Job Description
Papyrus is known for the most compelling and unique celebration and lifestyle products in the social expression industry. We elevate everyday moments to become joyful events, visual statements and objects of beauty that convey a sense of self and punctuate the way we experience life. We're recruiting for an experienced Senior Product Designer - Outbound Licensing to join the team in our Westlake office.
As this is a hybrid position working out of our Creative Studios in Westlake, Ohio, we will focus on candidates currently residing in Northeast Ohio.
In this role, you will be responsible for developing creative, innovative, and fashion-forward designs for a wide range of product categories, including but not limited to Fine Jewelry, Home and Office Decor and Accessories, Candles, Pet Toys and Accessories, Health and Beauty, Seasonal Decor, Apparel, Stationery, Party Supplies, and cross-category giftables.
The role requires a high level of creativity, skilled application of art knowledge and aesthetics, graphic design proficiency, lettering and typography expertise and understanding of print manufacturing processes to deliver consistently fresh and relevant products.
In addition to excellence in product development, the Senior Product Designer contributes strategic thinking, day-to-day leadership, and Papyrus brand expertise, while ensuring that all products meet the brand's standard for superior quality and exquisite design across all categories.
In collaboration with Licensees, the Senior Product Designer will be responsible for collaborating on design trend research and influences, new product concepting, design execution and refinement of final products that will be distributed across multiple channels of distribution (Better Off Price, Mass, Specialty, Online). They will work with a team of freelancers to create fresh, on brand prints and/or manipulate existing or purchased artwork to develop seasonal style guides. These style guides will be used by licensees for the development of Papyrus products and packaging across multiple categories.
Building strong relationships with licensees will be critical to the success of the Senior Product Designer and the overall Papyrus brand in these Outbound Licensing categories.
**To be considered for this role, please include a link or pdf of your design portfolio**
PRODUCT DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT and ART DIRECTION
* Creatively versatile - ability to design traditional and trend-forward iconography, create both hand painted and vector art as well as be able to interpret, create or purchase prints and patterns directly to the trend direction
* Consistently leverages exceptional design sense with strong layout, color and finishing solutions when creating product design concepts, effectively integrating hand lettering and typography when appropriate
* Utilizes market research, trend analysis, competitive analysis, and brand differentiation strategies;
* Provides creative direction and instruction on Outbound Licensing product approvals from concept to final execution
TECHNICAL SKILLS
* Effectively and efficiently uses creative software programs and scripts to create production ready files for Manufacturing
* Maintains expert understanding of Color Management standards and digitally manipulates images to ensure colors are optimized for reproduction processes
* Maintains an ongoing, thorough knowledge of manufacturing processes and finishing applications
* Must be able to provide overlays, and understand a variety of product development executions in: Apparel, accessories, health and beauty, soft and hard home goods
CROSS-FUNCTIONAL COLLABORATION and WORKFLOW MANAGEMENT
* Collaborate with licensees to establish design direction and manage the submission and approval of designs - proactively prioritizes assignments with little or no supervision, coordinating deadlines against seasonal schedules and launch timelines
* Comfortable in communicating day-to-day design direction and brand guidelines to partners and develop innovative and creative concepts for product
* Provides strong conceptual/aesthetic art direction, either through written or verbal communication, to the agency and licensees through a multi-layered review process
DAY TO DAY LEADERSHIP
* Acts as a brand steward for Papyrus as well as an excellent role model for American Greetings' corporate Mission, Vision, and Values
* Exhibits high level product development and quality standards
* Collaborates with licensees to ensure brand integrity, design excellence, legal compliance, and superior quality of licensed products
* Track and administer licensing product approval process for assigned licensees and/or collaboration partners - key liaison with licensing agency
* Achieves set goals with attention to detail, tracking progress & anticipating potential issues, and manages design calendar deadlines
* Prioritize Papyrus brand standards daily, when implementing design comments across all categories and feedback for licensees
* Perform other duties as assigned
This company is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, gender, disability or protected veteran status. We desire to place a priority on referrals of protected veterans. EOE M/F/disability/vet VEVRAA Federal Contractor
