Retail Product Designer / Product Developer – Children’s Products

MinMor Industries/Mello Smello; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Employee assistance program

Health insurance

Life insurance

Relocation assistance

Retirement plan

Vision insurance

Job summary

MinMor Industries/Mello Smello, based in Minneapolis, seeks a designer/developer to lead concepts through prepress for children’s mass‑market products. You’ll create apparel, stickers, paper novelties, and packaging while aligning with brand guidelines and cost targets.

Strong portfolio in children’s product design, Illustrator and Photoshop proficiency, and experience with production readiness are required. Onsite role with opportunities for cross-functional collaboration and growth.

Qualifications

• Education in graphic design or related field.
• 3+ years in graphic/product design for mass-market retail.
• Advanced proficiency in Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Strong portfolio of children’s product design and packaging.
• Ability to interpret briefs, dielines, and production specs.

Responsibilities

• Develop original concepts, artwork, and designs for children’s products.
• Research trends across themes, colors, graphics, and characters.
• Create age-appropriate designs for multiple age groups.
• Build coordinated assortments for mass-market retail.
• Produce production-ready art and prepare prepress files.
• Design packaging, labels, displays, and merchandising concepts.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to meet sales objectives.
• Manage artwork lifecycle from concept to production.

Skills

Graphic design

Product design

Illustration

Typography

Layout

Color theory

Project management

Communication

Education

Associate or bachelor’s degree in graphic design/related field

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Microsoft Office

Job description

Minneapolis-based onsite role for a designer/developer focused on children’s mass-market retail products, from concept through prepress and final production.

• Develop original product concepts, artwork, and designs for children’s seasonal and everyday printed goods, including stickers, activity products, paper novelties, promotional products, and related consumer items
• Research children’s trends across themes, colors, graphics, characters, illustration styles, activities, and popular retail categories
• Create age-appropriate designs that align with customer specifications and market expectations for multiple age groups
• Build coordinated assortments for mass-market retail, including themed collections, seasonal programs, and complementary product lines
• Produce production-ready art using Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop (artwork, illustrations, graphics, layouts, and files)
• Design packaging and merchandising including retail packaging, labels, inserts, displays, and merchandising concepts to improve shelf appeal
• Align with commercial requirements across customer needs, target retail price points, brand guidelines, and established product specifications
• Prepare prepress files with accurate file setup, color specifications, typography, image placement, dielines, and other requirements for commercial printing and packaging
• Manage the artwork lifecycle through prepress and production by reviewing proofs and making revisions for accuracy and print readiness
• Collaborate on manufacturability with Production and printing/packaging teams to evaluate feasibility, materials, printing methods, finishing processes, and manufacturing needs
• Optimize for cost and margin by modifying designs, materials, specifications, and production methods to meet cost targets and improve manufacturability
• Partner cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, Project Management, Production, Purchasing, outside vendors, and company leadership to meet sales objectives and market opportunities
• Interpret project documentation including customer briefs, reference materials, product specifications, and artwork requirements
• Run multiple projects concurrently by prioritizing assignments and meeting development, artwork, approval, and production deadlines
• Verify quality pre-production by reviewing product samples, proofs, prototypes, and production samples for accuracy, color consistency, and adherence to approved specifications
• Maintain organized documentation for artwork files, product information, design assets, specifications, and supporting materials within company systems
• Coordinate with external partners when applicable, including overseas manufacturers, sourcing partners, and outside vendors for development, sampling, and production
• Improve product design outcomes by identifying opportunities to reduce complexity, optimize material usage, and enhance quality and retail appeal
• Stay current on printing technologies, packaging innovations, materials, manufacturing capabilities, and industry best practices
• Support continuous improvement related to design/development processes, artwork management, production efficiency, and quality
• Maintain confidentiality for customer information, proprietary artwork, product concepts, pricing, and company business information
• Follow quality and compliance standards including customer requirements, product specifications, work instructions, and applicable product safety requirements
• Consider compliance during design for age appropriateness, product functionality, labeling, warnings, and applicable product safety requirements
• Address regulatory needs by coordinating internal departments and external partners for regulatory, labeling, material, and product compliance requirements
• Escalate issues promptly by communicating design errors, quality concerns, specification discrepancies, or potential compliance issues to the right personnel
• Support corrective actions related to product quality, safety, and customer satisfaction
• Additional duties as assigned by the VP of Sales for Mello Smello to support product development, creative operations, customer requirements, and business objectives

Requirements

• Education: Associate or bachelor’s degree in graphic design, Product Design, Illustration, Visual Communications, or a related field (equivalent relevant professional experience may be considered)
• Experience: 3+ years of professional experience in graphic design, retail product design, product development, packaging design, or a related field (strongly preferred experience designing children’s products for mass-market retail)
• Software: advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop (required)
• Preferred: experience with imported products, overseas sourcing, international vendors, or global manufacturing partners
• Portfolio: strong portfolio demonstrating children’s product design, illustration, graphic design, packaging, printed products, or related consumer products
• Design foundations: strong understanding of typography, color theory, composition, layout, illustration, and visual communication
• Printed product experience: experience developing printed products such as stickers, activity products, paper novelties, promotional items, or similar consumer products
• Retail programs: experience developing seasonal and everyday product programs for mass-market retailers
• Production readiness: ability to prepare accurate, production-ready artwork and understand file preparation requirements for commercial printing and packaging
• Technical interpretation: ability to interpret design briefs, customer specifications, dielines, technical information, and production requirements
• Manufacturing knowledge: understanding of materials, printing methods, finishing processes, and manufacturing constraints
• Balance constraints: ability to balance creative design objectives with production feasibility, target costs, retail pricing, and profitability
• Children’s focus: strong understanding of children’s trends, themes, visual preferences, and age-appropriate product development
• Plus: illustration, character development, cartooning, or hand-drawing skills
• Tools: working proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to use applicable project management, artwork management, and ERP systems
• Detail orientation: exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and consistency in design and production files
• Execution: strong organizational and time-management skills to prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Communication: strong written and verbal communication skills; able to collaborate across departments and utilize to communicate with other languages
• Working style: ability to work independently with limited supervision and contribute effectively as part of a team
• Personal qualities: reliability, positive attitude, strong work ethic, flexibility, and commitment to quality
• Learning: willingness to learn new software, systems, design techniques, manufacturing processes, and industry practices
• Onsite attendance: regular and dependable attendance onsite is an essential function
• Physical requirements: prolonged sitting and computer work; occasional walking through manufacturing/production areas if needed; safe navigation of manufacturing environment on occasion; occasional lifting/movement of product samples, prototypes, documents, or materials as required
• Work setting: ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Adaptability: ability to adapt to changing customer needs, project priorities, product trends, and production requirements
• Other duties: willingness to perform other related duties as assigned by the VP of MelloSmello Sales to support operational and business needs

Technologies

• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Photoshop
• Microsoft Office

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Relocation assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Compensation

• $95,000 - $125,000 per year

Work Location

• Minneapolis, MN (onsite)
• Work location noted as hybrid remote in Minneapolis, MN 55430