Sr Graphic Designer- Nike Apparel

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr Graphic Designer - Nike Apparel Company: Fanatics Location: Beaverton, Oregon, United States Job Type: Full-time Category: Creative Operations / Design Operations Date Posted: 2025-07-30T15:50:04 Experience Level: 6+ Years (Mid to Senior Level) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is critical for developing and executing visual creative strategies for Fanatics' licensed sports apparel, specifically focusing on the Nike brand.
• The Sr. Graphic Designer will translate seasonal creative narratives and brand guidelines into compelling apparel graphics, ensuring a cohesive and impactful visual identity across product lines.
• Key responsibilities include end-to-end graphic design for apparel, from concept ideation and trend research to production-ready art, impacting the visual merchandising and fan appeal of sports apparel.
• This position demands a blend of creative artistry, technical proficiency in design software, and a deep understanding of sports and apparel market trends, contributing to the overall GTM strategy for licensed products.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Sr Graphic Designer," the responsibilities and required experience level (6+ years) suggest a role that may involve leading design initiatives and mentoring junior designers, aligning with a senior-level contribution within a creative operations framework. The focus on "Nike Apparel" indicates a specialized B2B or B2C merchandising role within Fanatics' broader commerce operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and execute original apparel graphics for licensed sports merchandise, aligning with Fanatics' seasonal creative themes and the specific brand identity of Nike apparel.
• Lead the development and refinement of presentation decks, collection boards, and mood boards to effectively communicate design concepts and seasonal assortments to internal stakeholders and partners.
• Conduct thorough trend shopping and research, identifying emerging themes in sports apparel, pop culture, and consumer behavior to inform design aesthetic and strategy for multiple apparel embellishment techniques (screen print, heat transfers, appliques, embroidery).
• Apply advanced typography skills for font research, development, and seamless integration into apparel graphics, ensuring brand consistency and aesthetic appeal.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of the competitive landscape, including competitor offerings and market opportunities, to influence design direction and strategy for licensed sports apparel.
• Collaborate closely with internal design teams, merchandising, and marketing departments to ensure all creative output adheres to corporate branding, seasonal creative direction, and enhances the visual storytelling of partner leagues.
• Translate creative briefs and feedback into actionable design solutions, demonstrating strong communication and presentation skills to influence design decisions and promote new ideas.
• Manage the application of intermediate to advanced-level color theory, composition, and concept development principles to create visually impactful and brand-aligned apparel graphics.
• Assist with non-calendared special art requests, developing graphic concepts, programs, and presentations as needed to support business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "seasonal creative stories," "collection boards," and "presentation decks" highlights a strategic design operations component, where the designer is responsible for curating and presenting visual assortments that directly inform product development and go-to-market strategies for licensed apparel.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Arts, Graphic Design, or a closely related field.
• Alternatively, equivalent combination of education, specialized training, and extensive professional experience in graphic design will be considered.

Experience:

• Minimum of 6 years of progressive professional experience in graphic design, with a strong emphasis on apparel graphics.
• Experience within licensing, sports apparel, or with major sports brands like Nike is highly advantageous for understanding brand nuances and market expectations.
• Proven track record of developing and executing creative concepts from ideation through to final production art.

Required Skills:

• Advanced Proficiency in Design Software: Expert-level command of Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe InDesign is essential for creating and preparing apparel graphics.
• Expert Typography Skills: Demonstrated advanced ability in font research, selection, development, and application within apparel graphics.
• Strong Color Theory & Composition: Advanced knowledge of color theory, visual composition, and concept development principles to create aesthetically pleasing and brand-compliant designs.
• Apparel Production Knowledge: Understanding of various apparel production processes and embellishment techniques (e.g., screen printing, heat transfers, embroidery) and their design implications.
• Brand Adherence & Storytelling: Ability to meticulously adhere to brand guidelines and translate seasonal creative stories into compelling visual narratives through apparel graphics.
• Communication & Presentation Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills for articulating design concepts, providing feedback, and presenting to internal teams and stakeholders.
• Trend Research & Analysis: Ability to conduct market research, identify design trends in sports apparel and pop culture, and translate insights into actionable design strategies.
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous focus on detail in all design work, from initial concept to final production art, ensuring accuracy and quality.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Proven ability to work effectively and cross-functionally with diverse teams, including merchandising, marketing, and other design functions.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with project management systems to track design workflows and deadlines.
• Intermediate level proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for broader business communication and reporting.
• Familiarity with working within a fast-paced, dynamic retail or e-commerce environment.
• A genuine passion for sports and a strong understanding of sports culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for advanced knowledge of Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, coupled with strong typography and color theory skills, emphasizes the technical depth expected. The "6+ years" experience and focus on "Nike Apparel" suggest the need for a designer who can independently manage complex projects and contribute strategically to brand collaborations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust professional portfolio is mandatory, showcasing a diverse range of graphic design skills, with a clear emphasis on apparel graphics and sports-related themes.
• Demonstrate end-to-end design process, including concept development, mood boards, design execution, and final production-ready artwork for apparel.
• Include examples of how brand guidelines and seasonal creative stories were interpreted and applied to create cohesive collections.
• Showcase expertise in various embellishment techniques through visual examples or case studies of their application in apparel.
• Highlight projects that demonstrate strong typography, color theory application, and compositional skills in an apparel context.

Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how design projects are managed, from initial brief to final delivery, illustrating workflow efficiency and adherence to timelines.
• Showcase understanding of the production art process, including file preparation for different printing methods and quality control measures.
• Include case studies that detail the impact of your design work, ideally with quantifiable results or insights on how designs influenced consumer engagement or sales.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "strong professional portfolio" is paramount. Applicants should curate their portfolio to highlight apparel-specific design work, demonstrating proficiency not just in aesthetics but also in understanding production constraints and brand integration, which are key to operations in this sector.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• For Beaverton, Oregon, a Sr. Graphic Designer with 6+ years of experience in apparel design, especially with a major brand like Nike, can expect a salary range of approximately $85,000 - $115,000 annually. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks, cost of living in the Portland metropolitan area, and the specialized nature of the role within Fanatics' operations.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match.
• Paid time off (PTO) including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Employee discounts on Fanatics merchandise.
• Opportunities for professional development, training, and attending industry events.
• Potential for performance-based bonuses or incentives.
• Access to a dynamic and collaborative work environment.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are expected, typically 40 hours per week.
• Flexibility may be available, but the role's on-site requirement and collaborative nature suggest a need for consistent presence during core business hours to facilitate team interaction and project coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is an estimation for the specified location and experience level, based on general market data for graphic design roles within the apparel and sports merchandising industry. Actual compensation will be determined by Fanatics based on the candidate's specific qualifications, interview performance, and internal salary structures.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce, Retail, Sports Merchandise, Licensing. Fanatics operates at the intersection of sports, entertainment, and retail, providing a unique environment for creative professionals. Company Size: Fanatics is a large, rapidly growing company, employing thousands of individuals across various functions, creating a dynamic and resource-rich environment. Founded: Fanatics was founded in 1995, establishing a long history and deep expertise in the sports licensed merchandise market.

Team Structure:

• The Sr. Graphic Designer will likely be part of a larger Creative or Merchandising team, potentially specialized in specific brands or product categories (like Nike Apparel).
• The team structure will involve reporting to a Creative Director or Design Manager, with close collaboration with fellow graphic designers, apparel designers, merchandisers, marketing specialists, and product developers.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a key aspect, involving regular interaction with teams responsible for sales, licensing, e-commerce operations, and supply chain management.

Methodology:

• Fanatics emphasizes a data-driven approach to understand fan behavior and market trends, informing design and product development strategies.
• Workflow planning and optimization are crucial for managing a high volume of product releases and seasonal collections, ensuring efficiency and timely delivery.
• Automation and efficiency practices are likely employed in areas such as asset management and digital prototyping to streamline the creative process.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Fanatics' culture is described as passionate, fan-obsessed, and entrepreneurial. For a Sr. Graphic Designer, this means being proactive, adaptable to fast-paced changes, and committed to delivering high-quality creative output that resonates with sports fans. The "Nike Apparel" specialization suggests a focus on brand integrity and collaborative partnerships.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Mid to Senior level within the creative operations spectrum. It requires a seasoned designer capable of independent work, strategic input, and potentially guiding less experienced team members. Reporting Structure: The Sr. Graphic Designer will typically report to a Creative Director, Design Manager, or a senior lead within the apparel design department. This structure ensures alignment with broader brand and business objectives. Operations Impact: The designs created by this role directly influence product appeal, brand representation, and ultimately, sales performance for licensed Nike apparel. The visual merchandising and creative storytelling are key components of Fanatics' go-to-market strategy.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization Advancement: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific sports leagues, brands (like Nike), or apparel categories, becoming a subject matter expert.
• Leadership Development: Potential to move into roles such as Lead Designer, Art Director, or Design Manager, overseeing projects and mentoring junior staff.
• Skill Expansion: Exposure to broader aspects of merchandising, product development, and e-commerce operations, allowing for a more holistic understanding of the business.
• Industry Recognition: Working with a high-profile brand like Nike through Fanatics provides significant opportunities to build a strong portfolio and gain industry recognition.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Sr." designation implies a path beyond individual contribution, potentially towards leading specific design projects or brand collaborations, which aligns with growth opportunities in creative operations leadership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fanatics likely maintains modern office spaces designed to foster collaboration and creativity, potentially including dedicated design studios or workstations. Office Location(s): The role is based in Beaverton, Oregon, a hub for athletic apparel and footwear design, placing the designer in close proximity to industry trends and talent. Workspace Context:

• The workspace will be collaborative, requiring frequent interaction with design teams, product managers, and marketing professionals.
• Access to state-of-the-art design software and hardware is expected, along with potentially a physical library of apparel samples and trend resources.
• Opportunities for brainstorming sessions, critiques, and cross-functional project meetings will be integral to the daily workflow. Work Schedule: While typically a 40-hour work week, the fast-paced nature of the sports apparel industry may require flexibility to meet deadlines for product launches, seasonal collections, or special events, particularly during peak periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: Beaverton, Oregon, is a significant advantage for this role, given its strong ties to the athletic apparel industry, offering a rich ecosystem for design professionals.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess foundational skills and experience. Be prepared to articulate your design philosophy and relevant project highlights.
• Design Challenge/Portfolio Review: A more in-depth session where you'll present your portfolio, discuss specific projects, and potentially complete a design exercise tailored to apparel graphics and brand application. Focus on demonstrating your process, problem-solving skills, and ability to meet brand requirements.
• Behavioral & Team Fit Interviews: Discussions with hiring managers and potential team members to assess your communication, collaboration, and cultural alignment with Fanatics' BOLD principles. Be ready to share examples of how you've handled challenges, worked in teams, and contributed to creative success.
• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic fit and overall impact on the business.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest, most relevant projects, focusing on apparel graphics, sports themes, and examples demonstrating your understanding of brand guidelines and production processes.
• Tell a Story: For each project, walk through the brief, your creative process, challenges faced, solutions implemented, and the final outcome or impact. Clearly articulate your role and contributions.
• Highlight Technical Skills: Showcase your proficiency with Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, and explain how you leverage these tools for apparel design.
• Showcase Brand Understanding: Include examples that demonstrate your ability to interpret and apply brand identity, especially for sports-related clients or similar fast-paced retail environments.
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, problem-solving techniques, and how you stay current with trends.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Fanatics & Nike: Research Fanatics' business model, their relationship with Nike, and Nike's current brand aesthetic and marketing campaigns.
• Practice Design Thinking: Rehearse articulating your design process, from initial research and concept development to execution and refinement.
• Time Management: If a design challenge is given, plan your time effectively to address all aspects of the brief within the allocated timeframe.
• Presentation Skills: Practice presenting your work clearly and concisely, focusing on key design decisions and their rationale.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is the most critical component for this role. Applicants must ensure it is highly polished and directly addresses the requirements of apparel graphic design for a major licensed brand, showcasing both creative talent and operational understanding.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:
  • Adobe Illustrator: Essential for vector-based graphics, logos, and apparel embellishment artwork.
  • Adobe Photoshop: Crucial for raster image editing, photo manipulation, mockups, and preparing artwork for various print methods.
  • Adobe InDesign: Used for creating presentation decks, collection boards, and other layout-intensive materials.
• Microsoft Office Suite:
  • Outlook: For communication and calendar management.
  • Word: For documentation and written communication.
  • Excel: For data tracking, basic analysis, and reporting.
  • PowerPoint: For creating and delivering presentations to internal teams and stakeholders.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly stated as a primary tool, familiarity with basic data analysis and reporting tools may be beneficial for understanding consumer insights and market trends.

CRM & Automation:

• Familiarity with project management systems (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira, or internal systems) is noted as an intermediate skill, useful for managing design workflows and deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement revolves around advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite. Understanding how these tools integrate into a broader workflow, including project management systems, is key for operational efficiency in a design context.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Fan Obsession: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs and desires of sports fans, which translates into creating apparel that resonates with them.
• Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit: Encourages proactivity, innovation, and taking ownership of projects to drive creative solutions and business growth.
• Championship Teams: Fosters collaboration, mutual support, and a collective drive for excellence, aiming for high-impact results in all creative endeavors.
• Determined and Relentless Mindset: Emphasizes perseverance, problem-solving, and a commitment to overcoming challenges to achieve design and business objectives. Collaboration Style:
• Highly collaborative, requiring designers to work closely with cross-functional teams, share ideas openly, and provide constructive feedback.
• Emphasis on clear communication, both written and verbal, to effectively convey design intent and rationale to diverse stakeholders.
• A culture that values continuous learning and staying ahead of industry trends, encouraging exploration of new design techniques and market insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Fanatics BOLD Leadership principles are central to the company culture. Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate how their work ethic and approach align with these values, particularly in a collaborative and fast-paced design operations setting.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Trend Innovation: The primary challenge will be to maintain the integrity of both Fanatics' and Nike's brand identities while incorporating current trends and creative storytelling for apparel.
• Managing High Volume & Tight Deadlines: The sports apparel industry demands rapid turnaround times for seasonal collections and special product drops, requiring efficient workflow management and prioritization.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring that design outputs meet the requirements and expectations of various departments, including merchandising, marketing, and production, necessitates strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Adapting to Evolving Trends: Staying abreast of fast-changing sports and fashion trends, consumer preferences, and technological advancements in apparel design and production.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Brand Expertise: Gaining in-depth knowledge of major sports brands and their specific design languages.
• Industry Immersion: Direct exposure to the fast-paced sports merchandising and e-commerce industry.
• Creative Leadership: Opportunities to develop leadership skills by influencing design direction and potentially mentoring junior designers.
• Professional Development: Access to training, workshops, and industry events to enhance design skills and stay current with creative tools and methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a significant opportunity to grow within a leading sports commerce company, developing specialized skills in brand collaboration and apparel design operations.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process & Rationale: "Walk me through your process for designing an apparel graphic for a major sports brand like Nike. How do you balance brand guidelines with creative innovation?" Be prepared to discuss your approach to concept development, research, execution, and final delivery.
• Collaboration & Feedback: "Describe a time you received challenging feedback on a design. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?" Focus on your ability to receive and incorporate feedback constructively and maintain professional relationships.
• Problem-Solving: "Tell me about a project where you faced a significant design or production challenge. What steps did you take to overcome it, and what did you learn?" Highlight your analytical skills and ability to find solutions.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Fanatics & Nike Alignment: "What excites you about working with Fanatics and specifically designing for Nike apparel?" Show your passion for sports and understanding of the brands.
• Teamwork: "How do you contribute to a positive and productive team environment?" Provide examples of your collaborative spirit and how you support colleagues.
• Impact Measurement: "How do you measure the success of your design work?" Discuss how you think about the impact of your designs on brand perception, fan engagement, or sales.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Structure: Organize your portfolio by project, with each project having a clear narrative: the challenge, your approach, execution, and results/impact.
• Visual Clarity: Ensure your digital portfolio is clean, well-organized, and easy to navigate. Use high-quality images and mockups.
• Concise Explanations: Be prepared to speak articulately and concisely about each project, highlighting key decisions and your specific contributions. Avoid jargon where possible, or explain it clearly.
• Brand Relevance: Emphasize projects that demonstrate your understanding of brand identity, sports culture, and apparel design specificities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should be ready to demonstrate not just design talent but also a strategic understanding of how design contributes to business objectives within Fanatics' operations.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Sr. Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Fanatics careers portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your submitted portfolio to prominently feature apparel graphics, sports-themed designs, and examples demonstrating your understanding of brand guidelines (especially for high-profile brands like Nike) and production processes.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to highlight your 6+ years of relevant graphic design experience, emphasizing skills in Adobe Creative Suite, typography, color theory, and apparel production. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Designed graphics for X number of seasonal collections").
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, creative philosophy, and collaborative approach. Prepare specific examples to answer behavioral questions related to teamwork, problem-solving, and feedback. Rehearse your portfolio presentation.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Fanatics' BOLD Leadership principles, their mission, and their relationship with Nike. Understand the Beaverton location's significance in the athletic apparel industry.

⚠️ 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.