Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer Company: Sherwin-Williams Location: Cleveland, OH Job Type: Full-Time Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing Date Posted: February 10, 2026 Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years) Remote Status: On-site (5 days/week)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive creative excellence by developing compelling visual content that aligns with Sherwin-Williams' brand strategy and mission to inspire and improve the world.
• Execute design projects across multiple platforms, including print and digital, ensuring brand consistency and high-quality output.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to translate business objectives into impactful visual communications.
• Contribute to a dynamic and fast-paced environment, managing multiple projects with a keen eye for detail and deadlines.
• Leverage advanced proficiency in design software and tools to produce innovative and effective creative solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is crucial for maintaining and elevating Sherwin-Williams' brand presence across all visual touchpoints. The emphasis on being on-site 5 days a week suggests a collaborative team environment where real-time feedback and in-person brainstorming are valued for creative output. The requirement for a portfolio underscores the practical, results-oriented nature of this design position.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and design a wide range of visual assets, including marketing collateral, digital graphics, presentations, and internal communications.
• Ensure all creative output adheres to Sherwin-Williams brand guidelines, maintaining visual consistency and integrity.
• Translate creative briefs and project requirements into visually appealing and effective design solutions.
• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, from concept development through final production, meeting deadlines and budget requirements.
• Collaborate with marketing, product development, and other departments to understand project needs and deliver designs that meet objectives.
• Stay updated on industry trends, design best practices, and emerging technologies to continuously improve creative output.
• Provide constructive feedback on design projects and contribute to a culture of creative excellence and continuous improvement.
• Prepare final artwork files for various production methods, ensuring accuracy and quality for print and digital distribution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities focus on the end-to-end design process, from conceptualization to final delivery, emphasizing brand adherence and cross-functional collaboration. The need to prepare final artwork files indicates a hands-on approach to production, requiring meticulous attention to detail in file management and output specifications.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Art Direction, Visual Communications, or a related field.

Experience:

• 2-5 years of professional graphic design experience, preferably within a corporate or agency setting.
• Proven experience in creating visual assets for both print and digital media.

Required Skills:

• Graphic Design Software Proficiency: Expert-level command of Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and potentially other relevant design tools.
• Portfolio: A strong, diverse portfolio showcasing a range of print and digital design work, demonstrating creative thinking and technical skill.
• Brand Stewardship: Demonstrated ability to understand and apply brand guidelines consistently across various design projects.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective collaboration, presentation of ideas, and feedback exchange.
• Organizational Skills: Strong ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous attention to detail in all aspects of design, from concept and typography to final file preparation.

Preferred Skills:

• Digital Design Expertise: Experience with UI/UX principles, web design, social media graphics, and digital advertising.
• Motion Graphics/Video Editing: Familiarity with After Effects or similar tools for creating dynamic visual content.
• Project Management Tools: Experience with tools like Adobe Workfront or similar for managing creative workflows.
• Print Production Knowledge: Understanding of pre-press requirements, color theory, and various printing processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a strong portfolio and specific software proficiency highlights the practical, execution-focused nature of this role. The preferred skills suggest opportunities for growth into more dynamic digital and motion design areas, which could be a valuable addition to a candidate's portfolio.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase at least 3-5 diverse projects that demonstrate a strong understanding of design principles, creativity, and problem-solving.
• Include examples of both print collateral (e.g., brochures, advertisements, packaging) and digital assets (e.g., social media graphics, web banners, email templates).
• Clearly articulate your role, the project objectives, your creative process, and the impact of your design solutions for each project.
• Highlight projects where you successfully adhered to or evolved brand guidelines.
• Demonstrate technical proficiency across various design software and platforms.

Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your typical design workflow, from receiving a brief to final asset delivery.
• Articulate how you approach concept development, iteration, and incorporating feedback.
• Explain your methods for ensuring design quality, consistency, and accuracy in final deliverables.
• Be ready to describe how you manage project timelines and prioritize tasks within a design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is a critical component for this role, serving as direct evidence of a candidate's creative capabilities and practical application. Candidates should curate their portfolios to specifically address the types of projects mentioned in the responsibilities and highlight their end-to-end design process.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Graphic Designer with 2-5 years of experience in Cleveland, OH, the estimated salary range is $74,934 - $94,520 USD per year. This range reflects the typical compensation for roles requiring expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, print and digital design, and a proven portfolio, with adjustments for the Cleveland, Ohio market.

Benefits:

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage options.
• Retirement Savings Plan: 401(k) plan with company matching contributions.
• Total Well-being Programs: Initiatives focused on physical, mental, and financial wellness.
• Flexibility: Opportunities for work-life balance and flexible scheduling where applicable.
• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, workshops, and skill enhancement.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are approximately 40 hours per week.
• This role requires a consistent on-site presence, 5 days a week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is estimated based on industry data for similar roles in the specified location and experience level. The provided benefits align with typical offerings for large, established corporations like Sherwin-Williams, emphasizing comprehensive support for employees' health, financial well-being, and professional growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Paints and Coatings Manufacturing Company Size: Large Enterprise (10,000+ employees) Founded: 1866 Company Description: Sherwin-Williams is a global leader in the manufacture, development, distribution, and sale of paints, coatings, and related products to professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers. They are committed to inspiring and improving the world by coloring and protecting what matters.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will likely be part of a broader Marketing or Creative Services department.
• This team is expected to be composed of various creative professionals, including other designers, copywriters, and marketing specialists.
• Reporting structure will likely be to a Creative Director, Marketing Manager, or Brand Manager.
• Close collaboration with internal stakeholders across marketing, sales, product development, and potentially HR is expected.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Creativity: While creative output is paramount, decisions are often informed by market research, customer insights, and performance metrics.
• Brand Consistency: A strong emphasis on maintaining and evolving the Sherwin-Williams brand identity across all communications.
• Collaborative Workflow: Projects are typically managed through a structured process involving multiple team members and stakeholders, utilizing project management tools.
• Continuous Improvement: A culture that encourages learning, feedback, and adaptation to new trends and technologies.

Company Website: https://www.sherwin-williams.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Sherwin-Williams' long history and large enterprise size suggest a stable, established corporate culture with well-defined processes. The company's mission and values point towards a professional environment focused on quality, innovation, and customer impact, which will be reflected in the design team's work.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level Designer. This role is for an individual contributor who is expected to work with a degree of autonomy on assigned projects, contributing their creative expertise and technical skills. It's a step beyond entry-level, requiring independent execution and problem-solving within established creative frameworks.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report to a Creative Lead or Marketing Manager. This individual will provide direction, feedback, and oversee the designer's project assignments and development. Collaboration will extend to peers within the creative team and stakeholders from various business units.

Operations Impact: While not a traditional "operations" role, the Graphic Designer's work directly impacts Sherwin-Williams' Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy by creating visually compelling materials that support sales, marketing campaigns, brand awareness, and customer engagement. High-quality design is essential for effective communication in all these areas.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Potential to specialize in areas like digital design, motion graphics, packaging design, or brand identity development.
• Senior Designer/Art Director Path: With demonstrated growth in skills, leadership, and project management, advancement to a Senior Graphic Designer or Art Director role is possible.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Opportunity to work on diverse projects across different Sherwin-Williams brands and business units, broadening experience.
• Skill Development: Access to training and resources to learn new software, design techniques, and stay current with industry trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis frames the Graphic Designer role within a broader business context, highlighting its contribution to GTM success. The growth opportunities suggest a clear career progression path within a large organization, appealing to ambitious designers looking for long-term development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Corporate Office Environment. The role is explicitly stated as requiring a 5-day-per-week in-office presence, indicating a traditional office setting designed for collaboration and focused work.

Office Location(s): Cleveland, OH, or Chicago, IL. Candidates must be willing to work in either of these locations.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Expect access to meeting rooms, brainstorming areas, and potentially shared workspaces to facilitate team interaction and project discussions.
• Technology & Tools: Access to standard office equipment, high-performance workstations, and the necessary software licenses (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite) to perform design tasks effectively.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities for daily interaction with the design team, marketing colleagues, and project stakeholders, fostering a dynamic and communicative work atmosphere.

Work Schedule:

• A standard 40-hour work week is expected.
• The on-site requirement means adherence to typical office operating hours, with potential for occasional overtime during peak project periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a 5-day on-site work schedule is a key differentiator, suggesting a preference for in-person collaboration and a traditional corporate structure. This environment is conducive to structured workflows and direct team engagement.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: HR or recruiter conducts a brief call to assess basic qualifications, interest, and cultural fit.
2. Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: Candidates will present their portfolio to a hiring manager and/or senior designers. This stage will involve discussing past projects, design choices, creative process, and technical skills. Be prepared to articulate your design rationale and problem-solving approach.
3. Skills Assessment/Case Study: You may be given a design challenge or a hypothetical brief to complete within a set timeframe. This assesses your ability to apply skills to a new problem, adhere to brand guidelines, and present solutions effectively.
4. Final Interview: Meet with department leadership (e.g., Creative Director, VP of Marketing) to discuss your career aspirations, alignment with company values, and overall fit within the team and organization.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase versatility across print and digital.
• Tell a Story: For each project, explain the client/business objective, your role, the challenges, your creative process, and the measurable results or impact.
• Highlight Brand Work: If you have experience with established brands, clearly demonstrate how you maintained or evolved their identity.
• Technical Proficiency: Be ready to discuss the software and techniques you used.
• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate (e.g., PDF, personal website).

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brand: Thoroughly research Sherwin-Williams' current branding, target audiences, and recent marketing campaigns.
• Practice Design Thinking: Be ready to articulate your approach to solving a design problem, not just the final output.
• Time Management: For any timed exercises, practice working efficiently under pressure.
• Focus on Objectives: Ensure your solutions clearly address the brief's requirements and business goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice for navigating the hiring process, with a strong emphasis on portfolio presentation and preparation for potential design challenges, which are common for creative roles.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:
  • Photoshop: For raster image editing, digital compositing, and web graphics.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, icons, and illustrations.
  • InDesign: For page layout, print collateral, and interactive documents.
• Microsoft Office Suite: Especially PowerPoint for presentations and Word for text-based collateral.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly creating reports, understanding how design impacts metrics (e.g., click-through rates for digital ads, engagement on social media) is beneficial. Familiarity with web analytics platforms like Google Analytics may be helpful for digital design context.

CRM & Automation:

• Adobe Workfront (or similar): Preferred for managing creative workflows, project approvals, and asset management within a corporate environment. Understanding how designs integrate into marketing automation platforms (e.g., Marketo, HubSpot) can be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section clearly outlines the essential software tools required for the role, with a specific mention of Adobe Workfront as a preferred project management tool, which is common in larger corporate creative departments.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values (Sherwin-Williams):

• Inspire and Improve: A core value focused on making a positive impact through color and protection, translating to creating designs that uplift and inform.
• Creative Excellence: A commitment to high-quality, innovative, and effective design solutions that meet business objectives.
• Collaboration: Working effectively with diverse teams, sharing ideas, and contributing to collective success.
• Integrity: Upholding ethical standards and professionalism in all work and interactions.
• Customer Focus: Designing with the end-user and customer experience in mind.

Collaboration Style:

• Team-Oriented: Expect a collaborative environment where designers work together, share feedback, and support each other's projects.
• Cross-Functional Partnerships: Strong emphasis on partnering with marketing, sales, and other departments to ensure designs align with broader business strategies.
• Feedback Driven: A culture that values constructive criticism and iterative design processes to achieve the best outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: These values and collaboration styles are inferred from Sherwin-Williams' stated mission and the nature of a corporate creative team. Candidates should demonstrate alignment with these principles in their application and interviews.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Brand Constraints: Effectively pushing creative boundaries while strictly adhering to established brand guidelines and corporate objectives.
• Managing Multiple Stakeholder Needs: Juggling feedback and requirements from various departments and individuals, ensuring all needs are considered and addressed.
• Pace of Work: Thriving in a fast-paced corporate environment where deadlines can be tight and project volumes high.
• Adapting to Evolving Trends: Keeping design skills and knowledge current with the rapid changes in digital media, software, and design aesthetics.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Potential to attend design conferences or specialized workshops to enhance skills and network.
• Internal Training: Access to Sherwin-Williams' internal learning resources and potential for cross-training within the creative department.
• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from senior designers and Art Directors, gaining insights into career progression and advanced design strategies.
• Exposure to Diverse Projects: Working on a wide array of projects provides continuous learning and skill diversification.

📝 Enhancement Note: Identifying potential challenges helps candidates prepare for the realities of the role. The growth opportunities highlight Sherwin-Williams' commitment to employee development within a large organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance a strong creative vision with strict brand guidelines. How did you approach it?" (Focus on your process for finding creative solutions within constraints.)
• "Walk us through your most challenging design project. What were the obstacles, and how did you overcome them?" (Highlight problem-solving skills and resilience.)
• "How do you ensure your designs are effective for their intended audience and business objective?" (Showcase strategic thinking beyond aesthetics.)
• "How do you incorporate feedback from stakeholders, especially when it conflicts with your initial design concept?" (Demonstrate collaboration and adaptability.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Sherwin-Williams and this specific role?" (Tailor your answer to the company's mission, products, and your passion for design.)
• "How do you stay updated on design trends and new technologies?" (Show your commitment to continuous learning.)
• "Describe your ideal team environment and how you contribute to it." (Align your answer with the collaborative culture described.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Practice Your Narrative: Rehearse explaining each project concisely, focusing on objectives, challenges, your process, and outcomes.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data or metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, conversion rates, brand recognition).
• Be Ready for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design choices, software proficiency, and problem-solving approaches.
• Showcase Versatility: Highlight projects that demonstrate your range across different media and styles.

📝 Enhancement Note: These interview questions are tailored to assess a Graphic Designer's skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within a corporate environment like Sherwin-Williams. The portfolio presentation strategy emphasizes storytelling and impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Sherwin-Williams careers portal via the provided link.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and prominently features your strongest print and digital design work, tailored to showcase relevant experience for a large corporation. Highlight projects that demonstrate brand adherence and creative problem-solving.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords such as "Graphic Design," "Adobe Creative Suite," "Brand Guidelines," "Print Design," "Digital Design," "Art Direction," and any project management tool experience (e.g., Adobe Workfront). Quantify achievements where possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, articulating your design process, and answering common interview questions related to creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving. Be prepared to discuss your experience with Sherwin-Williams' brand.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Sherwin-Williams' mission, values, recent marketing campaigns, and the paints and coatings industry 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.

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