Junior Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Junior Graphic Designer

Company: Redbarn Pet Products

Location: Long Beach, California, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Services

Date Posted: September 12, 2025

Experience Level: Entry-Level (0-2 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is critical for supporting the visual branding and marketing efforts of Redbarn Pet Products, a well-established leader in the premium pet food and treat industry.

• The Junior Graphic Designer will contribute to the creation of a wide range of marketing collateral, ensuring brand consistency across all digital and print touchpoints.

• This position offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a founder-owned company experiencing significant growth, particularly with its expansion into the pet food category.

• The role involves close collaboration with senior designers, marketing strategists, and sales teams to execute creative campaigns that resonate with a passionate pet owner audience.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Junior Graphic Designer," the responsibilities described, such as developing packaging, sell sheets, and digital ads, indicate a foundational role within a marketing operations or creative services function. The emphasis on brand alignment and supporting marketing objectives positions this as a key contributor to Go-To-Market (GTM) visual strategy execution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and produce a variety of visual assets for diverse marketing channels, including social media graphics, website banners, email campaign visuals, digital advertisements, and sales support collateral such as sell sheets and flyers.

• Collaborate effectively with senior graphic designers, the marketing department, and content creation teams to ensure creative projects are executed efficiently and to a high standard.

• Develop, refine, and finalize creative assets for both print and digital platforms, encompassing product packaging concepts, marketing collateral, digital ads, and social media content, ensuring adherence to project briefs and brand guidelines.

• Maintain brand integrity and consistency across all design outputs by meticulously applying brand guidelines, color theory, and typography principles, ensuring all visuals enhance brand presence and engagement goals.

• Edit and optimize existing images, illustrations, and layouts to meet specific project requirements, improving visual quality and technical specifications for various media.

• Actively participate in brainstorming sessions and contribute to the conceptualization of new creative ideas and campaign strategies to support marketing initiatives.

• Stay current with emerging design trends, software updates, and industry best practices within the pet product and consumer goods sectors to bring fresh perspectives to the creative process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative execution and operational support for marketing campaigns. The emphasis on "finalizing creative assets" and "ensuring alignment with brand guidelines" suggests a need for meticulousness and an understanding of production workflows, crucial for marketing operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related creative field is typically expected for roles of this nature, providing a strong foundation in design principles.

Experience: Candidates with 0-2 years of professional experience in graphic design, with a focus on marketing or brand collateral, will be best positioned for this role. Internships or co-op experiences demonstrating relevant skills will also be considered.

Required Skills:

• Adobe Creative Suite Proficiency: Demonstrated expertise in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, specifically within a Mac operating system environment.

• Design Fundamentals: Solid understanding of typography, color theory, composition, and user interface/usability principles as they apply to visual design.

• Portfolio Excellence: A strong, well-curated portfolio showcasing a range of visual design skills, including layout design, branding application, and digital asset creation for various platforms.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for internal communications and basic document creation.

• Project Management Aptitude: Ability to effectively manage multiple design projects simultaneously in a dynamic, fast-paced work environment while adhering to strict deadlines.

• Detail Orientation: Exceptional attention to detail and the capacity to receive, interpret, and effectively apply constructive feedback from supervisors and stakeholders.

• Digital Marketing Awareness: Familiarity with social media design trends, best practices for digital marketing assets, and the requirements for various online advertising formats.

Preferred Skills:

• Marketing Copywriting: Experience in writing compelling marketing copy or a demonstrated ability to craft concise and effective messaging for design assets.

• Packaging Production: Familiarity with packaging production processes and experience in preparing print-ready files, including pre-press file preparation and understanding of die-lines and print specifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Bonus Skills" section is critical. Experience in packaging production is highly valuable for a CPG company like Redbarn, indicating a potential need for someone who can navigate the complexities of print production workflows, a key area within marketing operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Visual Design Case Studies: Showcase a minimum of 3-5 diverse design projects that demonstrate your ability to translate marketing objectives into compelling visual solutions. Each case study should highlight the project's goal, your design process, and the final outcome.

• Brand Consistency Examples: Include examples that specifically illustrate your application of brand guidelines across different media (e.g., social media, print collateral, digital ads), demonstrating a strong understanding of brand integrity.

• Digital Asset Creation: Present examples of digital assets such as social media graphics, web banners, or email templates, showcasing your understanding of digital design best practices and platform requirements.

• Print Collateral Samples: Feature examples of print materials like flyers, sell sheets, or packaging concepts, highlighting your ability to design for print, including layout and typography.

Process Documentation:

• While not a formal requirement for this junior role, candidates who can speak to their personal process for managing design projects, from brief to final delivery, will stand out. This includes how they organize files, iterate on designs, and incorporate feedback efficiently.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Junior Graphic Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It serves as the primary indicator of their ability to execute on brand strategy and support marketing operations. The expectation is to see a clear process in their work, even if not formally documented.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The stated salary range is $21.00 - $21.60 per hour. This typically aligns with an annual salary range of approximately $43,680 - $44,928 for a full-time, 40-hour work week, before taxes.

Benefits: Redbarn Pet Products offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee well-being and financial security:

• Health & Wellness: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance, offering robust coverage for healthcare needs.

• Financial Security: 401(k) retirement plan with a company match, providing an excellent opportunity for long-term savings.

• Financial Flexibility: Flexible/Health Spending Accounts (FSAs/HSAs) to help manage healthcare and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Additional Protection: Voluntary Benefits, Life Insurance, and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance for enhanced personal security.

• Time Off: Paid Vacation and Paid Sick leave, allowing for work-life balance and personal well-being.

• Employee Perks: Employee Pet Food Discounts, recognizing the company's core business and benefiting employees’ own pets, and Complimentary Office Snacks to enhance the daily work experience.

Working Hours: The role is structured for a standard full-time work week, likely around 40 hours. The mention of a "Hybrid Work Schedule" suggests a structured approach to in-office and remote work days, requiring employees to be present for key collaborative activities and team meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary is competitive for an entry-level graphic design position in the Long Beach, CA area. The comprehensive benefits package, including pet-specific perks and a 401(k) match, is a significant draw for candidates looking for stability and employee-centric support. The hybrid schedule implies a need for structured work planning and communication.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Pet Products / Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG). Redbarn operates in a dynamic and growing industry driven by passionate consumers who prioritize their pets' health and well-being. This creates an environment where quality, transparency, and innovation are highly valued.

Company Size: With 50-200 employees (estimated based on "28-year veteran" and "significant growth"), Redbarn likely offers a blend of established processes and a more agile, close-knit team environment. This size can mean more direct access to leadership and opportunities to influence processes.

Founded: Founded 28 years ago, Redbarn Pet Products has a long history and deep roots in the pet industry. As a founder-owned and operated brand, it likely maintains a strong commitment to its core values and mission, fostering a culture of integrity and dedication.

Team Structure:

• The Junior Graphic Designer will likely be part of a Marketing Department, potentially within a dedicated Creative Services or Design team. This team may include senior designers, a Creative Director, and marketing specialists.

• The reporting structure would typically be to a Senior Graphic Designer or a Marketing Manager/Director, with direct collaboration with marketing and sales personnel on specific projects.

Methodology:

• Data-Informed Design: While design is creative, marketing operations often rely on data. Expect to see a push towards designs that are informed by audience engagement metrics, sales performance data, and market research to optimize effectiveness.

• Agile Project Management: Given the fast-paced nature of marketing, design projects are likely managed using agile principles, focusing on iterative development, rapid feedback loops, and efficient workflow management.

• Brand Standardization: A strong emphasis on adhering to and evolving brand standards to maintain a consistent and professional brand image across all customer touchpoints.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's longevity and founder-led structure suggest a culture that values loyalty, quality, and a hands-on approach. The growth in the food category indicates an innovative and forward-thinking mindset, which could translate into a dynamic and evolving creative environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an entry-level (0-2 years) position within the broader marketing and operations function. It serves as a foundational role for aspiring graphic designers looking to build experience in a commercial setting.

Reporting Structure: The Junior Graphic Designer will report to a more senior member of the creative team, such as a Senior Graphic Designer or the Creative Director. This provides a clear line of mentorship and guidance.

Operations Impact: While not directly managing operations systems, this role's output directly impacts the effectiveness of marketing operations and Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies. High-quality, on-brand visuals can improve campaign performance, enhance customer engagement, and strengthen brand perception, contributing indirectly to sales and revenue goals.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to develop deep expertise in specific design software (Adobe Suite) and specialize in areas like packaging design, digital marketing design, or brand identity.

• Career Advancement: Potential to progress to a Graphic Designer, Senior Graphic Designer, or Art Director role within Redbarn or other organizations, managing larger projects and leading creative initiatives.

• Cross-Functional Learning: Exposure to marketing strategy, product development, and sales processes can provide a broader understanding of business operations, opening doors to roles in marketing management or creative project management.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an entry-level designer, the primary growth path is skill development and project responsibility. Demonstrating proficiency and a strong work ethic can lead to increased autonomy and more complex projects, paving the way for advancement within the company's marketing or creative departments.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company offers a Hybrid Work Schedule, indicating a blend of in-office collaboration and remote work flexibility. The Long Beach office serves as the primary hub for team interaction and focused work.

Office Location(s): The primary office is located at 3229 E. Spring St STE 310, Long Beach, CA 90806. This location is within Los Angeles County, offering accessibility for local candidates.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment is designed for collaboration, with opportunities for designers to work directly with marketing, sales, and senior creative staff, facilitating feedback and idea sharing.

• Creative Tools & Technology: Access to the necessary design software (Adobe Creative Suite on Mac) and potentially a creative-focused IT infrastructure to support design workflows.

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and informal interactions, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.

Work Schedule: A hybrid model implies a structured schedule where specific days are designated for in-office work, likely to maximize team collaboration, and other days may be remote, allowing for focused design work. Standard working hours are expected, likely aligning with typical business operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work environment requires strong self-management and communication skills. Designers will need to be adept at leveraging in-office time for collaborative tasks and remote time for focused production work, ensuring seamless workflow despite the distributed nature.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or hiring manager will likely review applications and portfolios for basic qualifications and creative alignment. Be sure your resume highlights relevant skills and your portfolio is easily accessible.

• Creative Assessment/Portfolio Review: A more in-depth discussion focused on your portfolio. Expect to walk through specific projects, explaining your design choices, process, and how you met project objectives. Prepare to discuss your understanding of brand guidelines and design principles.

• Skills-Based Exercise (Potential): Some companies may issue a small design challenge relevant to the role (e.g., a social media graphic concept) to assess practical skills and problem-solving abilities under time constraints.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: You may meet with other members of the marketing or creative team to assess collaboration style and cultural fit within Redbarn's environment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase your strongest, most relevant work. For this role, prioritize examples of marketing collateral, digital assets, and any packaging or branding projects.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your creative process, the tools used, challenges faced, and the final outcome or impact.

• Highlight Brand Application: Demonstrate your ability to work within brand guidelines and adapt them creatively.

• Showcase Versatility: Include a mix of digital and print examples if possible, showing your range.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and visually appealing. A PDF or a dedicated portfolio website (e.g., Behance, personal website) is recommended.

Challenge Preparation:

• If a design challenge is issued, carefully read the brief, understand the objectives, and manage your time effectively. Focus on delivering a clean, on-brand concept that addresses the prompt.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is the single most important element for this role. Candidates should treat the portfolio review as a primary interview stage and prepare to speak confidently and articulately about their creative process and decision-making.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign is non-negotiable.

• Mac Environment: Experience working within the macOS ecosystem is a requirement.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• No direct CRM or automation tool experience is expected for this junior design role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement is mastery of Adobe Creative Suite on a Mac. Any additional experience with motion graphics software (like After Effects, mentioned as a bonus skill) or digital asset management systems would be advantageous.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Quality Focus: A commitment to producing high-quality design work that reflects positively on the Redbarn brand.

• Brand Integrity: Upholding and consistently applying brand guidelines to ensure a unified brand message.

• Efficiency & Timeliness: Delivering creative assets on schedule to support marketing campaigns and business objectives.

• Collaboration & Communication: Working effectively with team members across departments, sharing ideas, and providing constructive feedback.

• Innovation: Embracing new design trends and creative approaches to keep the brand fresh and engaging.

Collaboration Style:

• Team-Oriented: Expect a collaborative environment where designers work alongside marketing specialists, sales representatives, and senior creative staff.

• Feedback-Driven: Openness to receiving and incorporating feedback from Creative Directors, marketing managers, and even sales teams to refine designs.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively engaging with different departments to understand their needs and translate them into effective visual communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: Redbarn's founder-owned status and long history suggest a culture that values dedication, integrity, and a strong work ethic. The Junior Graphic Designer should be prepared to contribute actively to a team that is passionate about pets and committed to delivering excellent products and marketing.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Brand Constraints: Learning to innovate within established brand guidelines and effectively translate marketing objectives into visually appealing designs.

• Managing Multiple Projects: Juggling various design requests with different deadlines and stakeholders requires strong organizational and time management skills.

• Adapting to Feedback: Effectively interpreting and implementing feedback from various team members, some of whom may have differing creative opinions.

• Keeping Pace with Trends: Staying current with evolving design trends, social media platform changes, and digital marketing best practices.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mentorship: Direct guidance from senior designers and a Creative Director provides invaluable learning opportunities and skill development.

• Industry Exposure: Working on a variety of marketing campaigns and product launches offers exposure to different design challenges and industry best practices.

• Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to deepen proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and potentially explore new design software or techniques.

• Portfolio Building: Each project contributes to building a robust professional portfolio, essential for future career growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge for a junior role is often the learning curve. Successfully navigating this involves proactively seeking feedback, mastering tools, and demonstrating a commitment to growth. The opportunities lie in absorbing knowledge from experienced professionals and contributing to a growing brand.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Portfolio Walkthrough: Be prepared to discuss 2-3 of your strongest portfolio pieces in detail. Explain the project brief, your design process, the rationale behind your creative choices (color, typography, layout), and the outcome.

• Brand Understanding: How do you approach designing within established brand guidelines? What elements are crucial for maintaining brand consistency across different platforms?

• Problem-Solving: Describe a time you received challenging feedback on a design. How did you handle it, and what was the result?

• Software Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your experience with specific Adobe Creative Suite applications and any other design tools you are proficient in.

Company & Culture Questions:

• What interests you about Redbarn Pet Products and the pet industry?

• How do you handle working in a hybrid environment?

• What are your long-term career aspirations in graphic design?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Concise and Clear: Present your portfolio logically, highlighting the most relevant projects first.

• Focus on Process: Emphasize your thought process, not just the final output. Explain why you made certain design decisions.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If any of your designs contributed to measurable results (e.g., increased engagement), mention it.

• Professionalism: Ensure your presentation is polished, well-rehearsed, and demonstrates your communication skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should research Redbarn's current marketing materials and social media presence to understand their brand aesthetic and messaging. This research will inform their answers and demonstrate genuine interest.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Junior Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the recruiting portal. Ensure all required fields are completed accurately.

• Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume to highlight skills and experiences directly relevant to graphic design, marketing collateral creation, and the Adobe Creative Suite. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your online portfolio is up-to-date, showcases your best work relevant to the role (marketing materials, digital assets, branding), and is easily shareable. Include a direct link on your resume and/or application.

• Practice Your Pitch: Be ready to articulate your design process, creative rationale, and what makes you a good fit for Redbarn during interviews. Practice walking through your portfolio projects.

• Research Redbarn: Familiarize yourself with Redbarn Pet Products' mission, values, product offerings, and current marketing efforts. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate your enthusiasm.

⚠️ 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.