ASSISTANT GRAPHIC DESIGNER JOB DESCRIPTION

Apparel graphics move on a seasonal clock. Every quarter, collections need original print artwork, packaging, branding, and surface treatments ready before tech packs ship to overseas vendors, and when production files are late or off-brand, the entire downstream timeline breaks. An Assistant Graphic Designer in fashion retail carries real production accountability, not just support tasks, from the earliest concept boards through final legal review and archive. This is an entry point into a structured creative hierarchy where BFA-level craft meets the commercial pressure of seasonal milestones and category-specific brand DNA.

As the Assistant Graphic Designer, you support the creation of seasonal graphics, surface patterns, and branded packaging across apparel, accessories, and related product categories, working within a multi-team creative structure on tight production calendars. Your output feeds directly into the decisions of Senior Graphic Designers and cross-functional partners in Print, CAD, and Sourcing, spanning categories from intimates and sleepwear to handbags and room decor.

Career Impact: Hands-on exposure to the full seasonal apparel cycle, from trend research and concept development through vendor-ready production files, builds a portfolio of commercially shipped, brand-attributed work that distinguishes you within the fashion design market.

Business Impact: The accuracy and brand fidelity of your production files determine whether seasonal launches hit vendor deadlines and whether packaging, labels, and hangtags reach retail floors reflecting the intended visual direction.

Growth Opportunity: Developing fluency across surface design, packaging, and apparel graphics simultaneously expands your competency into the Senior Graphic Designer track, where independent category ownership and cross-functional design leadership become the standard expectations.

• Develop original seasonal graphics and icons for apparel, accessories, packaging, and special product launches from concept through production-ready files.
• Support senior designers in building and presenting seasonal concept boards, color palettes, and branding materials across assigned categories.
• Prepare and transmit final production art files to overseas offices and vendors according to the seasonal design calendar and tech pack schedule.
• Research graphic trends, surface techniques, and relevant aesthetic references to inform seasonal direction and innovation opportunities.
• Collaborate with Print, CAD, and Surface teams to archive seasonal graphic files, physical samples, and digital libraries each season.
• Assist with the creation of branded labels, hangtags, trims, and packaging elements across apparel and accessories categories.
• Review in-progress design documentation and assist senior staff in ensuring all graphic production reviews include clear, elevated action items.

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, or a related design discipline, or equivalent work experience.
• 1 or more years of graphic design experience, with demonstrated exposure to apparel graphics, print design, or surface pattern work.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite for Mac OS, including Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop, at a production-ready level.
• Strong working knowledge of graphic layout, typography, color theory, and file organization and naming conventions.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and meet non-negotiable seasonal milestones and production deadlines.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with experience coordinating across cross-functional teams or external vendors.
• Attention to detail in both typographic execution and file preparation, ensuring accuracy through final release.

• Prior experience in apparel packaging, print production, or surface design, including knowledge of printing methods and apparel graphic techniques.
• Illustration skills, hand sketching, painting, or drawing, supporting original artwork development beyond digital tools.
• Familiarity with fashion brand identity systems, seasonal color palette structures, and visual DNA conventions specific to retail apparel.
• Experience preparing materials for legal review and vendor communication processes within a design production environment.

• On-time production file delivery rate, tracking adherence to seasonal milestone and tech pack send dates.
• Vendor revision cycles per seasonal submission, reflecting accuracy and brand alignment of transmitted production art.
• Archive completeness each season, measured by the percentage of required graphic, sample, and approval records logged.
• Seasonal concept boards completed without senior rework, indicating independent contribution quality at the development stage.
• Cross-functional feedback score from Print and CAD partner teams on file clarity and handoff readiness.
• Typical tools: vector and raster design (commonly Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign); presentation and project organization (commonly Smartsheet or equivalent)

• Base Salary Range: $45,000 – $62,000 annually, depending on experience and market
• Bonus: Discretionary annual bonus, typically 3–6% of base salary
• Equity: Not standard at this level in retail apparel
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer contribution varies by company size
• PTO: 10–15 days annually, plus company holidays
• Common Perks: Employee merchandise discount, seasonal sample access, professional development stipend at select employers

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process upon request. Employment in this role is contingent on the successful completion of a background check. All candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

The Assistant Graphic Designer owns the concept design and production of marketing assets across digital channels, including email, social media, and mobile apps, working under the Art Director to meet communication and promotional needs. Collaborating with Creative Directors and copywriters, this role delivers consistent, on-strategy visual outputs that support the overall marketing calendar and drive accurate, high-impact creative across all channels.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the Art Director in concept design and production of marketing assets across all digital marketing channels.
• Develop graphics and layouts for channels such as email, social media, and mobile apps under the direction of the Art Director.
• Confer with the Creative Director and Art Directors to ensure consistency across all channels.
• Manage the image library and assist with retouching markups across all channels.
• Ensure excitement, impact, and accuracy in all marketing design efforts.
• Understand spec requirements of each job before setup and final release.
• Adhere to the production schedule and meet all release deadlines.
• Work with copywriters to maintain the relationship of assigned projects to the overall strategy and marketing calendar.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design from an accredited institution or equivalent education and experience.
• 0–2 years of experience in graphic design.
• Proficiency on Mac in Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, Sketch, After Effects, and Envision; Figma is a plus.
• Strong knowledge of HTML and CSS principles.
• Familiarity with CMS and DSM.
• Knowledge of web design and video editing required.

Embedded within the Corporate Communications & Branding Department, the Assistant Graphic Designer based in downtown Los Angeles supports the development and innovation of marketing materials and digital assets for internal and external audiences across multiple channels and media formats. Working closely with branding, web, and product teams, this role delivers cohesive visual solutions that build brand continuity and advance business communication goals across platforms including live and virtual events.

Core Functions

• Assist in the development and maintenance of marketing presentations and brochures.
• Provide PowerPoint, Word, and Excel design support across departments and various stakeholders.
• Execute design decisions that elevate the brand message across visual communications.
• Prepare investment team and corporate structure charts, tables, and graphs for marketing materials.
• Champion the continuity of and adherence to branding standards.
• Ensure quality, including delivery across various media devices such as desktops, smartphones, and tablets.
• Maintain standard firm narratives and profile pages.
• Collaborate across the branding, web, and product teams to deliver bespoke solutions within brand.
• Convert text and data into compelling designs that support business efforts across multiple channels.
• Work with the events team to deliver best-in-class live and virtual events.
• Organize and maintain the digital graphics library.

Qualifications & Experience

• 8–10 years of experience as a graphic designer or in a similar role.
• Experience in global investment management with an understanding of compliance regulations.
• Experience creating emails and implementing campaigns in Pardot or similar marketing software.
• Experience with web editors and web-based CMS; HTML design experience is a plus.
• Advanced PowerPoint skills in design, formatting, and charting; strong knowledge of Microsoft Office products.
• Highly proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
• Strong knowledge of design concepts, practices, and procedures; awareness of the latest trends in design and technology.
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities and deadlines with strong attention to detail.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Collaborative and team-oriented with a strong sense of integrity and professionalism.

Reporting to senior Graphics team members, the Assistant Graphic Designer supports the creation of seasonal apparel graphics from concept to production, building presentations and developing original art that aligns with divisional design concepts and seasonal family messages. Partnering with design staff and cross-functional collaborators, this role shapes a consistent pipeline of on-trend visual assets that reflect the brand's optimistic identity season after season.

Primary Duties

• Assist the team in the development and production of on-trend apparel graphics that support seasonal family messages and align with divisional design concepts.
• Develop an understanding of seasonal graphic trends and provide analysis through online and in-store research, as well as gather relevant inspiration outside of apparel.
• Contribute to the creation of seasonal concepts with the team.
• Assist in creating and maintaining seasonal color palettes.
• Assist in building presentation boards and materials.
• Develop a solid understanding of graphic layout, type, technique, color, and detail.
• Assist in gathering all relevant development information and documentation for legal review.
• Assist senior design staff in ensuring that all graphic and production reviews are well documented, and that clear action items are addressed.
• Prepare and maintain graphic artwork production files against seasonal milestones and pipeline production considerations.
• Archive samples, digital files, and related materials.

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design preferred or equivalent experience.
• 1+ years of apparel graphic experience.
• Strong computer skills in Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, and related software.
• Strong hand skills, including illustration, painting, and drawing.
• Strong time management, interpersonal communication, and organizational skills.
• Strong sense of image and type.
• Awareness of graphics production methods, including printing methods and apparel graphic techniques.

Sitting at the intersection of surface design and fashion product development, the Assistant Graphic Designer collaborates with graphic designers and senior design managers to create original and proprietary artwork across handbags, fashion accessories, home goods, and cosmetics. Operating across sourcing offices, vendors, and internal teams, this role builds the cross-functional communication and production file infrastructure that leads seasonal artwork from concept through on-time delivery.

Duties

• Work with the graphics designer and senior design managers to create original and proprietary artwork for products.
• Prepare and send all production art to overseas offices and vendors on time as design sends tech packs.
• Create print and pattern, and surface design for various products, including handbags, fashion accessories, tech accessories, home goods, bridal, baby, and cosmetics.
• Organize samples, approvals, and the print library both physically and digitally each season.
• Communicate with sourcing offices and vendors about approvals, changes, and execution of product.
• Meet all calendar deadlines and perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Design required.
• Degree from an art university in illustration, art, or graphics is preferred.
• Expert knowledge of Adobe Suite, including Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to follow up on tasks.
• Artistic ability, including hand sketching, painting, and illustration, is a plus.
• An elevated sense of style and taste in fashion and room décor.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to work in a team environment.