Graphic Designer - Creative Marketing

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer - Creative Marketing

Company: Fanatics (Topps)

Location: New York, NY, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: Creative & Media / Marketing / Art & Design

Date Posted: March 18, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive visual storytelling and brand identity for a legendary collectibles brand (Topps) within the Fanatics ecosystem, focusing on innovative creative that bridges heritage and modern appeal.

• Execute high-impact graphic design across a comprehensive range of marketing campaigns, promotional assets, and product visuals for both digital and physical channels.

• Collaborate extensively with cross-functional teams to ensure cohesive and impactful creative delivery for major product drops and brand activations across sports and entertainment properties.

• Contribute to the development of insert card designs and print collateral, directly supporting the physical collectibles market while also creating digital assets for online engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is situated within Fanatics Collectibles, specifically focusing on the iconic Topps brand. The emphasis is on merging a rich historical legacy with forward-thinking design to engage a new generation of collectors. Success will hinge on translating brand heritage into compelling visual narratives across diverse platforms.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and execute end-to-end marketing campaigns, promotional assets, and product visuals tailored for digital, social media, and e-commerce platforms.

• Develop and implement branding strategies for high-profile activations, including events like Comic Con, Topps Rip Night, WrestleMania, and the World Baseball Classic.

• Create brand-aligned creative assets that authentically reflect the Topps voice while pushing visual innovation and collector appeal.

• Partner effectively with Marketing, Product, and Packaging teams to deliver unified, campaign-driven creative for significant product launches across MLB, NBA, Disney, WWE, and other key properties.

• Produce a variety of digital assets, including landing pages, email templates, banner advertisements, and social media content to support product drops, events, and releases.

• Design insert cards and other print collateral to enhance the appeal and value of physical collectible products.

• Maintain and evolve the Topps visual identity system, design templates, and brand guidelines to ensure consistent brand representation across all consumer touchpoints.

• Thrive in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment, demonstrating strong collaboration, initiative, and meticulous attention to detail.

• Potentially provide creative direction and mentorship to junior designers, contributing to team development and quality standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative execution and strategic brand application. The role requires not only strong design skills but also an understanding of how to apply them to specific marketing objectives and product types within the collectibles industry, including both digital engagement and the tangible appeal of print and physical products.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 3–5 years of professional graphic design experience, with a preference for candidates who have worked within consumer products, sports, entertainment, or lifestyle brands.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in graphic design principles, including layout, composition, typography, and color theory, with a keen eye for craft and detail.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple design projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

• Experience designing across various digital channels, including email, web, paid media, and social media platforms.

• Ability to take initiative and deliver high-quality creative work independently.

Preferred Skills:

• Expertise in digital design tools such as Figma, Sketch, or similar.

• Experience designing for physical packaging or print collateral.

• Familiarity with the sports and collectibles market, or a strong passion for pop culture and the Topps brand.

• Experience in visual storytelling and brand identity development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a strong portfolio is critical, emphasizing the need for candidates to showcase their ability to merge creativity with brand consistency across both digital and physical applications. The mention of Figma/Sketch suggests a growing emphasis on collaborative and modern design workflows.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio that clearly demonstrates the candidate's ability to merge creative vision with brand consistency across digital and physical media.

• Case studies showcasing successful marketing campaigns, from concept to execution, highlighting the design process and outcomes.

• Examples of visual identity development or evolution, illustrating how brand guidelines were applied and maintained.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of workflow management for multiple concurrent projects, showcasing prioritization and deadline adherence.

• Examples of collaborative processes with cross-functional teams (e.g., Marketing, Product) to ensure cohesive campaign delivery.

• Demonstrations of how design templates and visual identity systems were created, maintained, and utilized for consistent brand application.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Graphic Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond just showcasing aesthetics and demonstrate strategic thinking in applying design to marketing objectives, understanding brand guidelines, and managing projects efficiently. The emphasis on both digital and physical media requires a diverse range of examples.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $70,000 - $85,000 annually (based on NYC location).

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement savings plan with company match (e.g., 401k).

• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Opportunities for professional development, training, and attending industry events.

• Employee discounts on Fanatics and Topps products.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, standard business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific to the New York City location and represents base pay only. The company explicitly states that other factors like location, experience, and qualifications will influence the final compensation package. Benefits are standard for a full-time role in a large corporation.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Sports & Entertainment Collectibles, E-commerce, Digital Platforms.

Company Size: Large (Fanatics is a global organization with over 22,000 employees, and Topps, as part of Fanatics Collectibles, contributes to this extensive network).

Founded: Topps was founded in 1938, with Fanatics being founded in 1995. Fanatics acquired Topps in January 2022, integrating its legacy into Fanatics Collectibles.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the Topps creative team, which operates under the broader Fanatics Collectibles division. This team likely includes other designers, art directors, and creative managers.

• The role involves reporting to a Creative Lead or Art Director within the Topps brand.

Methodology:

• Design processes will likely be data-informed, leveraging insights from marketing campaign performance and collector engagement metrics.

• Workflow planning will emphasize agile methodologies to accommodate rapid product drops and event-driven creative needs.

• Automation and efficiency practices may be employed for asset creation and template utilization to streamline production for various digital and print channels.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Being part of Fanatics means operating within a massive, digitally-focused sports and entertainment conglomerate. The Topps brand brings a rich heritage, and the culture likely reflects a blend of honoring that legacy while embracing the innovative, fast-paced, and data-driven approach characteristic of Fanatics.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level Designer. This role is suitable for individuals with foundational experience who are looking to deepen their expertise within a specific industry and brand.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report to a Creative Director or Art Director within the Topps brand, part of the Fanatics Collectibles division. This structure allows for guidance and mentorship from experienced creative leaders.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly influences brand perception, marketing campaign effectiveness, product appeal, and ultimately, sales and collector engagement. High-quality visuals are critical for driving interest in both physical and digital collectibles.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advance to Senior Graphic Designer or Art Director roles within Topps or Fanatics, taking on more complex projects and leadership responsibilities.

• Specialize in specific areas such as digital marketing design, product packaging design, or brand identity development.

• Develop expertise in the sports and entertainment collectibles market, becoming a go-to creative resource for these high-value properties.

• Gain experience in managing creative projects from conception through completion, including client/stakeholder management.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents a strong opportunity for a designer to build a specialized career within the booming collectibles market, leveraging the extensive reach and resources of Fanatics. The growth path involves deepening creative skills and expanding strategic impact within the company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, requiring the designer to work from the Topps office located at 95 Morton St, New York, NY. The environment is likely collaborative and fast-paced, typical of creative agencies or brand marketing departments.

Office Location(s): The primary office for this role is in New York City, a major hub for creative industries.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed to foster collaboration, with opportunities for designers to interact with marketing teams, product developers, and other creative professionals.

• Access to industry-standard design software and technology, including Adobe Creative Suite and potentially digital design tools like Figma.

• A dynamic environment where designers can engage in creative brainstorming, project reviews, and cross-functional team meetings.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, expected to be around 40 hours per week, aligning with standard business hours. Flexibility may be offered based on project deadlines and team needs, but the primary expectation is on-site presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in New York City suggests an environment that values in-person collaboration and spontaneous creative exchange, crucial for a role focused on visual development and brand consistency.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess foundational skills, experience, and alignment with brand aesthetics.

• Portfolio Presentation & Skills Assessment: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, discussing specific projects, design rationale, and problem-solving approaches. This may include a live design exercise or a take-home creative challenge.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with hiring managers, potential team members, and cross-functional partners (e.g., Marketing, Product) to evaluate collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: A concluding interview with senior leadership to discuss career aspirations and long-term fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent your skills in digital marketing, branding, and potentially print design. Highlight work relevant to sports, entertainment, or consumer products if possible.

• Showcase Process: For each project, explain your role, the problem you were solving, your design process (sketches, iterations, rationale), and the final outcome/impact. Visuals of early concepts are highly valuable.

• Highlight Brand Consistency: Emphasize how you maintained brand guidelines while also bringing fresh creative ideas.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, include metrics on campaign performance, engagement rates, or sales uplift directly attributable to your designs.

• Prepare for Digital & Print: Be ready to discuss both digital assets (social, web, email) and physical collateral (packaging, print ads, insert cards).

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brand: Thoroughly research Topps, Fanatics, and the collectibles market. Understand their target audience, key product lines (MLB, NBA, Disney, WWE), and recent campaigns.

• Practice Design Exercises: Be prepared for a design challenge that might involve creating social media assets, a banner ad, or conceptualizing a campaign visual for a new product drop. Focus on speed, creativity, and adherence to brand.

• Articulate Your Rationale: Practice explaining your design choices clearly and concisely, linking them back to marketing objectives and brand strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is the central piece of the application. Candidates should treat it as a narrative of their design capabilities and problem-solving skills, specifically tailored to the demands of a brand like Topps within the Fanatics ecosystem.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop (advanced image manipulation, compositing), Illustrator (vector graphics, logos, icons), InDesign (layout for print collateral, brochures, packaging).

• Digital Design Tools: Figma, Sketch, or similar platforms for collaborative UI/UX design, prototyping, and asset handoff for web and digital applications.

Analytics & Reporting: While not a primary tool for this role, understanding how design impacts metrics tracked by Marketing and E-commerce teams (e.g., click-through rates, conversion rates, engagement) is beneficial. Familiarity with data visualization tools might be a plus.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to the designer's core tools, but awareness of how marketing automation platforms (e.g., for email campaigns) utilize design assets is helpful.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. The mention of Figma/Sketch indicates a modern workflow expectation, likely for digital assets and collaborative design processes.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Collector-Centricity: A deep understanding and passion for the collector community, ensuring designs resonate with their interests and values.

• Innovation: A drive to push creative boundaries while respecting brand heritage, finding new ways to engage fans.

• Collaboration: A commitment to working effectively with diverse teams to achieve shared goals for product launches and marketing initiatives.

• Excellence & Craftsmanship: A dedication to high-quality design execution, attention to detail, and delivering polished final products.

• Passion for Sports & Entertainment: A genuine interest in the brands and properties Topps represents, fueling creative energy and authenticity.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, working closely with marketing strategists, product managers, and digital teams to translate campaign objectives into compelling visuals.

• Open to feedback and iterative design processes, actively participating in critiques and brainstorming sessions.

• Proactive in communication to ensure alignment and timely delivery of creative assets across all project stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is likely a fusion of a traditional, heritage-driven brand (Topps) with the energetic, digitally-native, and data-focused approach of Fanatics. A passion for sports and collectibles is a significant cultural differentiator.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing the iconic heritage of the Topps brand with the need for contemporary visual innovation to attract new collectors.

• Managing a high volume of diverse creative requests across multiple, high-profile sports and entertainment properties (MLB, NBA, Disney, WWE, etc.) under tight deadlines.

• Ensuring design consistency and brand integrity across an ever-expanding range of digital and physical touchpoints.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Gain in-depth knowledge of the sports and entertainment collectibles market, including trading cards and memorabilia.

• Develop advanced skills in digital marketing design, social media content creation, and e-commerce visual merchandising.

• Expand experience in brand identity systems and applying them across integrated marketing campaigns.

• Opportunities to work on high-profile product launches and major event activations, significantly enhancing portfolio value.

• Potential to grow into leadership roles within the creative department, mentoring junior designers and influencing creative strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity to specialize in a niche but highly lucrative market, working with some of the most recognizable brands in sports and entertainment. The challenges are directly tied to the exciting and dynamic nature of the collectibles industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance a brand's heritage with a need for modern visual innovation. How did you approach it?" (Focus on your process and how you respected brand guidelines while introducing fresh elements).

• "Walk us through your process for designing marketing assets for a major product launch, from brief to final delivery. How do you ensure cross-functional alignment?" (Highlight your project management, collaboration, and communication skills).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about the Topps brand and the collectibles market?" (Show genuine interest and research into the industry).

• "How would you contribute to a collaborative creative environment like the one at Fanatics/Topps?" (Emphasize teamwork, feedback, and proactive communication).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each project, frame it as a narrative—the challenge, your solution, and the outcome.

• Be Concise: Focus on the most impactful aspects of each project. Don't try to show everything.

• Highlight Your Role: Clearly articulate your specific contributions, especially in team projects.

• Discuss Rationale: Be prepared to defend your design choices and explain why you made specific decisions regarding typography, color, layout, etc.

• Showcase Versatility: Demonstrate your ability to work across different styles and mediums (digital, print, social).

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh your portfolio and your ability to articulate your design thinking and how it aligns with brand strategy and business goals. Demonstrating passion for sports/collectibles and a collaborative spirit will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Fanatics careers portal link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume clearly links to your online portfolio. Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating experience in digital marketing, branding, and ideally, consumer products, sports, or entertainment.

• Resume Optimization: Craft your resume to emphasize achievements related to graphic design, campaign execution, cross-functional collaboration, and proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and other relevant design tools. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, articulating your design process, and answering behavioral questions related to creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving. Research Fanatics and Topps thoroughly.

• Company Research: Understand Fanatics' mission, Fanatics Collectibles' vision, and the specific role of Topps within that structure. Familiarize yourself with their current marketing efforts and product lines.

⚠️ 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.