Graphic Designer II / III – Graphic Apparel

FOCO; Piscataway Township (NJ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Employee merchandise discounts

Job summary

FOCO is seeking a Graphic Designer II/III to create original, commercially strong graphics for licensed apparel programs, with a focus on graphic T-shirts and fan-driven apparel. The role requires independent concept development, production-ready artwork, and adherence to league, team, and brand guidelines.

The ideal candidate has strong apparel graphics experience, can mentor junior designers, and will work across licensing, product development, and production teams in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience in graphic design, apparel design, or related field.
• 3–6+ years of experience in graphic design, apparel graphics, licensed apparel, or consumer products.
• Strong portfolio showcasing apparel graphics, graphic tees, typography, and production-ready design work.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign).
• Strong understanding of typography, color, composition, layout, and visual storytelling.
• Experience creating production-ready artwork and technical art packages.
• Knowledge of apparel decoration techniques including screen print, heat transfer, embroidery, appliqué, and related methods.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects independently.

Responsibilities

• Create original graphics for licensed sports and entertainment apparel, focusing on graphic T-shirts.
• Develop trend-forward, fan-focused artwork aligned with league, team, and brand guidelines.
• Support seasonal collections, special programs, hot market opportunities, and retail initiatives.
• Balance creativity with commercial needs, production feasibility, and speed to market.
• Build master artwork files and production-ready design packages with accurate specs.
• Prepare files for screen print, heat transfer, embroidery, and other decoration methods.
• Research trends across sports, fashion, streetwear, licensed apparel, pop culture, and retail.
• Translate market insights into apparel graphics that resonate with fans and consumers.
• Partner with Product Development, Merchandising, Licensing, Sales, and Production teams.

Skills

Typography

Color theory

Layout

Visual storytelling

Cross-functional collaboration

Independent project ownership

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Apparel Design, or related field, or equivalent professional experience

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe InDesign

Job description

Team Beans/Forever Collectibles (FOCO) is a global leader in officially licensed sports and entertainment merchandise. FOCO proudly holds licenses across all major professional sports leagues, including the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS, and NCAA, along with a growing portfolio of entertainment and character-based brands.

Our diverse product portfolio spans apparel, accessories, footwear, home goods, collectibles, and novelty items—designed and manufactured through a robust global supply chain. We bring fans closer to the teams, players, and moments they love through innovative, trend-driven design.

The Opportunity

FOCO is seeking a Graphic Designer II / III – Graphic Apparel to create original, commercially strong graphics for licensed apparel programs, with a focus on graphic T-shirts and fan-driven apparel.

This role is ideal for a designer with strong apparel graphics experience who can independently develop concepts, execute production-ready artwork, and work within league, team, and brand guidelines. Depending on experience, this position may be leveled as Graphic Designer II or Graphic Designer III.

This is an individual contributor role with opportunities to mentor junior designers, but it is not a direct people-management position.

What You’ll Do

• Create original graphics for licensed sports and entertainment apparel, with a focus on graphic T-shirts
• Develop trend-forward, fan-focused artwork aligned with league, team, and brand guidelines
• Support seasonal collections, special programs, hot market opportunities, and retail initiatives
• Balance creativity with commercial needs, production feasibility, and speed to market

Production & Technical Design

• Build master artwork files and production-ready design packages
• Include accurate sizing, callouts, BOM details, print specifications, branding, and copyright requirements
• Prepare files for screen print, heat transfer, embroidery, appliqué, and other apparel decoration methods
• Ensure artwork is clean, accurate, and ready for internal review, licensor approval, and production
• Research trends across sports, fashion, streetwear, licensed apparel, pop culture, music, entertainment, and retail
• Develop mood boards, trend boards, and concept decks
• Translate market insights into apparel graphics that resonate with fans and consumers
• Contribute fresh ideas for seasonal assortments, capsule collections, and special initiatives
• Partner with Product Development, Merchandising, Licensing, Sales, and Production teams
• Support presentation decks, collection boards, line reviews, and approval materials
• Communicate design decisions clearly and professionally
• Manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced, high-volume environment

What You’ll Bring

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Apparel Design, or related field, or equivalent professional experience
• 3–6+ years of experience in graphic design, apparel graphics, licensed apparel, or consumer products
• Strong portfolio showcasing apparel graphics, graphic tees, typography, and production-ready design work
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, especially Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign
• Strong understanding of typography, color, composition, layout, and visual storytelling
• Experience creating production-ready artwork and technical art packages
• Knowledge of apparel decoration techniques including screen print, heat transfer, embroidery, appliqué, and related methods
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects independently

Preferred

• Experience working with licensed sports leagues such as the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS, and NCAA
• Experience with entertainment or character-based brands
• Experience in retail, DTC, wholesale, or consumer products environments
• Familiarity with project management tools, PLM systems, or licensor approval platforms
• Passion for sports, fan culture, apparel, and graphic design

A professional portfolio is required for this role. Candidates must provide a portfolio URL or PDF showcasing relevant work, including apparel graphics, graphic tees, typography, licensed product design, and production-ready artwork.

Applications submitted without a portfolio will not be reviewed.

• Typography and visual storytelling
• Production art and technical execution
• Trend research and concept development
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Time management in fast-paced environments
• Independent project ownership
• Design officially licensed products for the biggest sports leagues in the world
• Work on real, market-facing apparel programs at scale
• Join a fast-growing, creative, and collaborative environment
• Gain exposure across design, licensing, merchandising, product development, and production
• Competitive benefits and employee merchandise discounts

Tryouts are open at FOCO!

If you’re passionate about sports, apparel graphics, and creating products fans love, we’d love to see your work.