) and print (signage, direct mail, trade shows) mediums.

• Excellent understanding of typography, composition, and visual hierarchy.

• Strong grasp of the entire creative process, from concept development to final production.

• Proven ability to articulate strategic intent and creative ideas clearly and persuasively, both internally and externally.

• Effective project management skills, including the ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple deadlines simultaneously, and maintain a high level of organization.

• Strong problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to identify design challenges and propose innovative solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in product photography art direction or styling.

• Previous experience in the fashion or footwear retail industry.

• Web/interactive design experience, including UI/UX principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the core requirement is Adobe Creative Suite, proficiency in web design tools or basic understanding of UX/UI principles would be a significant asset given the emphasis on digital channels like website design and email marketing.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a diverse range of design projects that demonstrate versatility across digital and print media.

• Include examples of work that clearly align with brand strategy and target audience appeal, particularly within a retail or fashion context.

• Present case studies or project descriptions that highlight your role in the design process, from concept to execution, and the rationale behind your creative decisions.

• Demonstrate proficiency in using Adobe Creative Suite tools for creating marketing collateral, from initial concept sketches to final, polished assets.

Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your personal creative process, from receiving a brief to final file delivery, emphasizing how you ensure quality and brand consistency.

• Articulate your approach to managing multiple design projects and deadlines, showcasing your organizational and time-management strategies.

• Discuss your methods for collaborating with cross-functional teams, including how you incorporate feedback and iterate on designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "brand strategy aesthetic" and "impactful work" means portfolios should not just showcase technical skill but also strategic thinking and an understanding of how design contributes to business goals.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Associate Discount: A 30% discount on products across Famous Footwear and other Caleres brands.

• Comprehensive Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans available from the first day of employment.

• 401(k) Retirement Plan: With potential company matching contributions.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous paid vacation, sick leave, and holiday time.

• Early Wage Access: Ability to access earned wages before scheduled payday.

• Mental Wellness Support: Free, 24/7 confidential support and resources through CompPsych EAP.

• On-site Perks: Access to a full on-site gym, Starbucks, Grab and Go Market, and convenient free parking in downtown Clayton, MO.

• Relaxed Dress Code: Encouraging employees to express their authentic selves.

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time position, typically requiring 40 hours per week. While standard business hours are expected, flexibility may be offered based on project needs and team collaboration, aligning with the company's emphasis on results and learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on typical compensation for this role in the specified location and experience level. Actual compensation will be determined by the company based on individual qualifications and market conditions. The provided benefits are comprehensive and reflect a competitive offering in the retail sector.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Footwear Retail & Manufacturing. Caleres operates a diverse portfolio of footwear brands, with Famous Footwear serving as a key retail banner. This industry requires a keen understanding of consumer trends, fashion cycles, and the competitive retail landscape.

Company Size: Caleres is a large, publicly traded company, indicating a structured corporate environment with established processes and a broad reach. This size offers opportunities for diverse projects and potential career advancement.

Founded: Caleres has a legacy spanning over 140 years, highlighting a deep-rooted history in craftsmanship, business acumen, and a commitment to the footwear industry. This longevity suggests stability and a strong foundation of expertise.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will likely be part of the marketing or creative department, reporting to a Design Manager or Creative Director.

• This team is responsible for all visual communication for the brand, working closely with marketing, merchandising, and e-commerce teams.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: While creative, the role is expected to produce designs that are "thoughtful and relevant to the overall brand strategy aesthetic," implying a need to consider market trends and competitive analysis.

• Agile Collaboration: The mention of internal reviews and coordination with creative leadership suggests an iterative design process.

• Brand Stewardship: A core focus is maintaining and enhancing brand identity through consistent and high-quality visual assets.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Caleres' mission "to inspire people to feel great…feet first" suggests a company culture that values personal well-being and confidence, which can translate into a more supportive and creative work environment. The company's emphasis on "results, caring and learning" indicates a performance-oriented culture that also values employee development and a positive workplace.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is an individual contributor position at the mid-level (2-5 years of experience). It offers a solid foundation for a career in graphic design, particularly within the fashion and retail sectors.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report to a Design Manager or Creative Director, who provides guidance and oversight. This structure allows for mentorship and development under experienced creative leadership.

Operations Impact: While not a traditional "operations" role in the sense of process optimization or revenue enablement, this Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the company's brand perception, customer engagement, and ultimately, sales. High-quality visuals are crucial for driving traffic to e-commerce sites, attracting customers to physical stores, and building brand loyalty.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific design areas like digital marketing design, animation, or brand identity development.

• Career Progression: Potential to advance to Senior Graphic Designer, Art Director, or specialized roles within the broader Caleres creative or marketing teams.

• Cross-Brand Exposure: As part of Caleres, there may be opportunities to contribute to design projects for other brands within the portfolio, broadening experience.

• Learning & Development: The company culture explicitly values "learning," suggesting access to training, workshops, or mentorship programs to enhance design skills and industry knowledge.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role provides a pathway to specialize in retail and fashion design, a dynamic and often fast-paced field. Growth is likely tied to demonstrating creative excellence, strategic thinking, and adaptability to evolving design trends and marketing needs.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job is listed as "On-site" and located in Clayton, MO. The description mentions "site perks" like a full on-site gym, Starbucks, Grab and Go Market, and free parking, suggesting a well-equipped corporate office environment.

Office Location(s): The specific office is in downtown Clayton, MO, a known business district. This location offers accessibility and a professional setting.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role requires close collaboration with internal teams, including creative directors and design managers, implying an open and communicative workspace.

• Creative Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and likely modern workstations.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities to engage with fellow designers, marketers, and brand managers, fostering a dynamic and creative atmosphere.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time working hours (approx. 40 hours/week) are expected. The company culture emphasizes results, suggesting that while a standard schedule is in place, dedication to meeting project deadlines is paramount. The on-site nature facilitates immediate collaboration and access to resources.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mention of a "relaxed dress code" indicates a comfortable and less formal office atmosphere, which can contribute to a more creative and productive work environment, despite being an on-site role.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of your resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and design style.

• Portfolio Presentation & Interview: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, discussing specific projects, their creative process, and how their work aligns with brand strategy. Expect questions about your design philosophy, problem-solving skills, and experience with digital and print mediums.

• Team/Manager Interviews: Interviews with the hiring manager (Design Manager/Creative Director) and potentially other marketing or creative team members to assess cultural fit, collaboration skills, and technical proficiency.

• Potential Design Challenge: Some companies may include a small, timed design task to evaluate practical skills under pressure.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest projects that best showcase your skills relevant to this role (digital marketing, print collateral, brand alignment).

• Tell a Story: For each project, explain the brief, your creative process, the challenges you faced, your solutions, and the outcome or impact. Quantify results if possible (e.g., improved engagement rates, successful campaign metrics).

• Showcase Versatility: Include examples demonstrating your ability to work across different media (digital, print, animation).

• Highlight Brand Thinking: Emphasize projects where you demonstrated an understanding of brand identity and strategy.

• Technical Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates your mastery of Adobe Creative Suite tools.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss your approach to a hypothetical design brief.

• Practice articulating your design decisions clearly and concisely.

• Familiarize yourself with Famous Footwear's current branding and marketing materials to understand their aesthetic and tone.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio that visually communicates your understanding of retail marketing, fashion aesthetics, and brand consistency will be critical for this role. Be prepared to discuss how your design choices support business objectives.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency required, specifically:

  • Adobe InDesign: For layout and print design (direct mail, signage).
  • Adobe Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.
  • Adobe Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, and illustrations.

• Microsoft Office Suite: For document creation, presentations, and general office tasks.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• No specific CRM or automation tools are listed as primary requirements for this design role. However, an understanding of how design assets are deployed through marketing automation platforms (e.g., email marketing software) is advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) versions 5 or above is a key technical requirement. Candidates should be comfortable using these tools extensively for a wide range of design outputs.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Results-Oriented: The company culture values "results," meaning performance and the successful execution of design projects to meet business objectives are paramount.

• Caring: This suggests a supportive and empathetic internal environment where colleagues and employee well-being are considered important.

• Learning: A commitment to continuous improvement and skill development is a core value, indicating opportunities for professional growth and staying updated with design trends.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to "partner with creative teams" and "review projects with internal teams," highlighting a collaborative approach that involves input and feedback from various departments.

• Feedback Incorporation: The process of internal reviews implies a culture where constructive criticism is given and received to refine designs.

• Brand Alignment: Collaboration is focused on ensuring all visual communications consistently reinforce the brand strategy and aesthetic.

📝 Enhancement Note: The combination of "results, caring, and learning" suggests a balanced work environment where high performance is expected, but within a supportive framework that encourages professional development.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring all designs across diverse channels adhere strictly to brand guidelines while still being innovative.

• Balancing Multiple Projects: Effectively managing a high volume of diverse design requests with varying deadlines.

• Adapting to Trends: Staying current with rapidly evolving digital design trends, social media aesthetics, and fashion influences.

• Translating Strategy into Visuals: Effectively interpreting marketing objectives and brand strategies into compelling visual designs.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software Training: Opportunities to master new features or become proficient in additional design tools.

• Industry Workshops & Webinars: Access to learning about the latest in graphic design, digital marketing, and retail branding.

• Mentorship: Learning from experienced Creative Directors and Design Managers within Caleres.

• Exposure to Diverse Brands: Gaining experience with a portfolio of distinct footwear brands, broadening design versatility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a mid-level designer in a busy retail environment. The growth opportunities are linked to the company's stated values and the dynamic nature of the fashion industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How do you approach designing for a specific brand aesthetic, especially one with a strong fashion focus like Famous Footwear?" (Focus on research, understanding brand guidelines, and creative interpretation.)

• "Describe a time you had to balance multiple design projects with competing deadlines. What was your strategy?" (Highlight prioritization, time management, and communication skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Caleres and its brands, particularly Famous Footwear?" (Demonstrate research into the company's mission, values, and product.)

• "How do you see your design skills contributing to our company values of results, caring, and learning?" (Connect your work ethic and approach to their stated values.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: For each project, clearly state the objective and how your design contributed to achieving it.

• Explain Your Process: Detail your steps from brief to final deliverable, highlighting your strategic thinking.

• Showcase Technical Skill: Be ready to discuss your use of Adobe Creative Suite and how you achieved specific visual effects.

• Tailor to Caleres: Emphasize projects that demonstrate an understanding of retail, fashion, and digital marketing.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to discuss how your design work directly supports marketing goals and brand identity within the fast-paced retail environment. Demonstrating an understanding of the footwear industry and current fashion trends will be beneficial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Dayforce portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your online portfolio or PDF submission prominently features work relevant to retail, fashion, and digital marketing campaigns (email, social media, web assets). Highlight projects showcasing typography, composition, and brand consistency.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords from the job description, such as "Graphic Design," "Adobe Creative Suite," "digital and print," "brand strategy," "email marketing," and "social media." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process and how you approach client briefs. Prepare to discuss specific projects from your portfolio, focusing on creative problem-solving and brand alignment. Research Caleres and Famous Footwear's current campaigns and brand aesthetic.

• Company Research: Understand Caleres' portfolio of brands, their market position, and the company's stated values (results, caring, learning). This will enable you to tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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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