Associate Product Designer

Join us at Oriental Trading, a Berkshire Hathaway Company, where fun means business!

**This is a Hybrid work opportunity. Work Tuesday-Thursday in office and remote on Monday and Friday. **

General Summary of Purpose:

As our Associate Product Designer, you will be responsible for effectively handling packaging and resends for the Product Development Department. Designs products for all departments and business units using primarily existing artwork and templates.

Essential Functions:

• Generates artwork for retail packaging as necessary
• Completes all resend requests, ensuring all specs, templates, etc. on artwork are up to date before being resent to makers
• Designs products for approved concepts, including all phases of required artwork through a combination of hand drawing and/or Macintosh computer, using existing artwork and templates as a starting point
• Designs products for approved concepts, including all phases of required artwork through a combination of hand drawing and/or Macintosh computer, creating original artwork when appropriate and approved
• Prepares mock-up products and finished craft projects for photography
• Develops specifications for new products to ensure manufacturability and acceptable quality at the target price point
• Works with Buyers, Product Design Supervisors and Director of Product Development to make revisions/improvements to product designs until approved
• Works within established timeframes for each project and meets departmental and Merchandising deadlines
• Collaborates occasionally with other departments, including Merchandise Buying, Brand Merchants, Sourcing and Creative
• Communicates effectively with our overseas vendors regarding new artwork, samples, required revisions and production processes
• Prepares and checks digital files to ensure accuracy and correct formatting for production
• Abides by all policies and procedures of Oriental Trading Company
• Maintains regular, predictable attendance
• Must be able to attend face to face meetings on short or little advance notice
• Work requires in-person collaboration among colleagues and contractors
• Reviews new item pre-production and production samples to ensure samples match artwork and specifications, function properly and are acceptable quality for our customers
• Stays abreast of market trends, themes, materials, techniques and competition by local competitive shopping, reviewing industry publications, on-line research, etc. Brings pertinent information and concept ideas to quarterly New Product Development Concepting sessions
• Market shops, locally and regionally, collecting ideas and reference samples that can be used as inspiration for new products or designs
• Generates new product concepts based on department performance trends, market opportunities and trends, assortment gaps and identified key occasions, themes and cross-departmental concepts
• Performs other related duties and projects as assigned

Here’s what you need to join the fun:

• Solid design skills; a good sense of color and attention to detail
• Proficient in Macintosh Adobe Creative Suite 5 or higher, primarily Illustrator and PhotoShop
• Some Illustration and character development skills
• Ability to work creatively within the pressure of deadlines
• Excellent organizational, communication and time management skills
• Must have an excellent attitude and be receptive to art direction and input from others
• A good understanding of pre-press and print processes
• Ability to perform job in a safe manner
• Two-year vocational degree concentrating in design, illustration, related field or equivalent combination of education and experience
• BFA in Product Design, Graphic Design, or related field preferred
• Minimum of one year experience as a designer, illustrator or Product Developer or intern in a design environment
• Must have a quality portfolio

All work and no play just isn’t our style. Join us today!

To apply in less than ten minutes click the “Apply” button or view a complete list of our current openings at http://www.myotccareer.com

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Oriental Trading Company (www.orientaltrading.com), is the nation’s largest direct retailer of value-priced party supplies, arts and crafts, toys and novelties, and a leading provider of teaching supplies and affordable home décor and giftware. Founded in 1932 by a Japanese American, the Oriental Trading' history of fun spans the better part of the last century. Today, Oriental Trading offers more than 60,000 products to individuals, teachers, schools, churches, businesses and nonprofits. With a corporate vision to “Make Life More Fun,” Oriental Trading (a Berkshire Hathaway company) spreads joy and smiles to millions each year through a robust family of brands; Oriental Trading, Fun Express, MindWare, SmileMakers, Morris Costumes and halloweenexpress.com.

EOE