Temporary Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Temporary Graphic Designer Company: Talking Rain Beverage Co®, makers of Sparkling Ice Location: Preston, WA Job Type: Temporary, Full-Time Category: Marketing / Creative Operations Date Posted: January 21, 2026 Experience Level: Entry-Level (0-2 years) Remote Status: Hybrid (3+ days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is crucial for translating brand messaging into compelling visual assets, directly supporting marketing and creative operations initiatives.
• You will be responsible for producing a high volume of design deliverables across various mediums, impacting brand awareness and customer engagement.
• The position requires strong collaboration with internal creative teams and stakeholders to ensure brand consistency and timely project execution.
• This temporary role offers an excellent opportunity to gain experience within the Consumer Package Goods (CPG) industry and expand your design portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Temporary Graphic Designer," the description emphasizes "building brand awareness and loyalty" and "growing your skills through a wide variety of design needs," suggesting a role with significant creative input and potential for impact, rather than purely administrative design support. The hybrid nature and focus on project delivery point towards an operations-adjacent creative role.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute creative design layouts for a wide range of print and digital marketing materials, including Point-of-Sale (POS) displays, Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising, fleet graphics, merchandising collateral, web banners, and social media assets.
• Translate creative briefs and brand guidelines into visually engaging designs that effectively communicate brand messaging and enhance customer connections.
• Produce high-quality product mock-ups and prototypes for sales presentations, trade shows, and internal reviews, ensuring accuracy and aesthetic appeal.
• Manage an active design queue, effectively prioritizing and executing multiple projects simultaneously to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Collaborate closely with the Creative Studio team, Creative Production Lead, and potentially the Photo-Video Studio and Packaging teams to ensure cohesive brand representation across all touchpoints.
• Apply design principles to create thoughtful and strategic visual solutions that align with marketing objectives and brand strategy.
• Support the creation of event signage and booth graphics, contributing to the overall brand experience at various activations and trade shows.
• Maintain brand consistency by adhering to established brand guidelines, color palettes, and typography standards across all design outputs.
• Assist in the production of PowerPoint presentations, ensuring visually appealing and informative content for internal and external stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on design role with a focus on operational execution of marketing materials. The emphasis on "managing project design queue" and "executing multiple projects at once" points to operational efficiency in creative production.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Associate degree required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design or a related field is preferred.

Experience:

• 1+ years of professional design experience is required.
• Experience within the Consumer Package Goods (CPG) industry is highly preferred.
• Familiarity with retail point-of-sale elements, temporary and permanent display types, and collateral marketing materials is beneficial.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite: Advanced skills in Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign are essential for creating and manipulating design assets.
• Microsoft Office Suite Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to use Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel for communication, presentation creation, and data handling.
• Graphic Design Principles: Strong understanding of layout, typography, color theory, and visual hierarchy.
• Brand Guideline Adherence: Ability to interpret and consistently apply brand guidelines to all design work.
• Project Management Fundamentals: Capacity to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines effectively.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Proven ability to work effectively within a creative team and cross-functionally with other departments.
• Communication Skills: Clear and concise verbal and written communication for brief understanding and feedback exchange.

Preferred Skills:

• 3D Rendering or Motion/Animation Skills: Experience with 3D rendering software or animation tools (e.g., After Effects) is a significant plus.
• PowerPoint Design Experience: Specific experience in creating visually compelling PowerPoint presentations.
• Understanding of CPG Marketing: Familiarity with the unique design challenges and opportunities within the consumer beverage or CPG sector.
• Print Production Knowledge: Understanding of print processes, file preparation, and vendor coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize technical proficiency with industry-standard design software and a foundational understanding of marketing collateral, aligning with the operational need for efficient and consistent creative output. The preferred skills suggest opportunities for growth and specialization within the role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstration of Brand Guideline Application: Showcase projects where you have successfully adhered to and applied specific brand guidelines to maintain visual consistency.
• Variety of Design Deliverables: Include examples of designs for print (POS, OOH, collateral) and digital (web banners, social media) to reflect the breadth of responsibilities.
• Project Execution Examples: Present at least one project that illustrates your ability to manage a design brief from concept to final delivery, highlighting problem-solving and execution.
• Mock-up/Prototype Creation: Include examples of product mock-ups or visual prototypes if available, demonstrating your capability in this area.
• Impact-Oriented Case Studies (Optional but Recommended): Briefly describe the objective of a design project, your role, the solution, and any measurable impact or feedback received.

Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly required for submission, be prepared to discuss your personal design process, including how you approach creative briefs, manage feedback, and ensure efficient delivery of assets.
• Be ready to articulate how you would integrate into an existing creative workflow and collaborate with production teams to optimize asset delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a graphic design role within a marketing operations context, the portfolio should emphasize not just creative output but also the ability to follow established processes, manage project scope, and deliver within defined brand parameters. The focus is on reliable execution rather than pure conceptual innovation.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• $25.00 - $32.00 per hour.
• New hires typically receive compensation between the minimum and midpoint, with potential for higher placement based on experience, internal equity, and market conditions.

Benefits:

• For eligible regular, full-time employees:
  • Three weeks of vacation per calendar year, with accrual increases over time.
  • Six weeks of paid parental leave for FMLA qualifying employees (birth, fostering, adoption), with additional medical leave for birth mothers.
  • Flexibility Stipend: A monthly stipend intended for business use while working remotely or for needs outside normal working hours.
  • Relocation Assistance: Available when applicable.
  • Carpool Mileage Reimbursement: For those commuting to the Preston office.
  • 401k with Immediate Vesting: Matched contributions and investment customization.
  • Fitness Reimbursements: For community events and competitions.
  • On-site Gym Access: In Preston, with a personal trainer available two days per week.
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Excellent and flexible plans, with one medical plan offered at no cost to employees.
  • Vehicle Program: Mileage reimbursement for Field Sales Specialists; company car or vehicle stipend for Field Sales Managers and Market Managers; Motus program for Regional Sales Managers and Sales Directors.

Working Hours:

• Full-time employment.
• Standard working hours are expected, but flexibility is required, with occasional work in evenings and weekends for special assignments.
• Hybrid work arrangement requires 3+ days per week in the Preston, WA office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is specific and noted as dependent on experience. The benefits listed are extensive, indicating a strong employee value proposition for regular, full-time hires. The temporary nature of this role may impact eligibility for the full suite of benefits, which is explicitly stated.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Food & Beverage / Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) Company Size: Talking Rain is a significant player in the beverage industry, known for its popular Sparkling Ice brand. While the exact employee count isn't specified here, their established presence suggests a mid-to-large size organization with established operational processes. Founded: The company was founded in 1987, indicating a long-standing history and experience in the market.

Team Structure:

• Reporting: Reports to the Creative Design Lead.
• Direct Reports: None.
• Collaboration: Works closely with internal Marketing and Creative teams, Creative Production Lead, and potentially the Photo-Video Studio and Packaging departments.
• Focus: The company emphasizes "creating connections with every sip" and values diversity and inclusivity. Their culture is built on "Rain Makers" who are accountable, curious, and inclusive.

Methodology:

• Creative Approach: Aims for "surprising and refreshing ways to create connections," with a focus on building brand awareness and loyalty through design.
• Process Emphasis: Values in-person connections for faster feedback loops and responsiveness, particularly in refining systems that fuel future growth.
• Values: Accountable (accepting feedback, embracing change), Curious (seeking answers, challenging status quo), and Inclusive (valuing communication, respect, and diverse backgrounds).

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is framed around "Rain Makers" and specific values (accountable, curious, inclusive). The emphasis on in-person interaction for feedback and operational refinement is a key cultural point for hybrid roles. This suggests a dynamic environment where collaboration and responsiveness are highly valued.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an entry-level, temporary Graphic Designer position. It serves as a foundational role within the creative operations function, focusing on the execution of design tasks under guidance. Reporting Structure: The designer reports directly to the Creative Design Lead, indicating a clear hierarchy for design direction and project assignment. Operations Impact: While not directly managing operational processes, the role's output directly impacts marketing operations by providing essential visual assets for campaigns, sales materials, and brand presence. Efficient and effective design execution contributes to the smooth functioning of marketing initiatives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Opportunity to expand design skills across a "wide variety of design needs," including print, web, social media, and potentially 3D rendering or motion graphics if those skills are developed.
• Industry Exposure: Gaining experience in the CPG sector, specifically within a well-established beverage company, can open doors to future roles in marketing, branding, or creative operations within this industry.
• Portfolio Building: The role offers the chance to create a diverse portfolio of work that can be leveraged for future career opportunities.
• Potential for Future Roles: Successful performance in this temporary role could lead to consideration for other opportunities within Talking Rain, though this is not guaranteed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth analysis focuses on skill acquisition and portfolio enhancement rather than a defined internal promotion path, which is typical for temporary roles. The value lies in the experience gained and the professional network built.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment at their Preston, WA office. This implies a blend of remote work and in-office collaboration. Office Location(s): Preston, WA (King County). Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The company emphasizes the value of in-person connections for richer, faster feedback loops and enhanced customer responsiveness. This suggests an office designed to foster collaboration among teams.
• Tools & Technology: Employees will have access to necessary design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and standard office productivity tools (Microsoft Office Suite). Being a hybrid role, employees will need to manage their remote workspace effectively.
• Team Interaction: The hybrid model requires intentional effort for in-office team interaction, supporting the company's emphasis on face-to-face collaboration for key projects and feedback sessions.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time role.
• Requires 3+ days per week in the Preston, WA office.
• Flexibility is expected, with potential occasional work in evenings and weekends for special assignments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature with a mandated 3+ days in-office presence is a key aspect. The company explicitly states that "onsite presence is beyond collaboration," linking it to customer responsiveness and faster feedback loops, indicating a strong preference for in-person engagement for critical operational functions.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely involves a review of your resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and design capabilities.
• Creative Assessment: May include a design challenge or a request to present specific portfolio pieces that align with the job requirements. This will test your design skills, problem-solving approach, and ability to work within brand constraints.
• Interviews: Expect interviews with the Creative Design Lead and potentially other members of the Marketing/Creative team. These interviews will assess your experience, technical skills, understanding of CPG design, and cultural fit with the "Rain Maker" values (accountable, curious, inclusive).
• Focus: The process will likely evaluate your ability to deliver high-quality design assets efficiently, collaborate effectively, and adapt to a fast-paced environment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your skills relevant to this role. Prioritize CPG examples if you have them.
• Highlight Key Responsibilities: Ensure your portfolio includes examples of print and digital collateral, POS designs, and any product mock-ups.
• Showcase Brand Adherence: If possible, include a project where you had to strictly follow brand guidelines.
• Prepare to Discuss Your Process: Be ready to walk through your design process for 1-2 key projects, explaining your rationale, challenges, and solutions.
• Quantify Impact (If Possible): Even for a temporary role, if you can speak to how your designs contributed to campaign success or positive feedback, it's valuable.
• Tailor Your Presentation: Frame your portfolio around the specific needs of Talking Rain and the responsibilities outlined in the job description.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge Focus: If a design challenge is given, expect it to involve creating a marketing asset (e.g., a social media banner, a simple POS concept) based on a brief, possibly requiring adherence to brand guidelines.
• Time Management: Practice completing design tasks within a limited timeframe, as this role requires efficiency.
• Brand Application: Be prepared to quickly grasp and apply brand elements if provided.
• Communication: Clearly articulate your design choices and thought process, even under time pressure.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio review and potential design challenge suggests that practical design execution and adherence to brand standards are paramount. Candidates should be ready to demonstrate their ability to produce work that meets commercial needs efficiently.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency is required in Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign for all graphic design tasks.
• Microsoft Office Suite: Necessary for daily operations, including PowerPoint for presentations, Outlook for communication, and Excel for potential data tracking.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus for this designer role, understanding how design impacts engagement metrics (e.g., social media banners, web ads) is beneficial. Familiarity with basic web analytics concepts could be a plus.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this role.

Other Potential Tools (Beneficial):

• 3D Rendering Software: (e.g., Blender, Keyshot) If 3D rendering skills are a plus.
• Motion Graphics/Animation Software: (e.g., Adobe After Effects) If motion graphics skills are a plus.
• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with platforms like Asana, Trello, or Monday.com could be helpful for managing a project queue, though not explicitly required.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is standard for a graphic designer, with a strong emphasis on Adobe Creative Suite. The mention of PowerPoint and potential for 3D/motion graphics skills indicates the diverse nature of design needs within the company's creative operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Accountability: Taking ownership of design tasks, accepting feedback constructively, and delivering on commitments to meet project deadlines and quality standards.
• Curiosity: Proactively seeking to understand design briefs, brand objectives, and new design trends to bring fresh ideas to projects. Willingness to ask clarifying questions to ensure thorough understanding.
• Inclusivity: Respecting diverse perspectives within the creative team and collaborating harmoniously to achieve shared goals. Valuing clear communication and a positive team dynamic.
• Efficiency: Demonstrating the ability to manage a high volume of work, prioritize effectively, and produce design assets in a timely manner to support marketing operations.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Working closely with the Creative Design Lead and other marketing team members to ensure designs align with broader campaign strategies and brand messaging.
• Feedback Exchange: Openness to receiving and incorporating feedback from team members and stakeholders to refine designs and improve project outcomes.
• Process Alignment: Understanding and adhering to established creative workflows and production processes to ensure smooth asset delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's core values (accountable, curious, inclusive) are directly applicable to how a designer should approach their work and interactions. For this role, emphasizing accountability in project delivery and curiosity in understanding creative briefs will be key.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Fast-Paced Environment: Juggling multiple design projects with tight deadlines requires strong time management and prioritization skills.
• Brand Consistency: Maintaining strict adherence to brand guidelines across a wide array of deliverables can be demanding.
• Feedback Integration: Effectively incorporating feedback from various stakeholders, some of whom may have differing opinions, while still meeting project objectives.
• Temporary Role Limitations: As a temporary position, there may be less opportunity for long-term strategic involvement or extensive professional development compared to a permanent role.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Practical Design Experience: Gaining hands-on experience with diverse design applications for a well-known CPG brand.
• Industry Exposure: Learning about the specific design needs and marketing strategies within the beverage/CPG industry.
• Portfolio Enhancement: Building a robust portfolio with real-world projects that can be showcased for future employment.
• Collaboration Skills: Developing stronger teamwork and communication skills through interaction with a professional creative team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge will be adapting to the pace and volume of work while maintaining quality and brand integrity. Growth is primarily focused on practical skill application and industry exposure rather than formal training programs.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Tell me about a time you had to work with a tight deadline on a design project." (Prepare to discuss your process, prioritization, and how you ensured quality.)
• "How do you ensure brand consistency across different design outputs?" (Discuss your approach to using brand guidelines and any tools you use to maintain consistency.)
• "Describe a challenging design brief you received and how you approached it." (Focus on problem-solving, creative interpretation, and stakeholder communication.)
• "How do you incorporate feedback into your designs?" (Highlight your ability to receive constructive criticism and iterate effectively.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for Talking Rain and the Sparkling Ice brand specifically?" (Research the brand, its marketing, and its values.)
• "Our core values are accountable, curious, and inclusive. Can you give an example of how you embody one of these values in your work?" (Prepare specific anecdotes.)
• "How do you approach collaboration with a team, especially in a hybrid environment?" (Discuss your communication style and experience with hybrid work.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or by showcasing your strongest work first.
• Storytelling: For each selected project, be prepared to briefly explain:
  • The objective of the project (the brief).
  • Your role and responsibilities.
  • Your creative process and problem-solving approach.
  • The final design solution.
  • Any outcomes or feedback received.
• Relevance: Emphasize projects that demonstrate your ability to create marketing collateral for CPG or similar industries, and highlight your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite.
• Conciseness: Be ready to present your key projects efficiently, respecting the interviewer's time.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating practical design execution, brand awareness, and cultural fit. Being able to articulate your process and provide concrete examples will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-adjacent creative position:

• Submit your application: Apply through the provided link on the Talking Rain careers portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and portfolio are tailored to highlight your graphic design experience, especially any CPG or marketing collateral work. Showcase proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office.
• Resume Optimization: Use keywords from the job description such as "Graphic Design," "Adobe Creative Suite," "Print Design," "Web Design," "CPG," "Brand Awareness," and "Project Management." Quantify achievements where possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, your experience with brand guidelines, and how you manage multiple projects. Prepare examples that align with the company's values of accountability, curiosity, and inclusivity.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Talking Rain Beverage Company, its brands (especially Sparkling Ice), and its marketing presence. Understand their company culture and values as stated in the job description.

⚠️ 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.

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