Graphic Designer / Illustrator

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer / Illustrator

Company: Spin Master

Location: Wilton, CT, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Creative & Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-04-06

Experience Level: Mid-level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is centered on the creative development and execution of visual assets for a diverse range of children's products, directly impacting market success and brand appeal.

• Responsibilities include conceptualizing and designing engaging artwork for toys, games, activity books, and more, requiring a strong blend of graphic design and illustration skills.

• The position demands proficiency in industry-standard design software and the ability to translate creative concepts into production-ready files for manufacturing.

• Collaboration with cross-functional teams, including design directors and product development, is crucial for ensuring brand consistency and product viability.

📝 Enhancement Note: This is a hybrid role, indicating a blend of in-office and remote work, likely requiring presence in the Wilton, CT office for collaborative sessions and team engagement. The emphasis on "kid at heart" and "passion for children's products" highlights a specific cultural fit requirement beyond technical skills.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and execute engaging and educational artwork for a wide array of children's products, including toys, puzzles, activity books, and pretend play sets, ensuring alignment with market trends and brand identity.

• Rapidly develop and present rough drafts and mock-ups of designs to management for timely feedback and approval, facilitating efficient project progression.

• Create original illustrations in various styles that are consistent with the Spin Master brand, maintaining a cohesive visual language across product lines.

• Collaborate effectively with the Design Director and cross-functional teams throughout the entire design lifecycle, from initial concept to final production.

• Prepare and deliver accurate design files and detailed specifications for manufacturing, meticulously considering cost-effectiveness, ergonomic factors, and production feasibility.

• Ensure all designs strictly adhere to established brand guidelines, maintaining a consistent look and feel across all consumer-facing products.

• Actively stay abreast of current design trends and proactively bring innovative ideas to the team to enhance product appeal and competitive edge.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "Layout designs quickly to present to and get approval from the management team" suggests a need for rapid prototyping and iterative design processes, common in fast-paced consumer goods environments. The mention of "preparing and delivering accurate design files and specifications for manufacturing, considering cost and ergonomic factors" implies a crucial link between creative output and operational efficiency in production.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: No specific degree mentioned, but a strong portfolio and relevant experience are prioritized. A degree in Graphic Design, Illustration, Fine Arts, or a related field is typically expected for such roles.

Experience: 2-5 years of experience in graphic design or illustration, with a preference for candidates with experience in the children's product or toy industry.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) is essential for creating and manipulating design assets.

• Strong graphic design and layout skills with a keen eye for detail and aesthetic appeal.

• Excellent drawing and illustration abilities, with the capacity to adapt to various artistic styles.

• Solid understanding of design principles, including typography, color theory, and composition.

• Proficiency in vector-based illustration techniques and an understanding of print production processes.

• Strong communication and collaboration skills for effective teamwork and stakeholder interaction.

• Excellent time management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently and meet tight deadlines.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience specifically within the children's product or toy industry.

• Familiarity with brand guideline development and adherence.

• Ability to quickly translate concepts into presentable rough drafts and mock-ups.

• Understanding of manufacturing considerations for cost and ergonomics in design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "2-5 years" experience level indicates a mid-level position, requiring candidates to demonstrate independent work capability and a solid foundation in core design skills, rather than entry-level training. The emphasis on a "strong portfolio" suggests it will be a critical component of the evaluation process, likely reviewed early on.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a diverse range of graphic design projects, demonstrating versatility in style and application.

• Include examples of original illustrations, highlighting artistic range and ability to create engaging characters or scenes.

• Present layout design projects, emphasizing effective use of typography, color, and composition for children's products.

• Demonstrate proficiency in preparing design files for production, including examples of mock-ups or print-ready artwork.

Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly stated, candidates are expected to understand and articulate their design process, from concept ideation to final file delivery for manufacturing.

• The ability to create rough drafts and mock-ups implies a process for rapid prototyping and iterative design feedback.

• Adherence to brand guidelines suggests a process for ensuring brand consistency across all creative outputs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the nature of a design role, the portfolio is paramount. It's not just about showcasing finished pieces, but also demonstrating the thought process, problem-solving, and understanding of production requirements. The company values efficiency ("Layout designs quickly") and adherence to brand standards.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The anticipated pay range for candidates working in Connecticut is $65,000 to $75,000 per Annum.

Benefits:

• Growth and Career Opportunities: Support for professional development and internal advancement.

• Flexible Work Hours: Offers some flexibility in scheduling to accommodate work-life balance.

• Comprehensive Benefits: Includes standard benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, etc. (specifics not detailed).

• Other fun Perks!

Working Hours: The job is listed as FULL_TIME, with an estimated 40 hours per week. The mention of "Flexible Work Hours" suggests some degree of autonomy in managing the daily schedule, while still adhering to the core work week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided for the specific location (Connecticut). It's important for candidates to note that this range is an estimate and the final offer will depend on various factors. The inclusion of "Flexible Work Hours" and "Other fun Perks!" points to a company culture that values employee well-being and engagement, beyond standard benefits.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Toy, Entertainment, and Digital Gaming. Spin Master is a leading global company in this sector.

Company Size: Spin Master is a large, established global company. (Company size from LinkedIn data: 1,001-5,000 employees). This indicates a structured environment with established processes but also potential for significant impact.

Founded: Spin Master was founded in 1994. This history suggests a stable company with evolving strategies and a proven track record in the children's entertainment market.

Team Structure:

• The role reports to a Design Director, indicating a hierarchical structure within the design department.

• Collaboration is expected with other team members, suggesting a team-oriented approach to projects.

Methodology:

• The design process emphasizes rapid concept development and iterative feedback ("Layout designs quickly