Graphic Designer - Visual Merchandising

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer - Visual Merchandising

Company: Forma Brands LLC

Location: San Francisco, California, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Visual Merchandising & Graphic Design

Date Posted: March 18, 2026

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Develop impactful, consumer-facing graphic packages and experiential visual elements for wholesale retail environments.

• Translate campaign creative into compelling, dimensional in-store storytelling across various retail fixtures, including gondolas, endcaps, and pop-up installations.

• Ensure brand consistency and technical accuracy in all graphic executions for domestic and international retail partners.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with VM Channel Managers, Retail Marketing, and Brand Creative teams to align on launch objectives and retail requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is focused on translating brand creative into physical retail spaces, requiring a strong understanding of visual merchandising principles and graphic design execution for point-of-sale (POSM) materials. The emphasis on "consumer-facing" and "in-store storytelling" highlights the need for a designer who can think dimensionally and aesthetically within a retail context.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Adapt global brand and campaign creative into compelling, consumer-facing Visual Merchandising (VM) graphic packages.

• Design graphics for gondolas, endcaps, inline fixtures, promotional displays, and pop-up installations, ensuring aesthetic appeal and commercial performance.

• Develop comprehensive launch toolkits and visual guideline documents for domestic and international affiliates to ensure brand consistency across all markets.

• Produce 2D layouts, scaled mechanicals, and 3D mockups/renderings to effectively communicate design intent and fixture storytelling.

• Elevate fixture storytelling zones with clean, prestige-forward design principles, balancing artistic vision with retail practicality.

• Create print-ready production files, meticulously ensuring technical accuracy across various materials and finishes.

• Partner closely with VM Channel Managers, Retail Marketing, Brand Creative, Copy, and Project Management teams to align on launch objectives and retail partner requirements.

• Present design concepts and mockups to stakeholders, efficiently incorporating feedback to refine designs.

• Coordinate with print and fixture vendors for final artwork release and manage production approvals to ensure timely delivery.

• Support global affiliates (UK, EMEA, etc.) by sharing direction, execution files, and ensuring brand alignment.

• Own artwork timelines, managing multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.

• Review press proofs against approved art to guarantee color, typography, and scale accuracy.

• Manage copy revisions and feedback cycles using platforms like ProofHQ or equivalent workflow management tools.

• Maintain organized digital file systems and robust version control for all project assets.

• Support translation adaptations (Spanish, French, etc.) as required for global retail initiatives.

• Continuously optimize workflow processes and documentation standards to enhance efficiency and output quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities heavily emphasize the end-to-end process of retail graphic design, from initial creative adaptation to production oversight and global rollout. The mention of specific fixture types (gondolas, endcaps) and collaboration with "VM Channel Managers" indicates a deep integration with the visual merchandising function.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 3–5+ years of experience in retail graphic design, in-store marketing, or Out-of-Home (OOH) campaigns.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) for design execution.

• Strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in composition, hierarchy, typography, color theory, and layout systems.

• Demonstrable experience in retail or experiential graphic design, showcasing an understanding of the in-store environment.

• Proven ability to prepare production-ready print files and understand retail print production processes, materials, and Point-of-Sale (POSM) execution.

• Excellent visual storytelling skills, with the ability to express brand DNA through retail graphics.

• Ability to balance prestige aesthetics with commercial performance requirements.

• Highly organized with the capacity to manage shifting priorities and multiple concurrent projects without sacrificing creative quality.

• Proactive, solutions-oriented approach with the ability to own projects end-to-end.

Preferred Skills:

• Beauty industry experience (mass or prestige) is strongly preferred, indicating familiarity with the sector's aesthetic and marketing nuances.

• Experience working with specific retail partners like Target, Ulta, Sephora, or international affiliates is a significant advantage.

• Familiarity with 3D rendering tools such as SketchUp or other AI-3D rendering software for mockups.

• Experience with workflow management platforms like Wrike, ProofHQ, or similar systems for project tracking and approvals.

• Experience supporting global affiliates and managing translation adaptations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "strong portfolio" with specific elements (composition, typography, color theory, retail/experiential work) is critical. This is a common requirement for design roles, but here it's specifically tied to translating brand identity into a physical retail space. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite is a baseline, but the ability to prepare production files for retail print is a key differentiator.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio showcasing a minimum of 3-5 years of relevant experience in retail graphic design, in-store marketing, or OOH campaigns.

• Portfolio must demonstrate strong capabilities in:

  • Composition and visual hierarchy.
  • Typography application and best practices.
  • Color theory and its application in retail environments.
  • Layout systems and their adaptability across different fixture types.
  • Retail or experiential design projects, highlighting understanding of the consumer journey in-store.

• Evidence of adapting global campaign creative into effective, consumer-facing VM graphic packages.

• Examples of creating 2D layouts, scaled mechanicals, and 3D mockups/renderings to communicate design intent.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of developing launch toolkits and visual guideline documents for consistency across domestic and international markets.

• Demonstrated experience in creating print-ready production files with technical accuracy for various materials and finishes.

• Case studies or project examples that highlight collaboration with cross-functional teams (VM, Retail Marketing, Brand Creative) and external vendors.

• Documentation of managing artwork timelines, reviewing press proofs, and overseeing copy revisions via workflow platforms.

• Evidence of maintaining organized digital file systems and version control for project assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirement is central to this role, serving as the primary means to assess a candidate's design capabilities, retail understanding, and ability to execute on brand strategy within a physical space. The emphasis on "retail or experiential work" and "adapting campaign creative" points to a need for practical, execution-oriented design skills.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Paid Time Off (PTO) including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Opportunity to contribute to a 401(k) retirement plan with potential company match.

• Employee discounts on Morphe products and potential perks related to brand partnerships.

• Professional development opportunities, including potential for attending industry events or workshops.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, typically 40 hours per week.

• Occasional overtime may be required to meet project deadlines, especially during peak retail seasons or major launch periods.

• This is an on-site role, requiring regular presence in the San Francisco office.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates for San Francisco are typically higher due to the cost of living. The benefits are standard for a full-time role in the US, with specific additions relevant to the company's industry (beauty/retail). The requirement for on-site work is a key factor in compensation and daily structure.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Cosmetics & Beauty Retail, with a strong focus on brand storytelling and influencer marketing. Forma Brands LLC encompasses popular brands like Morphe.

Company Size: Forma Brands LLC is a significant entity within the beauty industry, operating across multiple brands and global channels. While specific current employee numbers fluctuate, it's considered a medium to large enterprise in the consumer goods sector.

Founded: Morphe was founded in 2008, and Forma Brands has grown significantly since then, establishing a strong presence in both online and brick-and-mortar retail, particularly within wholesale partnerships.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the Visual Merchandising or Brand Creative team, likely reporting to a Design Manager or Director.

• This role involves extensive cross-functional collaboration with VM Channel Managers, Retail Marketing, Brand Creative, Copywriting, and Project Management teams.

Methodology:

• Data-driven creative adaptation, where campaign performance and retail analytics inform design decisions for in-store execution.

• A focus on brand storytelling, translating campaign narratives into engaging visual experiences at the retail touchpoint.

• Collaborative design process, involving feedback loops with multiple stakeholders to ensure alignment and brand consistency.

• Emphasis on production accuracy and efficient workflow management to meet fast-paced retail launch cycles.

Company Website: https://www.formabrands.com/ (Note: This is the corporate site; Morphe has its own branded presence.)

📝 Enhancement Note: Forma Brands, particularly with the Morphe brand, is known for its dynamic, fast-paced environment driven by trends and influencer culture. The company's success relies on strong visual presentation and consistent brand messaging across all touchpoints, making this role crucial.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Mid-Level Graphic Designer stage, specifically focused on Visual Merchandising. It requires independent execution of design tasks, adaptation of existing creative, and collaboration with cross-functional teams. It's a step beyond junior design roles, demanding ownership and tactical execution within defined brand guidelines.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will likely report to a Design Manager or Director within the Brand Creative or Visual Merchandising department. They will work closely with VM Channel Managers and collaborate with various departments.

Operations Impact: This role directly impacts the brand's visibility and sales performance at the wholesale retail level. Effective VM graphics drive consumer engagement, communicate promotions, and reinforce brand identity, ultimately influencing purchasing decisions and brand perception. The designer's work is a critical component of the Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy for retail product launches and ongoing merchandising.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Develop deeper expertise in retail VM design, print production, and 3D rendering for in-store applications.

• Leadership: Potential to move into a Senior Graphic Designer role, leading projects, mentoring junior designers, or taking on more complex design challenges.

• Brand Expansion: Opportunity to work on graphics for new brand launches within the Forma Brands portfolio or expand into different retail channels.

• Cross-functional exposure: Gain experience in retail marketing, merchandising strategy, and global brand management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operations Impact" section is tailored to highlight how a design role contributes to broader GTM and revenue-generating activities, a key aspect for operations-minded professionals. Growth opportunities focus on skill enhancement and career progression within a design and retail context.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, suggesting a professional office environment conducive to creative work and team collaboration. It's likely a modern office space designed to foster creativity and interaction.

Office Location(s): The primary location is San Francisco, CA, 49 Stevenson Street. This places the role in a major metropolitan hub known for its creative industries and access to talent.

Workspace Context:

• A collaborative environment where designers interact with VM, marketing, and brand teams.

• Access to necessary design software and potentially 3D rendering tools.

• Opportunities to review physical proofs and samples, requiring interaction with materials.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours (40 hours/week) with potential for overtime during critical project phases.

• The on-site requirement means regular attendance is expected, facilitating in-person collaboration and access to office resources.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in San Francisco is a key detail. The description focuses on the collaborative nature of the workspace and the dynamic pace, common in retail and consumer goods environments.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter review of application and resume to assess basic qualifications and experience.

• Portfolio Review: A critical step where the hiring manager and/or design team will rigorously evaluate the candidate's portfolio, focusing on the specified requirements (composition, typography, retail experience, print production readiness).

• Skills Assessment/Creative Challenge: Candidates may be asked to complete a design exercise or take-home project simulating a real-world task, such as adapting a campaign for a specific retail fixture or creating a graphic package for a new product launch.

• Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with key team members, including VM Channel Managers, Retail Marketing, and potentially brand leads, to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and understanding of retail objectives.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a Director or VP level, focusing on cultural fit, strategic thinking, and long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your skills in retail graphic design, VM adaptation, and print production readiness. Prioritize examples that align with Morphe's aesthetic and target audience (beauty, prestige, trend-driven).

• Highlight Process: For each project, briefly explain the brief, your design process, challenges faced, and the final solution. Emphasize how you translated campaign creative into dimensional, in-store graphics.

• Showcase Technical Proficiency: Include examples of print-ready files, mockups, and explain your understanding of materials, finishes, and production constraints.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If you have examples where your designs contributed to increased sales or engagement, highlight them. For instance, "This endcap design was part of a campaign that saw a 15% uplift in associated product sales."

• Tailor to the Role: Ensure your portfolio explicitly addresses the requirements mentioned in the job description, such as adapting global creative and working with specific fixture types.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: If given a creative challenge, thoroughly read and understand the objectives, target audience, and constraints. Ask clarifying questions.

• Think Retail-First: Approach any design challenge with a retail mindset. Consider how the design will function in a physical space, its visibility, and its ability to drive consumer action.

• Demonstrate Brand Alignment: Show that you can interpret and apply the brand's aesthetic and messaging consistently.

• Present Clearly: Be prepared to articulate your design choices, process, and rationale clearly and concisely, as you would in an interview with stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is crucial for operations candidates applying to design roles. It emphasizes the practical, execution-oriented aspects of the interview process, particularly the portfolio review and potential creative challenges, which are direct indicators of a candidate's ability to perform the core responsibilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Advanced proficiency required in:

  • InDesign: For layout, typography, and preparing multi-page documents or guideline kits.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logo adaptation, and detailed illustration work.
  • Photoshop: For image manipulation, retouching, and creating photorealistic mockups.

• Workflow Management Platforms: Experience with tools like ProofHQ (or equivalent, e.g., Asana, Wrike, Monday.com) for managing revisions, approvals, and project timelines.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

3D Design & Mockup Tools (Preferred):

• SketchUp: For creating 3D models of fixtures and visualizing designs in a spatial context.

• Other 3D Rendering Tools: Proficiency in any 3D rendering software that can produce realistic mockups.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section highlights the essential technical tools for a graphic designer in a retail VM context. The emphasis on Adobe Creative Suite and specific workflow tools like ProofHQ is critical for candidates to assess their readiness.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Brand Integrity: A deep commitment to upholding and elevating the Morphe brand aesthetic and storytelling across all retail touchpoints.

• Excellence in Execution: A focus on delivering high-quality, technically accurate designs that meet production standards and launch timelines.

• Collaboration & Communication: A proactive and communicative approach to working with cross-functional teams and external partners to achieve shared goals.

• Adaptability & Efficiency: The ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic retail environment, adapting to shifting priorities and optimizing workflows for maximum efficiency.

• Consumer-Centric Design: A mindset that prioritizes the consumer experience in-store, translating brand messaging into engaging and persuasive visual merchandising.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expected to work seamlessly with VM, Retail Marketing, Brand Creative, and Project Management teams, contributing design expertise to broader GTM strategies.

• Feedback-Driven: Open to receiving and incorporating constructive feedback from stakeholders to refine designs and ensure alignment.

• Proactive Partnership: Actively engage with vendors and global affiliates to ensure smooth execution and consistent brand representation.

• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share design insights and best practices, contributing to a culture of continuous improvement within the creative team.

📝 Enhancement Note: These values and collaboration styles are inferred from the job description's emphasis on teamwork, brand consistency, and fast-paced execution, common in dynamic retail environments.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Commercial Demands: Consistently delivering aesthetically pleasing, on-brand designs that also drive commercial performance and meet retail partner requirements.

• Fast-Paced Retail Cycles: Managing multiple concurrent projects with tight deadlines, especially during peak seasons and product launches.

• Global Consistency: Adapting designs for international markets, considering cultural nuances, language translations, and varying production capabilities.

• Technical Production Complexities: Ensuring print accuracy and understanding the technical aspects of various materials and POSM execution across different vendors and regions.

• Managing Stakeholder Feedback: Navigating input from diverse teams and stakeholders while maintaining design integrity and project momentum.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen Retail VM Expertise: Gain in-depth knowledge of visual merchandising strategies, fixture design, and in-store consumer behavior.

• Master Print Production: Enhance understanding of print processes, materials, and vendor management for POSM execution.

• Expand 3D Design Skills: Develop proficiency in 3D modeling and rendering for more sophisticated visual presentations.

• Cross-Functional Skill Development: Learn about retail marketing, brand strategy, and global brand management through collaboration.

• Industry Trends: Stay abreast of the latest trends in beauty retail, graphic design, and visual merchandising through company resources and potential industry events.

📝 Enhancement Note: Identifying challenges and growth opportunities helps candidates assess if the role aligns with their career aspirations and provides a framework for how they can develop within the position.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for adapting a global campaign creative into a retail graphic package. Walk us through a specific example from your portfolio." (Focus on your structured approach, creative problem-solving, and understanding of retail constraints.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency and technical accuracy when preparing print-ready files for multiple retail partners or international markets?" (Highlight your attention to detail, knowledge of production, and collaboration with vendors/affiliates.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working with Morphe and Forma Brands specifically, given your background in graphic design and visual merchandising?" (Research Morphe's brand identity, target audience, and recent campaigns. Connect your skills and passion to their mission.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with cross-functional teams like VM, Marketing, and Project Management?" (Emphasize your communication style, teamwork, and ability to integrate design into broader GTM strategies.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each key project, have a clear story: the challenge, your role, your process, the solution, and the impact.

• Focus on Retail Relevance: Emphasize projects that demonstrate your understanding of in-store environments, fixture design, and POSM. Clearly articulate how your designs served a commercial purpose.

• Showcase Technical Execution: Be ready to discuss your file preparation process, knowledge of print production, and any experience with 3D mockups or rendering.

• Be Concise and Engaging: Present your work clearly, allowing time for discussion and questions. Tailor your presentation to the interviewer's role (e.g., focus on technical details for a design manager, business impact for a marketing lead).

📝 Enhancement Note: These interview questions and preparation tips are designed to help candidates anticipate common inquiries and present themselves effectively, focusing on the specific demands of a visual merchandising graphic design role within a retail context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Visual Merchandising Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the recruiting platform.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your submitted portfolio highlights projects demonstrating retail graphic design, visual merchandising adaptation, print production readiness, and experience with brand storytelling for in-store environments. Tailor your selection to showcase skills relevant to Morphe's aesthetic and target audience.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your 3-5+ years of experience in retail graphic design, in-store marketing, or OOH campaigns. Use keywords from the job description, such as "Visual Merchandising," "Adobe Creative Suite," "Print Production," "Brand Consistency," and "Retail Environments." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, explaining your portfolio projects (especially those involving retail adaptation and production), and preparing for potential creative challenges. Research Forma Brands and Morphe's current retail presence and marketing strategies.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Morphe's brand identity, target consumer, and the types of retail partners they work with (Target, Ulta, Sephora). Understand their approach to in-store experiences and visual merchandising.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions for a Graphic Designer role in Visual Merchandising. Specific salary ranges, benefits, and interview processes should be confirmed directly with Forma Brands LLC during the application process.