Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer Company: Good Sportsman Marketing LLC Location: Richardson, Texas, United States Job Type: Full-Time Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Services Date Posted: 2025-09-22T20:18:35 Experience Level: 2-5 Years

🚀 Role Summary

• Develop and execute compelling visual content that embodies the rugged, adventurous spirit of GSM Outdoors across various brand touchpoints.
• Create engaging designs for product packaging, marketing collateral, digital campaigns, and brand assets, ensuring brand consistency and visual appeal.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, product development, and sales teams to translate creative briefs into high-impact visual solutions.
• Stay abreast of emerging design trends, tools, and best practices within the outdoor and sporting goods industry to maintain a competitive visual edge.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is "Graphic Designer," its emphasis on marketing materials, digital campaigns, and brand collateral, alongside collaboration with marketing and product teams, positions it within a broader GTM (Go-To-Market) and Marketing Operations context. The need for understanding e-commerce and digital marketing strategies further solidifies this connection.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and produce visually appealing graphics for product packaging, ensuring adherence to brand guidelines and market appeal for outdoor enthusiasts.
• Create impactful visual assets for digital marketing campaigns, including social media graphics, web banners, email templates, and website content, optimizing for engagement and conversion.
• Develop comprehensive design solutions for print marketing materials such as advertisements, brochures, catalogs, and trade show booth graphics, maintaining brand integrity.
• Manage the end-to-end design process for multiple projects simultaneously, from concept ideation and client brief interpretation to final file delivery and production oversight.
• Collaborate closely with product development teams to support product visualization and create compelling imagery for new product launches and line extensions.
• Assist in maintaining and evolving brand identity guidelines, ensuring all visual communications reflect the core values and aesthetic of GSM Outdoors and its portfolio of brands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong focus on tangible marketing outputs and cross-functional project management, typical of a role supporting GTM initiatives. The need to manage multiple projects and ensure brand consistency points to operational rigor within the creative process.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, or a closely related field is required, or equivalent professional experience.

Experience: A minimum of 2 years of professional graphic design experience is essential, with a strong preference for candidates who have experience within the outdoor, sporting goods, or lifestyle industries.

Required Skills:

• Technical Proficiency: Expert-level command of Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, for creating high-quality graphics and layouts.
• Brand Design: Proven ability to develop and maintain consistent brand identity across diverse marketing channels and product lines.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Demonstrated success working collaboratively with marketing, product development, and sales teams to achieve shared objectives.
• Project Management: Ability to manage multiple design projects concurrently, prioritize tasks effectively, and adhere to project deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Visual Storytelling: Strong creative flair and ability to translate abstract concepts and brand messaging into compelling visual narratives.

Preferred Skills:

• Video Editing: Experience with video editing software such as Premiere Pro and After Effects for dynamic content creation.
• 3D Rendering: Knowledge of 3D rendering techniques for product visualization and enhanced marketing materials.
• Digital Marketing Integration: Understanding of e-commerce platforms and digital marketing strategies, including how design impacts online performance and user experience.
• Outdoor Industry Acumen: Familiarity with the aesthetic and cultural nuances of the outdoor and sporting goods markets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "preferred skills" like video editing, 3D rendering, and e-commerce understanding indicate a need for a versatile designer who can contribute to a broader range of marketing and product initiatives, aligning with GTM strategy execution.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of five distinct design projects that demonstrate proficiency in graphic design principles and applications relevant to marketing and product representation.
• Include examples of product packaging designs that highlight an understanding of form, function, and brand articulation within a retail context.
• Feature digital marketing assets (e.g., social media graphics, web banners) that illustrate an ability to drive engagement and align with online campaign objectives.
• Present case studies of projects where design directly supported sales or marketing goals, demonstrating an understanding of business impact and ROI.
• Submit a portfolio that clearly communicates your design process, from initial concept development and research to final execution and refinement.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their design process, emphasizing workflow efficiency and iterative refinement.
• Be ready to articulate how you incorporate feedback from stakeholders into your design iterations to ensure project success and alignment with strategic goals.
• Demonstrate an understanding of preparing design files for various production methods, including print, digital, and potentially 3D rendering, ensuring technical specifications are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a creative role supporting GTM, a portfolio is crucial. The emphasis on packaging, digital assets, and demonstrating ROI through design highlights the need for a candidate who views their work not just as creative output but as a strategic tool for business growth.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry standards for a Graphic Designer with 2-5 years of experience in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, the estimated annual salary range is typically between $55,000 and $75,000. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, portfolio strength, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans for employees and their families.
• Retirement savings plan with company matching contributions (e.g., 401(k)).
• Paid time off (PTO) including vacation days, sick leave, and company holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development, including training, workshops, and potential attendance at industry conferences.
• Employee discounts on GSM Outdoors products.

Working Hours: The standard working hours for this role are Monday through Friday, approximately 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time, totaling 40 hours per week. This is an on-site position.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on general market data for graphic designers in Richardson, TX, considering the experience level. Benefits are typical for a full-time role in a company of this nature.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Outdoor & Sporting Goods. GSM Outdoors operates within a competitive and dynamic market, catering to enthusiasts of hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation, requiring a strong visual identity that resonates with this specific demographic. Company Size: (Information not provided, but typically "LLC" suggests a range from small to medium-sized, implying a potentially close-knit team with opportunities for broad impact.) Founded: (Information not provided, but the company's specific founding date can often indicate its market maturity and established brand presence.)

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer is likely part of a Marketing or Creative department, collaborating closely with Marketing Specialists, Brand Managers, and Product Development teams.
• Reporting structure will likely be to a Marketing Manager, Creative Director, or a similar leadership role within the marketing function.
• Cross-functional collaboration is key, involving regular interaction with sales teams for collateral needs and product development teams for packaging and branding integration.

Methodology:

• Design processes are expected to be data-informed, considering market trends and customer preferences within the outdoor lifestyle.
• Workflow planning will involve managing project pipelines, utilizing design software efficiently, and adhering to brand guidelines for consistent output.
• Automation and efficiency practices might be leveraged through templates, asset management systems, and streamlined approval processes.

Company Website: gsmoutdoors.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the industry and the nature of the role, the company culture likely values passion for the outdoors, a commitment to quality, and a collaborative spirit among teams driving product and brand initiatives.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is typically considered an entry-to-mid-level position within a marketing or creative department. It offers hands-on experience in executing brand strategy through visual design. Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report to a Marketing Manager or Creative Director, who provides guidance on design direction, project priorities, and professional development. Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts brand perception, product appeal, and the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. Strong visual assets are crucial for customer acquisition and retention in the competitive outdoor market. High-quality packaging and marketing materials can influence purchasing decisions and enhance brand loyalty.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific design areas like packaging design, motion graphics, or digital UI/UX design.
• Brand Management Exposure: Potential to gain experience in brand strategy and management by contributing to brand guideline development and campaign conceptualization.
• Leadership Potential: With significant experience and demonstrated impact, advancement into a Senior Graphic Designer, Art Director, or Creative Lead role is possible.
• Cross-Functional Transitions: Potential to move into related roles such as Marketing Specialist or Product Marketing, leveraging design expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for a graphic designer in a GTM-focused company often involves deepening creative skills or transitioning into roles that blend creative execution with strategic marketing planning and execution.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is on-site, indicating a traditional office environment where team members collaborate in person. This allows for direct interaction, spontaneous brainstorming, and a clear separation between work and personal life. Office Location(s): Richardson, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, offering access to a vibrant business community and a skilled talent pool.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace likely fosters collaboration, with opportunities for informal discussions and feedback sessions with colleagues in marketing and product teams.
• Access to necessary design hardware (computers, monitors) and software (Adobe Creative Suite) is expected.
• The environment may encourage creative exploration and a shared passion for the outdoor lifestyle, potentially influencing office decor and team activities.

Work Schedule: The standard Monday-Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM schedule provides a structured work-life balance, allowing for predictable planning of personal activities outside of work hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: An on-site role in a company focused on tangible products like outdoor gear suggests a hands-on, collaborative, and potentially more traditional work environment compared to a remote or hybrid setup.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio by HR or a hiring manager to assess basic qualifications and creative fit.
• Skills Assessment/Design Challenge: Candidates may be asked to complete a design exercise or present a case study from their portfolio, demonstrating their problem-solving abilities and design approach. This often involves creating a piece of marketing collateral or adapting a brand element.
• Team Interviews: Discussions with marketing team members and potentially product development stakeholders to evaluate collaboration skills, communication, and cultural alignment.
• Final Interview: A meeting with the hiring manager or a senior leader to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and confirm expectations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your skills relevant to marketing, packaging, and digital design for the outdoor industry.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the challenges, your creative process, and the results (quantifiable if possible).
• Highlight Brand Consistency: Demonstrate your ability to maintain a consistent brand voice and visual identity across different applications.
• Showcase Technical Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio pieces are well-executed, demonstrating mastery of design software and attention to detail in file preparation.
• Tailor to GSM Outdoors: If possible, include a concept piece or a project that reflects an understanding of GSM Outdoors' brands and target audience.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your design process in detail, including how you approach new briefs and manage feedback.
• Practice articulating the strategic thinking behind your creative choices, focusing on how your designs achieve marketing objectives.
• Familiarize yourself with GSM Outdoors' brands and their current visual marketing to anticipate potential design challenges or areas for improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: For creative roles, the portfolio is paramount. The interview process will heavily scrutinize design quality, process, and the ability to translate business needs into effective visual communication, with a strong emphasis on how your work contributes to sales and marketing objectives.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for all design tasks, including Photoshop (image editing, manipulation), Illustrator (vector graphics, logos, illustrations), and InDesign (layout, print collateral, packaging).
• Video Editing Software (Preferred): Premiere Pro for video editing and After Effects for motion graphics and visual effects.
• 3D Rendering Software (Preferred): Tools like Keyshot or Blender for creating product visualizations.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics) to understand how digital designs perform and inform future creative decisions.
• Experience using project management or task tracking tools for managing design workflows.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a primary tool for this role, understanding how designs integrate with CRM (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) for email marketing campaigns or with marketing automation platforms is beneficial.
• Familiarity with Digital Asset Management (DAM) systems for organizing and distributing creative assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. The preferred skills in video editing, 3D rendering, and understanding digital marketing analytics indicate a role that interfaces heavily with digital GTM strategies and requires a designer who can contribute to a multi-channel approach.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: A drive to push creative boundaries and develop fresh, engaging visual solutions that capture the outdoor spirit.
• Quality & Detail: A commitment to producing polished, error-free work that accurately represents the brand and exceeds expectations.
• Collaboration & Communication: Openness to feedback, active participation in team discussions, and effective communication with cross-functional partners.
• Efficiency & Timeliness: Ability to manage workload effectively, meet deadlines consistently, and contribute to streamlined design processes.
• Passion for the Outdoors: A genuine interest in and understanding of the outdoor lifestyle and the target audience, which informs and enhances design work.

Collaboration Style:

• Expect a collaborative environment where designers work closely with marketing managers, brand specialists, and product teams to ensure visual content aligns with strategic objectives.
• Team members are likely encouraged to share ideas, provide constructive feedback, and work together to solve creative challenges.
• Processes may involve regular design reviews, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional project meetings to ensure alignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values suggest a team that is both creatively driven and strategically focused, aiming to produce high-impact marketing materials that resonate with a specific, passionate customer base.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Brand Constraints: Effectively translating the "rugged, adventurous spirit" into compelling visuals while adhering to strict brand guidelines and marketing objectives.
• Managing Multiple Brand Projects: Juggling design needs for a portfolio of outdoor brands, each with potentially distinct visual identities and target audiences.
• Keeping Pace with Digital Trends: Continuously adapting design approaches to align with evolving digital marketing strategies and platform best practices.
• Translating Technical Product Features into Visual Appeal: Creatively representing the functionality and benefits of outdoor gear and accessories through compelling graphics.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software Training: Opportunities to hone skills in specialized areas such as motion graphics, 3D rendering, or advanced photo manipulation.
• Industry Exposure: Potential to attend industry trade shows or marketing conferences to gain insights into current trends and competitor strategies.
• Mentorship: Guidance from experienced marketing professionals and creative leaders within the organization.
• Portfolio Expansion: Building a diverse portfolio through challenging projects that showcase growth and expanded skill sets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a creative role within a marketing department, requiring a blend of artistic talent and business acumen. Growth opportunities focus on deepening creative skills and understanding the broader marketing context.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a new brand identity or a key piece of marketing collateral from concept to completion." (Focus on workflow, research, stakeholder input, and iteration.)
• "How do you ensure your designs effectively communicate the brand's message and resonate with a specific target audience, particularly in the outdoor/sporting goods sector?" (Highlight your understanding of audience segmentation and brand storytelling.)
• "Walk us through a project in your portfolio where you had to balance creative vision with strict brand guidelines or client feedback. What was your approach and the outcome?" (Demonstrate your problem-solving and collaborative skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about GSM Outdoors and our brands? How do you see your design skills contributing to our mission?" (Showcase your research and genuine interest.)
• "How do you approach collaboration with non-designers, such as marketing or product teams?" (Emphasize communication and understanding of different functional perspectives.)
• "How do you stay updated on design trends, especially those relevant to the outdoor industry?" (Highlight your proactivity in continuous learning.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type (packaging, digital, print) or by brand. For each project, have a clear narrative prepared.
• Key Project Deep Dive: Be ready to present 2-3 key projects in detail, covering the brief, your process, challenges, solutions, and results. Use visuals to support your explanation.
• Technical Aspects: Be prepared to discuss the software used, file formats, and any technical considerations for production.
• GSM Outdoors Context: Briefly explain why you chose specific projects to present and how they align with the requirements of this role and the company’s brand aesthetic.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only creative talent but also a strategic understanding of how design supports business objectives, especially within the context of marketing and product launches.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your resume and a link to your online portfolio through the provided application portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio highlights relevant experience in packaging design, digital marketing assets, and brand collateral, ideally with examples from the outdoor or sporting goods industry.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize the required skills (Adobe Creative Suite, collaboration, project management) and any preferred skills (video editing, 3D rendering) mentioned in the job description. Quantify achievements where possible.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with GSM Outdoors' various brands (e.g., HME, primos, primos hunting, Caldwell, MOSSBERG, etc.) and their current visual marketing strategies.
• Interview Preparation: Practice discussing your design process, project rationale, and how your work contributes to marketing and sales goals. Be ready to articulate your understanding of the outdoor lifestyle market.

⚠️ 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.