Senior Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer

Company: Ashtel Studios Inc

Location: Ontario, California, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Graphic Design / Creative Services

Date Posted: April 23, 2026

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the creation of innovative packaging and digital assets for a diverse range of consumer products, driving brand identity and market appeal.

• Collaborate closely with the Creative Director and cross-functional teams to translate product strategy and features into compelling visual narratives.

• Develop and execute branding statements, logos, and graphics for emerging collections, ensuring alignment with Ashtel Studios' award-winning standards.

• Manage the end-to-end design process for packaging, from initial concept through to production-ready files, maintaining trend relevance and high aesthetic quality.

• Actively research and integrate the latest design trends and technologies to maintain a competitive edge in the consumer product market.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is specifically for a Senior Graphic Designer with a strong emphasis on product and packaging design for consumer goods. The emphasis on "award-winning Inc. 5000 honoree" and "award-winning journey" suggests a fast-paced, high-growth environment where design directly contributes to significant business success and market recognition. The mention of "AI (Gemini, etc.)" indicates an interest in integrating emerging AI tools into the design workflow.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and develop compelling visual concepts, graphics, and layouts for a variety of digital assets, including web graphics, social media content, and marketing materials.

• Design impactful branding and distinctive logos for new and existing product collections, ensuring strong brand recognition and market differentiation.

• Manage the entire packaging design lifecycle, from initial ideation and concept development to creating print-ready files, ensuring relevance, trend-setting appeal, and structural integrity.

• Proactively stay abreast of contemporary design trends, emerging technologies, and industry best practices, incorporating new resources and techniques to enhance design output.

• Produce high-quality, print-ready files for both established and new products, adhering strictly to industry best practices for print production and quality control.

• Engage in effective collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders, including marketing, product development, and production teams, to thoroughly understand project requirements, objectives, and constraints.

• Conduct detailed proofing of color accuracy and packaging structural integrity, working closely with engineering and production teams to ensure seamless execution.

• Confidently present design concepts and creative ideas to internal teams, articulating design rationale and effectively incorporating constructive feedback into final design iterations.

• Ensure all final designs rigorously adhere to Ashtel Studios' established quality standards, brand guidelines, and project-specific briefs.

• Articulate product strategy, key features, and unique selling propositions effectively through integrated package design and copy.

• Coordinate closely with the Creative Director and various departments to guarantee design accuracy, consistency, and timely delivery across all projects.

• Maintain meticulous organization of project files, ensuring clear naming conventions, version control, and logical folder structures for efficient retrieval, reference, and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative conceptualization and detailed production work, common in consumer product design roles. The emphasis on "proof color and packaging structural integrity and engineering" suggests a need for a designer who understands manufacturing processes and can liaunt with technical teams. The requirement to "Organize files for projects meticulously" points to a need for strong workflow management skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior Graphic Designer role.

Experience: A minimum of 4 years of professional experience as a Graphic Designer, with a dedicated 2 years focused on packaging design for consumer products.

Required Skills:

• Proven track record of at least 4 years as a Graphic Designer.

• Minimum of 2 years of dedicated experience in packaging design, demonstrating a strong understanding of the packaging development process.

• Advanced proficiency in industry-standard design software: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator) is essential.

• Experience with AI tools such as Gemini for design ideation or workflow enhancement.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for documentation and presentations.

• Strong grasp of typography, color theory, and fundamental layout principles.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts clearly.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Proven ability to work independently, demonstrate self-direction, and take initiative.

• Strong asset management skills, including organizing, cataloging, and retrieving design assets efficiently.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with 3D software (e.g., Cinema 4D, Blender, Keyshot) for mockups and visualizations.

• Knowledge of licensing agreements and brand extension strategies.

• Familiarity with print production processes and pre-press requirements.

• Experience with digital design platforms and UI/UX principles.

• Understanding of consumer product manufacturing processes and material considerations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "AI (Gemini, etc.)" suggests a forward-thinking company seeking designers who can leverage emerging technologies. The explicit mention of a "Design Portfolio REQUIRED" is a critical qualification that applicants must address. The experience level is framed as "2-5 years" by the AI, which aligns with the stated 4 years of graphic design experience and 2 years of packaging experience, indicating a mid-to-senior level role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive design portfolio is mandatory for consideration, showcasing a breadth of work in graphic, packaging, and product design.

• Portfolio should clearly demonstrate expertise in developing brand statements and logos for diverse product collections.

• Include case studies or examples of packaging design projects from concept through to print-ready production files.

• Showcase proficiency in using Adobe Creative Suite and any AI design tools integrated into your workflow.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of how you've managed and organized project files meticulously for easy retrieval and collaboration.

• Showcase your process for incorporating feedback and constructive critiques into design iterations.

• Demonstrate your approach to collaborating with cross-functional teams, including understanding project briefs and objectives.

• Illustrate your workflow for ensuring design accuracy, adherence to brand guidelines, and quality control, especially for print-ready files.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the emphasis on "award-winning" and "fastest-growing," the portfolio should not only showcase technical skill but also demonstrate an ability to contribute to business success and align with a dynamic, innovative culture. The need for "print ready files" and "proofing structural integrity" implies a need to see process examples that detail this level of detail and collaboration.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $25.00 - $30.00 per hour. Based on the provided salary data and location (Ontario, California), this hourly rate is within the expected range for a Senior Graphic Designer with 4+ years of experience in a high-cost-of-living area. The range reflects the mid-level expertise required for this role, balancing creative output with production readiness.

Benefits:

• 401(k) retirement savings plan.

• 401(k) matching contributions to help your retirement savings grow.

• Comprehensive dental insurance coverage.

• Exclusive employee discounts on Ashtel Studios products.

• Robust health insurance plan to support well-being.

• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation, personal days, and holidays.

• Vision insurance for eye care needs.

Working Hours: Full-time employment, typically aligning with standard business hours. The nature of the role suggests approximately 40 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is specified as hourly. To provide a fuller picture, an annual equivalent can be calculated: Assuming a standard 40-hour work week, the annual salary would range from approximately $52,000 to $62,400. This is a reasonable range for a Senior Graphic Designer in Southern California, though potentially on the lower end for a senior role in a high-growth, award-winning company, especially considering the extensive benefits package offered.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Consumer Products / Retail / Design & Manufacturing. Ashtel Studios operates within the competitive consumer product market, focusing on design-forward, fun products that appeal to retailers, distributors, and end consumers. As a 2023 Inc. 5000 honoree, the company experiences rapid growth and a dynamic operational environment.

Company Size: The company has been recognized among America's fastest-growing companies, suggesting a scaling organization. While an exact headcount isn't provided, its Inc. 5000 status often implies companies with 10-500 employees, but rapid growth can push this higher. For a Senior Graphic Designer, this implies a lively, potentially evolving team structure with opportunities for impact.

Founded: Over two decades of experience, meaning the company was founded around the early 2000s. This history suggests a stable foundation combined with a modern, innovative approach, as evidenced by recent awards.

Team Structure:

• The Design Team likely consists of multiple designers, potentially specialized in different areas (e.g., packaging, digital, product).

• The Senior Graphic Designer reports directly to the Creative Director, indicating a clear hierarchical structure within the design department.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is implied by the company's growth and award recognition, suggesting that design choices are informed by market insights and performance metrics.

• Workflow planning and optimization are crucial, especially given the "award-winning" status and focus on delivering products efficiently to market.

• Automation and efficiency practices are likely valued, particularly with the mention of integrating AI tools into the design process.

Company Website: ashtelstudios.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes creativity, innovation, and individuality. The "award-winning" status and "Inc. 5000 honoree" designation point to a high-performance environment that values growth, achievement, and a positive team dynamic. The description of Ashtel Studios as a "dynamic community" suggests an inclusive and collaborative workplace.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a "Senior Graphic Designer," indicating a mid-to-senior level of experience. It requires a solid foundation of 4+ years in graphic design, with specialized expertise in packaging design. The role involves not just execution but also concept development, creative direction input, and collaboration with senior leadership (Creative Director).

Reporting Structure: The Senior Graphic Designer reports directly to the Creative Director. This provides a clear line of communication and mentorship, allowing for direct feedback and guidance on creative projects and career development.

Operations Impact: The Senior Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the company's revenue and market perception. Innovative packaging and compelling digital assets are crucial for capturing consumer attention, driving sales, and reinforcing the Ashtel Studios brand as a leader in fun, design-forward products. Effective design translates directly into product desirability and market success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of packaging design, 3D visualization, or digital asset creation.

• Leadership Development: Potential to mentor junior designers or lead specific design projects as experience grows within the company.

• Strategic Contribution: Increased involvement in the strategic aspects of product branding and design direction, influencing the company's overall aesthetic and market positioning.

• Career Advancement: Potential to move into roles such as Lead Graphic Designer, Art Director, or Creative Director within Ashtel Studios, depending on performance and organizational growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies expectations of independent work, problem-solving, and mentorship potential. The role is critical for brand perception and sales, offering significant opportunity for impact. The growth path is likely tied to demonstrating leadership and strategic thinking beyond pure design execution.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an "On-site" position, indicating a traditional office-based work environment. Ashtel Studios likely provides a dedicated workspace for its employees.

Office Location(s): The role is located in Ontario, California, within San Bernardino County. This region offers access to a large talent pool and is part of the broader Southern California economic hub.

Workspace Context:

• The work environment is described as a "dynamic community" that "celebrates individuality, encourages collaboration, and values your unique contribution." This suggests an open and supportive atmosphere conducive to creative work.

• As a full-time, on-site position, there will be ample opportunity for face-to-face collaboration with the Creative Director, design team members, and cross-functional stakeholders.

• Access to necessary design software and potentially hardware, including Adobe Creative Suite and AI tools, is expected in a professional design studio setting.

Work Schedule: The position is "FULL_TIME," with an implied 40-hour work week. While standard business hours are expected, companies in creative fields sometimes offer flexibility, but the "on-site" nature suggests adherence to a structured schedule.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on collaboration and community suggests an office environment that fosters teamwork and idea-sharing, crucial for a design-centric company. The on-site requirement is key for teams that rely on in-person brainstorming and rapid iteration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and mandatory design portfolio will be the first step. Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases relevant packaging and graphic design work.

• Technical/Creative Assessment: Expect a portfolio review session with the Creative Director and potentially other design team members. Be prepared to discuss your design process, creative choices, and problem-solving approaches.

• Cross-functional Interview: You may meet with stakeholders from marketing or product development to assess your collaboration skills and understanding of business objectives.

• Cultural Fit Interview: An interview to gauge your alignment with Ashtel Studios' values of creativity, innovation, collaboration, and positivity.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 4-6 of your strongest projects that best represent your skills in packaging and product design. Prioritize work that aligns with Ashtel Studios' product categories and aesthetic.

• Showcase Process: For each project, detail your thought process, challenges faced, design solutions, and the final outcome. Include mockups and explain how your design met the project brief.

• Highlight Packaging Expertise: Clearly present your packaging design work, including concept development, structural considerations (if applicable), and final print-ready files.

• Demonstrate AI Integration: If you've used AI tools like Gemini in your workflow, be ready to explain how they enhanced your process or final output.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If your designs led to increased sales, improved brand perception, or successful product launches, be prepared to share these results.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss your approach to staying current with design trends and integrating new technologies like AI into your workflow.

• Prepare to articulate how you handle constructive criticism and collaborate effectively with different teams.

• Have examples ready of how you've translated complex product features or brand strategies into compelling visual designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Portfolio REQUIRED" is a critical filter. Applicants must ensure their portfolio is not only visually impressive but also demonstrates a clear understanding of the strategic and production aspects of packaging and product design, as expected for a senior role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency in Photoshop and Illustrator for graphic and packaging design.

• AI Design Tools: Experience with AI platforms like Gemini is preferred for leveraging emerging technologies in the creative process.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Necessary for documentation, presentations, and general office productivity.

• 3D Software (Preferred): Familiarity with tools such as Cinema 4D, Blender, or Keyshot would be advantageous for creating realistic mockups and visualizations.

Analytics & Reporting: While not directly listed for this role, understanding how design impacts sales metrics (e.g., conversion rates of packaging) is beneficial.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to the designer's core function, but understanding how design assets are deployed within marketing or sales workflows is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "AI (Gemini, etc.)" is a key indicator of the technology stack. Designers should be prepared to discuss how they might integrate AI into their creative workflow. A strong foundation in Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: Ashtel Studios actively seeks and celebrates new ideas, encouraging designers to push creative boundaries.

• Individuality & Contribution: The company values each team member's unique perspective and contribution to the collective success.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis is placed on teamwork and working together across departments to achieve common goals.

• Excellence: As an award-winning company, there's a commitment to high standards and delivering exceptional quality in all products and designs.

• Fun: The company mission is to deliver "fun, design-forward products," suggesting a culture that balances professional rigor with an enjoyable work atmosphere.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to work closely with marketing, product development, and production teams, requiring clear communication and a collaborative spirit.

• Feedback Exchange: A culture that embraces constructive criticism and feedback is implied, allowing designs to be refined through collective input.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of design trends, techniques, and insights among team members to foster continuous learning and elevate the overall design output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture appears to be a blend of high-achieving, growth-oriented (Inc. 5000) and human-centric (celebrates individuality, fun). Designers who thrive in collaborative, innovative environments and can adapt to a fast-paced, award-winning company culture will be a good fit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity with Production: Ensuring innovative and trend-setting designs are also feasible, cost-effective, and compliant with production requirements.

• Rapid Iteration: Adapting quickly to feedback and market changes in a fast-paced, award-winning environment that demands quick turnaround times.

• Diverse Product Portfolio: Managing design needs across a wide range of product types, requiring versatility and adaptability in creative approach.

• Integrating New Technologies: Effectively incorporating emerging tools like AI into established design workflows while maintaining quality and efficiency.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Techniques: Opportunities to attend workshops or training sessions focused on specialized packaging design, 3D rendering, or digital design software.

• Industry Exposure: Potential to attend relevant trade shows or conferences to stay abreast of the latest trends in consumer products and design.

• Mentorship: Learning from the Creative Director and senior team members, gaining insights into strategic design thinking and brand management.

• Project Leadership: Taking on more responsibility for leading design initiatives, managing timelines, and potentially guiding junior designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical of a senior role in a growing company, revolving around balancing creative vision with practical constraints and rapid execution. The growth opportunities are substantial, leveraging the company's success and the senior nature of the role.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance a client's or internal team's specific brand guidelines with your own creative vision. How did you achieve a successful outcome?" (Focus on collaboration, problem-solving, and brand adherence.)

• "Walk us through your process for developing packaging from concept to final print-ready files. What are the critical steps and potential pitfalls you watch out for?" (Demonstrate understanding of the full lifecycle and production readiness.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Ashtel Studios and our mission to deliver fun, design-forward products?" (Connect your passion with the company's purpose.)

• "How do you approach receiving and incorporating constructive feedback on your designs?" (Highlight your adaptability and collaborative spirit.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each project, craft a narrative that explains the problem, your strategic approach, the design solution, and the outcome.

• Highlight Process: Visually show your sketches, mood boards, iterations, and final files to demonstrate your workflow.

• Focus on Packaging: Dedicate significant time to showcasing your packaging design experience, emphasizing how your designs capture brand essence and appeal to consumers.

• Address AI Integration: If applicable, clearly explain how AI tools were used and what value they added to the project.

• Be Concise and Confident: Present your work clearly and confidently, being ready to answer detailed questions about your design choices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely assess not only design skill but also the candidate's ability to function within a fast-paced, collaborative, and growth-oriented environment. Understanding Ashtel's "award-winning" status and focus on "fun" products will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided career plug link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight your strongest packaging and product design examples, emphasizing projects that align with Ashtel Studios' aesthetic and product categories. Ensure it is easily accessible (e.g., via a link).

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your 4+ years of graphic design experience and specifically call out your 2+ years of packaging design expertise. Use keywords like "packaging design," "product design," "Adobe Creative Suite," "branding," and "print-ready files." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on your process, creative rationale, and how your designs have contributed to business objectives. Be ready to discuss your experience with AI tools and your approach to collaboration.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Ashtel Studios' product lines, recent awards, and company mission. Understand their brand voice and aesthetic to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural fit.

⚠️ 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.