Visual Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Visual Designer

Company: Johnson Health Tech North America Inc

Location: Cottage Grove, WI, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: 2026-09-11

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Develops and executes compelling, brand-aligned creative assets for integrated marketing campaigns across digital and print channels, primarily for the Matrix Fitness brand.

• Manages the entire creative lifecycle from concept development through final production, ensuring adherence to established brand guidelines and file management standards.

• Collaborates effectively with U.S. and global marketing teams to maintain brand consistency, share best practices, and adapt global assets for the U.S. market.

• Steward of brand identity, ensuring all creative outputs reflect the company's mission and quality standards, with a keen eye for detail in typography, layout, and imagery.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a core contributor within the U.S. commercial marketing team, with a strong emphasis on brand stewardship and production quality. The need to adapt global assets suggests a matrixed reporting structure or strong cross-functional collaboration with international teams. The focus on "delighting and exciting customers" through "innovative products" implies a dynamic and forward-thinking creative environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and produce visually engaging creative assets for digital platforms (email, landing pages, microsites, paid/organic social media) and print collateral (sales materials, presentations, event signage).

• Apply expert judgment in typography, layout, visual hierarchy, and imagery to craft cohesive and impactful brand experiences that resonate with target audiences.

• Present creative concepts and design rationale clearly, incorporating stakeholder feedback and driving approved designs to final, production-ready stages.

• Serve as a primary brand steward, ensuring all creative work rigorously adheres to established brand guidelines and proactively identifying and rectifying potential inconsistencies.

• Prepare accurate, production-ready files, conducting thorough quality checks for content accuracy, technical specifications, resolution, color accuracy, accessibility considerations, and overall brand integrity.

• Manage assigned projects independently, from intake and prioritization through completion, meticulously tracking timelines, communicating capacity, and proactively identifying and escalating risks or conflicts.

• Collaborate closely with U.S. marketing project owners to define project scope, deliverables, and approval processes, providing regular status updates.

• Engage with global marketing creative teams to align on brand direction, share best practices, ensure consistency, and facilitate the effective adaptation of global assets for the U.S. market.

• Contribute to a positive and collaborative team environment by actively sharing ideas, offering constructive feedback, and supporting team members on shared projects.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of industry design trends, digital and social media formats, production methods, accessibility standards, and relevant creative software.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative execution and project management. The emphasis on "adapting global assets" implies a need for flexibility and understanding of international branding nuances. The requirement to "maintain current knowledge" suggests an expectation for continuous learning and professional development within the design field.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Communication Design, Graphic Design, or a closely related field is a mandatory requirement. Experience:

• A minimum of three to five years of professional experience in visual or graphic design is required, with a preference for candidates who have supported integrated marketing campaigns or worked within an in-house creative team environment. Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud suite, with a strong emphasis on InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.

• Demonstrated expertise in typography, layout design, and visual hierarchy across both digital and print media.

• Proven ability in concept development and visual problem-solving, supported by a strong portfolio showcasing a range of design projects.

• Experience in preparing production-ready files for various print and digital outputs, including an understanding of pre-press requirements and digital asset specifications.

• Strong understanding of brand stewardship principles and the ability to consistently apply brand standards across diverse creative assets.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate creative choices and design rationale to non-design stakeholders.

• Meticulous attention to detail, ensuring accuracy in all aspects of design and production. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with presentation design software and tools.

• Motion graphics or video design experience is highly desirable.

• Prior experience working within an agency setting.

• Familiarity with accessibility considerations in design (e.g., WCAG guidelines).

• Experience with project management methodologies or tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a BFA degree and 3-5 years of experience positions this role as mid-level, expecting a solid foundation and practical application of design principles. The emphasis on Adobe Creative Suite, particularly InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop, is critical. The preference for agency experience or motion/video design indicates a desire for candidates with a broad skill set and potentially faster-paced project exposure.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a strong visual thinking process, showcasing the evolution of ideas from initial concept sketches or mood boards to final polished designs.

• Include case studies that highlight the successful application of typography, layout, and imagery to solve specific design challenges and achieve marketing objectives.

• Present a diverse range of work across digital (web, social, email) and print (collateral, presentations) channels, illustrating versatility and adaptability.

• Clearly articulate the rationale behind design choices, explaining how each element contributes to brand consistency and strategic goals.

• Showcase examples of production-ready files or the ability to discuss file preparation, demonstrating an understanding of technical specifications for various outputs. Process Documentation:

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their personal workflow for managing creative projects from brief to final delivery, including concept development, iteration, feedback incorporation, and production.

• Illustrate experience with file organization, naming conventions, version control, and asset management practices to ensure clarity and reusability of creative assets.

• Be ready to explain how they ensure quality control throughout the design and production process, including pre-press checks or digital asset reviews.

• Provide examples of how they collaborate with stakeholders, manage feedback, and communicate project status, showcasing effective workflow management.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Visual Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to demonstrate not just aesthetic skill but also strategic thinking, process adherence, and the ability to translate business objectives into effective visual communication. The emphasis on "process documentation" in this context refers to the candidate's ability to articulate their working methodology and how they ensure quality and efficiency in their creative output.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for a Visual Designer with 3-5 years of experience in the Cottage Grove, WI area, the estimated annual salary range is $65,000 - $85,000. This estimate considers the cost of living in the region, the company's industry (manufacturing/fitness equipment), and the specified responsibilities. Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance plans.

• Company-paid Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage.

• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with potential company match.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual for work-life balance.

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) options for healthcare expenses.

• Employee discounts on Johnson Health Tech products, fostering engagement with the brand.

• Access to Wellness Resources and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for support. Working Hours:

• This is a full-time position, typically requiring 40 hours per week. While the core hours are expected to align with standard business operations, flexibility may be available based on project deadlines and team needs, subject to manager approval. The role is designated as on-site.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on publicly available data for similar roles in the specified geographic location and experience level. It's important for candidates to note that actual compensation may vary based on individual qualifications, interview performance, and the company's specific compensation structure. The benefits package is robust, covering standard health, retirement, and wellness offerings, with the addition of employee product discounts which is a nice perk for this industry.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Fitness Equipment Manufacturing and Technology. Johnson Health Tech is a global leader, creating innovative solutions for healthier living, serving both commercial and residential markets. This industry demands a blend of cutting-edge technology, user-centric design, and robust product development.

Company Size: Johnson Health Tech is one of the world's largest fitness equipment manufacturers. While the exact size of the North American division isn't specified, the global scale suggests a significant operation with resources for innovation and growth. This implies a structured environment with opportunities for professional development and impact.

Founded: Johnson Health Tech was founded with a vision to innovate in the fitness industry, aiming to provide high-quality, user-friendly equipment. The company's mission statement emphasizes customer delight through innovation, quality, and exceptional customer experience.

Team Structure:

• The Visual Designer will be part of the U.S. Commercial Marketing team, working closely with project owners and collaborating with a global marketing creative team.

• The role is likely to report to a Marketing Manager or Creative Director within the U.S. team, with dotted-line collaboration expected with global creative leads for brand consistency.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, involving close partnerships with marketing, product development, and potentially sales teams to ensure creative assets effectively support business objectives. Methodology:

• The team likely employs a data-informed approach to marketing, where creative strategies are developed based on market insights, customer feedback, and performance metrics from previous campaigns.

• Workflow planning and optimization are key, especially given the need to manage multiple projects and adhere to strict brand guidelines and production standards.

• Automation and efficiency practices may be integrated into the creative process, particularly in asset management and production workflows, to maximize output and consistency.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on innovation and customer experience suggests a culture that values creativity, quality, and continuous improvement. The global presence indicates a need for strong brand management and cross-cultural communication skills within the team. The "world's largest" descriptor implies stability and significant market influence.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is considered a mid-level Visual Designer position, requiring 3-5 years of dedicated professional experience. It's a hands-on creative role focused on execution and brand application, with opportunities to influence creative direction within specific projects. The scope includes developing creative assets for integrated campaigns, implying a significant contribution to marketing efforts.

Reporting Structure: The Visual Designer will report to a U.S. Marketing lead (likely a Marketing Manager or Creative Director) and will collaborate closely with project owners within the U.S. marketing team. They will also interface with global marketing creative teams to ensure brand consistency and adapt global assets.

Operations Impact: The Visual Designer's impact is directly tied to the effectiveness of marketing communications. High-quality, brand-aligned creative assets are crucial for enhancing brand perception, driving customer engagement, supporting sales initiatives, and ultimately contributing to the company's revenue goals by making products more appealing and accessible.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Potential to deepen expertise in specific areas like motion graphics, digital campaign design, or advanced presentation design, aligning with emerging industry trends and business needs.

• Leadership: With demonstrated success and expanded experience, progression could lead to a Senior Visual Designer role, potentially mentoring junior designers or leading creative efforts on larger, more complex projects.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Opportunities to gain broader marketing experience by contributing to strategy discussions, understanding campaign performance data, and collaborating with diverse teams across the organization.

• Brand Expansion: As business needs evolve, there may be opportunities to contribute to the visual identity and creative development for other Johnson Health Tech brands beyond Matrix Fitness.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth trajectory for a Visual Designer typically involves deepening creative skills, taking on more complex projects, and potentially moving into leadership or specialized creative roles. The mention of "other Johnson Health Tech brands" suggests a potential for diverse creative challenges within the company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site position, indicating a traditional office environment within Johnson Health Tech's facilities. The primary workspace will be a professional office setting equipped for design work.

Office Location(s): The role is based in Cottage Grove, WI. This location will serve as the primary work base, with the possibility of occasional domestic travel for events, trade shows, or press checks.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is described as a typical professional office environment, suggesting access to standard office amenities and potentially a collaborative design area.

• Designers will utilize computers and phones extensively for design work, communication, and project management. Access to necessary design software and hardware is implied.

• Opportunities for team interaction will exist through regular team meetings, project collaborations, and informal exchanges within the office setting. Occasional visits to warehouses, showrooms, or other businesses may occur for project-related needs.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week, aligning with typical full-time employment. While on-site, the company culture likely encourages collaboration and adherence to project timelines. Occasional overtime may be required to meet critical deadlines, particularly around product launches or major events.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is a key factor for candidates. The description of a "typical professional office environment" suggests a standard corporate setting, emphasizing the importance of in-person collaboration and adherence to company policies and schedules.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Typically involves a review of the resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and creative output against job requirements. Candidates may be asked to provide a link to their online portfolio.

• Design Challenge/Portfolio Review: A common step involves presenting a portfolio and discussing specific projects in detail. Candidates may be asked to complete a design challenge related to the brand or a specific marketing scenario to assess problem-solving skills and creative approach under timed conditions.

• Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with U.S. Marketing project owners and potentially members of the global creative team to evaluate collaboration skills, communication effectiveness, and understanding of brand strategy.

• Final Interview: May involve meeting with hiring managers or department heads to assess cultural fit, long-term potential, and overall alignment with the company's mission and values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate your portfolio to showcase 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prioritize work that demonstrates skills in typography, layout, digital design, and print collateral, ideally for brands with a similar market or audience.

• For each project, clearly outline the brief/objective, your role, the challenges faced, your creative process, the solutions you developed, and the measurable outcomes or impact. Use compelling visuals and concise descriptions.

• Be prepared to discuss your design rationale for each piece, explaining your choices in typography, color, imagery, and layout, and how they align with brand strategy and marketing goals.

• Highlight any experience adapting global assets or working with established brand guidelines, as this is a specific requirement of the role.

• Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible (e.g., a professional website or PDF) and that all links are functional. Challenge Preparation:

• If a design challenge is given, thoroughly research the Matrix Fitness brand and its target audience. Understand their current marketing efforts and visual identity.

• Focus on demonstrating your ability to quickly grasp project requirements, apply brand standards, and produce a thoughtful, well-executed concept within the given timeframe.

• Practice articulating your creative process and design decisions concisely, even under pressure. Be ready to explain your approach to problem-solving and how you would iterate based on feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a Visual Designer heavily relies on the portfolio. Candidates should prepare to not only showcase their work but also to articulate the strategic thinking and process behind it, especially concerning brand adherence and project management. The design challenge is a practical assessment of their skills under realistic conditions.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Advanced proficiency is mandatory, specifically:

  • InDesign: For layout design, print collateral production, and multi-page documents.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, icons, and complex illustrations.
  • Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, digital asset creation, and mockups.

• Presentation Software: Experience with tools like Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides for creating sales and marketing presentations is required.

• File Management & Collaboration: Familiarity with cloud storage and file-sharing platforms (e.g., Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive) for asset management and team collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus, basic understanding of how design impacts digital performance metrics (e.g., click-through rates on emails, engagement on social media) is beneficial. Familiarity with analytics dashboards (e.g., Google Analytics, social media analytics) could provide context for design effectiveness. CRM & Automation:

• No direct CRM or automation tool proficiency is explicitly required for this design role. However, understanding how creative assets are deployed through marketing automation platforms or CRM systems can be advantageous for designing assets that are technically compatible and effective.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement is mastery of the Adobe Creative Suite, particularly InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop. The role emphasizes production-ready files, so a deep understanding of these tools' capabilities for print and digital output is crucial. Experience with presentation software is also specified.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: A commitment to developing fresh, effective creative solutions that push boundaries and align with the company's mission to innovate in fitness technology.

• Quality: A dedication to producing high-caliber work that reflects the premium nature of Johnson Health Tech's products and upholds rigorous brand standards.

• Customer Focus: Designing with the end-user in mind, ensuring creative assets are engaging, informative, and contribute to a positive customer experience.

• Collaboration: Valuing teamwork, open communication, and mutual support among team members, both within the U.S. marketing team and with global counterparts.

• Efficiency: Striving for streamlined workflows, effective time management, and the production of high-quality assets in a timely manner.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role requires close collaboration with U.S. marketing stakeholders to understand project requirements, gather feedback, and ensure creative alignment with campaign objectives.

• Brand Consistency Focus: A collaborative approach with the global creative team is essential to maintain a unified brand identity across all markets while adapting assets for U.S. specific needs.

• Feedback & Improvement: An open environment where constructive feedback is shared and incorporated to refine creative work and improve processes. This includes sharing best practices and contributing to a culture of continuous learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values likely center around innovation, quality, and customer experience, which are directly reflected in the expectations for the Visual Designer. The collaborative style emphasizes both internal team synergy and cross-border communication for brand integrity.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Consistency with U.S. Market Needs: Effectively adapting global creative assets to resonate with the nuances of the U.S. market while strictly adhering to established brand guidelines.

• Managing Multiple Projects and Deadlines: Juggling a diverse workload with competing priorities and ensuring timely delivery of high-quality creative assets for various marketing initiatives.

• Translating Technical/Product Information into Visuals: Effectively communicating the features and benefits of complex fitness equipment through compelling and easily understandable visual designs.

• Staying Current with Design Trends and Technologies: Continuously updating skills and knowledge in rapidly evolving digital and print design landscapes to maintain a competitive edge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to expand capabilities in areas like motion graphics, UI/UX design principles for digital assets, or advanced presentation techniques.

• Industry Exposure: Potential participation in industry events, webinars, or workshops related to graphic design, marketing, and the fitness industry.

• Mentorship: Learning from experienced marketing professionals and creative leads within the organization, gaining insights into strategic marketing and brand management.

• Portfolio Growth: Working on high-profile campaigns and product launches provides valuable additions to the designer's professional portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a designer in a global company with a strong brand identity, focusing on execution, adaptation, and workflow management. Growth opportunities are geared towards expanding technical and strategic design skills within the marketing context.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a global brand asset and adapting it for a specific regional market. What are the key considerations?" (Focus on brand stewardship, cultural relevance, and technical execution.)

• "Walk us through a complex integrated marketing campaign you designed for. What were the key objectives, your role, the challenges, and the results?" (Prepare a case study highlighting your process, problem-solving, and impact.)

• "How do you approach a design brief when requirements are unclear or conflicting? How do you ensure alignment with stakeholders?" (Demonstrate communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Johnson Health Tech and the Matrix Fitness brand? How do you see your design skills contributing to our mission?" (Research company values, mission, and recent product launches. Connect your passion for design with their goals.)

• "How do you handle receiving constructive criticism or significant revisions on your designs?" (Highlight your collaborative spirit, openness to feedback, and focus on achieving the best outcome.)

• "Describe your experience working within established brand guidelines. How do you balance creative expression with brand consistency?" (Emphasize your respect for brand integrity and your ability to innovate within defined parameters.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select 3-5 projects that best represent your skills in typography, layout, digital, and print design, with a focus on brand application.

• For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your solution, your process, and the impact. Use compelling visuals and concise, impactful language.

• Be prepared to discuss the specific tools and techniques you used and why.

• Be ready to answer questions about your design choices, your collaboration process, and how you handle feedback.

• If applicable, highlight projects where you adapted existing assets or worked within strict brand guidelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of design principles, brand management, project workflow, and collaborative skills, all supported by concrete examples from the candidate's portfolio.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Visual Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the recruiting portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects that demonstrate proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop), strong typography and layout skills, and experience with both digital and print media. Prioritize work that shows brand stewardship or adaptation of existing creative.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 3-5 years of relevant design experience, emphasizing achievements and responsibilities related to integrated marketing campaigns, brand consistency, and production quality. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and problem-solving approaches. Prepare specific examples from your portfolio to illustrate your skills and experience, particularly in adapting global assets and collaborating with stakeholders.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Johnson Health Tech, its brands (especially Matrix Fitness), mission, and recent product innovations. Understand their target market and how design contributes to their overall business objectives.

⚠️ 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.