Part-Time Graphic Designer (Bellevue - Hybrid)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Part-Time Graphic Designer

Company: Dough Zone USA

Location: Bellevue, Washington, United States

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: 2026-07-30

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

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on developing and executing creative assets for a growing food and beverage brand, emphasizing packaging, merchandise, and in-store collateral.

• The position requires a blend of creative design skills and practical understanding of production processes, particularly for packaging and retail items.

• Collaboration with marketing and cross-functional teams is key to ensure brand consistency and effective visual communication across all touchpoints.

• As a part-time contractor, the role offers flexibility in workload and schedule, catering to project-based needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Graphic Designer," the core responsibilities and required experience point towards a specialized role in brand asset creation, with a significant emphasis on physical product design (packaging, merchandise). This is not a general graphic design role but one focused on tangible brand touchpoints within the food and beverage industry. The "Hybrid" designation suggests occasional on-site collaboration may be required, despite the overall remote-friendly nature.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design a comprehensive range of brand assets, including apparel, branded merchandise, retail items, takeout packaging, product labels, and seasonal designs.

• Conceptualize, create mockups, and develop prototypes for new packaging designs, ensuring they align with brand aesthetics and manufacturing feasibility.

• Collaborate closely with the Marketing team to understand project objectives, brand guidelines, and timelines for all creative initiatives.

• Work with production teams and potentially international vendors to ensure designs are print-ready, manufacturable, and cost-effective.

• Develop various additional brand and operational assets such as menus, in-store collateral, event materials, and internal documents to support business needs.

• Ensure consistent brand voice, visual identity, and quality across all design outputs, from digital touchpoints to physical products.

• Contribute to brand development efforts by translating brand strategy into compelling visual designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer who can bridge the gap between creative concept and practical application in physical product design and retail environments. This involves understanding material constraints, print processes, and user experience for tangible goods, which are critical for a food and beverage brand's market presence.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree or higher in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or a related field.

Experience: 4+ years of professional working experience in graphic design, with a demonstrated focus on packaging, merchandise, or general brand design.

Required Skills:

• Profound understanding of graphic design fundamentals, including layout, composition, and visual hierarchy.

• Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, for creating high-quality design assets.

• Proven ability to design merchandise (apparel, branded goods) and packaging (takeout containers, labels, seasonal designs).

• Strong grasp of branding principles, typography, color theory, and visual storytelling to effectively communicate brand identity.

• Experience in creating packaging concepts, mockups, and prototypes for review and approval.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for effective collaboration with internal teams and external partners.

• Knowledge of packaging materials, printing processes, and design for manufacturability to ensure practical and cost-effective solutions. Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity working with international vendors and manufacturers, understanding global supply chain nuances.

• Experience within the restaurant or food & beverage industry, with an understanding of its unique design challenges and opportunities.

• Experience with food photography and/or videography, or ability to guide such productions.

• Understanding of material costs and production trade-offs to inform design decisions and manage budgets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "4+ years of working experience" and a "strong portfolio showcasing relevant work" indicates that this role requires a seasoned designer, not an entry-level candidate. The preferred skills suggest that candidates with specific industry or international vendor experience will have a significant advantage.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio is strictly required, showcasing a minimum of 4 years of professional design work.

• The portfolio must demonstrate significant experience and expertise in merchandise design (apparel, branded goods) and packaging design (takeout containers, labels, seasonal graphics).

• Include case studies or examples that highlight your process from initial concept to final production-ready artwork, especially for packaging.

• Showcase your ability to develop and maintain brand consistency across various applications, including in-store collateral and menus.

• Examples of design feasibility and adaptation for manufacturing processes should be evident. Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the design workflow from brief to final delivery, including concept development, revision cycles, and production handoff.

• Provide examples of how you collaborate with cross-functional teams (marketing, production) to achieve project goals and adhere to brand standards.

• Illustrate your approach to problem-solving when faced with design constraints, production challenges, or material limitations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for a portfolio and the specific examples of what it should contain indicate that candidates will be evaluated heavily on their visual output and ability to execute designs for physical products. The "process documentation" aspect implies a need for organized workflow management and collaborative capabilities.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $25 – $36 per hour

Benefits:

• Opportunity to work on diverse creative projects for a growing brand.

• Flexible workload and schedule, accommodating project needs and contractor availability.

• Remote-friendly work environment, allowing for flexibility in work location.

• Potential for ongoing project-based work and collaboration.

Working Hours: This is a part-time contract position with a flexible workload. While the typical full-time equivalent is 40 hours per week, actual hours will vary based on project demands and contractor availability. The role is described as "remote-friendly with occasional collaboration as needed," implying flexibility but also potential requirements for in-person meetings or site visits in Bellevue, WA.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range of $25-$36 per hour for a part-time contractor role with 4+ years of experience and specialized skills in packaging/merchandise design in the Bellevue, WA area is within the expected market range for mid-level freelance designers. Bellevue, WA, has a high cost of living, and this range reflects that. Benefits are typical for a contractor role, focusing on flexibility and project variety rather than traditional employee benefits.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Food & Beverage (specifically, a chain of dumpling houses).

Company Size: Dough Zone USA is part of Moji Food, and the description implies a growing business with established marketing and operational teams. The exact size is not specified but likely medium to large for a restaurant chain with multiple locations.

Founded: Dough Zone USA was founded with a mission to bring authentic dumplings to a wider audience. The company has a focus on quality ingredients and an authentic dining experience.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will work closely with the Marketing team, suggesting a collaborative and communications-focused environment.

• Cross-functional collaboration is expected with production teams and potentially other departments involved in product development and in-store experience.

• The role is part of a larger organization (Dough Zone USA/Moji Food) which suggests established processes and brand management oversight. Methodology:

• The company emphasizes bringing the Dough Zone brand to life across multiple touchpoints, indicating a focus on consistent brand execution.

• Design decisions are expected to be thoughtful and executed with quality and consistency.

• Collaboration is a core methodology, ensuring alignment between creative vision and business objectives.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company operates in the competitive food and beverage sector, where strong branding and appealing visual collateral are crucial for customer attraction and retention. The "hybrid" nature of the role, combined with a focus on physical products like packaging and merchandise, suggests a company that values both digital presence and tangible customer experiences.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a mid-level for a contracting graphic designer. While it requires significant experience (4+ years) and specialized skills, it is a part-time contract position rather than a full-time employee role with a traditional career ladder.

Reporting Structure: The designer will report to or work closely with the Marketing team, indicating a direct line of communication for project assignments and feedback.

Operations Impact: The graphic designer's work directly impacts brand perception, customer engagement, and sales through visually appealing and functional packaging, merchandise, and marketing materials. Effective design can enhance customer experience, drive product sales, and strengthen brand loyalty.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in packaging and merchandise design for the food and beverage industry.

• Project Expansion: Potential for increased project scope and volume based on performance and business needs.

• Cross-Industry Exposure: While focused on Dough Zone, the experience gained can be transferable to other clients or industries, especially those involving consumer goods.

• Vendor Relationship Building: Opportunity to build relationships with international vendors and manufacturers, enhancing supply chain understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a contractor role, "growth" typically means increased project responsibility, higher pay rates over time, or more consistent work. Direct career progression within Dough Zone USA's internal structure is less likely unless the role evolves into a full-time position or the contractor takes on more strategic design leadership roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. The role is described as "remote-friendly" with "occasional collaboration as needed" in Bellevue, WA. This suggests a flexible arrangement where most work can be done remotely, but some on-site presence might be required for meetings, brainstorming sessions, or reviewing physical prototypes.

Office Location(s): Bellevue, Washington. This location is known for its tech industry presence and vibrant business community.

Workspace Context:

• Flexibility: The remote-friendly nature allows for a personalized workspace setup.

• Collaboration Tools: Expect to use digital collaboration tools for communication, file sharing, and feedback (e.g., email, Slack, project management software).

• On-site Interaction: When on-site, the designer will likely interact with marketing team members and potentially other stakeholders in a professional office or restaurant-related environment.

Work Schedule: This is a part-time contract position with a flexible workload. Hours will vary based on project needs, but the role is designed to accommodate a flexible schedule, which is common for freelance or contract positions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "hybrid" aspect requires careful consideration. Candidates should clarify expectations regarding the frequency and nature of on-site collaboration in Bellevue, WA, to ensure it aligns with their remote work preferences.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and relevant experience.

• Portfolio Review & Discussion: A more in-depth discussion, likely involving a review of specific portfolio pieces, focusing on packaging and merchandise design. Expect questions about your design process, problem-solving approach, and understanding of production.

• Skills Assessment: Potential for a small design exercise or case study, particularly related to packaging concepts or brand adaptation for merchandise.

• Cultural Fit & Logistics: Discussion about your availability, work style, contractor status, and alignment with the company's collaborative approach.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select your strongest work that directly showcases packaging, merchandise, and brand collateral design for food/beverage or similar consumer goods.

• Showcase Process: For key projects, include brief descriptions of the challenge, your approach, and the final outcome. Highlight how you considered manufacturing constraints or brand consistency.

• Highlight Relevance: Emphasize projects that demonstrate experience with international vendors or the food & beverage industry if applicable.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate, whether it's a digital PDF or a website.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your experience with materials, printing processes, and design for manufacturability.

• Practice articulating your design decisions, especially regarding how they support brand objectives and operational realities.

• Research Dough Zone USA’s current branding, menus, and merchandise to understand their aesthetic and identify potential areas for creative contribution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio and specific design experience means candidates should prepare to showcase their best work relevant to the job description. Understanding the nuances of physical product design and brand application will be critical during the interview process.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency in Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign for all design tasks.

• Design Software: Familiarity with other relevant design software may be beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus for this design role, an understanding of how design impacts engagement metrics (e.g., through packaging appeal or merchandise sales) is a plus. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design responsibilities, but awareness of how marketing assets integrate into broader campaigns or customer journeys is advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) is a critical technical requirement. Proficiency here is non-negotiable and will be a key filter for applications.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Quality & Consistency: A strong emphasis on delivering high-quality design assets that maintain brand integrity across all touchpoints.

• Collaboration: Working closely with marketing and production teams to achieve shared goals and ensure design feasibility.

• Adaptability: The ability to adapt designs for various applications (merchandise, packaging, collateral) and potentially for different markets or vendors.

• Brand Expression: Bringing the Dough Zone brand to life through creative and thoughtful visual execution.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect to work closely with marketing to align creative output with campaign objectives and brand strategy.

• Production Partnership: Close liaison with production teams to ensure designs are technically sound and cost-effective for manufacturing.

• Feedback-Driven: An openness to feedback and revisions to refine designs and meet project requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on "bringing the Dough Zone brand to life" suggests a culture that values creativity tied to tangible brand experiences and customer satisfaction, particularly in the food and beverage sector.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity with Constraints: Designing engaging visuals for merchandise and packaging while adhering to strict brand guidelines, manufacturing limitations, and budget constraints.

• International Vendor Coordination: Understanding and adapting designs for international vendors may present unique communication and production challenges.

• Adapting to a Growing Brand: Contributing to the visual evolution of a brand that is expanding its product lines and market reach.

• Remote Collaboration Nuances: Effectively collaborating and conveying design intent remotely, especially for physical product development.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Packaging & Merchandise Specialization: Gaining hands-on experience with a diverse range of packaging types and merchandise items within the food and beverage industry.

• Industry Trends: Staying abreast of current design trends in food packaging, retail merchandising, and restaurant branding.

• Production Process Insight: Developing a deeper understanding of printing techniques, material science, and manufacturing processes relevant to consumer goods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to a designer working on physical products for a growing brand, requiring a blend of creative problem-solving and practical execution. The growth opportunities lie in deepening specialized design skills and gaining industry-specific knowledge.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for designing a new piece of branded merchandise, from concept to final artwork."

• "How do you approach creating packaging designs that are both visually appealing and manufacturable?"

• "Walk us through a project where you had to balance creative vision with production constraints or budget limitations."

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across different types of collateral, such as apparel, packaging, and in-store signage?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to Dough Zone USA and our brand?"

• "How do you typically collaborate with marketing or production teams on design projects?"

• "Describe your experience working with international vendors or in the food and beverage industry."

• "How do you stay updated on design trends relevant to the food and beverage or retail sectors?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Relevance: Prioritize showcasing your strongest packaging, merchandise, and collateral design projects.

• Tell the Story: For each project, explain the brief, your creative process, the challenges you faced, and the final outcome.

• Highlight Technical Skills: Be prepared to discuss your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and any specific techniques used in your work.

• Demonstrate Understanding: Articulate how your designs meet business objectives and consider production realities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions will likely probe your practical design skills, understanding of the production lifecycle for physical goods, and ability to integrate with a marketing team. Preparing specific examples from your portfolio that align with these requirements is crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this part-time graphic designer position:

• Submit your application, including your resume and a link to your online portfolio, through the provided application link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features your best work in packaging design, merchandise design, and branded collateral relevant to the food and beverage or consumer goods industries.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your 4+ years of experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, and any specific achievements in packaging or merchandise design.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving skills, and experience with production constraints. Be ready to discuss your understanding of Dough Zone's brand.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Dough Zone USA's current branding, menu items, and existing merchandise to demonstrate genuine interest and potential for contribution.

⚠️ 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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