Graphic Designer II, Merchandise Development Original Merchandise (12-Month Fixed Term)

Get to know The Pokémon Company International

The Pokémon Company International manages the Pokémon property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management licensing and marketing the Pokémon Trading Card Game the animated TV series home entertainment and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular childrens entertainment properties in the world.

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Get to know the role

• Job Title: Graphic Designer II
• Job Summary: This role applies art design and layout skills to create visually engaging concepts and production-ready artwork for physical consumer products. The Graphic Designer develops original graphics patterns and visual assets for apparel accessories home goods and related tangible goods. The role balances creative concepting with manufacturing-aware execution ensuring artwork aligns with brand standards communicates the intended message and translates accurately across materials scales and production methods. This role is intended for a mid-level designer executing design work for physical products with growing independence and production expertise.
  
  This role typically manages 24 product sets simultaneously with staggered milestones proactively contributes design concepts and operates with minimal oversight while proactively escalating risks to timelines or deliverables.
• FLSA Classification (US Only): Exempt
• People Manager: No
• Portfolio requirement: Examples ofgraphic focusedproduct design for physical goods are required.

What youll do

Creative Concepting & Collaboration

• Collaborate with the Merchandise Development team and crossfunctional partners to understand the project assignment product brief audience and intended message.
• Create original visual mediaillustrations graphics patterns and layoutsthat support compelling unified product stories.
• Contribute to product line briefs concept suggestions and overall ideation for seasonal and capsule collections.
• Manage 24 concurrent product design projects ensuring alignment to briefs timelines and stakeholder expectations.

Design for Physical Goods

• Primarily create graphic concepts for physical goods featuring a variety of Pokémon and product types by leveraging existing assets and creating new supporting graphics while ensuring all graphics respect product and production limitations.
• Adapt artwork to manufacturing processes (e.g. screen print embroidery heat transfer/heat setting appliqué sublimation embossing/debossing specialty inks woven/printed labels molded elements).
• Translate 2D artwork into production ready files that maintain integrity across various substrates textures and sizes (flat and 3D forms).

Brand Integrity Layout and Typography

• Uphold brand standards and licensing requirements; ensure character accuracy and consistency across merchandise and packaging.
• Choose appropriate graphics clip art and stock photography; enhance choices with custom drawings and vector illustrations as needed.
• Select fonts and produce sample layouts/placements for approval; solve complex design problems involving brand integrity and diversified graphics.

Review Routing andProduction

• Route all stages of art concepts for cross department signoffs ensuring work meets brand standards briefs and production expectations.
• Prepare drafts and prototypes for review; revise based on collaborative feedback to reach final approval.
• Support Production Design and on-time file deliveries.
• Partner with development and vendor teams to review strikeoffs proofs and samples providing clear feedback to ensure quality and fidelity.
• Proactively identify and escalate risks to timelines deliverables or approvals to Manager and Project Manager.

Research & Trend Development

• Research and create diversified brand appropriate graphics and illustrations.
• Research seasonal trends; identify new colors fabrics and silhouettes for conceptual development and product storytelling.
• Occasionally work from preexisting style guides problem solving for product design and production constraints.

Process Standards & Teamwork

• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders to drive efficient processes and transparent communication.
• Consult with the relevant manager director and/or team on complex or specialized projects.
• Contribute design catelog submissions (612 per season) to strengthen catalog breadth and future product opportunities.
• Meet all department and corporate business requirements including those regarding work hours conduct and teamwork.

What youll bring

• 35 years of experience in graphic design for soft and/orhard goods (consumer productssuch asappareldecor packaging).
• Working knowledge of product design constraints within a focused category with the ability to collaborate with Production and Design partners to resolve unknowns.
• Ability to navigate production templates processes and limitations with increasing independence.
• Conceptual and practical knowledge of print technology for physical goods (including but not limited to screen print embroidery heat setting sublimation).
• Experience preparing production ready files and working within manufacturing constraints/templates.
• Proficiency creating design work aligned to brand and licensing requirements
• Basic illustration and strong vector skills.
• Expert proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite on macOS; proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and similar design tools.
• Basic knowledge of related areas: marketing merchandising and licensing.
• High degree of originality and creativity providing valuable design insights that support product strategy.
• Excellent verbal and written communication; ability to present designs to stakeholders and proactively communicate risks/schedule impacts.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a cross functional environment and independently with strong initiative organization and attention to detail.

Base Salary Range: For this role new hires generally start between $86215 - $102285 per year. The full range is $86215 - $150844 per year. This range is applicable for the labor market where the role is intended to be hired. The final base salary is directly related to the candidates qualifications and professional experience uniquely.

How youll be successful

• Passion for Pokémon: Develops an understanding of the Pokémon brand the impact it has on our people culture business fans and communities and applying that knowledge and passion to everything you do.
• Challenging the Expected: Approaches challenges with curiosity and creativity embracing the possibility of failure as an opportunity to learn something new develop innovative ideas solve complex problems and identify unique opportunities.
• Integrity and Respect: Demonstrates integrity and respect by leading with empathy listening to others seeking out different perspectives and taking personal responsibility for decisions actions and results.
• Dedicated to Quality: Takes ownership to maintain and promote high standards looks for new ways to learn and improve and embraces a growth mindset to seek and apply feedback from others in an effort to continuously improve.
• Building Relationships: Develops and strengthens relationships adopting a team first mentality and working collaboratively to solve problems and meet shared goals.
• Delighting Customers: Listens and understands the interests and needs of our customers and stakeholders making them feel heard and important and embracing these learnings to continue delivering a unique Pokémon experience.

What to expect

• An innovative culture driven by impact delivering meaningful outcomes.
• Company events that celebrate the spirit of Pokémon.
• Competitive cash-based compensation programs.
• 100% employer-paid healthcare premiums for you.
• Generous paid family leave.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• Employer-paid long and short-term income protection insurance.
• US Employees: 401k Employer Matching.
• UK/IRE/MX Employees: Pension Employer Contributions.
• Fitness reimbursement.
• Commuter benefit.
• LinkedIn learning.
• Comprehensive relocation package for certain roles.
• Hybrid work environment.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this role. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities duties and skills required. Employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed. For roles in the United Kingdom candidates will need the right to some cases and for some roles the Company may be able to arrange a visa. For roles in Ireland this role requires candidates to have the right to live and work in the Republic of Ireland. However we welcome applications from all nationalities and may consider supporting an employment permit application in appropriate and suitable cases.

The Pokémon Company International is committed to the inclusion of all qualified applicants for consideration in our job application process. If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application pre-employment testing or a job interview or to otherwise participate in the hiring process please contact the Talent Acquisition team at .