Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Outerknown

Location: Carlsbad, CA, US

Job Type: Full Time

Category: Creative & Design

Date Posted: February 17, 2026

Experience Level: 3-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site (4 days per week required in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Supports the creative department across multiple brands (Outerknown, Firewire, Slater Designs) with a focus on visual asset creation and brand consistency.

• Responsible for the design and production of digital assets for email campaigns, social media, website updates, and digital advertising.

• Contributes to the creation of print materials, including catalogues, point-of-sale (POS) displays, and promotional items.

• Ensures all creative output across digital and print mediums is on-brand, high quality, and delivered on time.

• Collaborates closely with the Art Director, Junior Graphic Designer, and cross-functional teams including marketing, merchandising, and e-commerce.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a key support function within a creative services department, requiring versatility across different brands and media types. The emphasis on "on-brand, high quality, and delivered on time" highlights the need for strong execution and adherence to brand guidelines, while the mention of multiple brands indicates a dynamic and potentially fast-paced environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and execute digital assets for email campaigns, social media posts, website banners, and paid digital advertisements, ensuring adherence to brand guidelines and campaign objectives.

• Develop and produce print collateral such as product catalogues, brochures, point-of-sale (POS) displays, and event materials, maintaining visual consistency across all touchpoints.

• Assist in the design and finalization of T-shirt graphics and potentially contribute to the creation of tech packs for apparel production, ensuring designs are production-ready.

• Collaborate with the Junior Graphic Designer and Art Director to maintain a cohesive visual identity and design quality across all brands within the company's portfolio.

• Support seasonal updates for both digital and print materials, reflecting current product lines and marketing initiatives.

• Organize and maintain a digital asset library, ensuring all creative files are properly cataloged, version-controlled, and easily accessible for team use.

• Work cross-functionally with marketing, e-commerce, and merchandising teams to understand project requirements and deliver design solutions that align with business goals.

• Proactively contribute creative ideas and solutions to ongoing design projects and campaigns.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of execution and collaborative support, with a strong emphasis on maintaining brand integrity across diverse platforms. The mention of "tech packs" suggests a potential need for understanding apparel production processes, even if indirectly.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, or a related field is typically expected for roles with this experience level and responsibility scope.

Experience: 3-5 years of proven experience in graphic design, with a demonstrated portfolio showcasing work across digital, print, and motion design.

Required Skills:

• Graphic Design Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to create compelling visual designs for both digital and print mediums.

• Digital Design Expertise: Experience designing for email campaigns, social media, web banners, and digital advertisements.

• Print Design Capabilities: Experience with print collateral design, including catalogues, POS displays, and promotional materials.

• Adobe Creative Suite Mastery: Advanced proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, XD, and After Effects.

• Figma Proficiency: Experience with Figma for collaborative design and prototyping.

• Brand Guideline Adherence: Ability to understand and consistently apply brand guidelines across multiple brands.

• Typography & Layout: Strong understanding of typography, layout principles, and color theory for effective visual communication.

• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for collaborating with internal teams and stakeholders.

• Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to design execution, ensuring accuracy and quality in all deliverables.

• Project Management: Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Adaptability & Versatility: Capacity to quickly adapt to diverse design styles and evolving project requirements across a portfolio of brands.

• Creative Ideation: Ability to contribute creative concepts and solutions to design challenges.

Preferred Skills:

• Motion Design: Experience with motion graphics or animation for digital assets.

• Asana Proficiency: Familiarity with Asana for project management and workflow tracking.

• Microsoft Tools: Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for internal documentation and presentations.

• Apparel/Fashion Industry Experience: Familiarity with the fashion industry's design aesthetic and production cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize a broad technical and creative skillset, with specific software proficiencies being critical. The preferred skills indicate areas that would make a candidate stand out, particularly experience with project management tools and the fashion industry context.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 3-5 years of graphic design experience, with a strong emphasis on both digital and print projects.

• Specific examples of email campaign designs, social media graphics, website banners, and digital ad creative.

• Samples of print collateral, such as catalogues, brochures, POS displays, or promotional materials.

• Demonstrations of motion design work (e.g., short animations, GIFs, video intros) if applicable.

• Examples that highlight the ability to adapt design across different brands or styles.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their design process, from initial concept and brief interpretation to final file delivery.

• Be ready to explain how they manage feedback from Art Directors, Junior Designers, and cross-functional teams.

• Demonstrate understanding of preparing design files for various outputs (e.g., web optimization, print-ready files with bleed and color profiles).

• Articulate experience in asset management and organizing design libraries.

📝 Enhancement Note: A robust portfolio is paramount for this role, serving as the primary evaluation tool. It needs to clearly demonstrate breadth of experience across digital and print, technical proficiency with specified software, and the ability to adapt design across different brand identities.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $80,000 - $90,000 per year.

Benefits:

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days, sick leave, and paid holidays.

• Retirement Savings Plan: 401(k) or similar retirement savings plan with potential company match.

• Employee Discount: Discounts on Outerknown and associated brand products.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training and skill enhancement in design software and techniques.

• Work-Life Balance Initiatives: Support for maintaining a healthy balance, despite the on-site requirement.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with an expectation of 4 days per week in the Carlsbad office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a Graphic Designer with 3-5 years of experience in a California market. The benefits package is typical for a full-time role, with specific emphasis on employee discounts relevant to the company's product. The 4-day in-office requirement is a key aspect of the work arrangement.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Apparel, E-commerce, Lifestyle. Outerknown is known for its commitment to sustainability and ethical manufacturing practices in its apparel. This ethos likely permeates its creative output and internal culture.

Company Size: The provided data does not specify company size, but Outerknown operates multiple brands (Outerknown, Firewire, Slater Designs), suggesting a mid-sized to large organization with a dedicated creative department.

Founded: Outerknown was founded in 2014. This relatively young company likely fosters a dynamic and evolving culture, potentially with a strong emphasis on innovation and brand storytelling.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer reports to the Art Director within the Creative Services department.

• Close collaboration is expected with the Junior Graphic Designer, photographers, freelance designers, and cross-functional teams including marketing, merchandising, and e-commerce.

Methodology:

• Design projects are likely driven by marketing campaigns, seasonal product launches, and e-commerce needs.

• Emphasis will be placed on maintaining brand consistency and quality across all creative assets, aligning with the company's sustainable and ethical brand image.

• Creative problem-solving and adaptability are key, as the role supports multiple brands with diverse visual needs.

Company Website: Outerknown Company Website

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's brand identity, particularly its focus on sustainability, is likely a significant aspect of its culture and may influence design aesthetics and project priorities. Understanding this core value will be crucial for a candidate.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an individual contributor role at an intermediate career level. It requires a solid foundation of technical skills and creative execution, with opportunities to grow into more senior design positions or specialized creative roles.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports directly to the Art Director, indicating a clear line of mentorship and project oversight. Collaboration with the Junior Graphic Designer suggests a potential peer relationship or mentorship dynamic.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly influences brand perception, marketing effectiveness, and customer engagement across all channels. High-quality, on-brand creative assets are critical for driving sales, building brand loyalty, and communicating the company's values and product offerings.

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior Graphic Designer: Advancement to a senior role with increased responsibility for leading design projects, mentoring junior staff, and contributing more strategically to brand direction.

• Specialization: Opportunity to specialize in areas such as digital design, motion graphics, or brand identity development based on aptitude and company needs.

• Art Director Track: Potential pathway towards becoming an Art Director, overseeing creative projects and leading the creative team.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gaining deeper insights into marketing, e-commerce, and product development, which can lead to broader career opportunities within the company.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning and skill enhancement in new design software, techniques, and industry trends through company-sponsored training or personal development.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not a direct "operations" role in the RevOps/SalesOps sense, the "operations" context here refers to the functioning and efficiency of the creative department and its output. Growth opportunities are framed within the creative and design career ladder.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The requirement for 4 days per week in the Carlsbad office suggests a hybrid work model, balancing in-office collaboration with potential flexibility. The office environment likely supports creative collaboration.

Office Location(s): Carlsbad, CA, US. This location offers a vibrant business environment in Southern California.

Workspace Context:

• The office environment is expected to foster collaboration, with opportunities to interact directly with the Art Director, Junior Graphic Designer, and other creative team members.

• Access to necessary design tools and technology is implied.

• The role requires working with various internal stakeholders, necessitating a professional and collaborative demeanor.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week, with a significant portion of this time expected to be spent in the Carlsbad office. Flexibility may be offered for the remaining day, but adherence to core business hours and project deadlines is paramount.

📝 Enhancement Note: The 4-day in-office requirement is a key characteristic of the work environment, emphasizing the importance of in-person collaboration for creative roles.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or hiring manager reviews applications and resumes, focusing on experience and portfolio relevance.

• Portfolio Review: Candidates will be asked to submit a portfolio. This is a critical step where the Art Director and potentially other creative leads will assess design skills, creativity, and technical proficiency.

• First Interview: Typically with the Art Director, focusing on design philosophy, creative process, problem-solving skills, and technical capabilities. This is where specific portfolio pieces will be discussed in detail.

• Second Interview (Optional): May involve meeting with other members of the creative team, cross-functional partners (e.g., Marketing Manager), or HR for cultural fit assessment.

• Design Challenge (Possible): A practical design exercise may be assigned to assess real-time design skills, problem-solving, and ability to work under constraints.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a Director-level manager or Head of Creative.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select your strongest, most relevant work that demonstrates proficiency in digital, print, and motion design. Ensure variety across brands if possible.

• Tell a Story: For each project, briefly explain the brief, your role, the challenges, your design process, and the outcome/impact.

• Highlight Technical Skills: Ensure your portfolio showcases your mastery of Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and other relevant tools.

• Brand Adaptability: Include examples that demonstrate your ability to work with different brand aesthetics or adapt to specific brand guidelines.

• High-Quality Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate (e.g., a personal website or a well-structured PDF).

Challenge Preparation:

• If a design challenge is given, focus on understanding the brief thoroughly.

• Prioritize brand consistency and quality within the given time constraints.

• Be prepared to articulate your design decisions and rationale clearly.

• Demonstrate an ability to be creative while adhering to project requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is the most crucial element of the application. Candidates should prepare to discuss their work in depth, demonstrating not just creative output but also strategic thinking and process.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, XD, After Effects. Essential for a wide range of graphic design tasks, from raster and vector editing to layout and motion graphics.

• Figma: A collaborative interface design tool, increasingly used for UI/UX design, prototyping, and brand asset creation.

• Motion Graphics Software (e.g., After Effects): For creating animated graphics for social media, web ads, and digital campaigns.

Analytics & Reporting: While not a primary focus for this role, understanding how design impacts digital metrics (e.g., click-through rates on banners, engagement on social media) is beneficial. Familiarity with basic web analytics concepts is a plus.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to this role's core functions, but understanding how design assets are deployed through marketing automation platforms or e-commerce systems could be an advantage.

Project Management & Collaboration:

• Asana (Preferred): A popular work management platform used for task tracking, project planning, and team collaboration.

• Microsoft Tools (Preferred): Word, Excel, PowerPoint for general office tasks, documentation, and presentations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite and Figma is non-negotiable. Experience with Asana is a strong plus, indicating a preference for organized and collaborative workflows.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: Encouraging fresh ideas and unique visual solutions that align with the brand's aesthetic.

• Quality & Craftsmanship: A commitment to producing high-caliber work that reflects the brand's premium and sustainable positioning.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering an environment where designers work together and with other departments to achieve common goals.

• Brand Integrity: Upholding and enhancing the visual identity of Outerknown, Firewire, and Slater Designs across all platforms.

• Efficiency & Timeliness: Delivering high-quality work within established deadlines, crucial for fast-paced marketing cycles.

• Sustainability & Consciousness: Aligning design efforts with the company's core values of environmental responsibility and ethical practices.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Working closely with marketing, e-commerce, and merchandising to ensure design supports business objectives.

• Feedback-Driven: Open to constructive criticism and iterative design processes led by the Art Director and stakeholders.

• Proactive Support: Willingness to assist the Junior Graphic Designer and other team members as needed.

• Brand Alignment: Ensuring all visual communications are coherent and reinforce the company's overarching brand narrative.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's emphasis on sustainability is likely a core value that influences not only the products but also the team's approach to creative work and internal operations.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Multiple Brands: Effectively managing distinct visual identities and design needs for Outerknown, Firewire, and Slater Designs simultaneously.

• Fast-Paced Environment: Adapting to shifting priorities, tight deadlines, and a high volume of design requests from various departments.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring all creative output adheres strictly to brand guidelines while still allowing for creative expression.

• Digital vs. Print Demands: Switching between the technical requirements and creative approaches for digital assets and print materials.

• Feedback Integration: Effectively incorporating feedback from multiple stakeholders, including the Art Director, Junior Designer, and cross-functional teams.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Software Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, or explore new design technologies.

• Industry Trend Awareness: Staying abreast of the latest design trends, digital marketing best practices, and print production techniques.

• Brand Immersion: Gaining a deeper understanding of the brand narratives and target audiences for Outerknown, Firewire, and Slater Designs.

• Mentorship: Learning from the Art Director and senior members of the creative team.

• Portfolio Expansion: Building a diverse portfolio with impactful projects that showcase growth and versatility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge lies in the dynamic, multi-brand environment and the need for consistent, high-quality output under pressure. Growth opportunities are geared towards advancing within the creative field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Portfolio Walkthrough: Be prepared to walk through 2-3 key projects from your portfolio, detailing the brief, your process, challenges, solutions, and outcomes. Focus on how your design decisions supported the project's goals.

• Brand Adaptation: Discuss how you would approach designing for three distinct brands like Outerknown, Firewire, and Slater Designs, maintaining their unique identities while ensuring overall brand coherence.

• Design Process: Explain your typical design process from receiving a brief to final delivery, including how you incorporate feedback and manage revisions.

• Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your experience with Adobe Creative Suite and Figma, and how you leverage specific features for efficiency and quality.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Brand Alignment: Discuss your understanding of Outerknown's brand values, particularly its commitment to sustainability, and how this influences your design approach.

• Team Collaboration: Describe your experience working collaboratively with artists, writers, marketing teams, and how you handle constructive criticism.

• Problem-Solving: Present a situation where you faced a design challenge or tight deadline and how you successfully navigated it.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Digital Focus: If presenting a digital portfolio (website/PDF), ensure it's well-organized, mobile-responsive, and loads quickly.

• Highlight Key Metrics: Where possible, include any metrics or results associated with your designs (e.g., increased engagement, click-through rates).

• Showcase Variety: Ensure your selected pieces demonstrate breadth across digital, print, and any relevant motion graphics work.

• Brand Specificity: Clearly label which brand each project belongs to and your specific contribution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily rely on the candidate's portfolio and their ability to articulate their design thinking and process, with a strong emphasis on brand understanding and collaborative skills.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided ADP link.

• Portfolio Preparation: Curate a digital portfolio that clearly showcases 3-5 years of relevant experience in digital, print, and motion design. Ensure it highlights your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and Figma, and includes examples that demonstrate adaptability across different brand styles.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your experience with the specified design software, your ability to manage multiple projects, and any experience with apparel brands or sustainable initiatives. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Practice: Prepare to discuss your design process, how you handle feedback, and your understanding of brand consistency. Practice articulating your contributions to past projects, focusing on problem-solving and creative execution.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Outerknown, Firewire, and Slater Designs. Understand their brand aesthetics, target audiences, and commitment to sustainability, as this will be crucial for demonstrating cultural fit and design alignment.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions tailored to a Graphic Designer role within a creative department. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.