Product Designer

As this is a hybrid role, working out of our Creative Studios in Westlake, Ohio, we will focus on candidates local to Northeast Ohio.
The Product Designer role is a blend of conceptual and technical functions. The position is responsible for concepting new product and interpreting specific product direction to design and illustrate new products. The Product Designer modifies existing art assets or directs new artwork to provide subject matter and technique variety within assigned product lines and refines and prepares art for reproduction. The role requires creativity, concepting, illustration, design, and typography skills to deliver consistently fresh and relevant products.
**A URL link or PDF of your portfolio is required to be considered for this role.**
PRODUCT DESIGN and DEVELOPMENT
 Applies strong layout, color and finishing solutions when creating product design concepts, effectively integrating hand lettering and typography.
 Increasingly becomes proficient at creating new, innovative product design concepts for everyday and seasonal product lines.
 Gains understanding of corporate market research methods, trend analysis and brand differentiation strategies that meet retailer and consumer needs.
 Creatively interprets product concept instructions, executes and refines art.
 Begins to build and maintain organized digital files of art assets from AG Assets and inspiration reference from various sources (websites, blogs, magazines, etc.).
 Develops understanding of how to connect design elements with editorial copy to create meaningful, highly saleable product.
 Builds knowledge of corporate pricing strategies in order to design innovative product with appropriate attributes and perceived value that align with specified price and cost targets.
 Supports brainstorms when called upon.
TECHNICAL SKILLS
 Effectively uses creative software programs and learns AG proprietary software and scripts to create production ready files for Manufacturing.
 Learns to build digital production-ready files, including color optimization through Color Management standards, cost estimating of finishings and attachments and other AG manufacturing standards.
 Gains a thorough knowledge of manufacturing processes and finishing applications.
 Develops a solid understanding of internal material sourcing processes and basic paper engineering practices.
 Creates repro-quality composite to ensure the product functions properly.
CROSS-FUNCTIONAL COLLABORATION and WORKFLOW MANAGEMENT
 Consistently meets all project and task deadlines as assigned by Program Director.
 Proactively prioritizes assignments, regularly reviewing deadlines and workflow with Sr. Program Director or Sr. Product Designer.
 Adjusts product designs based on feedback throughout multi-layered review process, in conjunction with Sr. Program Director or Sr. Product Designer.
 Provides strong conceptual/aesthetic art direction, either through written or verbal communication, to the centers of excellence.

Required Length & Type of Experience:
 3-5 years of professional experience in a graphic design or related Creative role, or equivalent education
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: 
Exhibits excellent design and illustration skills, including strong color sense and solid understanding of typography
 Versatile, flexible team player with the ability to collaborate cross functionally
 Strong verbal and written communication skills
 Understand and use design terminology
 Innovative thinking and problem-solving capabilities
 Exhibit solid understanding of specific software processes and procedures to complete job function within department (e.g. working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office) 
Proficiency with a variety of art styles and subject matter that enable people to make emotional connections and celebrate special occasions

Bachelor's of Art or Fine Arts Graphic or equivalent experience

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