Junior Graphic Designer packaging.

Goliath; Greater London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the toy industry is seeking a talented packaging designer to manage packaging projects from conception to production. The role involves collaboration with various teams and external suppliers, ensuring designs meet safety and legal requirements while staying on budget and schedule. The ideal candidate will have a background in graphic design, strong communication skills, and a passion for the youth market.

Qualifications

• Interest in the toy/youth market and awareness of current trends.
• Knowledge of pack structure and graphic design layout.

Responsibilities

• Consult, design, and project manage packaging elements from conception to production.
• Coordinate with global colleagues and external suppliers.
• Assist in controlling pack design to maintain product cost and schedule.

Skills

Communication

Project Management

Creative Problem Solving

Education

Graphic/Packaging Design Graduate

Tools

Graphic Software

Job description

Main Purpose of Job:

• Work closely with your direct line manager and the Marketing, Product, Engineering, and PI teams to consult, design, and project manage all packaging elements from conception through to production.
• Coordinate with global colleagues, vendors, and external suppliers to resolve design and production issues.
• Assist in controlling pack design to maintain product cost, focus, and schedule.

Key Tasks/Main duties:

• Assist in brainstorming and researching initial concepts and designs, including competitor packs.
• Understand and interpret briefs from the global product design and marketing departments.
• Provide written briefs for artwork, illustrations, and photography to external suppliers.
• Attend photo shoots when relevant.
• Stay current with competitor, fashionable packs, and trends.
• Consult with the PI team on safety and legal pack requirements.
• Collaborate with product designers and engineering on features, functions, costs, and manufacturing issues.
• Maintain current project files with all relevant details for archiving.
• Participate in all relevant project meetings.
• Complete pack specification documents under your line manager's guidance.
• Analyze quotes with your line manager to confirm content and explore value engineering solutions.
• Discuss costs with your line manager before accepting quotes for outsourced work.
• Develop good relationships with colleagues, external suppliers, or licensors.
• Support the approval process for proofs, layouts, and final print runs.
• Coordinate and analyze information between global offices.
• Attend off-site meetings and occasional international travel as necessary.
• Learn to plan your own time regarding projects, with guidance from your line manager.
• Monitor schedules and timelines through to production, with supervision.
• Develop budget management skills and awareness of costs and risks.
• Provide pack mock-ups for previews, sample selection, and listings as needed.
• Always update and inform your line manager before undertaking tasks or decisions.
• Propose solutions and directions for your projects whenever possible.

Requirements:

• Qualifications & Experience: Qualified graphic/packaging design graduate or equivalent. Interest in the toy/youth market and awareness of current trends. Knowledge of pack structure, graphic design layout, art direction, and graphic software is helpful. Understanding of current production techniques is critical. Good team working and communication skills are essential for project management.

Essential Personal Attributes:

• Talented, self-motivated, and dedicated packaging designer with knowledge of graphic applications, software, and print processes.
• Understanding of working and company practices and procedures.
• Maintain professional conduct at all times.
• Creative problem-solving skills and initiative.
• Good aesthetic sense, color, and visual communication skills suited for the toy market.
• Ability to listen, understand others' views, and accept constructive criticism.
• Self-motivated, organized, and good at project management.
• Familiar with budgets and schedules.
• Able to work under pressure and independently or within a team.
• Enjoy multi-tasking and managing varied workloads.
• Awareness of how your role impacts others in the company.
• Flexible, personable, with a good sense of humor, and not afraid to speak up.
• Attend all relevant meetings and contribute actively.