Roark Sr. Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. Graphic Designer

Company: OluKai-Kaenon-melin-Roark (Roark)

Location: Irvine, California, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative / Marketing Operations

Date Posted: 2026-05-20

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in-office mandatory)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the visual narrative for Roark's digital presence, focusing on concept-driven design for social media, e-commerce, and advertising.

• Collaborate closely with creative leadership and marketing to translate brand strategy into compelling, digital-first visual assets and seasonal campaigns.

• Maintain and evolve Roark's progressive visual identity across all digital touchpoints, ensuring brand consistency and authenticity.

• Create engaging motion graphics and animated assets to enhance social and paid media performance, contributing to storytelling and product launches.

• Apply a deep understanding of digital platform specifications and best practices to optimize creative execution for maximum impact and reach.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Graphic Designer," the emphasis on digital-first execution, social media paid advertising, email campaigns, landing pages, e-commerce assets, and motion graphics strongly indicates a role deeply embedded within marketing operations and digital campaign execution, requiring a strategic approach to visual content that drives measurable results. The "Sr." designation implies a need for independent project management and a strong point of view in creative development.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and execute digital-first creative assets for social media paid advertising, email campaigns, landing pages, e-commerce, and social media content.

• Collaborate with the Art Director to conceptualize and execute seasonal campaign and hero franchise product visuals with precision and brand consistency.

• Translate brand strategy and creative briefs into compelling, on-brand visual work that resonates with the target audience.

• Partner with marketing and merchandising teams to support product launches, promotions, and key storytelling initiatives.

• Maintain and evolve Roark's visual identity system across all digital touchpoints, ensuring a cohesive and progressive brand presence.

• Create motion graphics and animated assets for social media and paid advertising channels, enhancing engagement and brand messaging.

• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality assets without compromising creative vision.

• Perform photo re-coloring and resizing for both product and lifestyle imagery to meet specific platform specifications.

• Organize and manage all final creative assets, including photography and video, for efficient distribution and archiving.

• Stay abreast of current design trends, digital platform specifications, and emerging creative formats to maintain a competitive edge.

• Contribute actively to creative reviews, offering a strong point of view and constructive feedback to elevate the overall creative output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly outline a need for a designer who not only executes but also strategizes visual content for direct marketing and sales impact. The emphasis on "digital-first," "paid advertising," and "e-commerce assets" suggests a close alignment with performance marketing and revenue generation goals. The requirement to manage a high volume of weekly updates (5+ emails, ad sets, site updates) points to a need for efficiency and streamlined workflows, characteristic of marketing operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor Degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is preferred.

Experience: 5+ years of professional graphic design experience with a significant focus on digital platforms and marketing campaign execution.

Required Skills:

• Expert-level proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) for comprehensive design asset creation and manipulation.

• Advanced proficiency in Figma for digital design, prototyping, and collaborative workflow management.

• Proven ability to develop and execute digital-first creative concepts for social media, paid advertising, email marketing, and e-commerce platforms.

• Strong understanding of typography, layout, and visual hierarchy to create compelling and on-brand content.

• Experience with photo manipulation, re-coloring, and resizing for various digital channels and platform specifications.

• Ability to conceptualize and execute visual storytelling that aligns with brand strategy and creative briefs.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with a proven ability to give and receive constructive feedback effectively.

• Highly organized and self-directed, with the capacity to manage a high volume of projects and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with motion design and animation using After Effects for dynamic digital content creation.

• Ability to produce and direct photoshoots, including product and lifestyle photography, following a brief and company objectives.

• Familiarity with digital platform specifications and best practices for Meta (Facebook/Instagram), TikTok, YouTube, and email marketing.

• Experience within the adventure lifestyle or outdoor apparel industry.

• Basic understanding of web design principles and UX/UI best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "digital-first," "social media paid advertising," "email campaigns," and "e-commerce assets" indicates that while this is a design role, it requires a strong understanding of marketing operations principles, including conversion optimization, platform best practices, and campaign performance. The "5+ years" experience with a "strong focus on digital" suggests the need for candidates who can operate with a degree of autonomy and strategic input, not just execute.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• An outstanding portfolio that prominently showcases digital design work, including social content, integrated campaigns, web assets, email marketing designs, and paid advertising creative.

• Demonstrations of concept development and the ability to translate brand strategy into visually cohesive and impactful digital executions.

• Examples of maintaining and evolving a visual identity system across various digital touchpoints.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their design process, from briefing and concept development to final asset delivery and optimization for different digital platforms.

• Examples of how they have collaborated with marketing, product, or content teams to achieve specific campaign objectives through design.

• Understanding of workflow management for high-volume creative production, including asset organization and distribution.

• Ability to articulate how design decisions contribute to brand consistency, marketing goals, and customer engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a "Sr. Graphic Designer" role with a digital focus, a portfolio is paramount. The "process" aspect should highlight how candidates manage their workflow, collaborate, and ensure their designs meet marketing objectives. For this role, success is measured by the impact of the visual assets on campaign performance and brand perception, so portfolio pieces should ideally demonstrate this.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $80,000 to $100,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

Bonus Opportunity: Opportunity for an annual bonus.

Benefits:

• Complimentary chef-prepared breakfast and lunch provided Monday - Thursday.

• Generous product gift program and all brand discounts.

• Company bonus program.

• 5-year and 10-year Milestone Anniversary travel gifts.

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance.

• Company-paid life insurance.

• 401k with employer match.

• 15 days of PTO accrued annually, plus an additional day of PTO each year on your work anniversary.

• 3 Floating Holidays per year.

• Paid beach and giveback days.

• Bi-annual team building events and other in-person celebrations.

• Dog-friendly office environment.

Working Hours: Standard 40-hour work week, with a hybrid arrangement requiring 4 days in the Irvine, CA office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specified salary range of $80,000-$100,000 for a Sr. Graphic Designer in Irvine, CA aligns with industry benchmarks for experienced creative professionals in a high-cost-of-living area. The benefits package is robust, including unique perks like anniversary travel gifts and chef-prepared meals, indicating a strong employee-centric company culture. The hybrid work model with mandatory office days is also a key detail for potential applicants.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Adventure Lifestyle Apparel & Accessories (Outdoor, Surf, Lifestyle)

Company Size: Archipelago Companies (parent) likely falls into the mid-size to large enterprise category based on multiple brands and office structure. Roark itself is a premium brand within this portfolio.

Founded: Roark was founded in 2010, emphasizing its established presence and brand identity in the adventure lifestyle market.

Team Structure:

• The Sr. Graphic Designer will likely be part of a broader Creative or Marketing team, reporting to an Art Director or Creative Lead.

• Collaboration will be essential with marketing, merchandising, product, and content teams, requiring strong cross-functional communication.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Creative: While creativity is paramount, the role's digital focus implies an expectation for design that supports measurable marketing objectives and campaign performance.

• Process Optimization: The need to deliver a high volume of assets weekly suggests a focus on efficient workflows, asset management, and streamlined creative processes.

• Brand Consistency & Evolution: A core methodology involves maintaining a strong, consistent brand visual identity while also pushing creative boundaries and adapting to new trends and platforms.

Company Website: https://www.roark.com/ (and potentially archipelagocos.com for parent company info)

📝 Enhancement Note: Roark positions itself as a premium "Adventure Lifestyle" brand, which strongly influences its culture and creative output. The integration within "Archipelago Companies" suggests a larger corporate structure providing resources and operational support. The culture values a genuine connection to outdoor sports, which is a critical differentiator for this role.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor within the Creative/Marketing function. This role is expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy, contribute strategically to campaign visuals, and mentor junior designers if applicable.

Reporting Structure: Likely reports to an Art Director or Creative Director, with close collaboration across marketing, product, and merchandising departments.

Operations Impact: The Sr. Graphic Designer's work directly impacts brand perception, marketing campaign effectiveness, e-commerce conversion rates, and overall customer engagement through visually compelling digital assets. Their output is critical for translating brand story into commercial success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Creative Leadership: Potential to advance into an Art Director or Senior Art Director role, taking on more strategic oversight and team leadership.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like motion graphics, digital campaign strategy, or brand identity development.

• Cross-Functional Development: Opportunities to gain broader marketing or merchandising insights through close collaboration, potentially leading to roles with more holistic campaign management responsibilities.

• Industry Exposure: Continued engagement with the adventure lifestyle industry, fostering a deep understanding of market trends and consumer behavior.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Sr." title implies a pathway for growth into leadership roles or specialized creative expertise. The company's emphasis on "operational excellence" suggests that individuals who can streamline creative processes and demonstrate the impact of their work will be well-positioned for advancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model, with mandatory 4 days per week in the Irvine, CA office and 1 day remote.

Office Location(s): Irvine, California, United States (92618).

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment is designed for collaboration, with opportunities for in-person interaction with creative, marketing, and product teams.

• Creative Resources: Access to necessary design tools, software (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma), and potentially a photography studio or resources for asset creation.

• Brand Immersion: A dog-friendly office that fosters a connection to the brand's lifestyle and culture, encouraging informal interactions and idea sharing.

• Amenities: Perks like complimentary chef-prepared meals and a product gift program contribute to a supportive and engaging work atmosphere.

Work Schedule: Standard business hours, likely aligning with Pacific Time Zone (America/Los_Angeles), with a 40-hour work week. The hybrid schedule requires flexibility to be present in the office for key collaborative activities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature with significant in-office days emphasizes the value placed on in-person collaboration, brainstorming, and team cohesion, which is common in creative environments. The "dog-friendly" aspect and provided meals highlight a culture that aims to foster a welcoming and employee-centric workspace.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and alignment with Roark's aesthetic and digital needs.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where candidates present their portfolio, discussing key projects, design process, and how they translate briefs into successful visual outcomes. Expect questions on concept development, digital execution, and brand adherence.

• Skills Assessment/Creative Challenge: Potentially a design exercise or case study simulating a real-world brief to evaluate problem-solving skills, creative thinking, and execution speed on digital platforms.

• Team & Culture Fit: Interviews with Art Director, Creative Leadership, and potentially marketing stakeholders to assess collaboration style, cultural alignment with the adventure lifestyle, and communication skills.

• Final Round: May involve a discussion with senior leadership to confirm fit and discuss overall contributions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Digital: Prioritize projects showcasing digital-first execution, social media campaigns, e-commerce assets, and paid advertising creative.

• Showcase Process: For 2-3 key projects, walk through your thought process – from understanding the brief and concept development to execution and rationale for design choices. Highlight how your design solved a problem or met a specific objective.

• Highlight Volume & Efficiency: Given the need for high-volume output, be prepared to discuss how you manage your workload, prioritize tasks, and maintain quality under pressure.

• Brand Alignment: Demonstrate your understanding of Roark's visual identity and how your work aligns with or pushes its boundaries authentically.

• Motion Graphics (if applicable): If you have motion design experience, showcase examples that are relevant to social media and paid advertising.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: Carefully analyze any design challenge, paying attention to target audience, campaign goals, and platform specifications.

• Roark's Aesthetic: Familiarize yourself with Roark's current branding, campaign style, and target demographic.

• Digital Best Practices: Be ready to apply knowledge of social media specs, email design best practices, and ad creative principles.

• Concise Communication: For any presentation of a challenge, be clear, concise, and focus on the strategic reasoning behind your creative decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a Sr. Graphic Designer in a brand like Roark will heavily weigh the portfolio. Candidates must be prepared to defend their design choices, articulate their process, and demonstrate how their work directly supports marketing and sales objectives in the digital space. The "4+ days in office" requirement suggests that in-person collaboration and communication skills will be thoroughly assessed.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Expert-level proficiency required in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for comprehensive asset creation, manipulation, and layout.

• Figma: Advanced proficiency for digital design, UI/UX elements, prototyping, and collaborative workflows, especially for web and digital assets.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

Other Tools:

• After Effects: Preferred skill for motion graphics and animation.

• Photography/Videography Equipment: If the candidate is expected to shoot photoshoots, familiarity with professional camera equipment and lighting may be necessary.

• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with tools like Asana, Trello, or Jira might be advantageous for managing high-volume projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Adobe Creative Suite and Figma, along with After Effects as a preferred skill, defines the core technical requirements. The emphasis on digital-first suggests an understanding of how these tools integrate into broader digital marketing workflows, even if direct use of marketing automation or CRM software isn't a core requirement.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Authenticity: A genuine connection to the outdoors and adventure lifestyle is paramount, reflecting the brand's core ethos.

• Excellence & Precision: A commitment to high-quality design execution and brand consistency across all digital touchpoints.

• Collaboration: Working effectively within a team, sharing ideas, and providing constructive feedback to achieve collective goals.

• Innovation: Staying current with design trends and digital formats to push creative boundaries and maintain a progressive brand image.

• Efficiency: Ability to manage a high volume of work and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires close collaboration with marketing, merchandising, and product teams, necessitating strong communication and a shared understanding of campaign objectives.

• Feedback-Driven: A culture where constructive feedback is regularly exchanged to refine creative output and ensure alignment with brand strategy.

• Agile & Responsive: The fast-paced environment demands an agile approach to creative development, with the ability to adapt quickly to changing briefs and market dynamics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values are deeply tied to its brand identity as an "Adventure Lifestyle" brand. For a designer, this means not just executing visually but embodying and communicating the spirit of adventure and performance. Collaboration will be key, given the cross-functional nature of digital marketing campaigns.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• High Volume Production: Consistently delivering a high volume of quality creative assets (5+ emails, ad sets, site updates weekly) under tight deadlines.

• Balancing Brand & Commercial: Effectively translating brand storytelling and aesthetic into designs that also drive commercial outcomes (e.g., conversions, engagement).

• Platform Adaptation: Staying current with evolving digital platform specifications and best practices, and adapting creative output accordingly.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring a cohesive visual identity across a wide range of digital touchpoints while also introducing fresh, progressive concepts.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Digital Design Techniques: Opportunities to deepen expertise in areas like motion graphics, interactive design, and advanced digital campaign strategies.

• Brand Strategy Immersion: Gaining a deeper understanding of Roark's brand narrative and how visual design contributes to overall marketing and business objectives.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Learning about marketing analytics, e-commerce strategy, and product merchandising through close collaboration with other departments.

• Industry Trends: Access to resources and insights into the evolving landscape of digital marketing, design, and the adventure lifestyle industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge is managing high-volume, high-quality digital creative output while staying true to a distinct brand identity. Growth opportunities are geared towards deepening creative expertise and gaining broader marketing operational understanding.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Walk us through a digital campaign you designed from concept to execution. What were the objectives, your creative process, and the results?" (Focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, problem-solving, and impact).

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across diverse digital platforms while also introducing fresh creative concepts?" (Assess understanding of brand systems and creative evolution).

• "Describe a time you had to manage a high volume of design requests with tight deadlines. How did you prioritize and ensure quality?" (Evaluate project management and efficiency skills).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Roark's brand and its place in the adventure lifestyle market?" (Assess research and genuine interest).

• "How do you see your design skills contributing to Roark's mission and customer engagement?" (Connect your skills to the company's goals).

• "Describe your ideal creative team environment and how you collaborate with others." (Evaluate team fit and communication style).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each project, explain the "why" behind your design decisions, not just the "what." Connect your work to the brief and desired outcomes.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, include metrics or results that demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, click-through rates, conversions).

• Highlight Digital Expertise: Emphasize projects that showcase your proficiency in social media, paid ads, email, and e-commerce design.

• Showcase Process & Tools: Be ready to discuss your workflow, the tools you used (especially Adobe Suite and Figma), and how you collaborated.

• Be Prepared for Live Critiques/Challenges: If a live design exercise is part of the process, be ready to think aloud, ask clarifying questions, and produce a concept quickly.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design talent but also strategic thinking, an understanding of digital marketing operations, and a genuine connection to the brand's lifestyle. The portfolio is critical and should be presented as a narrative of problem-solving and impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Sr. Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Archipelago Companies careers page.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 5-7 of your strongest digital design projects that best showcase your experience with social media campaigns, paid advertising creative, e-commerce assets, and email marketing. Ensure your portfolio highlights your ability to develop concepts and maintain brand consistency.

• Tailor Your Resume: Update your resume to clearly articulate your 5+ years of digital design experience, highlighting specific achievements and responsibilities related to digital-first execution, high-volume output, and brand storytelling. Integrate keywords such as "digital design," "social media advertising," "e-commerce," "Adobe Creative Suite," and "Figma."

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through 2-3 key portfolio pieces, detailing your design process, the problem you solved, your creative rationale, and any measurable results. Be ready to discuss your experience with motion graphics if applicable.

• Research Roark: Thoroughly research Roark's brand, mission, target audience, and current marketing campaigns. Understand their aesthetic and how your design philosophy aligns with their adventure lifestyle ethos.

⚠️ 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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